 Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #400 on: June 16, 2014, 04:49:54 AM
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NewRetroTom
Location: Chamonix
Posts: 29
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« Reply #400 on: June 16, 2014, 04:49:54 AM » |
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I've walked the section from Diabaig to Craig bothy and back, but not been all the way to Redpoint.
From memory (it was a few years ago) I think it wasn't too bad.
Anything to avoid having to do the Tollie path again!
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #401 on: June 16, 2014, 10:28:09 AM
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htrider
Posts: 19
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« Reply #401 on: June 16, 2014, 10:28:09 AM » |
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I did it in 1995 after that long hot summer - I recall riding about 75% but thinking it would be hard going during normal conditions. Beyond craig it got much rougher as the path isn't as well used. Speak to Iona as she did the route last spring and it was apparently absolutely horrendous - carrying the whole way. If you put this in I'm definitely using the fat bike! Also the diabeg road makes the drumbeg road look flat!
PS whats wrong with the tollie path - I did this the same year and it was a great trail from what I remember! 'Spose another option would be to exit Fisherfield via the path over to Letterewe from Canmore and down the loch shore below Slioch but I think this is pretty hard going too...
A pal reminded me of a story I heard recently about the organiser of the original Tour de France. Seemingly he was quoted as saying that his ideal race would be to have only one person make the finish....
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #402 on: June 24, 2014, 03:03:46 AM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #402 on: June 24, 2014, 03:03:46 AM » |
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According to Iona the Redpoint to Craig track is no place for a bike and the Tollie path is a gentle pootle in comparison!
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #403 on: April 06, 2015, 07:08:25 AM
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NewRetroTom
Location: Chamonix
Posts: 29
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« Reply #403 on: April 06, 2015, 07:08:25 AM » |
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Who is getting psyched for the 2015 edition?
Looks like there are going to be a few more starters this year.
Are people feeling confident/scared/excited?
I'm feeling more confident than last year, but still scared. Even with everything I learned from finishing last year I reckon there is only about a 75% chance I'll finish this year. So much that could go wrong.
Haven't decided how to deal with ankle/achilles problems. May go for shoes with a slightly more bendy sole, although I'm not sure that will help.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #404 on: April 06, 2015, 07:41:16 AM
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AlasdairMc
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Posts: 52
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« Reply #404 on: April 06, 2015, 07:41:16 AM » |
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Bendy soles = bad idea! I used Pearl Izumi Seeks last year, which were like running shoes with cleats, and my feet suffered for it. No support whatsoever when pedalling so I was barely able to walk when I got to the finish, and coincidentally the amount of movement when pedalling meant I trashed brand new cleats within a week! I had what I thought was Achilles trouble last year until I realised it was just my feet swelling so much that they pushed my foot backwards in my shoe and put pressure on the tendon as opposed to it being damaged itself.
I'm definitely psyched up this year though - I have a target in mind but I think it requires a big push on my part (and a lot less pushing too!)
It's definitely my favourite race though so I'm really looking forward to getting out on the course again.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #405 on: April 21, 2015, 06:46:07 AM
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GregMay
Location: Hebden Bridge, UK
Posts: 154
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« Reply #405 on: April 21, 2015, 06:46:07 AM » |
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Looks like I'll be along for the first day this year - not racing as I can't take the week off sadly - but looking forward to seeing you all off and riding with you for the first day at least. I'll take the bigger camera out and get some photos. Re shoes - FWIW I'd avoid stiffer shoes for this based on my experience is '13. Sure you get better pedalling efficiency, but you will suffer on the hiking. I used a set of relatively flexy Spesh SPDs with the cleat set far, far, far back in them to avoid excess wear on my Achilles. Worked a treat. But, I did do lots of hike a bike with them prior to the HTR. Horses for courses though. Also, it looks like I'll be your official scratch point again this year. I'm sure AlanG will pass on details.  |
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Greg
Rides bikes, pulls skids...badly.
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HTR 2013
TDR '16
Baby '17
TDR '18
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #406 on: April 23, 2015, 01:27:39 PM
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #407 on: April 23, 2015, 01:46:15 PM
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AlasdairMc
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Posts: 52
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« Reply #407 on: April 23, 2015, 01:46:15 PM » |
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That's a great write-up Nik, very funny. I'm thinking I may adopt your sandwich mantra this year. I suspect your photo was taken at the same time I was relaxing in the only hotel room in Ullapool - sorry about that ;-) |
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #408 on: April 23, 2015, 02:13:02 PM
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richpips
Posts: 66
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« Reply #408 on: April 23, 2015, 02:13:02 PM » |
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Enjoyed that Nik. Sorry to hear you won't be riding this year. We're starting the day before so will probably miss you.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #409 on: April 25, 2015, 06:59:49 AM
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McNik
Posts: 34
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« Reply #409 on: April 25, 2015, 06:59:49 AM » |
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That's a great write-up Nik, very funny. I'm thinking I may adopt your sandwich mantra this year. I suspect your photo was taken at the same time I was relaxing in the only hotel room in Ullapool - sorry about that ;-)
No problem Al, I'm just gonna stalk you and let your tyres down X-) Enjoyed that Nik. Sorry to hear you won't be riding this year. We're starting the day before so will probably miss you.
Yeh it is likely I won't see you. When you say 'we', who you riding with? I hope to give it another attempt next year. Having a year off :-) |
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #410 on: April 25, 2015, 07:07:40 AM
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richpips
Posts: 66
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« Reply #410 on: April 25, 2015, 07:07:40 AM » |
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Yeh it is likely I won't see you. When you say 'we', who you riding with? My son, on a tandem.  |
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #411 on: April 25, 2015, 07:09:19 AM
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McNik
Posts: 34
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« Reply #411 on: April 25, 2015, 07:09:19 AM » |
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My son, on a tandem. OMG! |
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #412 on: April 27, 2015, 01:47:41 AM
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GregMay
Location: Hebden Bridge, UK
Posts: 154
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« Reply #412 on: April 27, 2015, 01:47:41 AM » |
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Nick - I'll be up the night before but not racing. Do you fancy doing the start - Fort Agustus, then bivi - then ride back via Ft.Bill the next day on the route?
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Greg
Rides bikes, pulls skids...badly.
~
HTR 2013
TDR '16
Baby '17
TDR '18
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #413 on: April 27, 2015, 02:30:00 PM
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McNik
Posts: 34
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« Reply #413 on: April 27, 2015, 02:30:00 PM » |
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Hi Greg - great idea, but not for me this year, I am not in condition to do that 100 mile first day, certainly not in any comfortable manner! Sorry :-/
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #414 on: April 28, 2015, 12:50:56 AM
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GregMay
Location: Hebden Bridge, UK
Posts: 154
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« Reply #414 on: April 28, 2015, 12:50:56 AM » |
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No worries Nick, TBH I'll not know if I am until this weekend and the Cairngorms loop!
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Greg
Rides bikes, pulls skids...badly.
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HTR 2013
TDR '16
Baby '17
TDR '18
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #415 on: May 07, 2015, 01:17:15 AM
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GregMay
Location: Hebden Bridge, UK
Posts: 154
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« Reply #415 on: May 07, 2015, 01:17:15 AM » |
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For those interested, this is the Twitter account that will be associated to the Highland Trail. https://twitter.com/HT_550I'll try to keep it up to date during the race with what riders are up to - but will mainly be using it to announce finishing times and scratches. If you're racing, feel free to send a mention at the account and I'll take note of it. |
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Greg
Rides bikes, pulls skids...badly.
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HTR 2013
TDR '16
Baby '17
TDR '18
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #416 on: May 11, 2015, 01:40:43 PM
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GregMay
Location: Hebden Bridge, UK
Posts: 154
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« Reply #416 on: May 11, 2015, 01:40:43 PM » |
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Trackleaders trail tracker is ready to roll: http://trackleaders.com/highland15 |
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Greg
Rides bikes, pulls skids...badly.
~
HTR 2013
TDR '16
Baby '17
TDR '18
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #417 on: May 12, 2015, 01:27:36 AM
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NewRetroTom
Location: Chamonix
Posts: 29
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« Reply #417 on: May 12, 2015, 01:27:36 AM » |
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Looks like a decent field - 38 for the group start so far.
Hope that a few more of those on the start list will be coming too.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #418 on: May 12, 2015, 01:45:34 AM
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NewRetroTom
Location: Chamonix
Posts: 29
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« Reply #418 on: May 12, 2015, 01:45:34 AM » |
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Actually 36 without duplicates which would be the same as last year.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #419 on: May 12, 2015, 01:47:10 AM
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GregMay
Location: Hebden Bridge, UK
Posts: 154
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« Reply #419 on: May 12, 2015, 01:47:10 AM » |
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I think there were a few to finish signing up with TL. Should have it finalised in a day or two.
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Greg
Rides bikes, pulls skids...badly.
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HTR 2013
TDR '16
Baby '17
TDR '18
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