I had a go at the route in June, did I make it? I'll spare you the suspense. No.

But I kept a video blog for the days I rode and have stitched it together into this video. It is quite long I'm afraid and contains a LOT of swearing. Also, forgive the small section of misaligned voice I'll fix this soon. This is not a video like Ian Barrington's of decent riding shots/scenery well framed and edited. It's more a rambling monologue by an idiot who should know better.

Hopefully you may enjoy some bits of it. I did.

https://vimeo.com/100327358

Well done Dave - some bits of that were very funny

I presume you know there's about 8 mins of black screen at the end?

Yes, will fix the black tomorrow

Love it Dave.

My favourite bit was 19:40.

We've all had moments like that.

Enjoyed that!

Out of curiosity, what camera did you use to film this?

"Out of curiosity, what camera did you use to film this?"

Canon S100 compact, first time I've used it for video.

The most apalling camera work ever.

Great video though.

"The most apalling camera work ever. "

Is that a category in the annual awards? I'll forgive the spelling and say a big "thanks" for your blog which formed a major part of my planning.

Just watched it ... superb.

... and I liked the music too, which is rare for me

Spot on - can empathise 100% with your emotions!

Top vid. Love the swearing at the route makers. Music was spot on too. Shame you didn't finish, stupid sore arse.

I hope you're doing the BB200, lots of opportunity to swear at the route maker there.

Top vid. Love the swearing at the route makers. Music was spot on too. Shame you didn't finish, stupid sore arse.

I hope you're doing the BB200, lots of opportunity to swear at the route maker there.

Yes, I'm in. The end of the vid is quite raw and I've sat down and had a long chat with myself. I think I know how to prepare better mentally next time, so the "never again" has morphed into a "maybe". The arse problem is sorted as well with the ceremonial burning of the Altura bib shorts which clearly do not work for me. I've been doing a lot of long rides subsequently on a smaller pad and all seems ok.

Great video

Laughing out loud at some points

The low-fi nature adds to the video blog. Alan should be using it to describe the route

Watched with a mate and we could both relate to the "agony & ecstasy" polar opposites you can get on a big ride!*

*all relative

Excellent, very watchable half hour... and occasionally laugh out loud funny... cheers

Yup enjoyed this.
"i'm right at the top of some f***ing great mountain"
Actually quite liked the presenting style, refreshingly honest and not all brown ricey.
I also get a sore ass on long rides,
What works? I am guessing prevention is better than a cure but could one use something to numb the pain?

brilliant!

weirdly made me want to enter the race more???

Good stuff. Quite hilarious... I had some good laughs. Well worth watching every minute of this rawness. And I still struggle to remember how bloody long it was. Good grief. Soreness... that... just that. Thank god our mind is good in forgetting that stuff.

Kumquat wrote:What works? I am guessing prevention is better than a cure but could one use something to numb the pain?

Tons and tons of chamois creme and a numb mind. Tons and tons of riding before such a trip will help too. After 5 days riding (incl. 2 before the HTR400 start) I washed my pants and body in Dundonnell. I guess that wasn't the stupidest thing to do either.

There's so much that can go wrong.

This video, like Ian's, just shows how thankful every single challenger who crossed that line at Tyndrum should/can/must/has to be. In that regard, thank you so much.

Looking forward to your second part

Please tell me that's the Chameleons..... One of my favourite bands from the 80's that I haven't listened to for 25 years. Where's my record player?
Great video!

That was superb. Well done for the ride and the film. Good effort!

slarge wrote:Please tell me that's the Chameleons..... One of my favourite bands from the 80's that I haven't listened to for 25 years. Where's my record player?
Great video!

Yep, it is "Swamp Thing" from the Strange Times album. Also Cake, Operation Ivy and Stereolab

A very honest account. Incredible scenery.

Absolutely excellent effort, and as you say, certainly no failure.

Strangely though, after watching your film, I am considering attempting the route more than I was before...

We are a strange bunch!

Si

Brilliant watch...



..... made me glad to be sitting at my computer

Absolutely fantastic mate - hit lots of nails on head with your comments and well done for fighting your way up the northern bit (which I never reached!)
A few interesting points from your vid:
Did anyone see how dry the Strathglass to Orrin res trail was - when we did it in May it was a mess with those puddles BB deep.
Totally agree with your tent v bivi bag philosophy
You should do it again with chamois cream and sudo cream as you clearly have the abilty to do the whole route
Your reason for scratching was very like mine and others I know - something goes wrong (my legs in my case) and you have an epic on a bit of the route and that breaks your spirit. I'd say going on from that is incredibly difficult. And your in good company in terms of famous scratches - look at a certain C Froome - sore wrist, pish weather, prospect of death by cobbles = f*** this I'm outa here.

Phil

Good work thoroughly enjoyed watching it nothing like being told exactly how somebody is finding it