 Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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on: August 16, 2012, 12:23:40 PM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« on: August 16, 2012, 12:23:40 PM » |
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I've put together a 430 mile bikepacking route in the Scottish Highlands with a group start date planned for 25th May 2013. I'm suggesting a late spring start date to get the best chance of favorable weather and trail conditions before the midges come out in force. The route has is mostly off road on rocky trails and 4wd tracks, with good stretches of both singletrack and hike-a-bike. Total climbing is over 40,000 feet. http://www.highlandtrail.net/So far there are ten riders saying they will be at the start but I'm really hoping a few folks from overseas will also come and see what Scotland has to offer. There's plenty of riding in the Highlands and Islands to easily fill a two week or even two month vacation should you wish to stay longer. Alan |
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #1 on: August 16, 2012, 12:53:03 PM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2012, 12:53:03 PM » |
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Wow, that looks beautiful!
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"Done"
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #2 on: August 17, 2012, 09:32:18 AM
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Woodland
Location: Bailey, CO
Posts: 476
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« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2012, 09:32:18 AM » |
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Dammit! One more trip to add to my 'want to be there now' list  Looks spectacular |
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #3 on: August 26, 2012, 10:46:12 AM
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DiDaDunlop
Posts: 45
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« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2012, 10:46:12 AM » |
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Wow looks great. I hiked a few of the sections and the terrain is lovely. Def gonna look if attending is possible. Altough I will be on a vacation pace and no race pace. ..  |
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_ Bikepacking in the not so hilly Netherlands_
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #4 on: August 28, 2012, 05:44:12 PM
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Slowerthensnot
Have fun and go far
Location: Idledale, CO
Posts: 396
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« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2012, 05:44:12 PM » |
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wow another to add to the bucket list !
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #5 on: August 28, 2012, 08:09:04 PM
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joeydurango
Posts: 599
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« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2012, 08:09:04 PM » |
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Alan, I took a look at the website after you mentioned this over dinner in Durango post-CTR. I think it looks awesome! I'll be there... just as soon as I can take two weeks off from the shop and afford plane tickets. Hmmm, might be a few years...
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BEDROCK BAGS - Hand crafted, rock solid, made in the USA. Established 2012.
www.bedrockbags.comEver since I began riding singlespeed my life has been on a path of self-destruction.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #6 on: August 29, 2012, 02:01:28 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2012, 02:01:28 PM » |
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Very nice! Thanks to you and your collaborators for putting this route together! How's the race going to go? Start on the W Highland Way and then which direction around the figure 8? And why not start in Glasgow at the southern terminus of the WHW? I'd think that might make logistics easier. AND that riding along/above the shores of Loch Lomond is a ton of fun. But what do I know Scotland?
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #7 on: August 29, 2012, 02:56:50 PM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2012, 02:56:50 PM » |
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The route starts from Tyndrum with an easy stretch of the West Highland Way to get warmed up on before the Devil's Staircase and then goes anticlockwise around the figure of eight. The finish is back at Tyndrum, I made it a loop to keep logistics simple.
I have heard a lot of things about the WHW along the shore of Loch Lomond but not that it was a "ton of fun"! I have never ridden it as tales of roots, gates and ladders have always put me off, maybe I need to give it a try for future reference. Feel free to ride it as a a "Calgary to Banff" style prologue in 2013. I already have a northern extension in mind for taking the distance over 500 miles should it be needed but any feedback on possible route improvement is welcome.
Thanks for the positive comments, I hope to see a few of you at the start next year.
Alan
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #8 on: August 29, 2012, 03:03:51 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2012, 03:03:51 PM » |
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That Loch Lomond section of the WHW is definitely slow with a lot of hiking, but there's some really fun, techy riding in there too (and only a couple gates and one ladder over a fence). You're probably right that starting off with that wouldn't be so much fun.
I'm not sure I'd fly all the way over to Scotland to race this and miss all the scenery and culture! I'd love to tour the route at some point though, perhaps combining it with some of the riding over in the Cairngorms and perhaps heading out onto Skye. Now that'd be fun!
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #9 on: September 09, 2012, 07:03:44 PM
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dgjessee
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 192
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« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2012, 07:03:44 PM » |
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This looks bad ass! What sort of percentage of singletrack, dirt road, and pavement are we looking at?
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Cycling is not rocket science.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #10 on: September 10, 2012, 12:56:17 PM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2012, 12:56:17 PM » |
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At a rough guess I'd say the route consists of 20% singletrack, 20% paved road, 5% hike-a-bike, 35% gravel/dirt roads and 20% doubletrack. In general though the dirt roads are very different from those in the U.S. Most are just rough one lane tracks to provide 4X4 access to hunting estates and you will rarely encounter a vehicle on them.
Alan
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #11 on: October 09, 2012, 04:28:45 PM
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sanjuanrider
Location: Littleton Colorado
Posts: 117
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« Reply #11 on: October 09, 2012, 04:28:45 PM » |
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I've been looking at logistics of making it to Tyndrum (start). It looks like a nice place to stay the night before the race is only a short distance away from the start line - Tyndrum Inn. Anyone planning on driving up to Tyndrum on Friday from Glasgow and have room for an extra person with a bike box? Train and bus schedule from Glasgow airport looks a little complicated. I would pay for the fuel!
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #12 on: October 09, 2012, 08:39:03 PM
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T.Ray
Posts: 38
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« Reply #12 on: October 09, 2012, 08:39:03 PM » |
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I've been looking at logistics of making it to Tyndrum (start). It looks like a nice place to stay the night before the race is only a short distance away from the start line - Tyndrum Inn. Anyone planning on driving up to Tyndrum on Friday from Glasgow and have room for an extra person with a bike box? Train and bus schedule from Glasgow airport looks a little complicated. I would pay for the fuel!
Looking at making this trip.Maybe round up a few folks and come up with a plan. I've been looking at logistics of making it to Tyndrum (start). It looks like a nice place to stay the night before the race is only a short distance away from the start line - Tyndrum Inn. Anyone planning on driving up to Tyndrum on Friday from Glasgow and have room for an extra person with a bike box? Train and bus schedule from Glasgow airport looks a little complicated. I would pay for the fuel!
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #13 on: October 10, 2012, 01:29:33 AM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2012, 01:29:33 AM » |
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I'm sure we can manage to get most of the overseas riders arriving at Glasgow a lift up to the start.
I for one will be driving through Glasgow on the Friday and will be able to give one or two a lift.
Get in touch and I'll try and hook people up with rides.
Alan
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #14 on: October 12, 2012, 09:41:07 AM
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LyndaW
Posts: 124
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« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2012, 09:41:07 AM » |
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Oooohhh....attractive....was tossing around a May trip home to see the family in Edinburgh already!!!
What is a very rough guess at how many days the route will take if you ride daylight hours only? Thinking kinder logistics already...
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« Last Edit: October 12, 2012, 09:45:21 AM by LyndaW »
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #15 on: October 12, 2012, 10:08:32 AM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #15 on: October 12, 2012, 10:08:32 AM » |
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We only rode in daylight hours on our recon trip last June and it took us just over 5 days (for comparison, CTR took me just over 6 with a predawn starts every day). Remember that is light until around 11p.m. at that time of year if it is clear weather.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #16 on: October 19, 2012, 04:54:40 AM
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Laps
Posts: 25
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« Reply #16 on: October 19, 2012, 04:54:40 AM » |
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HEY ALLEN!
Just saw Travis in VT, we rode a bit and we were discussing our CTR, wish you could've been there to reminisce with us.
Would April 24-30th be too soon for an ITT weather wise? No way I can get vacation for May 25th, but I am still interested in this ride, sounds fun.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #17 on: October 19, 2012, 10:34:03 AM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #17 on: October 19, 2012, 10:34:03 AM » |
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Hi George,
I don't think I'll ever forget that big day to Silverton chasing Travis. Good times!!
The end of April would ideally be a little early for the Highland Trail but you'd probably get away with it. You'd have to come prepared for the possibility of snow as well as rain but you could equally get a decent week. On the downside shorter days but on the upside definitely no midges!
Email me via the website and I'll tell you more.
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #18 on: October 28, 2012, 11:30:43 AM
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Markley
Location: Virginia
Posts: 10
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« Reply #18 on: October 28, 2012, 11:30:43 AM » |
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Alan
I think myself and another guy will be doing it as an ITT a week or two after you guys do it as a group. Could you keep me posted with any of the group info that you put together, so Im abreast of information and updates?
Thanks,
Markley
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Topic Name: Highland Trail Race
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Reply #19 on: November 08, 2012, 01:36:16 PM
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AlanG
Posts: 53
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« Reply #19 on: November 08, 2012, 01:36:16 PM » |
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I now have 30 signed up for this. There will be a lot of very strong riders lining up including at least 7 Tour Divide/GDR finishers and nearly as many CTR vets. The website has been updated with the start list.
I'm only going to accept 10 more riders for the group start next May so get in quick!
Alan
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