Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Jack_P on 07 June, 2014, 06:39:22 pm

Title: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 07 June, 2014, 06:39:22 pm
Anyone else watching the TransAmerica non stop race. A few Brits giving it a good shot including Mike Hall and Ed Pickup the early leader.
And pink dots it would appear as Juliana Buhring is a swift starter too.

Will be fascinating to watch over the next two weeks  :thumbsup:
http://trackleaders.com/transam14
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 07 June, 2014, 06:53:13 pm
Yep, I'm going to be glued to the blue dots too.  What with that and the RAAM tracker who needs the TdeF - bloody primadonnas :)
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 08 June, 2014, 01:17:06 pm
I'm guessing route choice is flexible?  Otherwise why did Mike Hall take a left south of Salem and cut a chunk off the route?  Maybe I just don't know how this one works yet.  Blue Dot-ting is addictive though.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: vorsprung on 08 June, 2014, 06:56:26 pm
Cool Ed Pickup is doing good

His bike and all his kit was stolen last month and it's only through people helping him out he was able to start
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: rob on 08 June, 2014, 07:22:34 pm
Did they all start at the same time? Even at the end of yesterday some seemed to be almost too far down the road for just a single day's riding.

Mike Hall said he did 350 miles on day one in 20hrs of riding.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 08 June, 2014, 08:34:26 pm
I think they started time trial style, at intervals.  If you watch the tracker play through then they seem to leave the start point one after another.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 June, 2014, 09:07:25 pm
Mike Hall's tracker seems to have stopped reporting.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 08 June, 2014, 09:36:59 pm
His tracker seems to be a bit intermittent.  It's reporting again now and he's showing in the lead again.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 June, 2014, 09:55:52 pm
According to the trans-am website, the official route is the shortest possible between each town. So deviations are allowed, and I guess riders might choose to deviate for tactical reasons. Maybe for favourable winds or avoiding heavy climbs.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 June, 2014, 10:00:47 pm
Quote
Any bike is allowed, even those that aren’t allowed in traditional grand tours (HPV etc..)

Is anyone darksiding it?
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 08 June, 2014, 11:31:11 pm
Trackers can be a bit ropey at times, very sensitive to their location on the bike, not like GPS loggers they just join dots with straight lines, no matter how much time is in between. often the case at the start of events as the riders have no idea until told that they are not being picked up.

Mike (despite 3 punctures) and Ed are smashing it, messages coming out are that its very hot and a lot of riders took an alternative route which the organisers have said is ok due to a poor GPX track. Navigation seems to be an issue for several.
not much sleep going on, coming up for 3pm there and over 500 miles after starting at 5am on Saturday, just nuts. ::-)

leading lady reporting a bad crash asking for help earlier too.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 June, 2014, 10:45:53 am
Mike has so far had:
Broken fork (on flight over - replaced just in time)
4 punctures
One bee sting
Missed multiple turns

He's in the lead.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: tiermat on 09 June, 2014, 02:29:23 pm
Mike has so far had:
Broken fork (on flight over - replaced just in time)
4 punctures
One bee sting
Missed multiple turns

He's in the lead.

Unless the site is out of date, Jason Lane is just ahead of him.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 June, 2014, 02:39:04 pm
His tracker has an ongoing fault - it is only updating when he stops. So you need to check the last update time. Jason was pretty close last time I checked so could easily have passed Mike.

I just checked; Mike's tracker hasn't updated for 2.5hours. That would put them neck and neck.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 June, 2014, 03:57:00 pm
Ed Pickup is running Durano's. I think he's mad . . .
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 09 June, 2014, 06:44:06 pm
Ed Pickup is running Durano's. I think he's mad . . .
Ed Pickup is running Durano's. I think he's mad . . .
For the tyre choice, or just generally  ;D
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 June, 2014, 07:45:23 pm
Tyre choice!  I hadn't heard of Ed before this, so had to look him up. He's a good yung-un and I think would be closer to the other two on faster tyres.

Jason is closing the gap on Mike. Ten miles separating them. I wouldn't be really surprised if they both blew up and Ed caught them over the next couple of days.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 June, 2014, 08:32:17 am
Gap has opened up again. About 50miles separating them. Practically neck and neck. Ed is 100miles adrift so still very much in the running.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 10 June, 2014, 10:51:06 am
Yep -proving quite interesting to keep an eye on.  I wonder what the story is with the other MH.  I watched his track and he seemed to go backward and forward for while before stopping for ages.  He's now appeared in Portland!  Surprising me how much downtime some of the MOP and BOP riders have.  But then I've never raced anything like this so what do I know?
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 June, 2014, 11:10:14 am
[Edit]
He's posted on facebook. Had mechanicals, then fell and injured left arm. Officially pulled out of race.

I dunno.  He's riding this as a 'tour', not a race, but going up to portland seems odd. I hope he hasn't had an accident or similar.

Juliana Buhring is moving up the places - should appear in top 10 list soon.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 10 June, 2014, 11:44:51 am
Fascinating to see what staying up all night is doing for the distance between Jesse Stauffer in 4th and the guys intent on catching him while he sleeps.  Both Cutriss and Rice are rapidly sneaking up.  The Irishman is within about an hour of overhauling him I reckon.  That said Jesse has been down 5 hours already and likely to move again pretty soon.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Riggers on 10 June, 2014, 12:10:11 pm
I've just clicked on (JS) Jason Stauffer, and see he is currently doing 671mph. I think he might win at that pace.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 10 June, 2014, 12:20:29 pm
Ed's awake again but he'll never outrun that!

(must get some work done!)
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 June, 2014, 08:44:24 am
Against my expectations, Mike has opened up the lead. He's storming, hope he doesn't blow up.

Juliana is moving up, currently 9th.

Ed is opening up lead of rest of field but he'll only catch Mike if something goes really wrong for Mike.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 11 June, 2014, 09:29:19 am
Mike is a machine, overcoming tough problems in last years Tour Divide showed he has incredible mental strength too.  Jason lane putting in the nightshift (1.30am Wednesday there I think) while Mike looks to have settled down at midnight. wonder what time he will get up  :D
1182 miles since Saturday morning is just awesome.

does it look like Ed is dropping into the clutches of JS and DC
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 June, 2014, 09:51:46 am
The graph tells an interesting story. Very little difference in speed between any in the top 10. Jason Lane's average is dropping off and he took longer breaks than Mike.

Ed is fractionally faster than both of them but looks to be taking much longer rest breaks. Ditto Juliana, but as the race progresses she is maintaining her road speed and catching others who are losing their fresh starting burst.

Mike seems to be running on 2.5hrs stop time per 24 hours, at rigid intervals. He is a machine, terrifyingly physically tough. A story says he tried a Brooks saddle but found it too soft (I made that  up).
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 12 June, 2014, 08:20:05 am
The graph and trace both show Donncha Cutriss started about 8 hours late.  Wonder if he really did.  If so he's done an amazing job of clawing back up to 5th, briefly 4th.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 June, 2014, 09:00:46 am
Hmm - I noticed that. Pretty amazing if that's the case.

Juliana is holding place in the top ten.

Mike and Jason drawing away from all of them. I wonder what will happen when they get out of the mountains?

Yeah, mountains. 300+miles a day through mountains.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 12 June, 2014, 09:18:08 am
I have looked at the elevation plot a few times - it is scary.  How the top 10 can maintain that kind of pace over that terrain is beyond me.  That said, for all out speed, are you also watching RAAM?  Strasser is 700 miles in and still averaging well over 20mph with a lead of well over 100miles.  I prefer the TransAm though.  I'm thinking that I'll enter the Transcontinental next year.  I like the unsupported idea and the distance of that one is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 June, 2014, 09:25:24 am
RAAM is incredible - but the cost and complexity spoil it a bit for me. It is also only for the elite.

Trans-am seems very 'pure'. It kind of harks back to the original Tour de France.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 June, 2014, 01:57:31 pm
Mike is taking a big rest - Jason hasn't stopped. I expect he will overhaul Mike sometime in the next 4 hours.

Juliana has moved up to 6th place!
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 12 June, 2014, 02:14:37 pm
I would disagree.  Mike is on the move again, hopefully after a good long kip.  Still a 40+ mile gap.  Mind you after 5 days I don't think 3 hours on the road amounts to much.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 June, 2014, 02:22:10 pm
I would disagree.  Mike is on the move again, hopefully after a good long kip.  Still a 40+ mile gap.  Mind you after 5 days I don't think 3 hours on the road amounts to much.
Huh, I stand corrected - he was stationary last time I looked. According to the tracklog, stationary for 5 hours.

Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 12 June, 2014, 02:24:41 pm
Will be interesting to see if the gap grows again today after Mikes rest.
Mike 1408 miles and Jason at 1365 just now.

similarly is DC still on the charge
Ed 1241 and DC 1175
hope this continues to be close  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 12 June, 2014, 02:53:37 pm
Yep - if the earlier comments about Donncha Cutriss are true and he really did start about 8 hours late then he's technically faster than Ed.  Fascinating stuff.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 12 June, 2014, 06:04:21 pm
If your not aware, riders phone in messages to MTB cast, there app keeps you in touch. Mike did indeed get some good sleep and sounds as chilled as ever. Direct link http://mtbcast.com/podcasts/2014/TABR14/MTBCast_TABR14_20140611_1402530791_10.mp3
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 12 June, 2014, 09:42:43 pm
Indeed I was not aware of that. Thanks  :)
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Riggers on 13 June, 2014, 12:57:02 pm
Just Google Streetview-ed where MH is at present. Nice mountains on his right.

I thank you.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 13 June, 2014, 06:45:59 pm
Still some serious gaps between the first three but is it just me or are 'the pack' catching up on the whole?  Cutriss and Stauffer don't seem to have much of a lead on the group behind them anymore.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 June, 2014, 04:08:35 pm
Jason and Mike are into the 'flatlands' and pulling away from the rest of the pack. Gap between them going up and down by as much as 60 miles. Mike is still averaging 300miles per day.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 16 June, 2014, 08:00:10 pm
amazing endurance, reminds me of a recent "world record attempt" if it isn't mainstream it never happened according to guiness  :facepalm: haven't they heard of the long distance nutters down the years.
http://blog.virginmoneygiving.com/tag/guinness-world-record/
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 16 June, 2014, 08:52:46 pm
I'm still here, watching.  Even that seems like a feat of endurance so Lord only knows what it's like on the road.  Can't believe I've been watching the dots for over 9 days and they're still going strong.  Some fascinating moments, including when Cutriss actually caught up with Ed some couple of days ago, possibly whilst he was kipping, and then has dropped back some 100 miles almost immediately.  Maybe Ed felt a ghost in his slumbers.  Also interested to know what is going on with the two guys, Dement and Costello, who haven't moved since last Wednesday!  That's taking a fairly relaxed approach to 'racing'.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 16 June, 2014, 08:59:02 pm
Also, spare a thought for David Goldberg.  Looks like he just passed within about 80 miles of 'home' and didn't even pop in for a good nights sleep and a cup of tea.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 17 June, 2014, 12:52:42 pm
so coming up for 5am on Tuesday, is that day 10?
Amazing that the positions are so settled up front, who will crack first, or have a problem. Still very tight up front really, if it stays like this it could come down to who can ride straight through for a few nights maybe.

Mike   2591 -   still asleep in Newton on I135 or tracker will jump him forward again.
Jason 2511
Ed      2387
DC     2116
AG     2076  two riders stooped together
JS      2077
JB      2035  - with a pack chasing her down
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 17 June, 2014, 01:46:06 pm
Apparently Mike has called into a bikeshop in Newton for a new chain, I remember him reporting on his world ride how he could feel the improved efficiency after chain swaps.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: zigzag on 17 June, 2014, 04:53:14 pm
looks like Mike is having a "reset" stop and will start afresh after a long rest. Jason is only 20km behind now. particularly impressed (or perhaps shouldn't be, having ridden) with Juliana - real determination from this lady! is she the only female competing now?
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 June, 2014, 05:26:58 pm
looks like Mike is having a "reset" stop and will start afresh after a long rest. Jason is only 20km behind now. particularly impressed (or perhaps shouldn't be, having ridden) with Juliana - real determination from this lady! is she the only female competing now?
Mike's tracker hasn't updated for 10hours
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 17 June, 2014, 05:52:10 pm
Yep - is that alarming or is it a repeat of what was going on last week?  Only updating when he stops moving again.  Gap from 3rd to 4th has shot up over the last day or two - nice one Ed :)
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: teethgrinder on 17 June, 2014, 06:53:04 pm
Apparently Mike has called into a bikeshop in Newton for a new chain, I remember him reporting on his world ride how he could feel the improved efficiency after chain swaps.

I gather that he called in the bikeshop at around midnight and they had a barbeque while he got his new chain.
Interesting to see this ride alongside RAAM and the difference in speed. What difference a support crew makes! Changes the nature of the ride quite significantly.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: recumbentim on 18 June, 2014, 08:27:42 am
From tweets 2hrs ago Mike is in Pittsburg holed up waiting for batteries for tracking . Puts him 50 miles in the lead .
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 June, 2014, 09:07:21 am
Ah - that explains a lot. what a bummer.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 18 June, 2014, 01:37:03 pm
Mike    2834
Jason  2753   so still 81 in it.
Ed       2589   

juliana is closing in now shes on the flat, go girl.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 June, 2014, 01:52:36 pm
I can see her coming 4th overall, she is doing very well.

Some perspective on the scale of the race; there is currently 500miles between race lead and sixth place.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 18 June, 2014, 01:59:09 pm
I streetviewed some of the roads through Kansas.  If I ever thought I'd fancy a go at this then I don't now.  I grew up in the Fens and I seriously thought that they were big, flat and featureless - albeit inspiring on a good day.  Kansas is like the Fens covering an entire country!  I'd be bored out of my tiny mind.

Big round of applause for Christoph Strasser in the 'other' US bike race.  16+mph for 7 days and a new RAAM record is truly astonishing.  His average over 7 days ain't much worse than mine in a 24hr TT.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: teethgrinder on 18 June, 2014, 07:44:53 pm
Looks like it'll be a nailbiter all the way to the end between Mike Hall and Jason Lane. Mike looks to have the upper hand but could easily lose it with a bit of bad luck.
My money* is on Mike but I don't think it a safe bet!
Juliana pretty much has the womens race.



















*If I had any.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 19 June, 2014, 03:24:46 pm
I've been watching this and RAAM simultaneously.  By my calculation, feel free to correct, Mike has covered the same distance as RAAM in a time which would see him inside the 12 day cut off.  All of this UNSUPPORTED.  Awe inspiring.  There are many fully supported riders in RAAM who have not made or will not make that deadline.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 June, 2014, 03:31:10 pm
It is.

I suspect that Mike wouldn't be a lot quicker if he were supported - going fast isn't his forte, he's very very good at sustained medium speeds and as tough as seasoned oak.

I really don't know how he finds the time to refuel. His lack of faffage is very impressive.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: SJR on 19 June, 2014, 10:06:07 pm
I'm glad to see Jesse move back into 4th.  He's battled well throughout.  Is it just my imagination or have places 7 & 8 been riding a tandem most of the way?
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 June, 2014, 09:03:27 am
JB is now fifth.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: recumbentim on 21 June, 2014, 08:28:41 am
Theres a lot of lumpy stuff to come in Virginia suppose anything could happen yet?
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 21 June, 2014, 10:16:47 am
Well Saturday AM thats 2 weeks on the road when they get up.
Mike still hammering it but its still close enough with "only" a 120 mile cushion.
easy to forget the real gaps just looking at Blue dots  :facepalm:
Mike  3546
Jason 3428
Ed 3172
DC and JS both holed up at Marshfield  but its hotting up behind them Italiens Paolo Laureti and Giorgio Muraah are putting in a late shift and closing in only 17 miles back.
The fight for 4th place is Hot.

250+ miles a day for Mike thats just awe inspiring.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 23 June, 2014, 11:12:07 am
Looks like Mike had an early stop last night about 9pm and is now back on the road at 3am, is that a sign of a good last rest and he's on a non-stop ride to the finish from now on?
so how many miles has he got left?
Also Juliana and Jesse rode through the night together (3am there now) looks like they are covering 4th as much as possible.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 June, 2014, 02:29:01 pm
Jason seems to have stopped.

Mike is 140miles ahead. Barring accidents, it doesn't look like Jason can catch him now. Less than 300miles to go.

What an epic battle. I'd love Juliana to come 4th.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching MIKE HAS FINISHED
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 June, 2014, 08:49:30 am
Juliana battling hard for 4th place.
Title: Re: TransAmerica race. Blue dot watching
Post by: Jack_P on 25 June, 2014, 08:59:58 am
Mike wins at 9.40pm on day 18 I think
The battle for 4th still raging.
That final state looks tough, seems to be reflected in riders speeds slowing up, Mike reported cooking temperatures too.