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So much this. I cannot imagine riding that far. I remember DD in about 8 hrs with stops was a massive achievement for me, and the next day i was cooked. Could not do that now. How do you do that 20 days in a row?
pascalo-
Worse than that... how do you do 3-4 Dunwich Dynamos in a day, for 10 (if you're super fast) to 20 (if you're above average) days in a row?
My PB for Dunwich was this year, under 7 hours. But it amplified every ache and pain, and my right knee was all pain and swollen.
But at least I could get off the bike, rest, give it time to heal, etc.
The TCR riders just continue until their body can't physically do any more at all. That the back pain is too much, or the knees give out, or you crash through exhaustion, or you deliriously tape your helmet to your back to hold your head up.
Far more pain and suffering than I would willingly go through.
And that's the feat, the thing we're watching. How far would you push yourself? How much can you push yourself?
Velocio
The difference between those at the front and the others is mental.
Feels like the strategy is "go as hard as you can without sleep and then hang on till your body packs in or you get to Istanbul".
Even those who "are at the back" are still miles ahead of where I would be. It's bonkers.