I never thought I'd have writer's block, or is it that I don't know where to start?
HeB2B, the 'unofficial' Heb planned in the spirit of Tilman on the back of an envelope (two cereal boxes actually) was a great success. Twenty odd (!) people biked and ran from one end of the Hebrides to the other, ascending all or most of the highest peaks on each island. Many also biked the classic MTB loops of Harris, and added their own little adventures, such as swimming Loch Langabhat in the middle of Lewis. Simple Adventure. Not a marshall or timekeeper in sight - it worked.
The weather was stormy, especially at the start of the week with the Oban-Barra ferry disrupted so that some could not get there for the 'Prologue'; a gentle spin around Barra with the ascents of the highest points on Barra and Vatersay. It was windy but dry with fair views, but the rain and wind came in force on Tuesday as we blasted north over The Uists and Benbecula. Quite rightly some 'optional' summits were missed out by some, in a long day of road biking and hill running. Personally, I really enjoyed a ten hour day with a tail wind pushing me north at 15-20mph, with the time split 50/50% on biking/hill running.
The kayakers had been out on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday as the wind built to storm force. Another wild camp on the Machair of Berneray was followed by a drier but still winding day for the crossing of the Sound of Harris, and few more hills, and the south Harris loop. Skoon Art Cafe featured very well as a popular 'optional summit.'
Wednesday was the day we had Blue Peter's Helen Skelton join us for a Bike/run/paddle day. Helen did very well on a hired hybrid bike as we cycled the hill over to Tarbet and upto Clisham car park. An ascent of Clisham followed (2000+ feet of bog, rock and scree) and again I was impressed with her fitness and spirit. Unfortunately, filming does absorb a lot of time so we weren't able to 'run' all the way through the Lewis wilderness if we were to get the paddling leg done on Loch Roag Beag. The wind was still very strong alhough from the south, but a tail wind can be tricky in a sea kayak and they had to round the headland onto the beach. I know from the look on the faces and the general buzz on the beach that it had been a tough paddle. Many thanks are due to Tom as 'lead paddler' for making this happen, and to Alex and Colin, also. Helen's day had been filmed as part of the Country Tracks programme and it will be interesting to see how it is appears on the TV.
Meanwhile, Euan had quietly sussed out and swam Loch Langhabat, therefore straightlining the wilderness. He was generously assisted by Claire, who swam both ways in order to test the water before biking back out and around to the north. He arrived after his (relatively short) run looking well satisfied. It think this is simply brilliant and in the true spirit of HeB adventure; watch out for it next year.
Over the next few hours more athletes arrived including those who had 'Hike-a-Biked' through the Wilderness, rather than the 50+ mile road ride around, including AndyM who never misses any options out. (But he did look a bit pooped for a while) It had been a great day; tough weather, rough conditions underfoot, interesting stuff with Helen and Gareth from the BBC, but people had all risen to the challenge and proved that the spirit of adventure is alive and kicking (no pun intended)
More soon....
Joe
Friday, 16 July 2010
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Last Minute Stuff
Off to The Hebrides tomorrow for HeB2B. It's going to be fun, and a bit of an adventure .... a journey, no less!
B2B has 20-30 people arriving on a remote Hebridean island, many of which haven't been there before. The Hebrides are a remote place; five hours ferry ride from Oban, and at least a days drive from 'the UK'. But it is also a fabulous place, wild and inspiring, weather ever changing and with welcoming and embracing community of people.
It is going to be an adventure of the purest kind; shared objective, realistic outcome, good companionship. I hope so, I know so.
Let's have some fun. Don't worry ... be happy.
B2B has 20-30 people arriving on a remote Hebridean island, many of which haven't been there before. The Hebrides are a remote place; five hours ferry ride from Oban, and at least a days drive from 'the UK'. But it is also a fabulous place, wild and inspiring, weather ever changing and with welcoming and embracing community of people.
It is going to be an adventure of the purest kind; shared objective, realistic outcome, good companionship. I hope so, I know so.
Let's have some fun. Don't worry ... be happy.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Oops - Wrong grid reference
Well..... it would be a Heb adventure without at least one dodgy grid reference. Luckily, it's obvious that the camping on Eriskay isn't at 783 713, but 783 113. Thanks to Colin for pointing this out!
Two other quick updates - Paddling and 'After Party'
If you are bringing a boat and hoping to paddle at least some part of the week, then I have, hopefully put you in touch with each other so you can liase over 'hopes and fears.... gear and beers' or whatever. Or just turn up and join in!
'After Party' - even if it's just beers in a bar or on a beach, there is quite a bit of interest in this so I'll be research a camp/eat/drink option somewhere up near the Butt.
Any suggestions?
Two other quick updates - Paddling and 'After Party'
If you are bringing a boat and hoping to paddle at least some part of the week, then I have, hopefully put you in touch with each other so you can liase over 'hopes and fears.... gear and beers' or whatever. Or just turn up and join in!
'After Party' - even if it's just beers in a bar or on a beach, there is quite a bit of interest in this so I'll be research a camp/eat/drink option somewhere up near the Butt.
Any suggestions?
Monday, 21 June 2010
HeB2B Adventure - Route Info Out Now
Just ten days to go....!
I've just emailed the route info to all those confirmed on my list as intending to come along. If you have missed out then, please let me know asap.
If you've only just found out about this adventure then it is not too late to come along. A bike and a pair of hill legs is all you need, but a friend or two might be helpful.
See you on Ersikay - let the adventure begin.
I've just emailed the route info to all those confirmed on my list as intending to come along. If you have missed out then, please let me know asap.
If you've only just found out about this adventure then it is not too late to come along. A bike and a pair of hill legs is all you need, but a friend or two might be helpful.
See you on Ersikay - let the adventure begin.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
We Won - LAMM 2010...!
'Sometimes you have to blow your own trumpet!' someone said to me yesterday
Wilko and I finished as first 'mixed pair' in the Score class, so I won my first prize for many years. Prizes don't mean much, but seventh overall in such an event means we did very well.
More importantly, I really relished being back in a 'simple' Mountain Marathon, where good solid route choice and navigation through rugged mountain scenery gives a great sense of reward.
Well Done Wilko - she'd be the first to admit she's not at her fittest after a winter of injury and rest - but that's no excuse and irrelevant. We did well because we went steadily in the right direction, didn't get lost (well... a moments magnetic confusion on Beinn Bhuidhe maybe) and weren't too late back and incuring large penalties. We did have a bit of a 'flat' Saturday and thought we'd made the wrong route strategy choice, but having pushed hard to make Saturday's finish on time it was all to play for on Sunday.
'Endurance Saturday - Speed Sunday' remarked 'Wilks', as we found some soggy tussocks for her to relish followed by some tricky navigation in complex claggy ground, which played to our strengths. But we did have to run the last five km to limit penalties to just three minutes lateness. I was duly honoured and humbled to get a beer handed to me by Miriam Rosen as we finished and it made 'Wilfs' chilli one of the best ever. Thank you Wilko.
Congratulations to Anthony Emmett and Helen Jackson on an impressive Mixed Pair win in the Elite, proving they really can mix it with the top mountain runners. Bad luck to Team Haglofs ... well done Lewis for completing the Elite despite a nasty gash to his shin sustained on Saturday and to Angus and Francis of NFR for their third place in the Elite. And they never looked tired or stressed at all.
Now, whose entered the LDMT?
Wilko and I finished as first 'mixed pair' in the Score class, so I won my first prize for many years. Prizes don't mean much, but seventh overall in such an event means we did very well.
More importantly, I really relished being back in a 'simple' Mountain Marathon, where good solid route choice and navigation through rugged mountain scenery gives a great sense of reward.
Well Done Wilko - she'd be the first to admit she's not at her fittest after a winter of injury and rest - but that's no excuse and irrelevant. We did well because we went steadily in the right direction, didn't get lost (well... a moments magnetic confusion on Beinn Bhuidhe maybe) and weren't too late back and incuring large penalties. We did have a bit of a 'flat' Saturday and thought we'd made the wrong route strategy choice, but having pushed hard to make Saturday's finish on time it was all to play for on Sunday.
'Endurance Saturday - Speed Sunday' remarked 'Wilks', as we found some soggy tussocks for her to relish followed by some tricky navigation in complex claggy ground, which played to our strengths. But we did have to run the last five km to limit penalties to just three minutes lateness. I was duly honoured and humbled to get a beer handed to me by Miriam Rosen as we finished and it made 'Wilfs' chilli one of the best ever. Thank you Wilko.
Congratulations to Anthony Emmett and Helen Jackson on an impressive Mixed Pair win in the Elite, proving they really can mix it with the top mountain runners. Bad luck to Team Haglofs ... well done Lewis for completing the Elite despite a nasty gash to his shin sustained on Saturday and to Angus and Francis of NFR for their third place in the Elite. And they never looked tired or stressed at all.
Now, whose entered the LDMT?
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
HeB2B Route Outline + Cycle Shirts
The Race is ON .... for Cycle Shirts!
So much to do... but I've done a lot already! Overnight locations are sorted and the next pressing need is the design and ordering of cycle shirts. www.cyclejersey.com is the company we will be using. We have ideas, colours and a designer working on it now, so I need your firm orders and payment asap. Trust me it will be good!
Full Route details will be out in mid-June. Game ON!
So much to do... but I've done a lot already! Overnight locations are sorted and the next pressing need is the design and ordering of cycle shirts. www.cyclejersey.com is the company we will be using. We have ideas, colours and a designer working on it now, so I need your firm orders and payment asap. Trust me it will be good!
Full Route details will be out in mid-June. Game ON!
Friday, 7 May 2010
Dockray-Hartside Fell Race Results - 2010
Dockray-Hartside Fell Race
(Race report on previous blog posting, below)
1 Chris Waters Ambleside 51.45
2 Chris Newman Wharfedale 52.32
3 Kim Collinson Eden Runners 52.54
4 Ian Davies Keswick 55.09
5 Chris Knowles CFR M40 55.18
6 Liam Horsfall 55.29
7 Daniel Nute Kendal 60.29
8 Adam Logan Ambleside 60.44
9 Dave Prossser Keswick M40 61.12
10 Chris Harling 61.36
11 Nigel Thomas Helm Hill M40 61.55
12 Toby Harling Border 62.33
13 Carlos Naylor Eden Runners 62.36
14 Keith Hill Keswick M41 62.47
15 Gavin Thomas Kendal M45 63.55
16 Peter Hague Cairngorm 63.55
17 Karen Bridge Eden Runners 64.46
18 Andy Thompson Eden Runners 66.36
19 Dave Tait DPFR V60 66.37
20 Fraser Livesey Howgill 66.42
21 Ian Horne Eden Runners 67.39
22 Richard Ellwood 66.59
23 Alex Kirby Arragons Tri 67.57
24 David Hobson 67.57
25 Peter Bailey 67.58
26 John Horne Keswick 68.03
27 Shaun Hardisty Eden Runners 68.25
28 Anja Phoenix Eden Runners 70.24
29 Anne Wilson Eden Runners 71.17
30 David Harrison` Keswick M60 71.17
31 Simon Veitch M40 73.16
32 Derek Queenan 74.51
33 Steve Howe Old Boy 74.53
34 Patric Gilchrist Keswick M63 77.17
35 Gill Douglas Eden Runners 84.28
36 David Brooks Blackpool, Wyre, Flyde 84.39
37 Gary Hadwin Keswick 85.51
38 Gary Dixon Keswick 85.51
39 Ian Rooke Kendal 92.38
40 Jane Hornsby 93.51
(Race report on previous blog posting, below)
1 Chris Waters Ambleside 51.45
2 Chris Newman Wharfedale 52.32
3 Kim Collinson Eden Runners 52.54
4 Ian Davies Keswick 55.09
5 Chris Knowles CFR M40 55.18
6 Liam Horsfall 55.29
7 Daniel Nute Kendal 60.29
8 Adam Logan Ambleside 60.44
9 Dave Prossser Keswick M40 61.12
10 Chris Harling 61.36
11 Nigel Thomas Helm Hill M40 61.55
12 Toby Harling Border 62.33
13 Carlos Naylor Eden Runners 62.36
14 Keith Hill Keswick M41 62.47
15 Gavin Thomas Kendal M45 63.55
16 Peter Hague Cairngorm 63.55
17 Karen Bridge Eden Runners 64.46
18 Andy Thompson Eden Runners 66.36
19 Dave Tait DPFR V60 66.37
20 Fraser Livesey Howgill 66.42
21 Ian Horne Eden Runners 67.39
22 Richard Ellwood 66.59
23 Alex Kirby Arragons Tri 67.57
24 David Hobson 67.57
25 Peter Bailey 67.58
26 John Horne Keswick 68.03
27 Shaun Hardisty Eden Runners 68.25
28 Anja Phoenix Eden Runners 70.24
29 Anne Wilson Eden Runners 71.17
30 David Harrison` Keswick M60 71.17
31 Simon Veitch M40 73.16
32 Derek Queenan 74.51
33 Steve Howe Old Boy 74.53
34 Patric Gilchrist Keswick M63 77.17
35 Gill Douglas Eden Runners 84.28
36 David Brooks Blackpool, Wyre, Flyde 84.39
37 Gary Hadwin Keswick 85.51
38 Gary Dixon Keswick 85.51
39 Ian Rooke Kendal 92.38
40 Jane Hornsby 93.51
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