One for the HT550 connoisseur.

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Dave Barter
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Dave Barter »

I was wondering if ice was an issue climbing away from Ben Alder?
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ScotRoutes
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by ScotRoutes »

Dave Barter wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:32 pm I was wondering if ice was an issue climbing away from Ben Alder?
Possibly. It's a balmy 5C and pissing down here at the moment after temperatures soared overnight. Running water on cold ground can be the worst of conditions.
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

Uhm, maybe the newsletter jinxed the job - hopefully not.
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ScotRoutes
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by ScotRoutes »

The dot is heading to Rannoch Station
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Pirahna
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Pirahna »

ScotRoutes wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:56 pm The dot is heading to Rannoch Station
Just looking now. I wonder if he hurt himself yesterday?
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by redefined_cycles »

I'm gonna be a back seat driver here and say some 2 pennies...

Basically that it remains a challenge worthy of being called "a challenge"...

A few more failed winter attampts and everyone (thats worthy of being called 'wel ard' will be on the bandwagon). Well done to Rich Pips for giving it the shot and (again speculation) when lots of ice gets involved, especially on water trails, it does become a bit 'impossible' i s'pose...

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Dave Barter
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Dave Barter »

I know of one other who is possibly going to give it a go. And for the avoidance of doubt it is NOT me.
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sean_iow
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by sean_iow »

As I only found out on twitter recently, Rich and Shona have 'sort' of done it.

@keep_pedalling
We did it between Xmas and new year a couple of years back-it was lovely (well -6) saw one person in a week :-) lived on chickpeas and chapatis as nothing was open and played darts in a bothy for the last piece of stollen. Rich won
I asked
Did you ride the whole route? If so that would be the first winter completion
@keep_pedalling
Mostly but we got sidetracked by some other trails and freestyled a bit did find some interesting bits that could be added though...
we also did the old400 on singlespeeds one Xmas- that was ‘interesting...’
So it is possible :smile:
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Pirahna
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Pirahna »

Just looked at the train times. Next one from Rannoch is 18.38, he's got a few hours to kill.
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by ScotRoutes »

Or - train to FW, eat, train back south. Warmer than hanging around Rannoch for a few hours.
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stevewaters
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by stevewaters »

sean_iow wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2019 2:35 pm Mostly but we got sidetracked by some other trails and freestyled a bit did find some interesting bits that could be added though...
- Sounds like a great effort, but - as you suggest - unlikely to pass Alan's strict route scrutineering.

In true winter conditions it seems like Microspikes and potentially a lot of pushing would be required. I would also suggest an Ice Axe, but cannot picture how that would be deployed whilst holding a very heavily loaded bike!
Last edited by stevewaters on Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Pirahna
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Pirahna »

ScotRoutes wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:05 pm Or - train to FW, eat, train back south. Warmer than hanging around Rannoch for a few hours.
Good thinking.
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by ScotRoutes »

Image
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Richpips
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Re: One for the HT550 connoisseur.

Post by Richpips »

Heading home today. Had contemplated riding back to Tyndrum but my knee is still giving me pain.
I shall do a write up soon.
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