After my successful assault on the Highland Trail in 2021 I vowed I'd never do it again. This lasted until last November.... I'd no particular reason or axe to grind with the route, I just fancied it again. I guess it's about the only social riding I do these days (BB and YD excepted) and given how well I know the route it's a fairly straightforward prospect. And the allure of several days of riding from dawn until dusk, with nothing to worry about other than to keep moving, keep eating and sleep for a bit. So I emailed Alan and I was in. Again.
I hatched the plan early doors - i.e. there would be no plan, I wouldn't train, I wouldn't stress or over think it. I'd just do my normal run of winter and early spring bike rides, turn up and ride it.
Except my ageing body had other ideas. I'd twanged my back last November but various exercises had sorted it. Post BB300 knee niggles had persisted but I figured none of this would be a problem. A few early season snow filled monster rides seemed to confirm this. Then it was a problem. I kept getting back twinges and my knees flared up big style, as per 2019. I didn't mess around, just went to the physio and told her to fix me. Of course they can't fix you, they just tell you what to do to fix yourself....
So stretching filled my spare hours between work, food and sleep. Bike riding was scaled back (and the lowside came along to add some spice to short rides round the woods) and I crossed fingers, toes and eyes in the hope my knees would come round. Which they did, more or less. After a couple of weeks I tried an experimental ride involving a lot of very hard hike a bike and some big hills. No knee problems due to the varied demand on my legs so these became the order of the day. In any case hard rides in the 4-6 hour range are a well known way to endurance type fitness or so I'm told... No long road rides though and my local hills have been thoroughly pounded. But mega climbs and tussock and bog strewn trails make for a challenge equal to what the HT will provide. In fact I'm quite looking forward to mainly rocky trails!
A rare snowy ride this year but 6 hours of hard riding through crust and drifts.
Trail? who needs a trail when you've a few miles of tussocks, peat bogs, vague deer trods and bottomless moss pools. This turned into a 7 hour full body work out!
A long steady track climb remains the biggest SS challenge - riding equals much huffing and puffing, walking seems terminally slow - on the long climb up to Glen Devon res during another 6 hour tour.
I've been thoroughly rained on at times but I've had a fair bit of this too; here on a long march round one of the lesser used parts of the Ochills, views to the hills above Tyndrum in the far distance.
Latterly I have done some longer pedally rides (i.e. 2-3 hours) and all went well, knee, back and fitness wise. More long hikes got thrown into the mix and then finally I did it all together - a long ride, with lots of pedaling, big draggy climbs and some walking for good measure - a fine HT analog. As is usually the case, I didn't start until 10.30 which took me to after eight for a finish. I'd had an energy dip late afternoon, but a raid on the Ladybank Spar shop got me a full belly and (eventually) functional legs again. My route finished with some big climbs over the Lomonds and Benarty hill, by which time I'd fully recovered and the late hour meant I had the trails to myself. No real knee issues other than some minor niggles which came and went and I seemed to instantly settle into the nice easy pace that had done me proud on the BB300 last year. Not quite where I was in September 2022 but all being well, good enough for 6 days of hard riding in a fortnights time.
The pleasantness of North Fife made for a fine days ride.
One final ride to make sure new tyres, brake pads and other fettling were all behaving. First warm sunny ride of the year (and sunburn!)
Inevitably I have repeatedly cursed my decision to enter the Highland Trail again. The act of entry itself seems to stimulate my body to produce an injury. And the immensely variable weather we've had over the last 6 months is likely to continue with a chance of anything from any time of the year possible. These days I find myself being somewhat reluctant to venture out into foul weather having done so much of it over the years. But the lesson from all those years is 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.' If it all goes pear shaped I'll bail with no hesitation but all being well it will be a mix of fine riding, good cheer, (some) good weather and a reason to get off my backside and do something that is still pretty unique in the world we live in.
This year sees a roughly equal gender split on the group start. That, the general lowering of the average rider age (or is it me just getting old,) the international attention it now garners, and the increasing mentions of the 'R' word is starting to make me feel a bit out of place, on the group start at least. It's 10 years since a few folk lined up to ride 440 miles round the Highlands on their own with no backup and no attention outside of the then small world of bikepacking. This year will be a far cry from those humble origins with a cast of renowned ultra racers vying for the fastest time, and therefore doubtless the world will be watching. But I'll adopt my usual tactic and pace to enjoy the ride, the trails and the scenery.
I hope it's not going to be like this again - much rain on the track of a thousand puddles during my failed 2014 attempt.
I suspect the chances of a cloud free Ben, as we make our way along the GGW to Fort Bill will be slim however...
Much as before but it is looking like we are to get warmer temps than last year so a chunk lighter, although this may be optimistic. I'm also leaving the stove behind, conversely to take pressure off my ride as it will have to fit round regular resupply stops for tea and hot food - something I did last time without issue. I may regret this (or change my mind if the forecast is particularly bad.) Singlespeed remains my secret weapon for a balanced attack on my body, hopefully wrecking everything in equal measure, rather than focusing on a few bits.
See you on the other side...
