The few days before the race, me and Steph came up to Loch Lomond, did a bit of camping, walking, biking and a bit of spa time too in a fancy hotel. A mini break before what would prove to be a tough few days on the bike. This put me in good stead though for the race.
We arrived in Tyndrum on the Friday night, with the start being on Saturday morning. We got a hotel, did a short ride to test the bike and went for some carb loading at a pub along the road and had an early night, so I could cram as much sleep in as possible before the start.
Race Day
I woke from a pretty good sleep if I remember, packed the bike once again, and went for breakfast… to find 6 coach party’s worth of people waiting in line for breakfast too. Not the best of starts, but amid the chaos, we managed to get some food and saw the funny side of it and so did the few other HT550 riders who were at the same hotel. First HT550 leason, don’t stay here if I race again.
We wheeled to the Real Food Cafe, the meeting point 30 minutes before the start and the nerves really kicked in there. Just a cafe by the side of a road to most people, but to me and every other HT550 rider, a bit of a Wembley Way of cycling. The entrance to a fabled and famed landscape, the start of the Highland Trail. I had seen so many photos and read about the HT550 so much, and it was finally my turn to give it a go. Excitement and nerves were in full swing.
From the cafe, we pedalled slowly up to the car park start line, the head of the trail. Another simple piece of scrub land to most, not to every one on the start line.
I said my last goodbyes to Steph and before I knew it, we were off.
I was nervous. I really don’t see myself as a mtber, I have ridden a lot of miles on bikes, but mostly on the road. The past few years have been more off road and I’m getting better, but the imposter syndrome was high those first few miles.
I had studied the route closely the past few months, and ridden some of the route last year as part of the Great North Trail. I had a basic plan and timeline, and would try to stick to this, but with every new event I enter the aims were:
– Get home safe
– Enjoy it
-Finish
– Go as quickly as I can
These, I think are in order of importance, sometimes they change. The above order is the ideal situation.
The first few miles were great, going at a good pace, chatting with a few other riders about our expectations and feeling the sun on our backs. Going along Loch Lyon, I reminded myself to ease into it, enjoy it and don’t worry about being passed by others.
After around 50 miles, I was making good time and as we got to Loch Ericht, Alan Goldsmith the organiser of the race, caught and passed me and said something along the lines of ‘this is the real start line’. He was right, the first boggy walk started, then the route took a turn to the left, away from the Loch and up in the shadow of Ben Alder and the 727 meter pass. This included, mostly walking with the bike and stopping for water. I still felt strong, even with a good few miles in the legs on a heavy bike!
I reached the top, alongside a few others, including Alan and we began the descent. It was a bit steep and technical towards the top, but I held my own and enjoyed it! If I rode that 3 years ago, I really wouldn’t have enjoyed it.
The next section, my memory is a bit fuzzy, but remember joining a route where I recognised from last year, so knew what was ahead… The Corrieyairack Pass. The famed zig zag climb up and over to Fort Augustus.
To be honest, I was looking forward to it. When I did it in the Great North Trail, the weather was horrific and I already had a good 5/600 miles in my legs. Today was great weather and only a days worth of riding in the legs. I plodded up it at my own pace and enjoyed pushing it a little bit, with the thought of catching the petrol station shop before it shut for the night.
I reached the top, put on a layer and gave it some welly down the other side. I enjoyed the descent.
I was sprinting to catch the shop, got there and the lights were off, but the door was open, this was enough. I scooted round, picked up random bits of sugary goodness and paid. Phew.
After this, I cycled to the fish shop for a bag of chips, some hot food was needed. I sent a few messages home and was pleased with my progress so far, all on planned time.
After an hour or so eating, I got back on the bike and continued along the route. It snaked up on a nice gravel track parallel to Loch Ness, which I had done before, but in the opposite direction. Good feelings.
The track then joined a road, heading away from the Loch. After a few miles, it took a right. On this corner were 2 guys in camping chairs with a load of beers next to them, cheering me on. Unreal. They gave me a boost. Next time I’m not racing the HT550, that’s what I want to do!
After this turn, the off road climb started, it was bloomin steep. Alongside turbines. I didn’t really have a plan of where to stop, it was about 10pm. I saw Alan pitch up part way up the climb, he was the organiser, so I took a leaf out of his book, cycled a few more miles and pitched up by the side of the track.
I felt good for the end of the first day. The nerves of the race had gone and I had enjoyed it all. I crammed some more food in and was asleep straight away.
Jordan Matthews 