Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

I've travelled rough over much of Europe and Asia.

I ditched my tent early on.

In the dry, I liked to use culverts (drain channels) under the road - may need to suss out a few to get a goodun. There are plenty per mile on most roads. Avoid the ones with lots of little (or big!) footprints in the sand. That's a sign for a bad nights sleep.

DONT use culverts if there is any risk of rain, of course. Concrete culverts waiting to be buried are good in any weather, but don't use ones which are stacked up on top of each other as they may not be stable.

If it is going to rain, look for farm out-buildings near to the road and wait till the last minute of light before you dive in to avoid being spotted.

Hay barns are great.
Try bike sheds near post offices and other public buildings which are closed at night.
Churches often have covered areas you can take advantage of.
A tarp over a park bench is another possibility.
Rural filling stations often shut at night and can offer cover.
Schools are shut at night and often have bike sheds etc.

In bigger villages and towns, the local itinerants/homeless may have staked a claim on some prime kipping spots, so you may find you have company.

Rural sleeping is much easier, more peaceful and less stressful, so I'd aim to be out of any town to sleep and focus on smaller villages which tend to shut down at night.

I'd actively avoid busy public places. If you really, really must sleep in bus or train stations, keep passport/cash/cards under you and tie yourself to your bike and anything else you fancy keeping.

When you are knackered and asleep, you won't notice much going on around you! Bus and train stations are magnets for some real scum. Plenty of eyes, not many nice guys. Been there!

As for smart training - assuming you are endurance fit, set aside 3 days, pick a 600 mile route you have never travelled, in a country you have never been to and ride it with the kit you plan to take. Do that a few months before the event and learn from what you discover! That will uncover most fundamental game stoppers.

I am envious - have fun!