The Transcontinental Race 2013

[rich p]

It looks that way Teef - I presume it's allowed although it doesn't look shorter. MikkoM wants to see as much as possible, that report says, so maybe he's sight-seeing in Italy! We'll see if he detours to the Coliseum and Pompeii.

 

[srw]

Yes - somewhere in the organisers' bumph they suggest it. They do also point out it would be slow - ferries from Italy to the Balkans take a long time (overnight from Bari to Albania, apparently - and there's only one per day).

 

[rich p]

Hmmm, looks like Rimas is heading up into the hills again for some reason. Maybe he has a plan!
At risk of sounding like the pub bore, I cycled the road from Dravograd to Ptuj and it's gently downhill all the way following the river through Maribor and is the route that Kristoff took I think. I'm not sure why Rimas is not doing that too.
Anyone else have local knowledge?

 

[Aperitif]

Morning Rimas! Looks like you might have a nice refreshing thunderstorm 'edge' to keep your spirits up and temperature down, as you take in the sights of Slovenia. Now. When you have finished noseying around, do what Rich says and get back on track to put Ptuj in your sights...it looks like an interesting couple of days coming up for you and the other competitors - what's more, we'll all be watching you.
So get on with it, and remember nirvana...

Delight.
Go Rimas!

 

[Aperitif]

A ferry to 'take the Mikko' from Falconara to Solin? Mikko is pushing along nicely, but...
Go Rimas!

 

[jugglingphil]

I've been loving this race, and the coverage. In awe of these riders.
It's really interesting to see all the different routes, I'm wondering if they all planned routes beforehand or are changing as they cycle.

 

[Beebo]

Regarding ferries the rules state,
"5. Ferries are permitted for expedient coast to coast travel, by approval of the Race Director."
So anyone looking to go into Italy and across would have to have this route approved first.

 

[Andrew_P]

Single Speed Holy cow! They must be mad my legs ache just reading this thread. Stretching their elastic of suffering to the limit, amazing

 

[Andrew_P]

Single chaingring not singlespeed.

pah that's too easy..

 

[Aperitif]

Single chaingring not singlespeed.

Single chaingrig, surely?
Go Rimas!

 

[martint235]

pah that's too easy..

Rimas has a curious set up. As said it's a single chainring and then iirc an 8 speed block with cogs of his own choosing. It looks a little strange but with Rimas on it, it goes very quickly for a very long way!

 

[rich p]

Rimas seems to be heading NE now?????

 

[rich p]

...and Kristoff is almost at the border of his last country, Bulgaria, before Istanbul!

 

[ianrauk]

Rimas seems to be heading NE now?????

Is a strange route he's taking.

 

[Beebo]

I think there's an arrest warrant out for him in Solvenia, so has to go round the top.