HT550 - Meet the riders

This weekend sees the start of The Highland Trail 550, a self-supported mountain bikepacking route that spans 550 miles (885 km) through the rugged and remote Scottish Highlands. The route is unmarked, and riders must navigate using a GPS device and their own intuition. Along the way, riders will encounter stunning landscapes, challenging climbs, and unpredictable weather conditions. 

The route passes through remote villages and requires riders to carry their own food and equipment throughout. The Highland Trail 550 is considered one of the most challenging bikepacking routes in the world and is not for the faint of heart, often involving prolonged sections of hike-a-bike, where staying on the pedals is simply impossible. 

Check the route out here:

We’ve put together a list below of a few key riders who'll be using Restrap kit and tackling this year's event, so make sure you follow their dots on the race tracker.

Alice Lemkes, 31

@lemkiss

Restrap Ambassador

Riding: Sonder Signal MTB

Using Hike-a-Bike Harness? YES

Resident of Scotland and very familiar with not only the HT550 route, but the kind of terrain that the race will go through, Alice is an experienced off-road racer, with GBDuro, Deeside Trail and countless other off-road routes under her belt. 

Bags: Race Saddle Bag 7L, Custom Frame Bag, Race Stem Bags, Race Bar Bag, Hike a Bike Harness

Molly Weaver, 29

@mollyweaver94

Restrap Ambassador

Riding: Cannondale Scalpel MTB

Using the Hike a Bike harness? YES

A former world-tour professional, Molly now has her sights firmly set the pursuit of solo ultra endurance. Molly already has a win of the Bleneau 600 under her belt, numerous FKTs including the Trans Cambrian Way double, King Alfred’s Way and the Lakeland 200, to name a few. She’s primed and ready for HT this year as her focused event, so she’ll be a dot to keep a track of for sure. 

Bags: Race Saddle Bag 7L, Top Tube Bag, Race Stem Bags, Race Bar Bag, Hike a Bike Harness

Philippa Battye, 37

@philippabattye

Restrap Ambassador

Riding: Mason Raw MTB

Using Hike-a-Bike Harness? YES

A well experienced ultra distance racer and off-road specialist, Philippa is no stranger to routes as tough at the HT550. Female winner of GBDuro and veteran of Further Pyrenees and Silk Road Mountain Race, she aims to be at the pointy end of the race, and is certainly a dot to watch out for. 

Bags: Race Saddle Bag 7L, Custom Frame Bag, Race Stem Bags, Race Bar Bag, Hike a Bike Harness

Carl Hopps, 38

@carlhopps

Restrap Ambassador

Riding: Fairlight Holt MTB

Using a Hike-a-Bike Harness? YES

Restrap employee and ambassador Carl Hopps will be tackling the HT550 for the second time. Last year he took on the race on his gravel bike (Fairlight Secan 2.5), but unfortunately missed out a classified time due to accepting help from another rider on the trail. He finished the route anyway, and will be tackling it with a real thirst for a strong result this year.

Carl has also ridden the Atlas Mountain Race, GBDuro (where he finished 4th), 3x Dales Divide, and many off-road Racing Collective events across the UK.

Bags: Race Saddle Bag 7L, Custom Frame Bag, Race Stem Bags, Race Bar Bag, Hike a Bike Harness

Danny Lane, 31

@dnylne

Riding: Windover MTB

Using Hike-a-Bike Harness? YES

Our lead product design and development manager Danny has been chomping at the bit to race the HT550 for well over a year, and in preparation for the event has logged two strong finishes at Dales Divide, 8th place in Pan Celtic race and has numerous off-road trails and routes under his belt. A keen rider of all things off road and long distance, Danny has spent considerable time dialling in his setup and is looking to place well.

Bags: Race Saddle Bag 7L, Custom Frame Bag, Race Stem Bags, Race Bar Bag, Hike a Bike Harness

Taylor Doyle, 30

@tay.velo

Riding: Custom Stayer MTB

Using Hike-a-Bike Harness? NO

Taylor Doyle is an ultra racer and the founder of the Ultra Distance Scholarship, promoting diversity in ultra distance cycling. Taylor is passionate about sharing the joys of cycling and supporting underrepresented groups. Inspired by her first ultra race and her actions to reduce environmental impact on it, Taylor aims to reduce single-use plastics and make a positive change across the entire ultra distance space, and has started the Ultra Distance Plastic Resistance (https://www.instagram.com/plasticfreeultra/). She’ll be racing plastic free throughout as part of a pledge to reduce single use plastics while racing.

Bags: Race Saddle Bag 7L, Race Frame Bag Small, Race Top Tube Bag, Race Stem Bags, Bar Bag 14L

Photos by the riders:

Taylor Doyle @tay.velo, Molly Weaver @mollyweaver94, Alice Lemkes @lemkiss, Philippa Battye @philippabattye 

Cover photo & footer photo by Jade Field @jade_saskia