Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

Prefer the turn up and ride ethos, rather than having to apply.

It makes sense though with the more organised nature of TCR. Vetting the riders means they don't run foul of insurance requirements by having some idiots roll up, get into trouble and wonder why no sag wagon has picked them up.

True, the more race like an event, the more rulez.

Perhaps the issue is with those who sign up and drop out more than with those who ride slowly.

I don't think this is a problem for Mike. He knows that x% will get injured, have work issues, get cold feet, etc and factors it into his planning. Like airlines, or Travelodges, deliberately overbooking according to a known yield curve.

Nearly a third didn't show up though?!!

Is that level unusual?
I've not compared it to past TCRs but i'd be surprised if it was out of line. With any event you can predict a certain level of no shows, for example, we get a good few who enter our club reliabilty ride and don't turn up on the day.

Seems like Mike was actually expecting even more dropouts, given that he mentioned in the spring how too few had dropped out to offer any spaces from the reserve list.

That does add problems for organisers and crew through. Bearing in mind here that they run a checkpoint system on an otherwise free route.

Without the very minimal amount of vetting that goes on, just turn up and ride does mean that there's not a lot of opportunity to check that riders have familiarised themselves with a fairly simple and minimal ruleset and aren't going to end up causing a lot of hassle and arseache for a volunteer crew.

If you take a look at the sudden escalation in numbers for rides like the Dunwich Dynamo you can see how this could easily get out of hand. Even without any on the road support going on, an extra 100+ riders on the start line could easily turn an event like this into a logistical nightmare. The application/vetting process is as much for the protection of the organiser and crew as it is for anyone else.

Of course there's nothing to stop you from setting up your own turn up and ride event if you think that's how it should be.

Not sure what point you are making re DD? Doesn't it actually prove my arguement that zero organisation is needed.
Anyone for London- Moscow? ;)

Zero organisation is needed but the proliferation of logistical issues that occur on DD would multiply out of manageability on an event on the scale of TCR.

Here's my next instalment, with Bora, bears and byrek in Croatia/Bosnia:
https://cyclingthere.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/transcontinental-race-2016-part-4-storms-scars-of-war-a-friendly-dog-and-bears-in-the-forest/

Great to read your stories of the Croatian wind. It was such an incredible experience I reckon most people think I'm exaggerating when I tell them about it. Now I can point to your blog for corroboration.

Staying true to form, I'm being much less efficient with my write-up. Here's Day 3 https://theadventurecapitalist.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/tcrno4-fraternite/

@Velocio your twitter list sort of keeps giving even after the race is over.

Here's my next bit - the Bosnia / Durmitor stage:

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

I reckon most people think I'm exaggerating when I tell them about it.

I would think I was exaggerating if I hadn't been there myself!

For all the people that loved refreshing the live tracker, head over here: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/292157

@hippy it looks like you're missing out on a veritable mud fest!

Yes.

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

New shit, with love from my brain to your eyeballs:

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/

One of my favourite things is watching HUGE storms and being in them. The power is immense.

^ this, its amazing seeing electrical storms miles off in the distance, then battling through them even if you have to walk due to the strength of the wind. You can make massive gains too as most people park up.

If I had any clue I would've stopped at the town below and restocked, maybe slept. Running on empty meant the Durmitor parcours was done trying to digest after sleeping on empty. Pretty decent dehydration too. Plus there was the killing of the Garmin, the extra stress, etc. It's hard to call at the time - I figured it'd just blow over after 20min.

Nathan Jones (TABR race director and TCR competitor) is currently cycling to London from Wales, plan is to go out either Weds or Thurs night for a meal/ beers and talk bikes and TCR/TABR if anyone is up for this?

I'm out Thurs for another birthday party but would meet up on Wed if you're around.

Ok, cool I'll ping something over to you.