Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Bobby on 18 November, 2019, 12:16:06 am
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I've just signed up, it'll be my first race though I've done a few long audax - got my work cut out to get ready!
Who else is in?
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I look forward to checking you bike out.
No, not like that, I've volunteered to help with bike check.
I'm not riding again, I'll never do better than I did this year, best I could hope for is an almost as good.
In the new year I'll publish an updated blog post with advice based on riding it twice. I'll post here when I've done so.
Good luck, see you in Amerongen
J
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I look forward to checking you bike out.
See you in 164 days! :thumbsup:
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I look forward to checking you bike out.
See you in 164 days! :thumbsup:
Is it that soon ? I don't start training again until Jan.
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See you in 164 days! :thumbsup:
Is it that soon ? I don't start training again until Jan.
It is indeed, I suspect from seeing your posts that you have significant more base & strength than me & the "off season" will do you well. On the other hand, I've spent most of this year on an "off season" so am getting cracking with base training now :) See you in May!
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See you in 164 days! :thumbsup:
Is it that soon ? I don't start training again until Jan.
It is indeed, I suspect from seeing your posts that you have significant more base & strength than me & the "off season" will do you well. On the other hand, I've spent most of this year on an "off season" so am getting cracking with base training now :) See you in May!
Tell that to the extra half stone I’m carrying. That said, this time last year I was confined to the turbo with a fractured hand. At least I can ride outdoors at the moment.
I probably won’t do any planning for this one until the New Year. See you at the start.
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Just leaving this here……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb_sozJb01Q&feature=youtu.be
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'Old faithful' position called for
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I see there is a Swiss rider who rides a velomobile. Finished Transam in 10 days in 2018. Should be interesting to see on the much flatter terrain of RATN.
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I see there is a Swiss rider who rides a velomobile. Finished Transam in 10 days in 2018. Should be interesting to see on the much flatter terrain of RATN.
Didn't he ride RatN last year? Scratched somewhere around Amsterdam. He was riding an unfaired recumbent.
J
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I see there is a Swiss rider who rides a velomobile. Finished Transam in 10 days in 2018. Should be interesting to see on the much flatter terrain of RATN.
Didn't he ride RatN last year? Scratched somewhere around Amsterdam. He was riding an unfaired recumbent.
J
Not sure I was only following you and Wobbly last year. I might be tempted by this , though I don’t have a free year till 2024! Likely get a front fairing for my recumbent, if I do, the plexiglass ones and quick release mounting hardware only come to about 750g.
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Not sure I was only following you and Wobbly last year. I might be tempted by this , though I don’t have a free year till 2024! Likely get a front fairing for my recumbent, if I do, the plexiglass ones and quick release mounting hardware only come to about 750g.
Check before you sign up, I think that anything other than a DF upwrong needs approval from the race organiser first.
J
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Not actually very far away now is it ? I've shifted half a stone since Christmas and the legs are coming back together. I have booked ferries and the days off work. In case anyone from the UK hasn't spotted it the early May Bank holiday has shifted from the Monday to the Friday 8th to celebrate VE day.
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I’m feeling stronger and more comfortable on the bike, not fast at all but I don’t suppose I ever will be 🤣. I suspect so much of my speed will depend on the Dutch hills...
Off the bike prep is also getting there. today I got a Bivy bag to add to the mat & sleeping bag I got last month. I think I’ve worked out how to carry it all under the bars, but I do need to practice that & actually try sleeping in it! I’m thinking I’ll alternate nights sleeping out vs hotel.
Might need a larger saddle bag too, need to actually try packing the one I have. I’ve always had some sort of bag drop in the past, makes the planning a bit more fun :thumbsup:
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Off the bike prep is also getting there. today I got a Bivy bag to add to the mat & sleeping bag I got last month. I think I’ve worked out how to carry it all under the bars, but I do need to practice that & actually try sleeping in it! I’m thinking I’ll alternate nights sleeping out vs hotel.
Might need a larger saddle bag too, need to actually try packing the one I have. I’ve always had some sort of bag drop in the past, makes the planning a bit more fun :thumbsup:
You are on the right lines thinking through your packing in advance. I now have mine sorted out but I recall a frantic couple of hours in a hotel in Geraardsbergen, packing what I was going to take on TCR that evening into the bags I had decided to use, and realising that it was the first time that I had tried to do it and that I had less space than I thought.
I had some space for food, which people sometimes forget to allow for, but I had to leave behind things such as:
spare garmin (which I would have used if I'd had it), chain tool, spoke key and best tyre levers (I took some small ones they gave us at the start).
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Not sure I was only following you and Wobbly last year. I might be tempted by this , though I don’t have a free year till 2024! Likely get a front fairing for my recumbent, if I do, the plexiglass ones and quick release mounting hardware only come to about 750g.
Check before you sign up, I think that anything other than a DF upwrong needs approval from the race organiser first.
J
Really that’s a bit rubbish. Who are they the UCI? ::-) What’s the reasoning?
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Probably taking a lead from the TCR?
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Probably taking a lead from the TCR?
I think it's more about people competing on equal terms. That said I think velomobiles won't be approved due to them just being too quick.
J
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Checking the ride manual the only things banned are fully covered recumbent bikes and e bikes. This would mean that velos are allowed providing they are the three wheeled variety.
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Checking the ride manual the only things banned are fully covered recumbent bikes and e bikes. This would mean that velos are allowed providing they are the three wheeled variety.
Is a velomobile not a fully covered recumbent?
J
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Checking the ride manual the only things banned are fully covered recumbent bikes and e bikes. This would mean that velos are allowed providing they are the three wheeled variety.
Is a velomobile not a fully covered recumbent?
J
Two wheel or three? From the above two wheel is banned three is not.
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The exact wording is “Riders may ride any type of human-powered bike. Except fully covered recumbent bicycles and any kind of E-bikes.”
Vehicles with more than two wheels are banned by the first sentence, if we’re using a pedantic definition of bike/bicycle.
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I'm riding an upright bike. I don't care.
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Checking the ride manual the only things banned are fully covered recumbent bikes and e bikes. This would mean that velos are allowed providing they are the three wheeled variety.
Is a velomobile not a fully covered recumbent?
J
So a recumbent with just a front fairing would be fine. Besides you can get front fairings for uprights if so inclined.
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You are on the right lines thinking through your packing in advance. I now have mine sorted out but I recall a frantic couple of hours in a hotel in Geraardsbergen, packing what I was going to take on TCR that evening into the bags I had decided to use, and realising that it was the first time that I had tried to do it
<snip>
Oh, that would stress me out! Good news is that the Bivy/mat/bag sleeping gear all fits nicely in a dry bag &!harness under the tri bars :thumbsup: now I need to actually try sleeping in it, but that does feel like a good step forward in prep terms :)
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Probably taking a lead from the TCR?
I think it's more about people competing on equal terms. That said I think velomobiles won't be approved due to them just being too quick.
J
Those of us who have read the manual will know that that would be taking a lead from TCR!
:P
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Those of us who have read the manual will know that that would be taking a lead from TCR!
:P
Oh, I haven't read the manual since prior to last years race.
I did have a nice chat with Michael tho about it, as I was curious if I could try it in a velomobile, and he gave lots of good reasons why he didn't want velo's riding.
That said, the gates in Friesland are a pain on an upwrong, on a velo they would drive you insane...
J
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You are on the right lines thinking through your packing in advance. I now have mine sorted out but I recall a frantic couple of hours in a hotel in Geraardsbergen, packing what I was going to take on TCR that evening into the bags I had decided to use, and realising that it was the first time that I had tried to do it
<snip>
Oh, that would stress me out! Good news is that the Bivy/mat/bag sleeping gear all fits nicely in a dry bag &!harness under the tri bars :thumbsup: now I need to actually try sleeping in it, but that does feel like a good step forward in prep terms :)
I've not bought tri-bars for the new bike yet so that needs sorting. Lighting I'm OK with. I need a bigger rear bag as I tide a 52cm frame and there's no room for a frame bag around the bottles. I'm probably not going to carry any sleeping gear as it's my intention to use hotels as required. I'll need to start on some route research in the next week or so.
I have booked my ferries and will sort my before/after hotels out next week as well. I'm probably a little unprepared.
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I've not bought tri-bars for the new bike yet so that needs sorting. Lighting I'm OK with. I need a bigger rear bag as I tide a 52cm frame and there's no room for a frame bag around the bottles. I'm probably not going to carry any sleeping gear as it's my intention to use hotels as required. I'll need to start on some route research in the next week or so.
I have booked my ferries and will sort my before/after hotels out next week as well. I'm probably a little unprepared.
If you are planning to use hotels, you may want to read the advice I wrote prior to last years race (link in sig). There are sections that are not over endowed with hotels, and most hotels do not have good check in times from an ultraracers point of view. I ended up paying €160 for a night at one point as it was the only hotel for 100km with 24 hour checkin. It was about €30 per hour of sleep achieved... Do your research.
I'll be writing a follow up to the above article in the coming weeks.
J
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I've not bought tri-bars for the new bike yet so that needs sorting. Lighting I'm OK with. I need a bigger rear bag as I tide a 52cm frame and there's no room for a frame bag around the bottles. I'm probably not going to carry any sleeping gear as it's my intention to use hotels as required. I'll need to start on some route research in the next week or so.
I have booked my ferries and will sort my before/after hotels out next week as well. I'm probably a little unprepared.
If you are planning to use hotels, you may want to read the advice I wrote prior to last years race (link in sig). There are sections that are not over endowed with hotels, and most hotels do not have good check in times from an ultraracers point of view. I ended up paying €160 for a night at one point as it was the only hotel for 100km with 24 hour checkin. It was about €30 per hour of sleep achieved... Do your research.
I'll be writing a follow up to the above article in the coming weeks.
J
Thanks. I'm planning to have a list of potential hotels and then book as I go. I usually have a pretty good idea of what distance I can cover in a fixed time and can then build some slippage around this. I do normally ride straight through the first night and well into day 2 before taking a break and would like to do similar. When I did the Dutch Capitals 1400 I had hotels booked on nights 3 & 4 (Groningen and Utrecht) but ended up staying in Arnhem night 2 and then skipping Utrecht*, preferring to ride through the last night. That time it was very hot, though, and nighttime riding became preferable.
Fitness-wise I'm back on course but may not get everything I need in 10 weeks. This is a build for a longer event in July so I don't mind arriving a little undercooked. My coach is aware and we have a bit of a plan.
* I did ride through the red light district very late on Saturday night with a German guy on a recumbent and we ended up having a massive fit of the giggles. I think this is the same night we got wrist slapped by the police for riding on the road instead of the path.
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I presume they don't have the same "guidelines" on booking hotels that TCR has?
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I presume they don't have the same "guidelines" on booking hotels that TCR has?
I believe that it would be considered against the spirit of the race to book a hotel before 0800 on 1st of May...
J
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I presume they don't have the same "guidelines" on booking hotels that TCR has?
I believe that it would be considered against the spirit of the race to book a hotel before 0800 on 1st of May...
J
Indeed. Hence my careful wording earlier.
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:thumbsup:
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I had researched the hotel I wanted to use on the first night last year. And then booked it at about lunchtime when I stopped for cake. I hadn't planned beyond that. Which is lucky, as my general plan of making use of my bivvi was an epic fail.
If people wanna study my Strava, they can probably work out what hotels I used. Th for clarity (having been asked this) i actually stayed in a hotel in Groningen, not in the police station, despite where my tracker stopped moving that night...
J
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Something to be aware of. On the north coast you're riding through a lot of sheep shit. If it's rained it's going to spray everywhere, apart from making a right mess of your bike, if you get this on your bike bottle, you may have issues. If you can, use bike bottles that have a cover over the top so that it is protected, or find a way of carrying the bottle that is out of the spray.
Oh, and if you touch your tyres, wash your hands. Alcohol hand gel may be a good idea here.
J
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Or just use mudguards.
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Or just use mudguards.
On a down tube bottle position, I don't think I'd trust just mudguards to keep the bottle valve clean.
Each unto their own.
J
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It does work. Tried-n-tested for <mumble> decades of riding!
PBP '07 featured a lot of DNFs with stomach trouble (very wet first 24hours in rural France). There was IMHO a correlation with mudguard use. Of course that may be confirmation bias, but that's how quite a few of us saw it!
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It does work. Tried-n-tested for <mumble> decades of riding!
PBP '07 featured a lot of DNFs with stomach trouble (very wet first 24hours in rural France). There was IMHO a correlation with mudguard use. Of course that may be confirmation bias, but that's how quite a few of us saw it!
Mud guards are good at keeping the spray from that area of the bike. I'm just saying I would not personally depend solely on the mudguards to protect my bottles. I would either put them out of the spray, or have bottles with valve covers.
My bottle was rigged up on my handlebars well out of the spray.
Oh, and don't forget the alcohol hand gel.
J
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It does work. Tried-n-tested for <mumble> decades of riding!
PBP '07 featured a lot of DNFs with stomach trouble (very wet first 24hours in rural France). There was IMHO a correlation with mudguard use. Of course that may be confirmation bias, but that's how quite a few of us saw it!
I recall RUSA, or someone else from America, analysed it and found a statistically significant relationship between DNF and no mudguards.
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Jan Heine AFAIR.
http://postrestant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/56/2015/06/BQPBPEquipsurvey.pdf
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It does work. Tried-n-tested for <mumble> decades of riding!
PBP '07 featured a lot of DNFs with stomach trouble (very wet first 24hours in rural France). There was IMHO a correlation with mudguard use. Of course that may be confirmation bias, but that's how quite a few of us saw it!
I recall RUSA, or someone else from America, analysed it and found a statistically significant relationship between DNF and no mudguards.
This needs drilling down some more. Did those packing, pack because of gut ache from drinking from shit covered bidons. Or was it that they could not handle some water being thrown up at them from the road?
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It does work. Tried-n-tested for <mumble> decades of riding!
PBP '07 featured a lot of DNFs with stomach trouble (very wet first 24hours in rural France). There was IMHO a correlation with mudguard use. Of course that may be confirmation bias, but that's how quite a few of us saw it!
I recall RUSA, or someone else from America, analysed it and found a statistically significant relationship between DNF and no mudguards.
I'm pretty sure that 07 was a rare year that I didn't have mudguards. I can't for the life of me remember why but the photos confirm it.
I also seem to have had a different bike each time. I'm not sure whether to be proud of that or not.
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FWIW I move so fast I leave water behind.
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I had mudguards in 2007 and 2011, and none in 2015 and 2019.
I had stomach trouble in 2007, but only on the way back to the UK - projectile vomiting on the car deck of the ferry as we were about to disembark.
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It does work. Tried-n-tested for <mumble> decades of riding!
PBP '07 featured a lot of DNFs with stomach trouble (very wet first 24hours in rural France). There was IMHO a correlation with mudguard use. Of course that may be confirmation bias, but that's how quite a few of us saw it!
Mud guards are good at keeping the spray from that area of the bike. I'm just saying I would not personally depend solely on the mudguards to protect my bottles. I would either put them out of the spray, or have bottles with valve covers.
My bottle was rigged up on my handlebars well out of the spray.
Oh, and don't forget the alcohol hand gel.
J
quite a lot of livestock transport round here, sometimes when they blast past (esp on a windy day) can be left with some unpleasant tastes in the mouth. It can't be very healthy.
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As part of an audax that I'm organizing, I had a meeting with the owner of the hotel/pub in Pieterburen (Hotel Waddenweelde, on the North coast). Last year they were quite puzzled by all the RAtN riders that entered the pub late at night, completely exhausted and looking for food and beverages. Just a small message from her: if you call ahead, then she is willing to put you up for the night (subject to availability). She doesn't mind odd hours, but officially the reception is closed.
On the livestock excrement issue: Is it possible to develop a resistancy against this? I live "up North" (in the Netherlands) and the roads here are typically covered in cow and sheep deposits. Riders around here don't have issues with contaminations, even when cycling on rainy days without mudguards.
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As part of an audax that I'm organizing, I had a meeting with the owner of the hotel/pub in Pieterburen (Hotel Waddenweelde, on the North coast). Last year they were quite puzzled by all the RAtN riders that entered the pub late at night, completely exhausted and looking for food and beverages. Just a small message from her: if you call ahead, then she is willing to put you up for the night (subject to availability). She doesn't mind odd hours, but officially the reception is closed.
That's Really useful, I went in there for a drink at about 1700 I think. I pondered to eat or not, but pushed on, in the end eating at Lauwersoog. Which was a hell of a gamble. I arrived with less than 20 mins until they shut the kitchen.
The place I ate in Lauwersoog is not longer showing as a business on Google maps. I don't know if that's google being pants, or if they have since shut.
On the livestock excrement issue: Is it possible to develop a resistancy against this? I live "up North" (in the Netherlands) and the roads here are typically covered in cow and sheep deposits. Riders around here don't have issues with contaminations, even when cycling on rainy days without mudguards.
Yes, to an extent. But it would suggest you've had it at least once...
J
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On the livestock excrement issue: Is it possible to develop a resistancy against this? I live "up North" (in the Netherlands) and the roads here are typically covered in cow and sheep deposits. Riders around here don't have issues with contaminations, even when cycling on rainy days without mudguards.
Yes. There's nothing particularly untowards about animal excrement per-se, it's the bacteria in it, which, being ruminants, there's a lot of. If your gut biome reflects theirs, you wont be overwhelmed. You'll be vaccinated by low dose from childhood onwards.
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The place I ate in Lauwersoog is not longer showing as a business on Google maps. I don't know if that's google being pants, or if they have since shut.
One of the restaurants in Lauwersoog burned down last summer. Maybe that explains it?
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One of the restaurants in Lauwersoog burned down last summer. Maybe that explains it?
Is it the one by the harbour next to the traffic lights to the main road?
J
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On the livestock excrement issue: Is it possible to develop a resistancy against this? I live "up North" (in the Netherlands) and the roads here are typically covered in cow and sheep deposits. Riders around here don't have issues with contaminations, even when cycling on rainy days without mudguards.
Yes. There's nothing particularly untowards about animal excrement per-se, it's the bacteria in it, which, being ruminants, there's a lot of. If your gut biome reflects theirs, you wont be overwhelmed. You'll be vaccinated by low dose from childhood onwards.
So you could still have issues when you ride outside of familiar territory, where the bacteria are different. Was it mostly foreign participants who suffered at PBP '07 and RAtN '19?
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So you could still have issues when you ride outside of familiar territory, where the bacteria are different. Was it mostly foreign participants who suffered at PBP '07 and RAtN '19?
Most notable victim on RatN is a Brit.
J
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One of the restaurants in Lauwersoog burned down last summer. Maybe that explains it?
Is it the one by the harbour next to the traffic lights to the main road?
J
If by traffic lights you mean the lights warning you that the bridge is open, then yes.
(That's enough posting from me in this topic for today...)
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This place:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2hrTsE9Pu9AJ3VsTA
J
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I have no cycling qualifications for commenting on this thread, other than to say fboab is much more tolerant of drinking from a bespattered bidon than me.
My view is - having mudguards would have ZERO bearing on whether I finish (a) at all, or (b) in time, from an aerodynamic POV, but might just save me from gastric distress that would prevent (b) and quite possibly (a) from a bacterial POV.
Sure - horses, cows and sheep are all vegetarians, but if the road is covered in their shit - it's still shit, and I don't want it on my water bottles thank you very much.
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This place:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2hrTsE9Pu9AJ3VsTA
J
That's the one.
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On the livestock excrement issue: Is it possible to develop a resistancy against this? I live "up North" (in the Netherlands) and the roads here are typically covered in cow and sheep deposits. Riders around here don't have issues with contaminations, even when cycling on rainy days without mudguards.
Yes. There's nothing particularly untowards about animal excrement per-se, it's the bacteria in it, which, being ruminants, there's a lot of. If your gut biome reflects theirs, you wont be overwhelmed. You'll be vaccinated by low dose from childhood onwards.
Amazing what you learn on here. This is something I haven't really thought about before, but gives me something else to ruminate on when unable to sleep in the run up to the event.
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I raised the question about cancellation on the Facebook group the other day. At the moment it's intended that the race goes ahead, but I can't say I hold out a lot of hope.
I have paid for ferries on a non-refundable rate, but not booked anything else yet. I may have to re-plan the rest of the year.
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I raised the question about cancellation on the Facebook group the other day. At the moment it's intended that the race goes ahead, but I can't say I hold out a lot of hope.
I have paid for ferries on a non-refundable rate, but not booked anything else yet. I may have to re-plan the rest of the year.
Same here, my ferry is non-refundable & I've avoided booking anything else such as a hotel the night before or my yellow jersey insurance. If either country closes borders I'll try to claim on generic travel insurance we get from work, but don't hold out much hope:
"We will consider each claim on a claim made basis and therefore would need to see consider the evidence in support of the reason for the cancellation.
I am unable at this stage to confirm if the policy will be triggered without the evidence of a claim"
Other than that, I've bought a ton of bike packing bags/bivy gear etc that'll get use on other rides, and I'm fitter than usual at this time of year :)
My assumption now is that it's unlikely to go ahead, and even if it does it's pretty likely my Wife will veto it given how much this sort of thing worries her & how likely it is that the kids will be at home instead of school.. :(
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I was looking at the Audax calendar yesterday and there's other things I can do. Deano's 1000 is full, though.
My bike is ready but I haven't put the new wheels on yet, preferring to wait for better weather. I, too, need new bags. I'm fit enough but need some more long rides I my legs. At the rate things are going we'll need to move house early April. This year is not quite working out as was intended.
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I, too, need new bags.
Commiserations to all who have entered this. Where we are now, I would assume it will be off.
But if it is on, I would advise getting things like bags early. Luggage needs a shakedown to see if it works for you. Often the first bags you get don't work well and you end up having to try other setups, which then need trying out, and so on. I've just about got my bags sorted out now after a few years of experiments, but I've got two big boxes in the gargage full of rejected bag options!
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I, too, need new bags.
Commiserations to all who have entered this. Where we are now, I would assume it will be off.
But if it is on, I would advise getting things like bags early. Luggage needs a shakedown to see if it works for you. Often the first bags you get don't work well and you end up having to try other setups, which then need trying out, and so on. I've just about got my bags sorted out now after a few years of experiments, but I've got two big boxes in the gargage full of rejected bag options!
I have been very happy with Apidura saddlepack. I was just going to get the next size up along with a small bar-bag. The rest is tried and tested.
I suspect this won't be wasted as I have another event planned for early July. The planned break from work may well have to wait as I might as well get paid if I can't travel.
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Do the ride either way.
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Do the ride either way.
Yeah there's a possibility of turning it into a DIY. Not sure it would be the same knowing other people aren't taking part - plus I have no idea how my employers would feel.
I'm more likely to go to greater efforts if it's an organised event. I'd rather save my precious annual leave for later in the year.
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I have been very happy with Apidura saddlepack. I was just going to get the next size up along with a small bar-bag. The rest is tried and tested.
If you want a couple of options to consider along with a big Apidura, I'd suggest Arkel and Tailfin would be worth thinking about:
https://www.arkel-od.com/seatpacker-15-bikepacking-seat-bag/ (https://www.arkel-od.com/seatpacker-15-bikepacking-seat-bag/)
https://www.tailfin.cc/product/pannier-trunk-bags/aeropack-trunk-top-bag/ (https://www.tailfin.cc/product/pannier-trunk-bags/aeropack-trunk-top-bag/)
Reasons being:
Saddlebags don't always scale up well. The Arkel one - which I have - has an aluminium frame so it will never sway and is easier to access while attached to the bike than ones that rely solely on having tension to keep their shape.
Tail bags like the Tailfin are a good option on small frames as the bag will be sheltered behind your body (Francis Cade video showed he saved a couple of watts with a Tailfin vs without it). On large frames they will probably be too low. Big saddlebags are better on large frames as they can have wheel clearance issues on smaller ones.
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I have started using the Tailfin Aeropack X for bikepacking. My primary need was additional storage space to quickly store food. The Tailfin meets this need really well, as the rolltop can be extended upwards to accommodate the food.
It is also very stable on the bike, and quick to remove and reattach.
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Interesting. I like the idea of the Tailfin but the roll-top puts me off as I feel it is overkill. I'd rather risk having a bit of water through a zip than lose accessibility - but I like the side zip that they have.
I'll most likely stick with my Arkel for the moment as it works well in most respects and I can easily carry an additional 1 litre bottle on top of it.
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The roll top aids the expansion, although I see the Arkel has adjustable straps for this purpose. I do try to leave space in the frame bag and front bag for items that I might generally need access to. The Tailfin is certainly better than my previous approach of tying food in a dry bag atop a seat pack. That was time consuming, would get in the way when needing to access the seat pack, and if carrying heavier items it could slip down and start touching the wheel, requiring further time to reattach.
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Work guidelines coming into effect today now have a requirement to self isolate for 14 days on return from any trip from Europe. So, if the event goes ahead and I ride, I’d then need to quarantine myself and work from home when I get back.
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I don’t think you’ll be at any more risk in Europe than here. We haven’t been testing those with all the symptoms unless they also have travel connections to known hot spots. So I think it’s way under represented (in terms of numbers) here in the UK.
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I don’t think you’ll be at any more risk in Europe than here. We haven’t been testing those with all the symptoms unless they also have travel connections to known hot spots. So I think it’s way under represented (in terms of numbers) here in the UK.
Yebbut I work for Americans. Rules is rules.
So, event takes place and I ride, but this means I have to wfh and I’m confined to the turbo for 14 days. That or turn my Strava off for a couple of weeks :demon:.
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Decision being taken 7th April.
I’ve largely jacked in training, but I have a lot of shit going on at the moment.
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Decision being taken 7th April.
I’ve largely jacked in training, but I have a lot of shit going on at the moment.
The Dutch GP which is on that weekend and the route goes past it has been postponed, hope for the best - prepare for the worst.
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Decision being taken 7th April.
I’ve largely jacked in training, but I have a lot of shit going on at the moment.
My other planned race, the Pan Celtic has just been postponed to 2021.
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It’s difficult if you still have 2020 events that aren’t postponed / cancelled. I’ve jacked my training in now with the last of my 2020 events being delayed to 2021. Just going out for rides to get some fresh air and exercise now. I’m saving the turbo for if things change regards outdoor exercise. Turbo is always done on patio so it is technically “outdoors”.
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Motivation is shot as who knows what to aim for this year...? ???
My family don't want me out on the road (or MTB) at the moment, just down to the tiny risk of 'an off' that needs medical care. So, to keep everybody happy I'm on the turbo for the foreseeable. By mid week I'll have AppleTV so I can make better use of the new Kickr, the wife is mad about the money spent on all this indoor kit but also happy that i'll be less grumpy and not outdoors.
RATN 2021 sounds good... :'(
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I decided to give up training yesterday. I would like to have carried on but 2 year-old at home with us and wife very busy with work means I have no time.
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Last night’s e-mail pretty much clarified things.
So this years move into ultra racing is dead. Might be able to do some TTs and audax in the Autumn and then build to 2021.
I will now have enough annual leave to manage our relocation, though. I have a feeling that J may not even go back to his current school so we could move early.
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I wouldn't be surprised if this event doesn't get pushed to later in the year...
Keep training...
J
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The Dutch government just announced that until June 1 "gatherings" are not allowed. This bans every organised event, unless it's you and at most two mates. I didn't see the email of the organizers, but this (unsuprisingly) is not happening in May.
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The Dutch government just announced that until June 1 "gatherings" are not allowed. This bans every organised event, unless it's you and at most two mates. I didn't see the email of the organizers, but this (unsuprisingly) is not happening in May.
No email has been sent yet. I think.
J
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The Dutch government just announced that until June 1 "gatherings" are not allowed. This bans every organised event, unless it's you and at most two mates. I didn't see the email of the organizers, but this (unsuprisingly) is not happening in May.
No email has been sent yet. I think.
J
There was one last night, but I’m not sure I should put the contents in here.
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I can guess the content: event highly unlikely to take place, update will follow soon?
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Along those lines. Clear reasoning was given, though, and I’m fine with it.
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Ah. I stand corrected.
J
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Deferred to 29th August.
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Should have been boarding the ferry about now. Bollocks.
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Deferred to 29th August.
So there is a chance of doing this and making it into a mini-Tour. My original plan was to drive and travel via France, but I suspect going through 3 countries will add extra risk. With my upcoming move it will be about 50 miles to Harwich so I cold ride there Thursday pm and overnight to Hook of Holland before riding to Amerongen for bike check on Friday afternoon. I could then ride back after finishing and overnight home the following Saturday, getting home for Sunday lunch.
Under existing regs I would need to quarantine on return but I'm wfh for the foreseeable future so no real hardship. I think the risk, provided the race takes place, is around any quarantine restrictions arriving into the NL.
My relocation is going to take up most of the next 4 weeks so maybe not as much training as I would like.
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I need to double check, but I think there is a quarantine coming in from .UK to .NL :(
J
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I need to double check, but I think there is a quarantine coming in from .UK to .NL :(
J
It looks like this for the moment. But it was also announced that the risks will be constantly reevaluated and the advises/ules adapted accordingly.
Tit for that won't be part of the Dutch policy, Danish residents will be allowed entry even when Denmark refuses entry for Dutch residents.
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I need to double check, but I think there is a quarantine coming in from .UK to .NL :(
J
It looks like this for the moment. But it was also announced that the risks will be constantly reevaluated and the advises/ules adapted accordingly.
Tit for that won't be part of the Dutch policy, Danish residents will be allowed entry even when Denmark refuses entry for Dutch residents.
Thanks, both.
I'm not going to make any decisions on this until late July or even early August. My normal habit of booking things a long way in advance has gone out the window.
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A completely different event but the same organisers: it looks like the 3 Peaks ride, from Vienna to Nice, will go ahead, starting on 25 July.
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While digging around the official Netherlands rules I did pick up on a few things. Firstly my original plan was to go via France/Belgium but I think that will cause some issues, particularly the French bit. I could go over night on the Harwich Ferry and it's also possible that I could now ride both ways and make a holiday of it.
What the guidance does say is that if you travel into the country you have to provide proof of pre-booked accommodation.
I can do this for before/after the race, but pre-booking on the route breaches the race regulations. It's still a good 10 weeks to the race and this could slacken off in the meantime. I have a bit of real life to deal with for a couple of weeks but can maybe look at it again in July. I still have my spot.
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Surely the race will have to adapt its regs to fit with the law, if the law hasn't changed by then?
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Surely the race will have to adapt its regs to fit with the law, if the law hasn't changed by then?
Yeah that's what I'm thinking but there's little point in hassling the organiser at the moment as I'm still not sure I can get to the start line. Hopefully the next month or so will give some clarity.
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Uncertainty is the biggest thing. The Dutch government will make the rules more strict as soon as the number of hospital admissions cross a certain threshold. So, restaurants, hotel rooms with shared showers, you name it, could all close on short notice.
About the pre-booked accommodation: Isn't it sufficient to have the first few nights covered? That's the usual rule if you go to countries with visa requirements at least.
And I would avoid France. I expect travel between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany to be back to (almost) normal after June 15 (I'm going on holiday to Germany next week, so fingers crossed this is true). The French still seem very hesitant to open the borders.
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I'll be writing an update for my blog post I wrote last year on hints and tips for those racing RatN in the next couple of weeks, but something I think people should be aware of now so they can prep.
In light of the current pandemic, a lot more places are not accepting cash. And a lot of these places are only accepting MAESTRO AND V-PAY DEBIT CARDS.
I mentioned this last year, and a lot of people said "It's ok I have my credit card!" No, it's not OK. Unless your card says Maestro or Vpay, it is very very unlikely to work. You may get away with it at certain touristy places, hotels, NS ticket machines, and some places in central Amsterdam. But outside of these, you have no chance. This includes Cafe de Prologue. Last year I helped a couple of Brits by buying their drink on my card and taking their cash. I won't be doing that this year. When I tell you that your UK cards don't work, I really mean it, this also includes the Jumbo supermarket next to the start. No I won't be bailing out the person behind me who claimed 10 minutes earlier that their card would work here cos they have a credit card.
I don't know if prepay v-pay or maestro cards can be obtained by Brits, or if any UK banks issue them on request, but you have under 2 months, so maybe worth a bit of research to check. Last year I told people to make sure they had some cash just in case, this year that is much less of an option. Get a card that works here.
J
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I found this so far :-
http://www.quiditycard.com/index.html
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My cursory googling suggests revolut.
But there's a lot of threads on trip advisor and reddit that came up for
"prepaid maestro card netherlands"
Not sure what your best option is. Sorry.
Good luck!
J
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I still have next to no idea if I’ll make the start line. It might make something of what has been a pretty shabby cycling year so far. I can take a call in a few weeks.
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I'm on the list for 1st May 2021 instead now ::-)
I cannot make the rescheduled dates this year - good luck to anybody riding this year, hopefully 2021 will work out better in general :thumbsup:
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All the info arrived yesterday, so it looks like it’s race on.
Job wise it works as I don’t start at my new place until 14th Sep. I’m not entirely fit enough - OK to get round but not to race. It’s feasible from here to ride there and back using the ferry from Harwich which would make it into a decent holiday and at least achieve something this year. With my ongoing family issues my Mum wasn’t entirely impressed with me suggesting still going but we can review that.
I have ordered the reflective tape to kit the bike out in line with the roolz. I can sort insurance and travel insurance out quite quickly.
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All the info arrived yesterday, so it looks like it’s race on.
Job wise it works as I don’t start at my new place until 14th Sep. I’m not entirely fit enough - OK to get round but not to race. It’s feasible from here to ride there and back using the ferry from Harwich which would make it into a decent holiday and at least achieve something this year. With my ongoing family issues my Mum wasn’t entirely impressed with me suggesting still going but we can review that.
I have ordered the reflective tape to kit the bike out in line with the roolz. I can sort insurance and travel insurance out quite quickly.
Bonus points if you get the right coloured reflective tape in the right directions (only one bike has managed it so far).
I'll see you at the bike check!
J
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The death of my father last weekend heavily reduced my chances of getting out there but today's announcement regarding quarantine finally kills it for me.
I'll send the organiser a note today.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgV1_ChXYAAs6Tm?format=jpg&name=large)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgV1_ChXYAAs6Tm?format=jpg&name=large
Race starts on Saturday. The sheep are waiting...
J
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The worst part of the sheep-shit covered dyke along the North coast (where this photo is taken? just after Lauwersoog?) is not included in the route this year (due to dyke maintenance, I believe).
But I'm ready with a beer and a bag of crisps to dotwatch next week!
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The worst part of the sheep-shit covered dyke along the North coast (where this photo is taken? just after Lauwersoog?) is not included in the route this year (due to dyke maintenance, I believe).
But I'm ready with a beer and a bag of crisps to dotwatch next week!
It's included. They just join it about 1km further west than usual. This photo is actually taken just north of Holwerd, where the route turns south away from the Dijk briefly. It's not actually a section of the route but it is both visible from the route, and an accurate portrayal of what to expect.
I need to finish writing the race preview for dotwatcher...
J
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Quixotic did you write up your ride last year? Something to read before watching a fresh set of dots.
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Quixotic did you write up your ride last year? Something to read before watching a fresh set of dots.
Yes, it's in Arrivee from earlier this year.
I will be publishing a race preview on Dotwatcher tonight or tomorrow as soon as I've finished writing it.
J
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Ah Arrivee in my pile of magazines to read. I’ll shall dig it out.
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Ah Arrivee in my pile of magazines to read. I’ll shall dig it out.
Checking my notes it's th edition that we got last October. Apologies in advance for the gratuitous picture of my arse...
J
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Quick couple of questions on RATN. Is it a mandatory route, and what time are the winners expected to complete the ride in?
I'm riding the Dales Divide this weekend, which is also featured on DotWatchers. Hopefully I'll be finished that before RATN finishes.
One rider I'll be following on RATN is Wouter van Engelen, from Utrecht. He works at Horizon Bicycles, and very kindly suggested the creaking on my bike during the French Divide might be caused by the sliding rear axle. A clean and grease after the ride has resolved the issue. :thumbsup:
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Quick couple of questions on RATN. Is it a mandatory route, and what time are the winners expected to complete the ride in?
It's mandatory route. Last year's winner made it in 97 hours. Some riders are aiming for closer to 72 than 96. But I'm not sure how plausible that is.
I'm riding the Dales Divide this weekend, which is also featured on DotWatchers. Hopefully I'll be finished that before RATN finishes.
Assuming you're done this weekend, you won't miss it.
Cut off for the whole event is 1800 on Sunday 6th.
One rider I'll be following on RATN is Wouter van Engelen, from Utrecht. He works at Horizon Bicycles, and very kindly suggested the creaking on my bike during the French Divide might be caused by the sliding rear axle. A clean and grease after the ride has resolved the issue. :thumbsup:
Excellent.
J
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Quixotic did you write up your ride last year? Something to read before watching a fresh set of dots.
I waffled on about my ride last year Phil if you are bored. I hope they get a suitable level of wind this year, it's only fair 😁 https://burlycross.wordpress.com/2019/10/03/ratn2019/
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Quixotic did you write up your ride last year? Something to read before watching a fresh set of dots.
I waffled on about my ride last year Phil if you are bored. I hope they get a suitable level of wind this year, it's only fair 😁 https://burlycross.wordpress.com/2019/10/03/ratn2019/
It looks like some of them may get an actual tail wind. The lucky buggers!!! It's not fair!!
J
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Ah Arrivee in my pile of magazines to read. I’ll shall dig it out.
Checking my notes it's th edition that we got last October. Apologies in advance for the gratuitous picture of my arse...
J
I am now gazing at your arse.
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I am now gazing at your arse.
I am not responsible for any counselling you need...
J
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Good read , enjoyed that. I’m constantly surprised at how cold it gets at night in the summer. The sheep need to help out rather than form an obstacle course ;D
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Good read , enjoyed that. I’m constantly surprised at how cold it gets at night in the summer. The sheep need to help out rather than form an obstacle course ;D
May is not summer :p But yes.
J
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Good read , enjoyed that. I’m constantly surprised at how cold it gets at night in the summer. The sheep need to help out rather than form an obstacle course ;D
May is not summer :p But yes.
J
Ah this years running has thrown me off as to when it normally runs.
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Ah this years running has thrown me off as to when it normally runs.
Normally it starts on 1st of May at 0800. Hopefully the same will be true for 2021.
J
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Ah this years running has thrown me off as to when it normally runs.
Normally it starts on 1st of May at 0800. Hopefully the same will be true for 2021.
J
That would have been my LWL 400 build towards WAWA. My 2021 looks a bit like 2020 did if things can run. There’s talk of the stops being camping on WAWA if sports halls is a definite no no for sleep controls in 21
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Quixotic did you write up your ride last year? Something to read before watching a fresh set of dots.
I waffled on about my ride last year Phil if you are bored. I hope they get a suitable level of wind this year, it's only fair 😁 https://burlycross.wordpress.com/2019/10/03/ratn2019/
That was a longer read but enjoyed it. Now ready to follow this year’s event.
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Would have been setting off this evening. Bollocks to this year.
I am riding the Flatliner 600k perm this weekend which will be similar terrain.
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Race preview is up.
https://dotwatcher.cc/race/race-around-the-netherlands-2020
Not the best writing I've done, but I hope it's OK. Had to cull some bits as it was over 3000 words...
J
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Race preview is up.
https://dotwatcher.cc/race/race-around-the-netherlands-2020
Not the best writing I've done, but I hope it's OK. Had to cull some bits as it was over 3000 words...
J
I enjoyed that, I can't believe some are looking to do 1900km in sub 4 days! Will be interesting!
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Not the best writing I've done, but I hope it's OK.
I found it very interesting and enjoyable to read. Gave a good sense of the ride, and what the riders are heading into (apart from the wind).
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Race preview is up.
https://dotwatcher.cc/race/race-around-the-netherlands-2020
Not the best writing I've done, but I hope it's OK. Had to cull some bits as it was over 3000 words...
J
Nice preview, very entertaining to read. The bit from Eemshaven to Harlingen is indeed desolate. I spoke to the owner of the hotel in Pieterburen last winter and she told me the dozens of RatN riders had stopped at her hotel, desperate for food and water.
About the race predictions: I have some inside information about the women's race and I believe that only Jasmijn Muller is racing to win. And she's going for the overall win, I presume. (Also, only Dutch women at the start, the Finnish rider is a DNS?)
Among the men, there are a couple of outsiders who could surprise. Bart Verheijen looked strong last year and he told me last winter that he was working on becoming more efficient off the bike. Last month he did 500km solo in 19 hours with less than an hour downtime. If he can repeat that for 4 days, then he should be a contender. Jaïr Hoogland also did some bonkers solo rides this spring (like 627km in 24hrs, only 3hrs off the bike).
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Race preview is up.
https://dotwatcher.cc/race/race-around-the-netherlands-2020
Not the best writing I've done, but I hope it's OK. Had to cull some bits as it was over 3000 words...
J
Nice preview, very entertaining to read. The bit from Eemshaven to Harlingen is indeed desolate. I spoke to the owner of the hotel in Pieterburen last winter and she told me the dozens of RatN riders had stopped at her hotel, desperate for food and water.
About the race predictions: I have some inside information about the women's race and I believe that only Jasmijn Muller is racing to win. And she's going for the overall win, I presume. (Also, only Dutch women at the start, the Finnish rider is a DNS?)
Among the men, there are a couple of outsiders who could surprise. Bart Verheijen looked strong last year and he told me last winter that he was working on becoming more efficient off the bike. Last month he did 500km solo in 19 hours with less than an hour downtime. If he can repeat that for 4 days, then he should be a contender. Jaïr Hoogland also did some bonkers solo rides this spring (like 627km in 24hrs, only 3hrs off the bike).
I'm hearing a lot from this super secret WhatsApp group. It's most entertaining.
Yeah, the Fin is DNS unfortunately. I think Francine really underestimates how good she is as a rider. If she can pull everything together, it should be a very credible effort.
It was interesting chatting to Jasmijn today, she's changed a lot of her approach, which should make things interesting.
Bas and Dawn both got bike checked by me at around the same time, i had to fail Bas' bike initially, tho he did pass bike check eventually. I hope the competition between the two of them remains safe. Bas has replaced his bar tape with electrical insulation tape. Something something more aero...
One rider asked me half an hour ago for advice on bivviing in the Netherlands. My advice is it's a bit late to be asking that one...
Let's see what happens tomorrow.
J
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Feeling sad not to be on the start line, good luck to all that are. I hope to be there in 2021, fingers crossed! 👍
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Feeling sad not to be on the start line, good luck to all that are. I hope to be there in 2021, fingers crossed! 👍
Know the feeling. Am having some serious mixed emotions and FOMO right now.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EghouGWU0AAFZTb?format=jpg&name=medium)
J
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Enjoyed your intro article, looking forward to following this. Wind looks quite kind for the fast riders being mostly north for the first few days as they negotiate the coastal part.
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Ye gods it feels weird being on this side of the tracker...
I'll give a more useful update later...
J
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I'll give a more useful update later...
Like how the bike check went? I would be interested to hear if/why bikes failed the test (couldn't care less about the who :)) and if you have seen any particular clever setups and kit.
Sunday 7.45, Groningen is gray, damp and completely void of any wind.
Bonne route to all the participants!
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I'll give a more useful update later...
Like how the bike check went? I would be interested to hear if/why bikes failed the test (couldn't care less about the who :)) and if you have seen any particular clever setups and kit.
That has been done now. It's up on Dotwatcher as entry day -1.
I sent bikes away for the following reasons:
- No reflective tape (Bas you should know better!)
- Loose headset/stem
- Lack of front brake (bike check mechanic is a British moron)
- No Lights
- Loose QR skewers.
On the later one, he really objected to me insisting he tighten them. "I like to ride loose" he says, I don't care how fucking lose you like to ride, I'm the one who has to say your bike is safe to ride, and right now it isn't, tighten them or I am not ticking it off. No doubt he changed it once he got out the room, but at least when I saw it, the wheels were tight and didn't wobble. When I say wobble, i could move the rim by about 5mm.
We had a couple who turned up with the bike, with no luggage etc...
"Can you turn your lights on?"
"They're in the car"
"Well I can't see them from here, I need to see they work"
Every rider is sent the full bike check list with what you have to have. Some were a bit light on the amount of reflective tape needed. The sheet says 30x200mm on the seat stays, some had a piece maybe 5mm by 70mm. There was also a lot of confusion as to what the seat stays were. Yes it's lovely that your seat post is blinding me, but um, we said seat stays.
Fortunately Michael expects that there's going to be a lot of people who get the tape wrong, so he did provide a nice box with tape in it so that people could add some.
One interesting idea I saw on a lot of bikes was the fitting of bells to seat posts. You have to have a bell (that's Dutch law). But I don't think it says anywhere it has to be fitted to the handle bars. Not sure how easy it is to ring there when you're navigating tourists, but hey...
Sunday 7.45, Groningen is gray, damp and completely void of any wind.
Bonne route to all the participants!
I looks like they are getting some nice tail winds. I'm just catching up on everything that's happened, ready to write the day 1 report for dotwatcher.
Anyone spotted anything they think I should mention?
J
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I cycled the bit from Groningen to Zoutkamp this morning, or actually in the opposite direction to see as many of the riders as possible. It was wet, but the riders had a light tailwind along the coast. Not too bad, actuallly. The first rider I encountered was on a supernarrow bicycle path through a field (<30cm wide). As he is in a race, I decided to wait in the field as he passed. Shortly after (around Hornhuizen), Bart Verheijen and Jasmijn Muller went past in quick succesion; both looked like they were on an easy Sunday morning ride. Although I see now that Bart has considerably increased his lead compared to Jasmijn. In Pieterburen, I waited for Jaïr Hoogland to come by. He stopped for a moment: during our brief chat, he said that he struggled a bit to get going on day 2 (after a couple of hours of sleep in Groningen). It seems to be going better now as he is approaching the top 5.
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Every rider is sent the full bike check list with what you have to have. Some were a bit light on the amount of reflective tape needed. The sheet says 30x200mm on the seat stays, some had a piece maybe 5mm by 70mm. There was also a lot of confusion as to what the seat stays were. Yes it's lovely that your seat post is blinding me, but um, we said seat stays.
Fortunately Michael expects that there's going to be a lot of people who get the tape wrong, so he did provide a nice box with tape in it so that people could add some.
Can the reflective tape be 3m black reflective tape?
Should I ponder doing this on my recumbent at some future year to be determined.
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Can the reflective tape be 3m black reflective tape?
Should I ponder doing this on my recumbent at some future year to be determined.
Yep, but expect the bike checker to shine a torch on to check it really does reflect.
I have it on my front fork.
J
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Can the reflective tape be 3m black reflective tape?
Should I ponder doing this on my recumbent at some future year to be determined.
Yep, but expect the bike checker to shine a torch on to check it really does reflect.
I have it on my front fork.
J
Yeah that’s be fine. I have black reflective tape on my mud flaps and it works well. Recumbent frame is black and I’d hate white reflective tape on the seat stays.
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Yeah that’s be fine. I have black reflective tape on my mud flaps and it works well. Recumbent frame is black and I’d hate white reflective tape on the seat stays.
The letter of Dutch law says it should be red to the back, orange to the side, and white to the front. But noone cares about that.
J
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Yeah that’s be fine. I have black reflective tape on my mud flaps and it works well. Recumbent frame is black and I’d hate white reflective tape on the seat stays.
The letter of Dutch law says it should be red to the back, orange to the side, and white to the front. But noone cares about that.
J
Shame the rules don’t allow an equivalent amount of reflective tape on mudguards. I’d be less precious about reflective tape there. I’m fact my road bike rear mudguard has a large amount of red reflective tape down most of its length.
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Shame the rules don’t allow an equivalent amount of reflective tape on mudguards. I’d be less precious about reflective tape there. I’m fact my road bike rear mudguard has a large amount of red reflective tape down most of its length.
Probably because most riders don't have mudguards. If you're riding a bike that is not conventional, you can probably get the ok for it to be on the mudguards.
J
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Leaders about halfway already.
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Leaders about halfway already.
Yep, if they keep this up, they will finish Monday around midnight.
Bas stopped for some food at the gas station as he passed Amsterdam. Daan is close behind, and has had some sleep in Groningen. Has anyone noticed if Bas has slept yet?
J
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Bas and Daan now have a challenging bit of headwind up to Den Helder, but after that they have a "near gale" (7bft) tail wind all the way to Zeeland. This could be a fast edition, indeed. I didn't see Bas taking any sleep. Given that Daan has been faster today, I'm guessing not: Bas cycled through the night.
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Bas and Daan now have a challenging bit of headwind up to Den Helder, but after that they have a "near gale" (7bft) tail wind all the way to Zeeland. This could be a fast edition, indeed. I didn't see Bas taking any sleep. Given that Daan has been faster today, I'm guessing not: Bas cycled through the night.
I'm wondering if Bas will stop at all. It could be an interesting comparison of strategies for Bas vs Daan, to sleep or not to sleep, that is the question...
J
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Some people can cope extremely well with sleep deprivation. Soufiane Sehile is a prime example. It can work in a shorter race and 1900km on (mainly) flat roads is short. If Daan sleeps 4 hrs, then Bas is 100+km ahead of him. That's very difficult to catch up during the day.
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Some people can cope extremely well with sleep deprivation. Soufiane Sehile is a prime example. It can work in a shorter race and 1900km on (mainly) flat roads is short. If Daan sleeps 4 hrs, then Bas is 100+km ahead of him. That's very difficult to catch up during the day.
But that's what Daan has already done, he's within a tracker update error of the lead. He's basically forced the hand of Bas, bas can't stop now.
J
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Hats the number of the guy on the recumbent trike? Any other recumbents.
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Hats the number of the guy on the recumbent trike? Any other recumbents.
61. Nope, just the one trike. (photo in the day -1 entry).
J
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But that's what Daan has already done, he's within a tracker update error of the lead. He's basically forced the hand of Bas, bas can't stop now.
J
Yes, but we don't know how long Daan stopped last night (4hrs was just an example). When I got up at 6:30 this morning, Bas and Daan were already moving. If Daan needs longer sleeping stops each night, my money's on Bas.
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Hats the number of the guy on the recumbent trike? Any other recumbents.
61. Nope, just the one trike. (photo in the day -1 entry).
J
That photo is what prompted the question ;D
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Yes, but we don't know how long Daan stopped last night (4hrs was just an example). When I got up at 6:30 this morning, Bas and Daan were already moving. If Daan needs longer sleeping stops each night, my money's on Bas.
I spent 3 hours awake watching the dot wondering when it would move again. So it was at least 3 hours!
If both Daan and Bas sleep before the finish, then Daan has a go. But if Daan has to sleep again, Bas wins. I think.
J
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Hats the number of the guy on the recumbent trike? Any other recumbents.
61. Nope, just the one trike. (photo in the day -1 entry).
J
So currently bringing up the rear. But still going. They have till next Sunday to finish?
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So currently bringing up the rear. But still going. They have till next Sunday to finish?
Sunday at 1800. They basically have 202 hours to finish in. It requires they do over 210km per day. So as long as he gets to the 420 mark he's still within a chance of finishing, but it leaves very very little margin of error.
J
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You appear in a few photos in this collection (you may have already seen)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4802554986437178&type=3
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You appear in a few photos in this collection (you may have already seen)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4802554986437178&type=3
Not the worst photo of me ever... but eeeeeek!
I don't do facebook, so hadn't seen it. Someone did send me this one tho:
https://twitter.com/Globeskater/status/1299794383907237889
J
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Just looking at fully loaded bike weights.
Bas is fully loaded at 12-13kg plus another 5kg for food / water. He says 17kg total. Our number 61 has a trike weighing 31kg, and he’s added another 5kg of stuff. So similar additions in terms of weight , but different starting points. Bas aiming to consume 100 g of carbs per hour.
Most fully loaded weights coming out around 20kg.
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Just looking at fully loaded bike weights.
Bas is fully loaded at 12-13kg plus another 5kg for food / water. He says 17kg total. Our number 61 has a trike weighing 31kg, and he’s added another 5kg of stuff. So similar additions in terms of weight , but different starting points. Bas aiming to consume 100 g of carbs per hour.
Most fully loaded weights coming out around 20kg.
Funky. What's your source for that info?
J
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Just looking at fully loaded bike weights.
Bas is fully loaded at 12-13kg plus another 5kg for food / water. He says 17kg total. Our number 61 has a trike weighing 31kg, and he’s added another 5kg of stuff. So similar additions in terms of weight , but different starting points. Bas aiming to consume 100 g of carbs per hour.
Most fully loaded weights coming out around 20kg.
Funky. What's your source for that info?
J
The question was asked on a Facebook post by one of the riders. A fair few posts to get an idea of typical weights.
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Number 61 our recumbent trike rider overtakes rider 72 and no longer last.
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Number 61 our recumbent trike rider overtakes rider 72 and no longer last.
Unfortunately 72s dot is a dud tracker. They aren't there. Aukje (63 from last year) went to check on them. 61 still lantern rouge.
J
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Well never mind. I’m sure he just wants to complete it, and is not too bothered about placing. His entry on dot watcher does imply he intends to enjoy the full time limit available to him.
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What happened overnight? Daan and Paul Bernd are suddenly clear of the rest of the field by quite some margin. Did Bas go for a long night of sleep?
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What happened overnight? Daan and Paul Bernd are suddenly clear of the rest of the field by quite some margin. Did Bas go for a long night of sleep?
Basically they all teased me. I thought that they'd ride through the night and I could catch them at Ijmuiden and interview them I waited until Dawn was past Den Helder then left for the ferry... He then stopped for a sleep. Meanwhile Bas also slept for about 6 hours.
I'm now at Ijmuiden trying to interview riders. I missed 31/121 by maybe 5 minutes? I then got 142 and 5. But Bas got the ferry south as I was heading back north. I did get a photo at least.
My guess is that's all the sleep Bas plans on getting.
Next victim, Bart.
J
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Daan had taken the lead before midnight but it was only a couple of km. Paul had been gaining most of the evening.
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Our rider 61 trike recumbent is at 485km after about 50 hours. By my calculations that’s pointing at approx 195 hours for completion and he’s going to slow as time goes on. Going to be a close one,
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Daan flying , about 60km ahead of Paul, and 100km ahead of Bas
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Scratches up to 5 now. :(
J
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Daan flying , about 60km ahead of Paul, and 100km ahead of Bas
Nice tailwind along the dams and flood barriers for Daan, while Bas is still moving from traffic light to traffic light in Rotterdam. The gap should close a bit later in the afternoon
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From FB:
Daan Marsmans wins the 3rd edition of the Race around the Netherlands. It took him just 3 days, 9 hours and 34 minutes for the 1907 kilometers route.
Welcomed by his friends and family enjoying a beer and sharing some stories from the ride.
Some insides will be shared via dotwatcher later.
Congrats Daan!
:o :o :o :o :o
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From FB:
Daan Marsmans wins the 3rd edition of the Race around the Netherlands. It took him just 3 days, 9 hours and 34 minutes for the 1907 kilometers route.
Welcomed by his friends and family enjoying a beer and sharing some stories from the ride.
Some insides will be shared via dotwatcher later.
Congrats Daan!
:o :o :o :o :o
It's up on Dotwatcher now.
J
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It's up on Dotwatcher now.
J
Awesome updates on Dotwatcher, thanks, I have enjoyed reading all the words so far :thumbsup:
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Did Lindsay Mccrae scratch with the the finish in sight? And what the heck is Bas doing down in Sittard, watching a football game?
Awesome race so far!
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Awesome updates on Dotwatcher, thanks, I have enjoyed reading all the words so far :thumbsup:
Day 3 is up!
J
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Among the men, there are a couple of outsiders who could surprise. [...] Jaïr Hoogland [...]
He made it onto the podium. Mainly because he just rode through the last night and all the competitors (#1, #5 and #44) stopped for sleep, it seems. Any news why Bas stopped so early last evening? Last year he was the one who seemed to be coping best with sleep deprivation.
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Among the men, there are a couple of outsiders who could surprise. [...] Jaïr Hoogland [...]
He made it onto the podium. Mainly because he just rode through the last night and all the competitors (#1, #5 and #44) stopped for sleep, it seems. Any news why Bas stopped so early last evening? Last year he was the one who seemed to be coping best with sleep deprivation.
Just a guess but, in his position, my motivation would slip a few notches. One thing to put yourself through sleep dep to win a race but a far harder thing to do it to come second when you won it last time.
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Lack of motivation or not, it's a sprint finish between Flip and Bas. Bas is currently 1.5 km behind, but his last tracker update is 3 mins older.
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The winner averaged 350 miles per day. Impressive :thumbsup:
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Lack of motivation or not, it's a sprint finish between Flip and Bas. Bas is currently 1.5 km behind, but his last tracker update is 3 mins older.
Flip lost the sprint finish due to a mechanical just a few km from the end.
J
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We have a winner!
Jasmijn Muller crossed the line 4 days 13 hours and 8 minutes after starting. Taking 77 hours off Sheila's time from last year.
J
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For those that have an understanding of Dutch, here is an interview with Daan Marsmans in my local paper.
I guess if you throw it through the translator it will be readable, seems he lost a lot of weight.
https://www.ed.nl/valkenswaard-waalre/daan-28-uit-valkenswaard-fietst-in-dik-80-uur-heel-nederland-rond-nee-niet-helemaal-gezond~a8310b6a/ (https://www.ed.nl/valkenswaard-waalre/daan-28-uit-valkenswaard-fietst-in-dik-80-uur-heel-nederland-rond-nee-niet-helemaal-gezond~a8310b6a/)
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Some crazy fast finishes amongst the leaders this year. I’ve been away for a short break sans Internet. Have the winds been kind this year?
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Some crazy fast finishes amongst the leaders this year. I’ve been away for a short break sans Internet. Have the winds been kind this year?
For the front half of the field, yes. Winds turned yesterday, the tail of the group had 40+km head winds in Zeeland.
Today they should have tail winds. But it means cross winds for the long slog up the Maas valley tomorrow.
J
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What’s the situation with water 💦 top ups? Are there taps in plenty of places or a case of stopping at shops and cafes?
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What’s the situation with water 💦 top ups? Are there taps in plenty of places or a case of stopping at shops and cafes?
Everybody uses this website: https://drinkwaterkaart.nl/waar-kan-ik-gratis-water-tappen/. 1700 public taps.
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What’s the situation with water 💦 top ups? Are there taps in plenty of places or a case of stopping at shops and cafes?
Everybody uses this website: https://drinkwaterkaart.nl/waar-kan-ik-gratis-water-tappen/. 1700 public taps.
I actually find the "Drinking water" POI overlay in OSMand works better for my use case. But not many options in the far north of Friesland and Groningen, or in Zeeland. I have used churches as well. Often they have taps with no hndle, but I have a universal one. Worked in Sweden too.
The reason for using OSMand is that it works in every country I have downloaded onto my device. Means I have one user experience no matter where I am cycling. And of course, it's offline.
J
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When I'm really desperate, graveyards always have a tap. Just make sure to let the water run a bit before you drink.
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When I'm really desperate, graveyards always have a tap. Just make sure to let the water run a bit before you drink.
Yeah. church == graveyard in my mind. Usefully in the Dutch landscape, you can see a church from quite a long way away and have a reasonably high chance of finding water next to it...
J
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All riders are now home. Looks like everyone finished faster than I did last year!
J
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Yeah. church == graveyard in my mind. Usefully in the Dutch landscape, you can see a church from quite a long way away and have a reasonably high chance of finding water next to it...
A church has the benefit that you can spot the spire from miles, but there are many examples where they moved the church but not the graveyard or where the church was demolished but they kept the graveyard. And you have the non-religious graveyards. But maybe that should be another thread: how to find food and water in the Netherlands (and other countries).
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All riders are now home. Looks like everyone finished faster than I did last year!
J
Winds not so severe and nowhere near as cold I suspect.
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Does make me wonder how I would have done had I not had a 600km headwind last year...
J
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Does make me wonder how I would have done had I not had a 600km headwind last year...
J
Dangerous thoughts. Be content with your time lest you appear once more on the start line.
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What Phil said - you cannot control the conditions, feel proud that you did well the year you rode it :thumbsup: Who knows what a future year would look like - could be worse...
@Phil, so are you thinking of being on the start line next year?
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Not next year.
Hopefully the Wild Atlantic Way Audax 2200km will run next year, a year later than planned. I’ve got an itch to scratch with Shermer’s neck bringing me to a stop at 2012km the first time it ran in 2016.
Then I need to see what happens with LEL, it could run 2022. I’m presuming it’ll be more back to normal by 2023 and PBP.
So we will see. But if RATN runs and nothing else does and there aren’t 14 day quarantines about then yes.
So who knows, tentatively 2024 but earlier if circumstances allow. I don’t do more than one big ride a year plus an audax SR.
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I’f still really like to get to the start. That’s 2 years running I have entered and had to withdraw. I’m not really planning for next year yet. Too much going on.
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2021 RATN timing is certainly more awkward for me personally, but my name is on the start list so fingers crossed I can make it work! :thumbsup: