The Transcontinental Race 2013

[Aperitif]

Aw. Brian Welsh is stuck at the ferry terminal. Come on ferry experts, when is he outta there? He has got over 1000kms to make before last orders at the Transcontinentalrace Saloon. 23.81kms is a lot when it is tacked onto the previous 1000.
Come on Brian!

Nothing more vain that quoting one's own post - however.
Brian has got over the water and is now at a halt in Vrosina, a tiny village - it looks as though he's taken a left instead of sitting on the rivet and blasting somehow along the E90, or the cyclist's equivalent...746.9 kms sounds a lot better than 1023.81 kms. A big ask.
Come on, Brian!

 

[Aperitif]

 

[frank9755]

It sounds challenging, doesn't it? Especially looking at the monster in your picture (EDIT I mean the big hill on the page you linked too, not the chap in pyjamas above!)

At least he will be well-rested. I did that ferry back in my student days (going the other way, on my way home from Egypt). I think it was about 30 hours, and very pleasant - at the start anyway. After a couple of dozen of us who were sleeping on deck had been there for a while it got a bit less so. But there were some beautiful views of Corfu.

Come on Brian!

 

[Aperitif]

Just had a look at Mikko Makipaa, and it seems he has had a good day at the seaside, following Adrian around the coast, and it seems like a fairly flat run in to Istanbul. 370 kilometres of cycling bliss, making about 4600+ kilometres back to back - not a bad effort!

Mikko is going well today - skirting the hills and arrowing toward Istanbul along the D110 etc - 206.99kms to go. (Tomorrow, Friday, late morning arrival?) Might be a nice little race with Anthony Hawke, who is approaching by 'nore conventional' route and has 242,000 metres left to find. I wonder if he remembers where Finland is? These riders have tested themselves quite effectively I think, and should capture every moment somehow. We'll forget about this soon enough, as it is only a bit of fun to watch, but I'll bet there are some fine memories - weird thoughts too - that will live with all these riders wherever they finish.

 

[frank9755]

Agree: they'll never look at a map of Europe in the same way again after doing this.
I'm really jealous!

 

[ianrauk]

It all looks such a short distance on a map, but by golly I bet they all pushed themselves to the limit... well apart from the winner by the looks of things

 

[frank9755]

It all looks such a short distance on a map, but by golly I bet they all pushed themselves to the limit... well apart from the winner by the looks of things

Yes, it's hard-core cycling. Mentally demanding, never mind the physical side.

To say to yourself that you are going to head off across Europe to places you most likely have never been before, with less than a small rucksack of gear, with no idea where you'll sleep is really way out of comfort zone. It was notionally an organised race, but these guys had to do it on their own, using their own mental and physical resources, and not much else. Something like PBP or LEL - where you only have to cycle a long way but are otherwise extremely well looked after - is far, far easier.

 

[Aperitif]

Juliana rode A520s it looks like - naff old pedals!
And she 'twitted' this pic. of her bike and a lorry load of kebabs in the background...her last puncture before a beer! Well done her and it was nice to hear she is human...and drinks lashings of beer!

 

[Aperitif]

Nicholas Pusinelli rode through to arrive fresh as a spring lamb (ie: 'kebabbed') at the Fortress... Saddlebag styled for this photo by Stuaff Designs Inc.

Pictures from the Transconrace Twitter feed @transconrace

 

[frank9755]

Is there one of Rimas huddled over a computer doing his ride report...?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I note that neither JB nor NP use pannier racks. I wonder what weight a seat post clamp* will take, and whether that forces riders to keep things light.

I also note that Juliana's nails are clean. If I'd been on the road that long, mine would be fully grime-ridden.

And she turns her bike upside down to get the wheel off. Nobody's going to shame me into keeping the bike upright: if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me.

EDIT: *A bit of investigation tells me that JB uses a Revelate Designs bag, which needs neither pannier racks nor a seatpost clamp. Pricey but even carbon seatpost friendly. It's a sort of saddlebag that also attaches with a strap to the seatpost.

 

[Aperitif]

Agree; it's hard-core cycling. Mentally demanding, never mind the physical side.

To say to yourself that you are going to head off across Europe to places you most likely have never been before, with less than a small rucksack of gear, with no idea where you'll sleep is really way out of comfort zone. It was notionally an organised race, but these guys had to do it on their own, using their own mental and physical resources, and not much else. Something like PBP or LEL - where you only have to cycle a long way but are otherwise extremely well looked after - is far, far easier.

My thoughts too, Frank - which is what makes this an outstanding event. At least you have done PBP and LEL...you only need TCR14 for your hat-trick next year!
Meanwhile, Mikko makking good ground and is under 200 kms to go now - still the D110 just arriving at Haliç.
Move it, Mikko!
And Anthony Hawke is closing in too...although he's riding through a bit of a sauna-rock environment - 96F +/- not very hospitable, eh?
Allez Anthony!

 

[frank9755]

I've only done LEL from the commentary box!
Unlike poor old Mikko...

 

[Aperitif]

I've only done LEL from the commentary box!
Unlike poor old Mikko...

Oh beg your pardon. Would be a tap-in for you anyway - one just assumes these things.

 

[Aperitif]

The 14-day 'cutoff' is getting near...I am getting worried for the folk still out there with big orange pins on their backs.
12 days,7 hours and a few minutes have elapsed.(A bit more after I have finished writing )
Mikko is going to be next in - he's got 190kms to the finish and will do that comfortably, barring mechanicals.
The 200+s are Alex H 225, Chris H, 287, and then Anton H with 300.
The 300+s Seb G 377, Daniel W 377 also and Sergei K at 395 - all of these should finish within the allotted time, I guess. (Well documented how 'accurate' my guessing is )
Then we're into the 400+s, with Recep Y (no, not a recepy for disaster) on 419, Erik on 424, and Colin W on 435. These three could hurry each other along a bit and get there providing they are not 'all-in'. The terrain and the heat must be sapping. OK if you breeze through in seven days or so , you hardly notice the weather, but two weeks being gently cooked...wow.
At 500+ we have Ian F - 585 to the flag...which means a non-stop 14.5Kph for the next 40 hours.
And Brian W has the insurmountable task of 731 723 (I just checked again to make sure) which would bring his non-stop rolling average to 18kph. No matter. We'll think of something to keep the spirits up until the very end...
Come on Brian!