Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: zigzag on 01 August, 2013, 02:19:29 pm
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hi fellow yacf cyclists!
as some of you are aware i'm going to start my longest ride/race ever starting on the 3rd of august 8am from westminster bridge (come @7:30 to say hi! :D) and finishing in istanbul rumelihisari fortress, turkey. the route will take me through france, belgium, switzerland, italy, austria, slovenia, croatia, serbia, bulgaria and turkey (about 3260km total). this a self-sufficient and unsupported race, so we (~40 riders) will be carrying all our stuff with us, arrange accomodation (or a hedge/ditch...), food etc.
there will be two checkpoints at geraardsbergen belgium and at the top of the stelvio pass (2757m/9045ft) in the alps. race cut-off time - 14days.
you will be able to follow our progress via www.transcontinentalrace.com (http://www.transcontinentalrace.com)
or by downloading an app on your smartphone from http://app.bluedot.mobi/ (http://app.bluedot.mobi/)
also via facebook (https://www.facebook.com/transconrace) and twitter (https://twitter.com/transconrace)
the bike is almost set up (duct tape ftw!), legs are as ready as they'll ever be, last few days were fairly hectic, but having a day off on friday to have some rest before a big start.
the whole thing looks daunting, but i'll give it my best shot!
(i can see another forumer mkpaa is on the start list as well - see you on the road mate!)
p.s. can i ride it as a dyi x gps audax? :)
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Good luck! :thumbsup:
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All the best Zigzag! What a challenge! I take it you're not doing it on the folder :facepalm:
I'll be keeping an eye on your progress. Keep safe.
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thanks guys, i'm doing it on my usual audax bike (no racks or panniers), but it will look "interesting", at least at the start of the race! :)
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Bon route et bon courage! I'm not sorry I decided to focus on the Mersey rather than this, but I still wish I could be joining you - the route looks awesome. Keep us updated when you can.
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Best of luck!
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It sounds like an amazing adventure - that you probably won't have time to enjoy till it's finished!
Good luck and, ooh, westerly winds. :thumbsup:
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Good luck zigzag, I'll keep an eye on your progress.
Mikko, mkpaa OTP and from Finland, is doing this also (he finished LEL today!).
Will be great to follow you both.
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Sounds like a fantastic challenge....Good luck :thumbsup:
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Hi Rimas, I can't make the start, but good luck to you, I'm sure that you will do well
Regards Pip
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I had wanted to get to the start, but life is getting in the way.
Best of luck zigzag, it will be an amazing adventure.
Ride safe and ride fast.
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Will be thinking of you - you are great fun to ride with; the other riders are lucky to have the pleasure - hope they can keep up!
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I went to see him off, photo here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87831957@N00/9427135261/in/set-72157634909203895
more photos later
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wow!
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The Transcontinental @transconrace 6m
Flemish local Kristof Allegaert first to CP1 pic.twitter.com/6JYkL3KjZW
Kristof once gave me a waffle.
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more photos from the start here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87831957@N00/sets/72157634909203895/)
the glamorous lady in the 2nd shot is Juliana Buhring who holds the women's round the world record; the glamorous lady in the 3rd shot is zigzag's wife
you can follow riders' progress here (http://www.transcontinentalrace.com/)
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zigzag first at CP1. :thumbsup:
Richard Dunnett, (Diss CC), who rode the round the world last year 3rd man in, 43 minutes behind him.
Do they sleep or ride on? How does it work?
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Zigzag is Flemish? For some reason I thought he was from Devon!
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Zigzag is Flemish? For some reason I thought he was from Devon!
Neither.
He is Lithuanian.
And going well so far!
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zigzag first at CP1. :thumbsup:
Richard Dunnett, (Diss CC), who rode the round the world last year 3rd man in, 43 minutes behind him.
Do they sleep or ride on? How does it work?
The 'race flow' chart at the bottom of this page (http://trackleaders.com/transconrace13) suggests several slept at 300 km, and others for shorter periods elsewhere. It looks as if Mikko, fresh from LEL, didn't stop at all.
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Zigzag is Flemish? For some reason I thought he was from Devon!
Neither.
He is Lithuanian.
And going well so far!
So was it Zigzag or the Flemish local who was first to CP1? Confused! Not that it matters, really.
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It was Kristof from Kortrijk (or possibly Rimas). Apparently there were plenty of cobbles in the first bit, which will have suited Kristof. BTW he's registered here as xxx. He holds the record for the 4800km Tour de France Randonneur of 13 days 2 hours 15 minutes.
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I read it that zigzag was there after 13:38 and Kristof 13:58, with Diss's Dunnett 14:19.
/ready to be corrected.
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The 'race flow' chart at the bottom of this page (https://plus.google.com/photos/112979861092984792301/albums/5907644045144188065?authkey=CMzR7oXBsYzxcA) suggests several slept at 300 km, and others for shorter periods elsewhere. It looks as if Mikko, fresh from LEL, didn't stop at all.
Is that the right link?
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The 'race flow' chart at the bottom of this page (https://plus.google.com/photos/112979861092984792301/albums/5907644045144188065?authkey=CMzR7oXBsYzxcA) suggests several slept at 300 km, and others for shorter periods elsewhere. It looks as if Mikko, fresh from LEL, didn't stop at all.
Is that the right link?
Oops. Link corrected. Correct link. (http://trackleaders.com/transconrace13)
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Thanks.
Holy crap, they are shifting!
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I read it that zigzag was there after 13:38 and Kristof 13:58, with Diss's Dunnett 14:19.
/ready to be corrected.
I think that's right, but the tweet from the org says Kristof A was first. I'm confused.
Anyway, KA seems to have opened up a lead now (~32 hours)
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Good luck Rimas!! :thumbsup:
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I read it that zigzag was there after 13:38 and Kristof 13:58, with Diss's Dunnett 14:19.
/ready to be corrected.
Zigzag started at 08:06:55, Kristof at 08:27:28, so perhaps zigzag was first there, but Kristof got there in a quicker time?
Current positions: Kristof Allegaert: 667.22 km; Rimas Grigenas: 613.37 km; Richard Dunnett: 607.96 km; Matthew Wilkins: 543.25 km; James Jordan: 525.24 km; -- at 07:15:27 PM (BST) 08/04/13
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That would make sense. A long way to go yet anyhow, anything could happen! And as Clarion says, none of them are slow.
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It looks as if Kristof stopped earlier than the others to sleep (for about 7 hours), and judging from the slope on the race flow chart, has started off this morning like a rocket, and has a big lead.
It looks as if Mikko, having ridden LEL, has only stopped for about 3 hours in the whole ride, and is going steadily.
Zigzag's speed seems to be down this morning.
Current positions: Kristof Allegaert: 831.38 km; Richard Dunnett: 755.26 km; Rimas Grigenas: 693.76 km; Mikko Makipaa: 657.78 km; Matthew Wilkins: 647.44 km; -- at 07:20:19 AM (BST) 08/05/13
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http://trackleaders.com/transconrace13
Check 'Auto follow' and click 'start replay'.
Zigzag's route through France looks much further west and south than the others'.
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Cognominative determinism?
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Kristof has passed control 2. storming along.
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http://trackleaders.com/transconrace13
Check 'Auto follow' and click 'start replay'.
Zigzag's route through France looks much further west and south than the others'.
Thanks for that Salvers. They certainly do race along don't they when you hit Replay.
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Zigzag's now over the top of the Stelvio :thumbsup:
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Kristoff is going like a bomb! 9 hours off the bike as compared to zigzag's 21 can't hurt..
(Diss's Dunnett has had 24 hours off the bike, the lightweight, and is currently doing 13.3kph. It's probably up a vertical face...)
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Ahhh...I thought Kristoff was on a motorbike ;D
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Rimas is 300km behind him now. That's astonishing, to lose so much distance in just 3 days. I suppose, with 11-1400km to go, it could all change...
I guess some of the difference is route choice?
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Rimas is 300km behind him now. That's astonishing, to lose so much distance in just 3 days. I suppose, with 11-1400km to go, it could all change...
I guess some of the difference is route choice?
Kristof obviously knew the best place (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=70531.msg1462099#msg1462099) to research a route for the first part of the ride, and he will have known the best way through Belgium.
Planning, researching and executing a route would seem to be crucial, but
Eelco @EelcoTranscon 2h
Who says you can't get lost with gps? Just enjoying the scenery too much means at least 30km detour.. #tcr2013
Mikko Mäkipää @mkpaa 5 Aug
Phew. So many gravel/farm roads on my route in France. I wonder how others are doing? #transconrace
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More
Mikko Mäkipää @mkpaa 4 Aug
A bit too rural route for that part. Didn't see a shop for almost 7 hours. Now fully loaded for the night. #transconrace
Expand
Frank Montgomery @tra6fom 17h
@transconrace Looks like Matthew Wilkins has gone about 30km the wrong way and just met Edward Pickup.
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Is Jason Woodhouse okay? Seems to have stayed put in Belgium. Or going round in circles.
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Jason and two other riders are listed as 'Scratched', which I assume is the event's version of DNF.
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Jason @boyonhisbike 3h
Apologies for radio silence. After reaching DeMuur with a great start into #TCR2013, Ive been hit with a virus and dental problems which are preventing me from cycling. Ive made my way through Luxembourg and Switzerland into Italy, hoping it eases off and I can return to the road to reach Istanbul.
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Jason @boyonhisbike 3h
Apologies for radio silence. After reaching DeMuur with a great start into #TCR2013, Ive been hit with a virus and dental problems which are preventing me from cycling. Ive made my way through Luxembourg and Switzerland into Italy, hoping it eases off and I can return to the road to reach Istanbul.
ISTR he was lanterne rouge in the RTW race last year
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Rimas looks like he is finally out of the Alps, he's is in the furthest SE corner of Austria and fairly flat I reckon until southern Serbia/Bulgaria.
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Is Rimas going to Budapest ???
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Kristof does seem to have the race sewn up. He's really been hurtling along. A couple of riders are in Italy - how is that on the route?
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Heading down the length of Italy then crossing the Adiratic to Albania, perhaps.
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Would be one possibility, if the race regulations allow such major ferry crossings. Another would be that they've given up on the race are simply touring!
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Mikko has tweeted he is heading for Bari. From there's a ferry to Durres in Albania.
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Kristof has entered Turkey! Rimas appears to no be turning south and heading 'in the right direction'.
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Rimas is just about out of Hungary and Richard is in Bulgaria. Kristof is only 30km from the finish, should finish around 21:00.
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This has been amazing to follow!
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Kristoff seems to have reached the finish about 10 minutes ago, but is possibly having trouble finding exactly where it is. The event vehicle is waiting about 100m north of the finish GPS location, but Kristoff has gone off up the hill.
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He's soooo close! All he needs to do is roll down the hill and turn left. Don't think he'll be able to head straight down past the museum on his bike.
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Look's like he's made it, though finish time hasn't come up yet.
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7 days, 13 hours and 45 minutes.
That's not messing about now is it?
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I bet he didn't stop to play Pooh Sticks.
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Very impressive. I wish it had been Rimas, but I can't begrudge Kristof his magnificent win.
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7 days, 13 hours and 45 minutes.
That's not messing about now is it?
His initial estimate (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=68288.msg1422726#msg1422726) was 'probably 11 days'.
Kristof is a regular (as I am) on the Herentals 1200. In Belgium, a bunch of 15 or more riders (I'm not sure of the exact figure) can ride on the road, any smaller than that and you have to use the cyclepath (if present). So for the first 100 km or so, Jan the organiser likes to keep everyone together by keeping a moderate speed. That works fine until Kristof goes to the front, riding what I'm sure he considers a moderate speed, but what my legs consider to be outrageously and painfully fast.
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Rimas in touching distance of the finish. 84km to go.
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And now around 50km :thumbsup:
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Just over 6km left. :thumbsup:
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Rimas has finished and a tweet from the race team said he was with them enjoying a burger.
Fantastic achievement! şapka!
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Congratulations, Rimas, on an epic achievement!
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:thumbsup: ;D :thumbsup:
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Well done Rimas, have two burgers
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thank you for your support, encouragement and well wishes!! i'm now sat at the internet cafe near taksim square, catching up with things in the virtual world having spent last 12 days in the real world, i.e. ride, eat, sleep. i'll come up with the ride report hopefully by the end of next week as there is the whole tracklog to analyse and a mountain of random thoughts to put together. there was no particular reason why i chose the route via romania - i simply put two dots in bikeroutetoaster (stelvio pass - istanbul) the night before and that's the route it came up with.. i didn't even check that the border crossing between romania and bulgaria was a ferry crossing operated only four times a day (i thought it was a bridge..) - i was so happy to get on the last ferry of the day and not need to camp there and wait until the morning one! re the total distance - my gps was telling 3408km at the finnish - it might be the longest one of the lot! the biggest hurdle that kept me from going quicker was sweltering heat every day 36-40 degrees, not the temperature i'm acclimatised to. morning and evening cruising speed were about 27kph, while throughout the day i could only average 18-20kph. the whole ride was a big learning curve on self-sufficiency and time management. my body coped well, no saddle sores or numb fingers, only numb toes from recently purchased and not fully tested shoes. all equipment worked fine, the only slightest technical problem was one puncture in austria. some roads were in a very dire state, as i understood later kept by village communities that way to prevent the traffic speeding through. this race was certainly the most adventurous experience i've had on a bike - highly recommended if you think you would be up for it!
thank you and i look forward to seeing you on the road soon!!
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:thumbsup:
(nutter)
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Excellent - great job Zigzag :thumbsup:
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Great stuff!!
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Congratulations, an impressive achievement.
there was no particular reason why i chose the route via romania - i simply put two dots in bikeroutetoaster (stelvio pass - istanbul) the night before and that's the route it came up with
And I thought the riders had spent the dark winter evenings studying maps to plan a route optimised for distance, gradients and altitude.
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Hugely impressive. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
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Congratulations Rimas
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Bloody hell Rimas. You're a cycling rock star. It sounds like some of us spent more time watching your progress than you did planning this whole adventure ;D
Thanks for the entertainment and a big congratulatory slap on the back.
So am I right in thinking you cycled quite a lot further than some of the other racers?
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Respect.
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Looks like Mikko has just finished, and he didn't have time to take his LEL number off his bike.
https://twitter.com/transconrace/status/368344098744188928/photo/1
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Thought Kristoff was near pro material the few times I managed to get on his wheel , well done to the finishers.
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i'll come up with the ride report hopefully by the end of next week
Tremendous achievement! Looking forward to the ride report.
Nutter!
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Fabulous stuff zigzag
London to Istanbul is a trip I have always wanted to do. I had foreseen it as a long tour. But, who knows?
Can not wait to read more about this.
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Chapeau Rimas, hopefully hear more about it soon. Have a safe journey home.
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You are LEGEND. :thumbsup:
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One rider, Brian Welsh, is still going :o and is just a few miles from the Turkish border as I write. It looks like he had a grim couple of days in Greece, a long nights rest in Thessalonika and is now making decent progress again. With everyone else finished by Saturday, that takes guts!
http://trackleaders.com/transconrace13i.php?name=Brian_Welsh (http://trackleaders.com/transconrace13i.php?name=Brian_Welsh)
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hi all a small report about my transcontinal ride, thanks for watching and following the race
http://allegaertk.wordpress.com/author/allegaertk/
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for those who haven't seen yet, here is my ride report :):
http://reportage.transcontinentalrace.com/?p=836 (http://reportage.transcontinentalrace.com/?p=836)
(also on cyclechat forum in "member's travelogues")
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Amazing stuff.
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excellent report Rimas, and awesome achievement :thumbsup:
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Wonderful report, very inspiring :)