Hey everyone, and welcome to episode two of my HT550 journey. Thanks so much for all the support on the first episode! If you missed it, go back and give it a watch—you’ll get the lowdown on what this adventure is all about. Today, I’m out with my fully loaded kit, and while there’s plenty of information available online about it, I’m saving my full reviews of it all for when I’ve had some real-world experience. Here's this week's video and a below a brief synopsis of my progress and your questions.
Diving Into the HT550. Why?
One of the biggest questions I keep hearing is, “Why the HT550?” It’s not just coming from the die-hard cycling community; even my neighbours and friends who aren’t into cycling have asked. I’ve always had this itch for adventure. Ever since my teens—when I used to pack light and head out into the wilderness for a couple of days—I’ve been chasing big adventures. Back then, we didn’t fuss over every little detail; we just set off, riding up to the Peak District, hopping on a train from Nottinghamshire to Sheffield, and disappearing into nature.
The HT550 has a special place in my journey. In 2014, while working with my pal Gary—an adventure race designer and the brains behind some truly epic events—I heard his stories from doing the HT550, and it stuck with me. Life threw some curveballs in the form of injuries and work changes in 2015, so I couldn’t jump on it immediately. Now, at 51, I realize I’m not getting any younger, and this is my year to finally do it. I’m generally fit, but I know the ride will demand even more training and a solid mindset.
Tackling Mental and Physical Prep
A question I get a lot is, “How do you prepare mentally?” Honestly, there’s no magic formula. You can train to ride 150 kilometers a day, but nothing really prepares you for the unexpected—like mechanical mishaps, missing a crucial food stop, or simply forgetting an essential piece of gear. I remember a friend from back in 2014 who showed up with borrowed shoes (and maybe even a forgotten helmet!). That kind of pre-race chaos can really stress you out before you even start. I’ll dive deeper into these topics as the weeks roll on.
My Trusty Ride
What bike will I be riding?
So, what bike will I be riding? It’s my go-to: the Pipe Dream Sirius S5. Out of the roughly 70 bikes I’ve owned since 1991, this steel hardtail from the Scottish manufacturer ranks among my top five. With its 120mm fork and a nicely tuned head angle that gives it a bit of slack, it just feels right. If I ever lost it, I’d buy another without hesitation. It’s the kind of ride that inspires confidence and makes me excited for the journey ahead.
Light and Fast or Heavy and Comfortable?
How am I approaching the start line?
Another question is whether I’m going to go light and fast or pack up for heavier for comfort? The truth is, it’ll depend on how my fitness and mindset feel a couple of weeks out from the start, as well as how my kit testing goes.
There are countless ways to load a bike, and I’ve been gathering inspiration from past HT550 rigs over at bikepacking.com. If you’re curious about what gear I end up choosing or the different ways to set up your kit, check out my daily updates on Instagram over at Ravens Outdoor. I post plenty of quick reels about my day-to-day kit tests and thoughts.
Staying Connected on Track Leaders
Can I follow you during the ride?
For those wondering about my participation on Track Leaders—I’m in! I’ve sorted out my spot tracker, and you’ll see me pop up as a coloured dot on the map, setting off just half a day behind the grand depart. It’s a fun way to keep everyone in the loop on where I am during the race.
How I Got My Entry
Many of you have also asked how I secured my entry for the race. With entries so limited (64 people on the start line this year, roughly split between 30 women and 34 men), I didn’t have the recent track record that the organisers were looking for. Instead, I took a different route: I made a donation to Trees for Life as requested by the organizer, Alan, and that got me on board. It was a small price to pay for being part of this incredible event.
Knowing When to Pull Out
What would make you scratch (pull out)
Lastly, let’s talk about one of the toughest questions: “What would make you pull out?” For me, there are two deal-breakers. First, if I’m not 100% ready—if there’s any doubt about my ability to finish within the 7-8 day window—I’ll call it quits. There’s always next year. Second, if I risk a long-term injury or face a catastrophic bike failure (think a cracked frame or losing a ton of spokes), I won’t risk my long-term health for this race. It’s all about listening to my body and not letting ego cloud my judgment.
What’s Next?
Next week, I’ll be talking more about my kit—why I chose it, why I’m moving forward with a particular Tailfin setup, and more gear insights for all you tech heads and mountain bikers out there. If you’re enjoying this journey with me, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the Youtube comments. Your support means the world and helps get the word out.
Until next time, set those notifications, and thanks for riding along on this adventure!
Allan
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