Author Topic: Transcontinental 2016  (Read 61983 times)

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #300 on: 23 August, 2016, 05:01:18 pm »
I never went off route to look for food. I always passed something eventually, so no non-riding time.

Quite a bit of riding time was spent looking for shops an checking if they were open, though. 

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #301 on: 23 August, 2016, 05:26:25 pm »
I went off-route a few times for food and drink and wasted time with other places that weren't serving. Something else I can improve on in future.
Got used to it eventually but in the early stages I was a bit stressed about it getting darker and me still not finding food/water, having planned a long night's riding.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #302 on: 23 August, 2016, 05:50:14 pm »
Actually I'd forgotten but I did waste some time on the first night in France looking for water.  I had plenty of food but was getting thirsty around 2am.  I went looking round the back of churches, and searched a few petrol stations, for taps - all to no avail.  I did see other tyre tracks in the grass round a couple of churches, so wasn't the only one looking there. 

I probably lost half an hour looking for water, before I lucked out and found a boulangerie on my route which was open at 4:50am.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #303 on: 23 August, 2016, 05:54:53 pm »
I went off-route a few times for food and drink and wasted time with other places that weren't serving. Something else I can improve on in future.
Got used to it eventually but in the early stages I was a bit stressed about it getting darker and me still not finding food/water, having planned a long night's riding.

I always made sure my food bag was full at the end of the day so I had enough to ride well into the night.  In France, I found a Lidl just before it closed at 7pm on the Saturday night.  Given it was Sunday the next day, I made sure I left there with my food bag full plus 6 bananas and a pack of 10 chocolate croissants stuffed down my jersey!  I needed it all as I didn't pass anything else open until almost lunchtime on the Sunday. 

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #304 on: 23 August, 2016, 05:57:06 pm »
The food issue is one thing thats going to need some logistical thoughts for me if I am lucky enough to get in next year.
I'm one of those annoying twats that doesn't do well on wheat.
Its not the easiest thing to work around in the boonies but doable and supplementing with a couple of dozen protein bars lugged along with me for when I'm really snookered would be the plan.  Shit loads of potatoes/chips/nuts etc  is the current roadside fuel of choice when currently on biggie rides.

often lost.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #305 on: 23 August, 2016, 06:00:06 pm »
boulangerie on my route which was open at 4:50am.

You lucky lucky bastard! Lack of decent food and drink in France... has left a sour taste in my mouth ;)

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #306 on: 23 August, 2016, 06:02:46 pm »
I always made sure my food bag was full at the end of the day so I had enough to ride well into the night.  In France, I found a Lidl just before it closed at 7pm on the Saturday night.  Given it was Sunday the next day, I made sure I left there with my food bag full plus 6 bananas and a pack of 10 chocolate croissants stuffed down my jersey!  I needed it all as I didn't pass anything else open until almost lunchtime on the Sunday.

Well that was the problem wasn't it. What is the end of the day in France. By my reckoning they've all gone home at about 2pm... :P

It wasn't all their fault though, I'm sure I probably past a few places thinking "ooh it's too early to refill now, there'll be something else" and of course there wasn't.

9pm pizza window was my best find in France. Oh, there was a bakery on the first morning that did Paris Brest. Had to have one.

cjm

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #307 on: 23 August, 2016, 07:08:53 pm »
I spotted these on the facebook group, I can't seem to find the post now though...

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/mkpaa/sets/72157671644429160/

Its pretty interesting seeing the setup and kit people used.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #308 on: 26 August, 2016, 06:02:37 pm »
came across your part 1 blog on the trans con FB page Frank. Cheers for that.looking forward to reading the other sections as they are penned.
often lost.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #309 on: 26 August, 2016, 06:16:53 pm »

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #310 on: 26 August, 2016, 06:29:07 pm »
Neat. Keep us posted here when you add more instalments.
Rust never sleeps

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #311 on: 27 August, 2016, 07:14:38 am »

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #312 on: 27 August, 2016, 08:49:38 am »
Good stuff !  I'm familiar with a few of the places you mention, but only from the inside of a car. Great adventure on a bike.
Rust never sleeps

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #313 on: 27 August, 2016, 07:05:52 pm »

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #314 on: 27 August, 2016, 08:24:40 pm »
Good write-up Frank, patiently waiting further updates  :thumbsup:

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #315 on: 27 August, 2016, 11:03:20 pm »


Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #317 on: 31 August, 2016, 07:30:03 pm »
Great stuff Frank, and very descriptive.
Man that was tough reading about the dog.
often lost.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #318 on: 03 September, 2016, 03:19:37 pm »
Yes, the dog was pretty heartbraking.  I did a bit of research into the prospects for it, and the many animals in similar circumstances across Eastern Europe, and that didn't make me feel better. 

I've now done the Bosnia and Durmitor massif stage:

https://cyclingthere.wordpress.com/2016/09/03/transcontinental-race-2016-part-4a-bosnia-and-montenegro-byreks-and-a-stupendous-limestone-gorge/

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #319 on: 04 September, 2016, 10:32:31 pm »
Start Geraardsbergen - CP1 in Claremont Ferrand
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-1/

CP1 Claremont Ferrand - CP2 Grindelwald
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-2/

CP2 Grindelwald - CP3 Alleghe
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-3/

CP3 Alleghe - Motel Kiwi, Bosnia
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-4/

Motel Kiwi, Bosnia - Bosnia/Montenegro border
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-5/

NEW
Bosnia/Montenegro border - Hotel S, Berane, Montenegro
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-6/

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #320 on: 04 September, 2016, 10:33:31 pm »
Here's my next bit: meeting Greg on a big climb in Montenegro, a delightful trip through Kosovo, rough roads in Macedonia and rough dogs in Greece:

https://cyclingthere.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/transcontinental-race-2016-part-5-3-countries-in-a-day-macedonian-roads-and-greek-dogs/


Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #321 on: 05 September, 2016, 07:05:02 pm »
Sorry Frank, linky no worky.  ???

Ah, but found title  :thumbsup:

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #322 on: 05 September, 2016, 08:23:58 pm »
thanks for catching up on your blogs lads. Me & the missus still enjoying the reads.
often lost.

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #323 on: 05 September, 2016, 08:45:04 pm »
Thanks guys
And the link should now work

Re: Transcontinental 2016
« Reply #324 on: 05 September, 2016, 09:01:29 pm »
Start Geraardsbergen - CP1 in Claremont Ferrand
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-1/

CP1 Claremont Ferrand - CP2 Grindelwald
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-2/

CP2 Grindelwald - CP3 Alleghe
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-3/

CP3 Alleghe - Motel Kiwi, Bosnia
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-4/

Motel Kiwi, Bosnia - Bosnia/Montenegro border
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-5/

Bosnia/Montenegro border - Hotel S, Berane, Montenegro
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-6/

NEW
Berane, Montenegro to Hotel Macedonia, Lake Dojran
http://thehippy.net/blog/transcontinental-race-tcrno4-part-7/