Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

Can't tell if serious...

So @skinny has a neck problem and is staying in a hotel tonight. Hopefully a night's rest will sort it out.

He also has a traumatised gooch.

TMI.

Relic of the war opposite Hotel Lav CP3 - better kept as it is - a reminder.

The man has certainly earned a rest.

Detox those shorts @skinny ! Then load-em-up with savlon and you'll be good to go. Keep at it! Bloody epic job so far!

Can we priority despatch him a periscope?

The answer is No.

1. 3rd party support is prohibited. All food, drink and equipment must be carried by the rider or acquired en-route.
   

Give him a wake up call in four hours. He should be fine.

Don't think anyone is mad enough to do this (Mikko perhaps), but I just checked the rules and controls don't need to be visited in order; just within the time limits (Vukovar by end of 3rd August).

Someone could choose to do the Bari -> Bar/Dubrovnik ferry, visit the control (4) at Lovcen and then go up to Vukovar (control 3) before plodding on to the finish.

The hills between Vukovar and Lovcen need to be done either way, so it becomes a question of whether the far greater mileage is worth it for the flatter terrain between Vukovar and Istanbul (compared to the route from Lovcen to Istanbul, which has the added problem of Kosovo being in the direct route and not very friendly - most people avoided it last year by going South through Greece).

Hope that @skinny rests and recovers. Whatever happens he is a total hero and an inspiration to us all.

Looks like Lee Pearce is about to set sail. Gareth Baines is still in Bologna resting.

And our fixed friend is also heading towards the ferry.

Thanks, kind of you all. A few % better this morning. Now to just ride solid to finiah.

Great to hear @skinny. Amazing ride so far, keep going!

Well done @skinny, you have been excellent. Unbelievable effort. Truly inspirational.

Josh is about to reach the third checkpoint..

Lee Pearce has landed in Split.

Well done skinny. You are having an amazing ride!

Thanks.

Don't think anyone will catch me. Still a bit gap. Josh is maybe 7h ahead now. So see.

Anything can happen...

Really impressive stuff @skinny. Good luck!

Our hero lives!

Anything can happen. He could suffer like you have and, while I wouldn't wish that on anyone, keep plugging away. The worst comes to the worst, second place is totally immense.

Josh is at the third checkpoint. Hopefully having a well deserved rest.

Lee Pearce has landed but it's not clear yet where he will do 3 and 4 in reverse order. Is there anyone to be a checkpoint at 4 yet?

4 the 3 gives what looks like a flatter run in to Istanbul.

Have to confess that the first thing I did this morning when I woke up was to check the tracking site. This is better than the Tour!

I keep thinking about what the riders must be going through and feeling somewhat jealous but also remarkably relieved to be at my desk in clean clothes, after a comfortable night's sleep..

This is the Tour!

Leo Tong made it to Checkpoint 2!