TCR no8.

[quixoticgeek]

I think, first of all, it's a decision for Anna!
We need clarification if it is up, down or either.

It can be done in either direction.

J

[Frank9755]

Frank, with the brief back and forth about bike weight & set up where we diverge on opinion.
Do you think the off road transalpine parcour may not be a game changer?
https://www.komoot.com/highlight/3902003

Ive got the tires and the gearing, but possibly not the ideal bb clearance.

I think these parcours are a bit of a red herring. It's about 1% of the total distance. OK a bit more as a % of total time, but I'd rather have the optimal setup for the other 99% (or 97%)of the race, then just get by with what I've got on the crazy bit. I will walk the harder bits anyway as its better and faster not to crash than to save a few minutes, so even less to be gained.
I'd be surprised if anyone rode the whole Serbian weather station parcours last time - the steepest bits were too hard going up and too risky coming down.

[Frank9755]

I think, first of all, it's a decision for Anna!
We need clarification if it is up, down or either.

It can be done in either direction.

J

Is that confirmed now? I was going on the discussion on the Facebook group, but not looked at it for a few days.

[quixoticgeek]

I think, first of all, it's a decision for Anna!
We need clarification if it is up, down or either.

It can be done in either direction.

J

Is that confirmed now? I was going on the discussion on the Facebook group, but not looked at it for a few days.

Ooh. Hadn't noticed that the following text is on the version of the manual for 2020, but not for 2022
"*The parcours can be approached from either direction, starting in the West (A) or in the East (B)"

I can't imagine why they would change that.

J

[Frank9755]

Yes, I think we need clarification

[quixoticgeek]

Clarification has happened. It's either direction.

J

[Frank9755]

Yes, indeed.
The positioning of the control (down the other side of the pass for those who've not seen the manual) makes it a more interesting question than I had previously thought!

[morbihan]

I have withdrawn from TCR. My wife has some health challenges that we need to get through in the next few months.
We will watch all your dots and cheer you on from the sidelines. Sorry not to be part of the adventure.

[Frank9755]

Very sorry that you can't make it, but some things are more important.   
I hope all goes well and look forward to meeting you one day!

[morbihan]

Thanks Frank.
Out of Transpyrenees too unfortunately as there are 5 months of treatments ahead taking us through the year. We will get through it though.
Meantime its been revealed that Richard Strasser is entered into this years edition of TCR.  That will be interesting to watch.

[Frank9755]

Thanks Frank.
Out of Transpyrenees too unfortunately as there are 5 months of treatments ahead taking us through the year. We will get through it though.
Meantime its been revealed that Richard Strasser is entered into this years edition of TCR.  That will be interesting to watch.

Oh dear, these things do have a nasty habit of taking over your diary!
Christoph - but yes, very interesting.  I read his book earlier this year and if there is one thing I am sure of it's that he will be well prepared. 
He's a professional so he must have got his sponsors comfortable with it.  Maybe it shows that the unsupported scene is getting bigger than supported racing now. 
It's hard to imagine that he won't win it, maybe by good margin, with Ulrich Bartolameus pretty certain for second.    I don't know who else fast has entered but they can only be fighting for third fourth place - barring injuries and 'events', that is!
[EDIT] I do now know of someone else pretty quick likely to be on the start sheet - will be an exciting race!

I might not make it to Geraadsbergen either.  My mother in law has some health issues which might mean I need to stay to look after my daughter during July.  I won't know for sure for a couple of weeks, but I'm down with a bit of summer flu at the moment, so training is definitely suspended for a few days at least!

[quixoticgeek]

Went to GP this morning to get my doctors letter.

Law has changed since 2019 and my family doctor is not allowed to do it anymore. So now I have now made an appointment with a specialist sports doctor on Monday. Which means another €120...

J

[Lightning Phil]

Meantime its been revealed that Richard Strasser is entered into this years edition of TCR.  That will be interesting to watch.

I know of Christoph Strasser from RAAM and 24hr records.  But I assume Richard Strasser is not related, and from what I can see he is a pro cyclist.

[Frank9755]

Christoph Strasser has entered TCR. I assumed 'Richard' was a typo.

[Frank9755]

Went to GP this morning to get my doctors letter.

Law has changed since 2019 and my family doctor is not allowed to do it anymore. So now I have now made an appointment with a specialist sports doctor on Monday. Which means another €120...

J

These things are a real pain. Why do they need them, I wonder?

[quixoticgeek]

These things are a real pain. Why do they need them, I wonder?

Italian Law.

J

[Frank9755]

I'd like to know what law actually requires what, and how TCR falls under it. The original route for 2020 didn't pass through Italy.

[Karla]

Oh dear, it sounds like the yacf contingent all have serious life going on.  Good luck guys.

Strasser though?  Wow 

[LittleWheelsandBig]

From https://www.italybikehotels.com/news/the-most-gran-fondos-italy

“To participate in an Italian event, it is compulsory to have a sporting medical certificate which certifies that you are fit to practise the sport of cycling at a competitive level.”

[morbihan]

Thanks Frank.
Out of Transpyrenees too unfortunately as there are 5 months of treatments ahead taking us through the year. We will get through it though.
Meantime its been revealed that Richard Strasser is entered into this years edition of TCR.  That will be interesting to watch.

Oh dear, these things do have a nasty habit of taking over your diary!
Christoph - but yes, very interesting.  I read his book earlier this year and if there is one thing I am sure of it's that he will be well prepared. 
He's a professional so he must have got his sponsors comfortable with it.  Maybe it shows that the unsupported scene is getting bigger than supported racing now. 
It's hard to imagine that he won't win it, maybe by good margin, with Ulrich Bartolameus pretty certain for second.  I don't know who else fast has entered but they can only be fighting for third place - barring injuries and 'events', that is!

I might not make it to Geraadsbergen either.  My mother in law has some health issues which might mean I need to stay to look after my daughter during July.  I won't know for sure for a couple of weeks, but I'm down with a bit of summer flu at the moment, so training is definitely suspended for a few days at least!

Sorry to hear Frank. Family first of course. Maybe you can find an alternate event or challenge that fits round the unfolding events.
I'll likely look ahead to TPR next year for a race.  Next Summer will be prioritised towards having a big cycling trip with my partner after all the shit they will be going through in the next few months.
Meantime Ive ordered 1000 small panels  and will be switching to an ultra painting project to keep me occupied. Shelter in place Groundhog Day.

[Byronius Maximus]

These things are a real pain. Why do they need them, I wonder?

Italian Law.

J

It is also required for Trans Pyrenees (same organiser) and that goes nowhere near Italy (obviously). My guess is that it's a requirement of their insurer.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

I think there is also a legal requirement in France for races (not required for non-competitive events but sometimes still requested by the organiser). From https://www.passionforsports.eu/en-certificate

"A medical certificate is required for competitive races in France.

This certificate has to comply with the following criteria.

The medical certificate is valid for one year. That means that your certificate can't be older than one year on the date of the race.
Example of a valid medical certificate: The Trail du Grand Ballon will take place on the 2nd of May, 2020. Your medical certificate is established by a physician on the 2nd of May, 2019 or later.
Example of a non-valid medical certificate: The Trail du Grand Ballon will take place on the 2nd of May, 2020. Your medical certificate is established by a physician on the 1st of May, 2019 or earlier.

The medical certificate is established by a general practitioner or a physician and must contains his/her stamp.
A medical certificate without stamp is a non-valid medical certificate wich means you can't participate in the race.

The medical certificate must be understandable by the organizer. A medical certificate in a language other than French or English is probably not understandable for the organizer and is consequently not valid. We recommend a medical certificate in French or in English.
You can download an example below on this page.

The medical certificate must contains the next phrase in the language in wich the certificate is established: "...establishes that there are no contraindications to the practice of competitive sport."

A valid FFA licence or a valid Pass J'aime courir can replace the medical certificate."

I can't think of other countries where a medical certificate is a legal requirement but some organisers still request one for insurance purposes.

[morbihan]

Christoph Strasser has entered TCR. I assumed 'Richard' was a typo.

oops yes. I must have been listening to the Space Odyssea music score when I typed that! 

Another rider to watch, I think, would be Cara Dickinson. Puts in incredible amount of hilly km's and can ride fast too.

[Notfromrugby]

Christoph Strasser has entered TCR. I assumed 'Richard' was a typo.

oops yes. I must have been listening to the Space Odyssea music score when I typed that! 

Another rider to watch, I think, would be Cara Dickinson. Puts in incredible amount of hilly km's and can ride fast too.

How about the 2019 winner? No longer competitive/racing?

[morbihan]

Christoph Strasser has entered TCR. I assumed 'Richard' was a typo.

oops yes. I must have been listening to the Space Odyssea music score when I typed that! 

Another rider to watch, I think, would be Cara Dickinson. Puts in incredible amount of hilly km's and can ride fast too.

How about the 2019 winner? No longer competitive/racing?

Oh yes, good point,  very much in the frame too. Fiona is still putting in loads of mileage. Super fast climber like Ulrich. Im sure she will be even stronger 3 years down the road, and she knows how to win! 

Then there is Pawel.  I think Ian To is racing as well, possibly with Igebord...or perhaps solo, not sure.

It looks to have the potential to be the toughest race yet to make the GC cut off.  Longer and so much climbing.