Ultracycling

Ok, yeah something like that. Sounds like a good idea.

Laura shared her TABR maps already but annoyingly RWGPS won't let you split maps and keep the checkpoints so all her useful notes like "campsite" or "cafe" get lost if I reduce the file distance.

If I make it through there, I can't wait to say
"we're not in Kansas any more"

That's going to be the highlight of the race. ;)

been on turbo a few times a week regularly but my living situation has been a bit fraught. Going away to Germany with future wife for a week over Christmas isn't going to help.

I'm making myself feel better by planning the bike build for the race and warning myself that I might not even get a place...

Living situation? Like you still have a house, yeah? Germany with future wife sounds awesome. Delete the guilt.

You might not get a place? How so? Is that not the final list?

Rich and Shona might be able to give you some pointers on the food-front, not vegan but both veggie.

Then again they might have just stuffed their face with cake the whole way round...

damp in flat, been living in my mum's for 2 weeks while it gets fixed, back into the flat this week but its a shithole...

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the TCR - that's my only goal for next year (although the NC4000 is my backup...)

Good advice re: Germany. I'll take my running shoes just in case. Time for me to remember how much I hate running...

Ah, suckage.
I think I was confusing you with gabes and the TAW. I blame beer.

Mind the ice!

Thanks. I'll do my research for the larger towns on the route, and try to get my timings right to resupply there. Also found https://tentmeals.co.uk/collections/main-meals which look great, high energy, low weight. I could carry a hobo stove and tiny bottle of meths. Not much extra weight.

But a waste of time.
Think of the time.

Yeah, I saw those somewhere too, have you tried them yet? Couldn't decide how bulky they were from the old photos but they don't look too bad now they've updated the site.

Could be better than gambling on being able to find something suitable in Oykel Bridge for the northern loop though. Very limited resupply points after and pretty exposed.

I meant more cooking hot food is a waste of time. Carrying food is essential.

Yeah, I wasn't planning on a stove, but, it's about weighing up between getting shit hot food in towns, or pushing through towns and cooking food when I camp.

I am also weighing up whether I remain fully vegan or just stick to veggie for the ride. Veggie would be easy, cheese, pizza, breakfasts etc. Vegan would be a pain I imagine. It's a pain in Devon, and there's a lot more people here than up in the Assynt!

But a waste of time.
Think of the time.

Ha, what about taking photos? Shitting? I could just remember the view, and bake in my shits for 5 days. That would save a few hours.

Yeah no photo stops. Shitting is a must. But urinating can be done off the bike, no need to stop.
It is a race. You can tour it anytime ;)

But time you spend cooking hot food could be spent sleeping, or shitting. Just eat cold food. Maybe make a brew if you want something to warm you. Or just piss on your hands, that's warming.

Or just piss on your hands, that's warming.

That's gross!

I always save my piss for my feet.

Warm toes ftw!

Yeah, pissing while standing over the bike is totally normal, I do it on any bike ride. Pissing on my feet might be required. Does the smell of 4 day old piss deter midges?

If it takes 5 mins to boil water for a brew, might as well pour that water on a dehydrated meal. Same amount of time.

@gabes are you planning on doing any specific training (fell running?) in prep for the hike-a-bike?

"When does he do that?"

About a month or so before- email him.

@gabes I'm in Dartmoor over Xmas- isn't that your Manor? If so any advice on good MTB routes?

Take your logic elsewhere!

But seriously, I'd stick to cold, instant food.
If you want hot food, get it when you stop somewhere.

When you're tired and beat up from riding, you just want to eat, you don't want to be messing about cooking.

Yeah, I have started running sporadically, and have a 1/2 Marathon in February (my first ever). Have been running the Coast Path around here a bit too, which is pretty tough, technical, rocky and steep. Also going to start riding up steeper tracks that I normally avoid, and will have to push up.

I also need some new shoes with a bit of toe flex. Thinking about Specialized Tahoes, will try some out and see.

Aside from the simple "time on the bike" training, I've been doing yoga 3-4 times a week to help flexibility (my back is fucked) and also core strength (I sit at a desk all day).