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5th October 2017 / Comments (0)

Highland Trail 550 by Barry Godin

Written by:James Deane

The Highland Trail 550 is a long distance self-supported mountain bike time-trail route through the Scottish Highlands. There is no entry fee, no prize money, and definitely no support. It is a self-timed Individual Time Trial (ITT). All that is provided is inspiration, a suggested start time, a GPX file, and a list of completion times.

Riders may experience Scotland’s beautiful sunny blue skies and cool mountain streams and lochs as far as the eye can see. But the weather in Scotland can change on a whim, and you may be just as likely find yourself getting besieged by cold lashing rain and high winds. In short, don’t attempt this ride unprepared – no one will be there to rescue you! Approach the ride as though you are on an independent expedition, fully prepared for your own limitations and whatever nature has in store for you.

Barry Godin filmed and produced this video, whose infectious enthusiasm for the Highland Trail 550 is really captured in this film.

Make yourself a brew, kick back and enjoy!

Read more

You can find out more about the Highland Trail 550 by visiting the official website here: www.highlandtrail.net

Can’t get enough of Barry? You should pop along to his Vimeo page in that case!

Last modified: 5th October 2017

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Immaculate bank holiday conditions.

Immaculate bank holiday conditions. ...

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@straightcutdesign custom frame bag for the 54cm R Fairlight Secan against a disappointingly clear, normally graffiti covered wall.

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As it was my final day staying in the Cairngorms it was time for a ride up to Ryvoan Bothy, via that weirdly green Lochan, can never remember the name!

Was super wet and I think I only saw one other rider. Had the place to myself.

Also it was a good chance to finally get my @straightcutdesign bags properly filthy 😂

#advntr #vittoriamezcal #straightcutdesigns #bikepacking #bikepacking bags #masoniso #masoncycles #ryvoanbothy #cairngormsnationalpark #tartangravel

@tartangravel

As it was my final day staying in the Cairngorms it was time for a ride up to Ryvoan Bothy, via that weirdly green Lochan, can never remember the name!

Was super wet and I think I only saw one other rider. Had the place to myself.

Also it was a good chance to finally get my @straightcutdesign bags properly filthy 😂

#advntr #vittoriamezcal #straightcutdesigns #bikepacking #bikepacking bags #masoniso #masoncycles #ryvoanbothy #cairngormsnationalpark #tartangravel

@tartangravel ...

144 4

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After a day of heavy snow, sleet, hail and everything else a Scottish Spring day bring I finished it with my f with a sunny rise out to Loch an Eilein.

#tartangravel

#masoncycles #straightcutdesign #cairngorms #cairngormsnationalpark #gravelbike

Spending the week staying in Feshiebridge not far from Aviemore. This place is interlaced with amazing gravel tracks, single track, quiet roads and bog (for those that like that kind of thing).

After a day of heavy snow, sleet, hail and everything else a Scottish Spring day bring I finished it with my f with a sunny rise out to Loch an Eilein.

#tartangravel

#masoncycles #straightcutdesign #cairngorms #cairngormsnationalpark #gravelbike ...

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Special shout outs to @sqlab for sending some amazing inner bar ends which are perfect for this rider with ruined arms and @bentleycomponents for his craft!

There are some really great details you can read all about on the Fairlight site and I'll report in all summer as I get the miles in. First impressions are that it's been agonised over in designing it as it feels incredibly comfortable and the geo spot on.

(P.s. frame was bought not given just for clarity).

The new @fairlightcycles Holt XC frame has arrived. To say I've been excited for it's arrival would be putting it mildly.

Built last night for a wet first ride today (thanks to the @pedalsbikecare team for a last minute steerer cut yesterday!). Featuring 12spd SLX, XTR hubs on WTB rims with @vittoriauk_tyres Syerra tyres. PNW Rainier dropper and some Hope bits and my trusty @wearepinnd CS2 Ti pedals.

Special shout outs to @sqlab for sending some amazing inner bar ends which are perfect for this rider with ruined arms and @bentleycomponents for his craft!

There are some really great details you can read all about on the Fairlight site and I'll report in all summer as I get the miles in. First impressions are that it's been agonised over in designing it as it feels incredibly comfortable and the geo spot on.

(P.s. frame was bought not given just for clarity). ...

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Mar 20

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#gravel #graveladventures #gravel #scotland #salsacycles

📷 @hicksville

A hard pull on the singlespeed up to Fionn Loch and then down to Loch Maree before the rain came. Hard to beat Scotland when the blue sky appears.

#gravel #graveladventures #gravel #scotland #salsacycles

📷 @hicksville ...

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Heck! I haven’t ridden this bike since Autumn last year. My winter season kind of fell apart for one reason or another but it’s so good to back riding this bike and to finally test out my awesome new @straightcutdesign bag set up. 👌🏻 this will take me to many happy places. We have plans again. . .

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#masoniso #masoncycles #rannoch #perthshire #perthshiregravel #gravelscotland #bikepackingbags #scotlandbybike #advntr #tartangravel #scottishgravel #powerofthebike

Heck! I haven’t ridden this bike since Autumn last year. My winter season kind of fell apart for one reason or another but it’s so good to back riding this bike and to finally test out my awesome new @straightcutdesign bag set up. 👌🏻 this will take me to many happy places. We have plans again. . .

@tartangravel

#masoniso #masoncycles #rannoch #perthshire #perthshiregravel #gravelscotland #bikepackingbags #scotlandbybike #advntr #tartangravel #scottishgravel #powerofthebike ...

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@tartangravel

Its been around 3 months since I last ventured out on the bike 😯☹️. A mixture of illness, starting one new job, then another, more illness and a bit of Christmas mixed in.

So today was a blessing, I left everything and just rode a slow pace on my trusty old CdF on quiet roads, tracks, no strava, no computer, no drinks bottle either 😂 forgot it (#rusty).

Anyway, I’m feeling healthy for the first time in ages so I’m looking forward to lighter evenings and cold sunny morning rides. 👍🏻

Plus sorting out my bike packing plans for the year.
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#advtr #tartangravel #bikepacking # #bikepackingscotland #bikelife #masoncycles #vittoriatires @straightcutdesign @vittoriauk_tyres @mason_cycles @corrourstationhouse @tartangravel @cairngormsnationalpark @firepotfood

@tartangravel here -sat at home overdosing on coffee and looking back at my favourite moments from this year. I take thousands of photos, hundreds on each trip, so picking out ones that best reflect each trip is difficult! To many to select from! Maybe a blog is better to cover off each trip 🤔.

Anyway, I will spare you an explanation on each except for the last photo of my son riding his wee bike. When ever he’s out he goes off exploring, riding as far as he can even into the dark. Makes me proud to think he’s got that sense of adventure already in him, not yet 2 but with a massive appetite to explore.

Happy New Year to you all and here’s to another great year on two wheels. 🍻🚵

#advtr #tartangravel #bikepacking # #bikepackingscotland #bikelife #masoncycles #vittoriatires @straightcutdesign @vittoriauk_tyres @mason_cycles @corrourstationhouse @tartangravel @cairngormsnationalpark @firepotfood ...

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#advntr

@sqlab very kindly sent some saddles to try out. Having ridden them in the past it's good to see the evolution of their kit with these new models. One is being used for Zwift and the other will actually go outside.

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#advntr

July and a quick morning ride out to Sandwood Bay. Such a fantastic place with a certain eeriness and feeling that is hard to pin down. The path is quick by bike from the main road, a little rocky in places and tyre choice being the determining factor in being able to ride it all. 650*BIG is the recommendation.

#advntr ...

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Dec 18

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We started with the inner loop and the track down into a Glen Derry was a little rough for a fully laden gravel bike, especially if you fancied actually riding the thing 😂. I enjoyed it, I had a little more tyre so it was passible.

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Day two, we took to Glen Feshie with lots of stream and river crossings, bog and more hike-a-bike but it’s a very pretty place to spend time in.

I think anybody tacking the Cairngorms loop, and they should as it’s spectacular, should consider using an MTB with front suspension, it’ll make a massive difference to your ride vs hike ratio. @tartangravel

#advntr #masoncycles #insearchof #cairngormsnationalpark #cairngormsloop #cairngorms #linnofdee #glenderry #glenfeshie #bikepcking #bikepackingscotland

Continuing to look back on the year these pictures are from a trip in May to do the Cairngorms Loop. We failed, only completing the inner loop before heading off to ride more gravel bike friendly terrain. I had a friend with me on a gravel bike who thought I’d arranged a ride not a walk so I felt I owed him some miles in the saddle.

We started with the inner loop and the track down into a Glen Derry was a little rough for a fully laden gravel bike, especially if you fancied actually riding the thing 😂. I enjoyed it, I had a little more tyre so it was passible.

A camp by the Linn of Dee was lovely, beautiful sunshine at sunset and a few whiskies were had, it also is in the middle of a figure of eight route wise so you have options.

Day two, we took to Glen Feshie with lots of stream and river crossings, bog and more hike-a-bike but it’s a very pretty place to spend time in.

I think anybody tacking the Cairngorms loop, and they should as it’s spectacular, should consider using an MTB with front suspension, it’ll make a massive difference to your ride vs hike ratio. @tartangravel

#advntr #masoncycles #insearchof #cairngormsnationalpark #cairngormsloop #cairngorms #linnofdee #glenderry #glenfeshie #bikepcking #bikepackingscotland ...

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It’s that time of year when you start looking back and reminiscing about memories made on two wheels.

I’m going to start sharing some pictures and memories over the next week or so starting with these, taken on the first over night of the year. It was close to home at a place called Hirendean Castle, a 16th century ruin which stands up on a hill with pretty spectacular views over the Pentlands and Gladhouse Reservoir on the fringes of the Scottish Borders.

The idea was to get the kit out and ride not too far from home, have a bite, a few beers share some whisky and head home in the morning. It was March and bloody freezing so my two season quilt wasn’t up to it. That said it was awesome to be out with a crew sipping whisky under the stars. Bacon rolls and coffee in Roslin the next morning worked a treat warming us back up nicely. Sometimes you don’t need to nail 60 mile days in the hills to find adventure, it can be found just down the road. @tartangravel ...

102 1

Dec 14

Tell everyone what your GOTY is. Rather than the usual gear of the year thing, we want to know what you rate instead. Share in the comments what you've enjoyed using this year and recommend to other riders. If there are groups or events you want to recognise too, please fire them in as well.

#advntr #goty #gravel #bikepacking

Tell everyone what your GOTY is. Rather than the usual gear of the year thing, we want to know what you rate instead. Share in the comments what you've enjoyed using this year and recommend to other riders. If there are groups or events you want to recognise too, please fire them in as well.

#advntr #goty #gravel #bikepacking ...

47 29

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