The Longest Night - A Winter Ride on the Highland Trail 550
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2022
- In December 2021, Annie attempted to ride the Highland Trail 550 route in Scotland. If successful, she would be the first person to complete the route’s 550 rugged miles in winter. More importantly, she was fundraising for Glasgow-based charity Bike For Good.
This bikepacking challenge took her on a journey through some of the most remote and incredible scenery the Scottish Highlands can offer. From wide open glens and fast-flowing tracks, to plunging mountain passes on the west coast.
Having chosen to attempt the route over the shortest days of the year, the sun did not rise till nearly 9am and set again by 3.30pm, giving only 7 hours of daylight and a long, dark night.
Scottish winter weather is famously unpredictable, and Annie dealt with snow, rain and gale force winds. She also had to prepare for numerous river crossings, sometimes more than knee-deep and very cold.
Deep snow on one of the higher passes nearly ended her attempt early, but she persevered through the drifts and stormy weather with only a small amount of crying. Luckily for her, better weather arrived for the last few days of riding, allowing her to enjoy some of the stunning scenery and to finally complete the ride in 7 days and 18 hours.
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I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched this. Absolutely incredible taking this on in the winter. So, so much respect. I’m sure I’ll be watching this again.
I have watched Annie's winter HT film a good few times now and it is totally absorbing, and a mind boggling story of adventure, resilience, and courage. What an absolute inspiration. I will NEVER complain about wet feet or cold hands again! A must watch. Well done Annie.
Couldn't agree more!
Definitely one of the best and most inspiring bikepacking videos which I‘ve watched in a long time! I love the calm mood and the unagitated, authentic style. I felt profound sympathy for Annie going through all the ups and downs. Outstanding project, both the ride and the video!
Thank you 😊
O
Incredible film showing the highs and lows of Scottish Weather. What an achievement. I Live in Scotland but i'm only just venturing into the longer distance ultra biking stuff. Videos like these are really inspiring for the crazy few of us that want to push the limits.
The only problem with this film is I can only give it a thumbs up once, awesome job Annie
🤯 Annie, you crazy! Even that deer at 11:00 was like -you fine?. The weather up there is awful, I got rheumatism by only imagining how muddy, slippery and dreich it was. I mean, hats off to you!👏
🤣 I love this comment Juan! Thank you.
What a film. Absolutely incredible, and such an inspiring ride.
Thank you very much. Im glad you enjoyed it
Annie, I think you're so courageous! You are my hero!! I wish we could hang out together in warm cafes and talk bikes and adventures.
What true spirit. You are the exact example of an adventurer
THAT....was an adventure.
Hey annie. Just getting into biking myswlf right now ... i remembered youd made a video about this ride ... thought id watch it again as a bit of inspiration ... and just wow! I think you capture the beauty of real raw adventure perfectly. Those golden moments mean so much ... but only because of the effort and suffering to get them. Love it , fi
WOW, Chapeau fantastic inspiring video.
Thank you Stuart 🙂
Great film. The isolation and vulnerability to weather but also the connection that being outside all the time.. all strongly come across. And the emotional honesty of the trip. 👏👏
Thank you Meg 😃
Inspirational. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, amazing on every level, your raw emotions shared, the terrain, those mountain vistas and the quality of the video ... Wow
So inspirational. Thank you for recording your amazing adventure and sharing it with those of us who will one day realise our dream of riding this route
The midgies can be grim up there, but that's a pretty extreme way to dodge them! Bonkers. Well done.
it is one way to avoid them 😅
Outstanding effort, the ride, the video both truly impressive. Thank you for sharing.
Wow amazing effort! We all have a breaking point and it's what you do after you reach that breaking point that you really find out who you are.
Full credit to you young lady.
Well done a inspirational young woman
Totally awesome video and ride!
thank you!
Wow! Thank you for sharing.
Respect Annie, respect. I was in the Highland Trail Race 550 in 2014. But baild out after day two. Why? The fu... weather. I can't never image to finish the trail in summer not to mention in winter. Totaly crazy!
Well done. Now please come over the pond and do the Tour Divide. You will be amazed again, and you certainly are fit for the task.
A really inspiring trip to say the least - cold, wet, dark & alone and still soaking it all in, but I really admired how honestly you told the story of the ups & down. You should be incredibly proud of achieving this!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your kind words
What an epic ride fair play 👍🏻
Fantastic effort and storytelling!!!
I dotwatched your ride in December last year and am so stunned to see the movie. It looks so much harder than I imagined it to be, while dotwatching. You are an inspiration Annie. Congratulations on making it and the movie.
Hi Peter, thanks so much for following the ride and watching the film. I apprecitate it.
That weather is crazy. Well done you I say from my warm comfy bed here in NZ... Only down to 3c tonight.
Great video. Beautiful country. Be proud of yourself, this tour is an accomplishment. Well done!
Thank very much 🙂
Outstanding in some really rough going ...well done .
Go Annie Go! Such an inspiration
:D
Well Done a Brilliant Video you are a tough young woman
Having watched your video, I have a new found respect for you and your effort. Knowing the Scottish conditions, I know how fickle and unrelenting they can be, constant weather changes are wearing, especially when wetness can be the overriding theme. You must be mentally very strong and amazing drive. Good effort and documentary.
Thank you!
Epic. That route looks intimidating in the best of conditions, and I can’t imagine what it must take to attempt it in winter!! Mind you the scenery is simply stunning. Serious kudos!
Thanks Duncan, the scenery makes it all worthwhile.
Amazing achievement Annie. I felt your pain and tears!
Thank you :)
Thank you, that was very good. Annie's ending words will move you.
Thank you. Im glad you enjoyed it
just fantastic really. such guts and determination. well done Annie.
Thank you very much Tony
Brilliant film, amazing effort 👍
Thank you Russell!
Chapeau
Bloody marvellous 👏.... I know many of those areas well, spent some time on foot over the years, in winter as well, so total respect as I know how those nights feel ...
thanks very much!
Amazing!!! Massive kudos
Superb watching
Stunning views, impressive effort and great words. How do you keep your feet and hands warm with the all day wet and cold? My feet are damp and numb after a few hours even with long sealskinz socks. They don't dry out overnight. My hands are usually frozen by the time a I've packed my tent and loaded my bike. Over mitts help but still get cold and damp after few hours.
Maybe im lucky, but i dont struggle too much. I wear neoprene over shoes that help alot with warmth and reducing windchill. I find my extremities getting cold is very much linked to not wearing enough on my body, or not eating enough. Ill normally try and eat shortly before stopping, and before doing my tent (if its not raining) ill get out of any damp clothes and into my big jacket. i did take a jacket designed for the himalayas on this trip so that might have helped too..
Beautiful.Strong riding and amazing scenery and story telling! Bravo!
Thanks very much Mike 🙂
Wow, Annie is SO brave!!!
Thanks you Federico :)
Great film Annie and Huw! And fantastic effort Annie. It is just so dark at that time of year!
Thanks very much Susan. The darkness was an interesting challenge!
What a slog! Huge. Was someone filming, or did you have some fancy auto-tracking camera (do they exist?)
Ooophh! That looked tough going.. but very inspiring. Well done Annie 🤙
Thank you very much!
What an absolute legend!!
Thanks Donald 😀
Wow! This is amazing. What an achievement... I can only imagine the feeling when you made it to the end!
thanks for taking the time to watch it. Im glad you enjoyed it!
What an epic adventure. Well done Annie. Great video.
Thanks so much Michael :)
Amazing! Well done Annie!
Thank you 😀
Great movie Annie. Very inspiring.
So caramel wafers is the secret fuel of choice ?
Caramel wafers are almost always the answer 😅
Wow!
incredible video!! Did you have any camera crew support or did you shoot all of this yourself?