Highland Trail Race

[drjon]

hmm! anyone any strong opinions on the ioffer stuff? there appear to be some cautionary advice on the web about using ioffer...thats a heck of a good price (£200 or so usually)

[AlanG]

I've got a 1:50000 OS map from ioffer and it's fine. It is a little slow to update the map if I pan or zoom out but during normal riding it usually keeps up except for when I change direction it can take quite a few seconds to return to "track up".
I don't know if the posh £200 mapping from Garmin would perform better or if it is a limitation of the GPS unit? I'm using it on an Etrex 30.

[AlasdairMc]

Alan,

I suspect the ioffer and Garmin maps are one and the same. Reviews of the Garmin maps confirm that they are raster images as well, so I think it's just a device limitation. Still, my eTrex 20 weighs about the same as but is less bulky than all the paper we'll need so I think I'll stick with the technical solution!!

Al

[dgjessee]

I've been using the maps from http://www.velomap.org in my eTrex Vista HCx. They work great and pretty cheap, I think it was like €20 for a year or €100 for lifetime unlimited downloads. Instructions are really good too.

[ScotRoutes]

Maps are slow to scroll on my Dakota 20 too. Seems better on my new Oregon


Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk

[FrankRiviBT]

I've been using the Talky Toaster Maps on my etrex 20, really can't fault them esp considering they were free! http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

[GregMay]

Same as Frank, was what I used last year with Zero problems.

[vistaed]

Yep, same as Grey and Frank. No problems last year, or on any other ride I've done with them.

[hikernks]

Just got my "talky-toaster" maps, and they installed no problem.  Thanks for the link on that, they look to be just as good as the Garmin maps for a fraction of the price.  Can't wait to meet you all in May!

[steve_UK]

Has anyone put together a list or gpx type file of all the bothies along the route that they would be able to share?

[AlanG]

Although they are not exactly a secret, I'm glad to see no one has posted the bothy locations up on here.
I will say that there are around a dozen on or very close to the route, the whereabouts of most can be gleaned from the write ups of last year's race linked in this thread. As far as I know the new loop in the north only has one bothy.

Only ten weeks to go!

[chainagent]

Hi,

Not really sure what tires I should run on the trail. My first intention is a Maxxis Crossmark at the rear and a Maxxis Beaver at the front. Any experience with this or other tires in the HTR? I know the Crossmark very well because I used it at the GST and the TD already. But I am pretty unsure what to use at the front.
Thanks!

Michael
   

[steve_UK]

I like the crossmarks, but for HTR ensure you have the tougher sidewall versions. Scotland's granite is pretty tough on the sidewalls. I rode the Cairngorms Loop and HTR on lightweight ikons. On the second to last day I had two side wall repairs, on the last day several more and was riding very carefully. I don't think the tyre would have lasted another day! I used to use the LUST crossmarks and never damaged the sidewall. I've switched to EXO ikons which are a little lighter in 29" and have proved very tough so far. I shall be going with those front and rear.

[drjon]

I'd suggest something with decent sidewall protection... Maxxis have Eco versions that would be ideal.

Oops! Missed Steve's reply! Agree!

[McNik]

+1 on tough sidewalls.

After that, whatever you think are going to be the fastest rolling without letting go at a bad moment. That depends on how fast you want to go down rough loose paths / dirt roads, balanced against how fast you want to go on flat etc etc.

[AlasdairMc]

I went Racing Ralphs and really like them for the HTR. Very light but durable, so I'll be getting a set for this year as well.

[AlanG]

I think tough tyres are going be important since as far as I know there are only two bike shops on the entire route and these are both in Fort William which comes at over 500 miles. There is another 2.5 miles off route from Contin in Strathpeffer but this is relatively early on (day 2 for most folks). Does anyone know of other bike shops on or close to the route?

[kbrembo]

There is a new bike shop in Ardgay near Bonar bridge which is nearest to the Northern section...pretty far away but hey ho.
Its called Heaven Bikes.
Also small outdoor shop in Ullapool but scarce on Cycle stuff but ok on outdoor items.

Also a great new Deli in Ullapool that does great coffee. The Ullapool butchers also do Fab hot pies made in the shop.

[kbrembo]

I am going to run a 3" Knard 27 tpi up front and an onone smogasboard on the rear...both on flow ex's

[AlanG]

Thanks for that. Heaven Bikes is about 13 miles from Invercassley at the bottom of the northern loop, so not too bad a round trip if your bike is still rideable. Remember, a trip in a motorized vehicle means a DQ.  Note the opening hours of the shop, lunch hour and three hours in the evening.
Hopefully no one will need to go there, I'll head straight for the Deli in Ullapool though!