As the clock struck midnight and the world toasted to new beginnings, I wasn’t making resolutions. Instead, I was sitting with a map of Scotland sprawled out in my head, tracing the jagged loops of the Highland Trail 550. This isn’t just a bike-packing route—it’s a beast of a challenge: 550 miles of rugged trails, relentless climbs, long hike-a-bikes and remote landscapes. In just 5 months, I’ll be at the start line for my own ITT (independent time trial) attempt.
Now, at 51, it seems that every year from now on is going the best year to attempt this. I do feel a little older this year due to some injury and mental health challenges, but I’ve decided to embrace it all and be positive. So 2025 isn’t about resolutions; it’s about being resolute—having the grit to commit, even when the odds aren’t neatly stacked in my favour.
But why put myself through this? Because it’s all right there and represents a challenge to everything I've ever aspired to do in my life. Adventure, cycling, camping, navigating, landscapes, mountains, equipment tinkering and all on my doorstep and because there’s something about the HT550 that’s hard to resist. For me it’s not about speed, positions in the race or any kind of glory. It’s about the experience: the simple joy of pushing my limits & doing hard things.
Of course, I’d be lying if I said the decision to sign up didn’t come with a hefty side of self-doubt. At 51, I can’t help but ask myself: Am I too old for this kind of thing? Too slow? Unprepared in ways I havn't ?considered? And then there’s the nagging voice that wonders what other people will think. Given my job and publc profile, this weighs heavy.
But here’s the thing I’ve come to realize: None of that matters. I didn’t sign up for this event to prove something to anyone else. The real challenge isn’t the miles or the climbs; it’s quieting that inner critic and giving myself permission to just go for it.
With 5 months to prepare, the task ahead feels big—but not impossible. Training for something like this isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency. It’s about showing up on the days when it’s cold and wet and I’d rather curl up with a cuppa. It’s about steady, small steps (or pedal strokes), building up bit by bit.
I’m not expecting to be the fastest or the fittest rider on the trail, far, FAR from it. I’m just aiming to be ready enough to enjoy the ride. That means focusing less on gruelling plans and more on purposeful, balanced effort—getting out there, riding hard some days and easy on others, and remembering that the joy of it all is as much about the journey. Not just the route, but the training, the mindset the equipment testing, all of it.
So here I am, stepping into 2025 not with resolutions, but with resolve. I don’t want a list of things I’ll forget by February. I want a challenge that excites me, scares me a little, and gives me something to look forward to every day.
For you, maybe it’s not a 550-mile bikepacking race. Maybe it’s a different kind of adventure—a personal project, a career change, or simply carving out time for something that lights you up. Whatever it is, I hope this year is about choosing to go for it, imperfections and all.
So here’s to a year of showing up, embracing the effort, and finding the fun in the journey. I’ll be out there, pedalling through Scotland’s wilds, grinning through the grit, and proving to myself that 51 is as good an age as any to take on something big.
Because the trails are there, I will be resolute.
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