HT550 2021

[redefined_cycles]

Mart is just coming up to the 250 mile mark aswell... Well done Mart. Keep at it mate

[Bearbonesnorm]

Alpkit bicycle 3.5 tarp + Titanium Goat Kestrel bivy, held up by Bearbones carbon poles.

I'd be very interested to know whether second and third are also carrying Bear Bones poles. If not, then I think that speaks volumes

[jay91]

Alpkit bicycle 3.5 tarp + Titanium Goat Kestrel bivy, held up by Bearbones carbon poles.

I'd be very interested to know whether second and third are also carrying Bear Bones poles. If not, then I think that speaks volumes

A winning combination

[jay91]

Mart is just coming up to the 250 mile mark aswell... Well done Mart. Keep at it mate

Yep nearly at cp4

[faustus]

Not really been following that closely, but I read the dotwatchers article about the bikes and kit, and Liam's was a stand out interesting one. Brilliant going, and he definitely represents a certain type of bikepacking approach. Great advert for Stooge, rigid bikes, carbon BB poles, and 1x1 gearing!

[BobCatMax]

So Liam's got 25ish miles to go and 2 and a bit hours to do it?

I need a montage and some soft rock/country music

[faustus]

Jeez, can he average 10mph in the remaining terrain..?

[touch]

So Liam's got 25ish miles to go and 2 and a bit hours to do it?

There's still over a mile to go to the summit of Devil's staircase which will be slow going. I think it's nearer 4 hours to the finish from here.

[tobasco]

So Liam's got 25ish miles to go and 2 and a bit hours to do it?

I just put a route into mapping tool from top of devils staircase to Tyndrum following the route Liam will take and it estimates two hours. His last position was about a mile from top of staircase with age 14 minutes, so he must be at top now. It’s going to be so close. Liam is in super human league for sure, everything crossed here for him.

[ScotRoutes]

Just been out for a ride - hope it's not as windy up north as it is here, if I had hair it would be all over the shop

A bit of a breeze but not too bad at all. I've just been swimming in the sea off Gairloch and it was very pleasant. A little high level cloud at the moment. Air (and water)temps about 11C.

[thenorthwind]

Message from Rich Rothwell on Facebook:

Last night was bloody mental. Full on storm in fisherfield. scary deep river crossings. Torrential rain. Howling freezing wind. Glad I hooked up with single speeder ripper Mike Debernardo. Great company in an intimidating situation! Think we will be DQ as we had no choice to use Letterewe barn (which I think classifies as a bothy). No regrets. Trying to sleep outside in those conditions would have been horrendous and dangerous. Will be satisfied with a finish after the last two days. Good times.

Thoughts?
I assumed the ban on bothies was to respect the MBA's policy on theirs, and didn't apply to other shelters you might come across. But I don't know exactly what Alan specified.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Teaming up is a DQ isn't it?

Whatever, chap has the right idea/attitude - daft conditions, safety in numbers, use the appropriate shelter available and stay safe. It's just an ITT (not a bloody race )

[Karl]

Any bothy or bothy type shelter was off the cards. Only to be used in an emergency. If used Alan expected you to DQ yourself.

[ton]

Started at 08:55 so needs to be back by 19:17?

if he gets in by 19.17 he has a new record ?

[sean_iow]

Teaming up is a DQ isn't it?

Only if you share gear or draft behind each other. I read it as riding together so you're not on your own. There is obviously moral support but unless you planned to ride together since before the start I'd say it's reasonable.

[Richpips]

Liam has just started in a Strava segment to the finish. The KOM is 1:45:39.

So he should finish just before 8pm.

[GregMay]

Scratch Update:

- Andy Jefferies, buggered knees :(

[summerwastin]

Liam for president! Dotwatcher just said he was going at 15mph! Someone get a drone out there to follow his final run.

They’re all riding brilliantly - sounds like there’s been some full on weather. I’ve been hooked all weekend. Gotta love this.

I tried to ride this route last august in blazing sun. All the riders just blow me away with thermos effort and commitment. Fantastic!

[summerwastin]

That last hill after Inveroran may slow down his pace. But damn it looks close!
I’m sitting a car park, while my kids do a circus class in Rochdale. Glued to his dot! Go Liam!

(I ride a stooge too.... oh you know...)

[BobCatMax]

Liam has just started in a Strava segment to the finish. The KOM is 1:45:39.

So he should finish just before 8pm.

Noooo, say it isn't so

[summerwastin]

Liam has just started in a Strava segment to the finish. The KOM is 1:45:39.

So he should finish just before 8pm.

He has special legs though. Deffo gonna make it!

(Yes Rich, it’s Will Lenton here. Stooge cycles forever!)

[Richpips]

Liam has just started in a Strava segment to the finish. The KOM is 1:45:39.

So he should finish just before 8pm.

He has special legs though. Deffo gonna make it!

(Yes Rich, it’s Will Lenton here. Stooge cycles forever!)

Hopefully see you next year at the start!

[JohnClimber]

Just 3 miles left for Liam.
What an amazing ride

[Richpips]

Just 3 miles left for Liam.
What an amazing ride

Are you living in the future?

[summerwastin]

Liam has just started in a Strava segment to the finish. The KOM is 1:45:39.

So he should finish just before 8pm.

He has special legs though. Deffo gonna make it!

(Yes Rich, it’s Will Lenton here. Stooge cycles forever!)

Hopefully see you next year at the start!

YASKWEEN