Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

I assume you mean Burgundy (especially as you've written it in the section title).

Thanks. I blame Ian Dury...

Part 2a - The Mountains
https://cyclingthere.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/transcontinental-race-2016-part-2a-the-mountains/

Great blog. Thanks for posting on here

"My plan to tame the climbs involved gears: 34 on the front and 42 on the back giving me a 21 inch bottom gear" Really 42 on the back?

Actually, I'm wrong. I only had a 40.
I wished I'd had lower at times, though.

Here's the next part
https://cyclingthere.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/transcontinental-race-2016-part-3-italy/

I wish I'd had the sense to fit a 40. Or at least walk when the gradient went into the thirties.

Here's my Day 2 write-up, which includes the line "I read the braille of my arse cheeks and they were screaming at me in ALL CAPS!"

https://theadventurecapitalist.wordpress.com/2016/08/25/tcrno4-a-pain-in-the-arse/

Although a ballot is fair and all, must be frustrating for riders who did want to race and are capable of being in the pack but miss out on places to people wanting to ride within themselves or just use it as an excuse for an adventure to cycle across Europe.

I'm pretty sure they let all the people with a chance of winning/top 10 in regardless. I'm guessing around half of the places are done on random ballot

Im sure the top people will always get a race, I've got no idea at what point they start the ballot but I think all those that enter should treat it as a race. From the facebook group it seems as though a significant number see it as an excuse to cycle across Europe, and I think some don't ever plan or expect to finish. I know if I'd entered and not got a place I'd feel hard done by.

Have a read of this.
http://reportage.transcontinental.cc/?page_id=99a

I've encouraged the stragglers to the finish line but I do know a few very capable riders who missed out on places. They've been quiet on the subject but I'd be sulking quite hard in their shoes. I'd guess the threshold will be higher in the future, with the introduction of smaller 'feeder' events.

just reading up on the posts above, and I noticed:

@TheAdventureCapitalist

I checked the next few days’ forecast while I was eating and made the decision to ditch my mudguards. I don’t really notice them when riding but they must add so much drag and that would add up to a substantial time loss over 4,000km.

and from @frank9755

Outside, where I’d parked my bike, I spotted a discarded set of raceblades, and wondered if they were from a fellow racer who, perhaps, had got sick of rubbing!

That made me smile. Still wondering if they were one and the same...

.
(double post)

Still wondering if they were one and the same...

They were - see the comments at the bottom:
https://theadventurecapitalist.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/tcrno4-a-pain-in-the-arse/comment-page-1/#comment-109

I've encouraged the stragglers to the finish line but I do know a few very capable riders who missed out on places. They've been quiet on the subject but I'd be sulking quite hard in their shoes. I'd guess the threshold will be higher in the future, with the introduction of smaller 'feeder' events.

Agree, the Italians were veterans so got an automatic place. Obviously Mike can't say anything on the subject but I'd be surprised if they were invited back so readily next time.

In the FAQ in the manual it says this:

'Sounds like a nice cycle tour, why race it?
Why race anything? The Tour de France would probably be a nice bike ride too, but it’s not; it’s a race and so is this...

Can I just ride it at my own pace?
There are no time limits as such so technically yes. You will be a part of all the fun and have your ride tracked and followed on the race website but the checkpoints and finish lines are not permanent features and so may not still be there when you get there. It is actually a race though, so if it’s a relaxed cycle tour you want this might not be for you. Places are limited on the race so spare a thought for those who might want to be in a race and be competitive.'

http://reportage.transcontinental.cc/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TCR-Race-Manual-2016-Iss1-May.pdf

Where do you draw the line?

The Italians have ridden the TCR at least twice before. They clearly enjoyed being part of it and were capable riders who decided, it seems, that for once they would take in the view. Yes they could have ridden independently but they have supported the race from the beginning and so why should they not continue to be part of it? It the event, they did a huge service by helping Min over the line.

Slow riders are not necessarily inappropriate either. A number set out to ride faster but found that, for one reason or another, if they were to get tot the end, they needed to slow down. Last year David Coulon, (@UberHero ) took 31 days because he suffered dibilitating pain but determined to finish. Does this make him less worthy than someone who encountered the same pain but scratched?

His case is one in point. Do you say that unless people can show capability to complete the course in, say, 12 days, they cannot do it? Or do you make it 14 days? Or 16?

The way the entry is organised in favour of those who have ridden before and allowing riders like @hippy immediate entrance, seems to work. It gives a balance between strong and less strong. It ensures there is a race at the front and still excitment beyond it.

I suppose that one could limit entrance only to those who are really competing to win but that would exclude 90% of the riders.

As for Min, by riding from Germany to Taiwan two years ago, she had proved her ability. She took a long time but was more inspirational in doing so than some of the machines at the front. She also finished in 101st position, and in doing so, beat a lot of very taleneted riders who abandoned.

It's a subjective thing that can't really be viewed in terms of how fast people go, it's about effort, and intention, I think it was on the south downs double website that I read a thing that sums it up:

"the idea of this is to ride the route as fast as you can"

If as fast as you can is 31 days for whatever reason, 100% good on you, and well done, but, if you do it in 31 days cause you're chilling, partying whatever, treating it like a cycle tour, then you've done a bit of a disservice to the race, as that spot could have been taken by someone who treated it as a race.

+1

Given nearly 100 people dropped out prior to the start, if you really wanted to participate and had badgered Mike enough then a last minute place would have surely been available.

beat a lot of very taleneted riders who abandoned.

The longer the race the less it is about how good a cyclist you are.

Its often said about chess players that the Grand Masters resign too early and beginners too late.

Given nearly 100 people dropped out prior to the start, if you really wanted to participate and had badgered Mike enough then a last minute place would have surely been available.

But is it really so simple? Private individuals who aren't pros and have jobs besides this need some certainty well in advance to be able to plan. Obviously, places that come up with sufficient notice could have been taken up, but if people dropped out with only days to go I doubt most would-be riders were able to still make arrangements.

The longer the race the more the results favour rider stubbornness over fitness.

Perhaps the issue is with those who sign up and drop out more than with those who ride slowly. But in every case there was probably good reason.I think the selection procedure which seeks to eliminate such drop outs, is the way to go.

Yes, I agree

The longer the race the more the results favour rider stubbornness over fatness.

Sounds as if you were in with a shout either way.