OK, it’s time to ‘fess up.
When Rob Lee made an unsuccessful attempt at the West Highland Way Double, it piqued my interest a little. It’s always interesting to read about what people are up to in the world of riding bikes a long way. It’s rare to have such a candid account when the goals are not achieved. And yet, the small, mean, and competitive part of me thought, “Hey, I should give that ride a try!” Making firsts is good ego boost.
Now, I like John “Shaggy” Ross. He’s a good man and always fun to talk to. But, it did grate a bit after Iditarod 2009 when everyone who found out I did it said, “That’s the one Shaggy did!” Not his fault, but you can imagine my thoughts when John also had an incomplete ride on the West Highland Way Double.
So, I have decided to repeat my method for the Tour Divide by doing a UK ride as preparation. For The Divide, I rode The Sarn Helen Trail (the length of Wales) over a couple of days. It was as much a test of gear and food as it was a test of my fitness but it really helped me to go into The Divide with confidence.
On January 15 or thereabouts, I’ll set off from Milngavie (Glasgow, to you and me) bound for Fort William. I will be fully kitted up to deal with deep snow, camping overnight if it comes to it, and generally looking after myself in a Iditarod style. If it turns out to be possible, I’ll turn around at Fort William and ride back to complete the double. I’m highly doubtful that this will be possible. If conditions are bad, I could have to walk large sections of the trail. It will be good preparation for Alaska, and if I make the double that would be just dandy.
PS Thanks to Shaggy for lending me pogies to use on this trip after mine were stolen at the weekend. See… we are friends 🙂
Now that sounds fun!
Googled up a GPS track of the route and have it on loaded Google Earth (lots of pictures along the route, all very interesting to this US native).
So do you think you might take a Spot along so I can sit in my warm office and follow along? Regardless enjoy your little ‘training’ ride
I walked it about 15 years ago. Most of it is fairly straightforward as I recall but I doubt you’ll ride up conic hill unless the path has improved, and down is all gigantic steps. Will be interested to read your log of the ride as I’d love to walk it again someday. Glen Coe and Rannoch moor will be stunning if there’s snow, an treacherous in the case of Rannoch!
Hi Marshall – I will be taking my SPOT. I’m just figuring out how to embed the map on my website.
Hi Steve – It’s great that you’ve walked it. I imagine it must be fun in the summer. It’ll be a whole different sort of fun in the winter, too. I’m just not sold on the whole walking thing, though 🙂
Take some crampons and ice tyres !! The snow’s been vanishing from the South of the trail but there’s gonna be LOTS of ice….
BTW good luck – I rode it in August when the weather was 20+ degrees and it was great !
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for the good wishes. I’ll be riding my Pugsley snow bike – it works better than a normal bike on snow and is actually quite effective on rough ice as well since the big tyres don’t get bossed around by ruts/hoof-prints/cracks or whatever else is there.
Unfortunately, I’ve had to postpone by a week since I spent last week out of action.