Highland Trail Race

[Couloirman]

WOW! This looks amazing. I am definitely going to try to make it for 2014!

[sanjuanrider]

This race was an absolute beast!!!  Compared to the CTR this course (in my opinion only) is just as hard. The CTR has elevation, lightning, and lots of hike-a-bike but this has some extremely rugged mountain crossings with hike a bike like I've never experienced anywhere.  This was a dry race for the most part (from what I'm being told) but I had wet feet every day of riding from river crossings and many, many, many mud bogs to trudge through.

Alan has put together one hell of a good course with amazing scenery and finding yourself in the most remote spots in the UK (noted from hikers/climbers along the route).  If you need a challenge and love amazing scenery, remote riding locations, and a damn hard challenge then you want to put this race on your calendar.

I hope our 2 injured riders heal quickly. Congrats to each of you that finished ahead of me (which was every finisher since I finished dead last) I'm in true awe of the speed you maintained.  You guys all inspire me too train that much harder for the next challenge!
Thanks to the fine people (riders and non-riders) that showed up at the finish when I came through - you all made my finish something I'll never forget!   

[dgjessee]

My feet were soaked for about 4 days. Started getting serious concern about trench foot. This is one of those races that you will swear off forever immediately following it....then think up your strategy for next year.

[Done]

Nice work, Andy. There are faster riders out there, but not many tougher ones!

[annoying crack]

This is one of those races that you will swear off forever immediately following it....then think up your strategy for next year.

I can only agree with that. but probably not next year...
Daniel, it was a pleasure 'trying' to catch up to you for 4 days, you rocked and rolled!

Tom.

[AlanG]

These are the provisional results for the 1st edition of the Highland Trail 400.
Big Congratulations to Aidan Harding for an awesome ride on a singlespeed to take the win by some margin. In fact three of the top five were on singlespeeds!

The three day barrier still remains to be broken so hopefully some more of you will get out there for an ITT this summer and have a crack at it.

1. Aidan Harding. 3d2h15m
2. Ian Barrington. 3d13h22m
3. Alan Sheldon. 3d14h24m
4. Rob Wixey. 4d0h39m
5. Alan Goldsmith. 4d3h45m
5. Mike Toyn. 4d3h45m
7. Phil Richmond. 4d9h10m
8. Daniel Jessee. 4d10h40m
9. Arno Minner. 4d15h50m
9. Greg May. 4d15h50m
9. Tom Sap. 4d15h50m
12. Gian Liesch. 5d0h10m
12. Dave Kane. 5d0h10m
14. Gareth Clutton. 5d0h55m
15. Andy Farish 6d0h3m

[dgjessee]

I can only agree with that. but probably not next year...
Daniel, it was a pleasure 'trying' to catch up to you for 4 days, you rocked and rolled!

I was just running from you guys like a pack of wolves! Let me know if you decide to get into anymore races or adventures, Tom.

[vistaed]

This is one of those races that you will swear off forever immediately following it....then think up your strategy for next year.

Before I even got back to Tyndrum to watch you guys finish I was talking about 'next time'.

[AlanG]

For 2014 the Highland Trail will have an additional 120 mile loop north into Assynt. The new loop includes some wild and remote stretches on rugged trails but also some beautiful, quiet coast roads for some easier miles. A few small improvements to the current route brings the total distance for next year to 560 miles.

[alpinum]

For 2014 the Highland Trail will have an additional 120 mile loop north into Assynt. The new loop includes some wild and remote stretches on rugged trails [...]

Oh, that sounds nice...

...Oh... oh no, not again that odd urge...


I can't believe I'm starting to think how I could possibly squeeze more holidays into next year.

Thanks for that, Alan (and I've got no idea if I being ironic or not).

[wunnspeed]

This is one of 2-3 I have on my '14 calendar. Curious how this compares in terms of availability of food/services to the TDR or the Grenzstein Trophy, also wondering if I should just plan to be wet for 3-4 days even though all the photos show sunshine. Last time I was in Scotland, it rained almost every day (not that I expected different weather).

[Woodland]

Any good pics out there from the race this year?

[dgjessee]

My photos suck, but maybe Gian will share his. They were amazing! https://plus.google.com/photos/114165291691766318939/albums/5888935222008448113

As for doing the race fast, let me just say that I totally fell into the trap of thinking I could race long days and finish quickly. Racing in Scotland is not easy. Several sections might as well be BV to Silverton simply because all the main resupply services close about 8pm and don't reopen until 8am. The problem there is you still have a good 7-8 hrs of light in between there so you want to keep racing but if you do, you might miss a town at the right time. You're constantly thinking "do I speed up, slow down, or carry 30 lbs of food from this town?" I'm sure this new section Alan has cooked up will make this race even more remote and epic! Just don't underestimate any bit of the course. Racers who were ctr vets said this course was every bit as hard or harder, minus the altitude. Now it's 100 miles longer and I wonder if there was a deliciously painful reason why Alan didn't include that this year ;-) That being said, I implore everyone on this forum to consider doing this race or an ITT. It's stunningly beautiful and you won't regret it....unless you rely solely on an e-bivy as shelter, like me.

[Woodland]

Awesome, thanks for sharing dgjessee.

[wunnspeed]

Nice photos... thanks for sharing.

[FLV]

As for doing the race fast, let me just say that I totally fell into the trap of thinking I could race long days and finish quickly. Racing in Scotland is not easy. Several sections might as well be BV to Silverton simply because all the main resupply services close about 8pm and don't reopen until 8am. The problem there is you still have a good 7-8 hrs of light in between there so you want to keep racing but if you do, you might miss a town at the right time. You're constantly thinking "do I speed up, slow down, or carry 30 lbs of food from this town?" I'm sure this new section Alan has cooked up will make this race even more remote and epic! Just don't underestimate any bit of the course. Racers who were ctr vets said this course was every bit as hard or harder, minus the altitude. Now it's 100 miles longer and I wonder if there was a deliciously painful reason why Alan didn't include that this year ;-) That being said, I implore everyone on this forum to consider doing this race or an ITT. It's stunningly beautiful and you won't regret it....unless you rely solely on an e-bivy as shelter, like me.

I completely agree (although cant comment on the CTR yet). Not to be underestimated (which I did, but managed 12th) but an excellent route. I would add that some of the shops, some just off route closed earlier than 8...

[alpinum]

I thought it was a rather good way to spend my holiday. Thanks again to Alan for setting this up.

This is one of 2-3 I have on my '14 calendar. Curious how this compares in terms of availability of food/services to the TDR or the Grenzstein Trophy, also wondering if I should just plan to be wet for 3-4 days even though all the photos show sunshine. Last time I was in Scotland, it rained almost every day (not that I expected different weather).

I had supper and breakfast with me for a couple of days out and a cat food can stove with fuel for about 10 meals. Worked really well, but it's absolutely not necessary, although it's hard to beat a hot chocolate just before you call it a day (or spaghetti bolognese for b'fast). I had a dry pair of socks with me for the nights. Altough my shoes were wet even before the race started (getting to Tyndrum from Pitlochry) and stayed like that to the end, I had absolutely no issues with my feet.

This being my first endurance race, I was a bit surprised (to the rather logic consequence) to see the damage worth of months riding in 5 days.

To spoil the thrill of the unknown:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/iarwbx3v3d7dcxc/Z1P1qJ9yt_
Please treat the photos with respect.

Cheers

[wunnspeed]

Alpinum... Thanks for the info. and your photos are great!

[landel]

Thanks for the photos Alpinum, looks fantastic!!

[GregMay]

Hey All,

Should probably have posted these images a long time ago. Anyway, here they are.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/sets/72157633855467650/

I did a write up for the race that is located over the seas on the Singletrack site. Digital membership is needed to read it, I think its about $4 for the year so not a huge chunk.

Part 1:http://singletrackworld.com/2013/07/the-highland-trail-400-part-one-hard-has-never-been-so-fun/
Part 2:http://singletrackworld.com/2013/07/the-highland-trail-400-part-two-hard-is-still-fun-just/

I'd put the kettle on first and make a nice coffee...