HT550 2022

[Dave Barter]

Always enjoy following the HT550 threads and so many of the place names have a certain feel to them, but this

Possible she's stopped at the Cupboard of Eldor

sounds like a place in a CS Lewis book. Please tell me it's a local provisions store.

Reminded me of the roadside cake honesty box near Laggan

[whitestone]

The current (currant ) route doesn't go past that any more Dave.

Sean - I spent my 60th birthday in Corrimony bothy, given enough whisky it's quite comfortable

[sean_iow]

Sean - I spent my 60th birthday in Corrimony bothy, given enough whisky it's quite comfortable

Surely that's 'going to spend' as it's still in the future Bob

[whitestone]

Well, whatever Instagram shenanigans have been going on, she's moving again and has just passed the haunted house and is dropping down towards Corrimony.

[jameso]

roadside cake honesty box near Laggan

Utopian.

[Mart]

Making good progress - just in time for a good feed at Oykel or Rosehall

[fatbikephil]

Looks like she's bivvied where I did in May (and me, Dave B, Alistair Maclean and Carl Hutchings did in 2015)

[boxelder]

I guess an overnight in Lochinver tonight - that would be a boost I'm sure.

[Alpinum]

Great stuff from Annie!
And of course the others trying/riding the HT in winter, be it meteo or astro winter.
Something I've constantly been thinking of doing, since riding it in easy conditions in '13 but never found the commitment to give it a go.
Very well done by all for even "just" trying.

On the note of some discussing if it's a true self supported ride or true ITT, let us wait and see what Annie 'claims' when she (hopefully) rode the loop. I can't imagine her claiming anything beyond facts or hiding any related info (also since Oliver already made a statement about it on IG). I for myself may have a different view to what a true ITT is (in general), but will happily accept that there's no clear line as in so many other 'rules' and am simply genuinely happy for Annie that she's making fantastic progress and hope she can keep it that way.
Fingers crossed or as we say here "I drücke ihre d'Düüme".

[Dave Barter]

She’s going great and has a completion in my eyes if she gets round. I think we drop our criteria a bit for winter attempts. We don’t want anyone kicking the bucket out there.

[sean_iow]

Just seen on Instagram that Alex Pilkington is planning to start a winter ITT at 6am Saturday. Says he needs to be finished and home for Christmas day so that means 7 days until 6am next Friday, nap in the car and drive back in time to open his presents.

[slarge]

Just seen on Instagram that Alex Pilkington is planning to start a winter ITT at 6am Saturday. Says he needs to be finished and home for Christmas day so that means 7 days until 6am next Friday, nap in the car and drive back in time to open his presents.

That’s impressive. At least he’ll have tyretracks to follow.
How’s Annie getting on?

[sean_iow]

Annie was on the road back down to Oykel Bridge at the last ping some 20 mins ago so should be at the pub in time for lunch

[fatbikephil]

Blimey, there you go then, Winter HT's are the new thang.
I think a Solstice ITT would be somewhat harder than one done in early March. Given the temps just now it must have been bog-tastic over the Ledmore Traverse. Serious sub zeros and some snow next week.....

[whitestone]

Looks like Annie is emptying Tesco in Ullapool

There's a bothy at Lochivroan but might be better getting an early kip in Ullapool.

[sean_iow]

Looking on Trackleaders Annie might now be at the launderette in Ullapool? Which given the wetness out there is a clever idea and a chance to get some kit dried out

[ScotRoutes]

Wetness?

It's been a stunning, cold, dry day here. The trails are almost as dry as summer.

Bloody freezing tonight though. Currently minus 2c at home but plus 10c on Cairngorm.

[sean_iow]

The trails are almost as dry as summer.

So soaking then For some reason I thought it was wet up there? She's had a waterproof on in the photos up to now.

[ScotRoutes]

I know I'm still 100 miles away from where Annie is but it's not very wet around here. Rivers are high but paths are dry. I suspect any waterproof layer has more to do with windproofing.

[sean_iow]

Your 6 times closer than I am so should have a better idea

I only ever out my waterproof on if it's actually raining, and then I usually wait until I'm soaked before I concede that it's not 'just a shower' so if I see a waterproof jacket I assume it must be chucking it down I need to stop doing this and put it on as soon as it starts raining.

[Alpinum]

Blimey, there you go then, Winter HT's are the new thang

A little reminder from 02.12.2021:

FKT yoyo.
Perhaps before or later;
First winter, then winter yoyo, then grandads bike, then unicycle, then penny farthing. Then all of them also as yoyo and in winter. And once the first has been done, all will see FKTs.
There's loads one could 'do' with/on the HT550. It's just a natural development.

It comes naturally.

[fatbikephil]

Looks like a B&B in Ullapool, she is definitely doing it in style
'That' river crossing next. Staying as dry as possible would seem to be the order of the day given the temps but looks like she has picked a stunner to go through the great wilderness

[sean_iow]

Alex is on his way so now there are 2 dots to distract me from all the things I should be doing.

[ScotRoutes]

Some "local" temperatures this morning..

Aboyne -6c
Cairnwell summit 14c

[whitestone]

Well she's across the Sealga which is no doubt a big relief for her. In these temps you might as well take time to dry off properly afterwards though given the boggy nature of the ground between the crossing and Larachantivore I think I'd wait until there to do so. Not sure how wet the Tollie path is but pretty much everything from there to the finish is firm ground. Poolewe tonight?