The Highland Trail 550 is a self-supported mountain bike route 550 miles in length with over 16000m of climbing. The route was created by Alan Goldsmith to prep for the Colorado Trail Race, but it has become a massive event in its own right.
I’m excited and nervous, probably in equal measure. It’s less than 2 days from the start when I write this
I always enter events with the main aim of finishing them and to enjoy them. The one that takes the fore changes pretty much every minute during the events.
The HT550 is a one I have wanted to do for years but never had the guts to enter. I’m try not to class myself as any kind of rider, but I would never say I have been skilled enough to class myself at a mountain biker. The last few years has seen me point my tyres off road and this is the reason im in the race.
I would never start something I don’t think I would be able to finish, but that doesn’t mean that I know I’m going to finish any event I have entered or will enter. There are too many variables:
– mechanicals
– falls
– tiredness
-illness
– mechanicals
– lack of skill
– lack of fitness
– mechanicals
There are so many reasons why I entered the HT550 and so many reasons what held me back for years. Things that are worthwhile aren’t supposed to be easy, so let’s get on with it.
I can’t wait.
Jordan Matthews 