Highland Trail Race

[vistaed]

What an awesome race to be watching, made all the better for having been out there last year. I'm curious to see how quick Phil gets from Ullapool to Poolewe. It was my favourite section, hard but stunning! I often day dream about that 8 hours of riding, walking, wading & scrambling with Tom and Greg.

[GregMay]

Confirmed scratch for Bryan Dawson.

We're also going to take it Michael Gruenert that you've scratched.

[falkenjaeger]

Hi,
I am out, definitly. I am sitting in the train back to Tyndrum. Hope to get there in the evening.
The why question? If I am starting in a race like this I expect to male some progess. First day 100 mies in almost 15 hours. Yesterday 60 miles in just abtut 10 hours in real nasty weather. Fitness for my personal level was quite good. But maybe not good enough for this countless boggy sections. I've got the notion I was more pushing my bike than riding it. And I don't expect any improvement for the next days. My deepest respect all those who are going to finish the race under those really bad conditions.

Michael Gruenert

Oh boy, this sounds horrible. So sorry to hear about this. I saw your dot moving off-route today and still hoped you were just searching a bike shop in Inverness - according to google maps there seems to be one close to the train station. I hope you can enjoy Scotland for a few more days. Believe me, I know how it feels. Cheer up!
Looking forward to hear more details soon...
Cheers,
M.

[dgjessee]

Getting the feeling that a lot of these comments about hike-a-bike are coming from people who didn't race last year...? Pretty sure I walked 100 miles last year, can't imagine some of them with rain and midges on top of it


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[GregMay]

Agree Dan, I think it was made pretty obvious that this is a race closer to the AZT than TD.

[vistaed]

100 miles of walking... it felt like it at times

james g

[GregMay]

Mark McPhillips has called it in Ullapool. Weather and riding for 36 hours straight have taken their toll.

[sanjuanrider]

Agree Dan, I think it was made pretty obvious that this is a race closer to the AZT than TD.

I haven't done AZT or Tour Divide but thought this race mimicked the CTR very closely, without the high elevation. Some of the hike a bike between Ullapoole and Poolewe were the hardest I had ever done. I'm feeling for all those racers in that section right now.

[alpinum]

I thought the Fisherfield traverse to be the best part of the route. Fun and technical trails, fantastic landscape, exposure, friendly hikers. The only place where I stayed intensely focused (well except for the chats with hikers) for more than just a descent. 5.5 h of finest MTB - nothing else.

I hope folks out there are enjoying it.

[GregMay]

So, this morning Neil Evans has scratched. He had a bad day on the bike yesterday and is still feeling s**tty so he is out and touring back south under his own speed.

[GregMay]

Another scratch from Martin Rutherford:

That's me dropped out - well, I dropped out yesterday but have only just got home now.

I made it to Fort Augustus on Sunday afternoon and headed along the Great Glen, but my knee blew up (not literally).  Having had this before I reckoned I'd better head back for Tyndrum rather than push further north.  Followed the return route from Fort Augustus - spinning slowly was bearable but I couldn't get any power through my knee - will see what warranty I have in place for it.

[GregMay]

Scratch update:

Steve Large is out, knees are gone and he is going to ride back on the road. All well otherwise.

[GregMay]

Gutted to say that Ian Barrington from Wildcat is scratching from the HT550 with an inflamed Achilles tendon.

[dgjessee]

That sucks for Ian, but how many of us had that same problem last year? Almost took me and Arno out, I know...

[GregMay]

Scratch Update:

Martin Rutherford has scratched with Knee issues.

[wunnspeed]

I gang... I'm not sure where I'm actually supposed to "officially" scratch but please put my name on that list. I'm now home in Switzerland with a horrible cold which might help explain why I had no energy leading up to and during my only two days of the event. Maybe I'll be back next year, maybe not. Good to meet a lot of folks and sorry to see so many others go as well. It was beautiful country and I will say that the people of Scotland are some of the nicest I've ever many anywhere.

[GregMay]

Howdy! I think Alan should have sent my number to all racers before hand -I'll pop you a DM.

[GregMay]

Thanks wunnspeed - you're confirmed as scratched

[drjon]

phil's speed, consistency, and lack of sleep has been absolutely incredible. deep respect to every competitor for this...

[GregMay]

Confirmed scratch for Riccardo Alesi.