Yay! Mr Shand has removed the seized BB after applying some heat!

Now I need to collect the frame and get it built up tomorrow evening ready to go to Slovenia for the European Singlespeed Champs on Wednesday!

He's almost made it up the Achfary climb - should be hitting the west coast very shortly.

Fond memories.....

Well I haven't managed to get the seized BB out of my frame yet. Thanks for the suggestions - tried soaking it in WD40 specialist penetrant for a few days, applied as much leverage as I was comfortable with and tried hitting the spanner with a hammer. The frame has now gone to meet its maker... I do...

I've handed in my notice at work, so I will now officially be available to do the Tour Divide. Slightly worried that I don't have a job to come back to, but hope to have that sorted before I fly off to N. America in 4 weeks time! Next problem is that the bike I'm planning to ride has a knackered squ...

Did anyone finish the full loop?

Howard was the only one who finished the full loop I believe.

Fraser and Dave did all but the "sting in the tail" bit and came down Glen Tilt at the end instead.

Looks like Fraser is heading straight down to Blair Atholl missing out the sting in the tail. Can't blame him as I think he would have been looking at a midnight finish if he'd stuck to the route.

Just to be clear Javi - I didn't do the full route! I turned back on the shoulder of Bynack Mor as I didn't fancy the inner loop with all the snow.

Great effort Nikk! Glad the motivation of the sauna kept you going. I spent the night under a tourist information shelter in a car park at Invercauld. A bit breezy, but kept the rain off my bivvy bag this morning. There is a loo with a heater there too! Made it back to BA at 2pm. The slog round the ...

I'm still planning to set off tomorrow. Will be on the fat bike. Prepared to/expecting to be turned back by deep fords.

Spot is here if anyone wants to watch my progress/lack of.....
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... jJMmM6favv

I'm seriously considering taking the fat bike for this weekend based on the amount of snow there is likely to be up high. It will be slower for a lot of the route due to the rather draggy 4.8" tyres but if it makes some more of the route rideable then it may be worth it. See the rest of you bra...

That is a handy document - thanks mountainbaker.

Hi whitestone I'm not trying to work out my actual days of riding, as I know there are way too many variables to know where I am likely to get to at the end of each day. I want a way of thinking about how the route links up and the challenges within that is easy to mentally digest. I will probably u...

From a mental preparation point of view I'm thinking about the route and how to break it down into manageable chunks to think about. Before I rode the HT550 I created a list of sections with info for each such as distance, elevation gain, re-supply options and major features at and it definitely hel...

Eeek!

Time to get out for some decent bikepacking adventures I think....

I have a couple in mind.

How are UK SoBo folks planning to get home from AW?

Is the easiest to get to Tucson or Albuquerque to get an internal flight back to somewhere you can get a flight back across the pond?

I'm in!

Justchris - I used to be in Chamonix, but have moved back to Edinburgh (well Penicuik) so the CL is now relatively local to me.

Just sent an email to Steve...

Will have to see if I was too slow to get a place.

My Edge 800 is not reliable - seems to mess up quite a bit. On the HT550 it screwed up last year and this year. It also sometimes messes up on shorter rides. I have a feeling that using it with a dynamo - USB converter and no buffer battery has messed up its internal battery. Think I might invest in...

That is rather a stinging attack.

What is the reason for the timing? The incidents cited are from 2006 to 2010, so ancient history in relative terms....

A bottle of whisky.

I think the sign up form has only gone live in the last few days, so that's why there are so few names on it. Traditionally the date for submitting letters of intent is after the winter solstice, so many people will hold off until then before committing themselves. It's an underground event with no ...

Right that's it I'm signed up on the (unofficial) start list!

For the other folks on here who are going to do it the sign up details and link to start list can be found on this thread http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra- ... ration/20/

A question for those who are doing it or have done it before: what insurance will you/did you use that will cover rescue and treatment for mountain biking injuries or sickness on the trail?

Neither of them has an Achfary, so you should be ok.

I'm planning to be there for the GD.

Getting quite excited......