Trans Am Bike Race / TransAm / TABR

That link has helped me solve the mystery of the lost gilet:

This is the kit I found. Anyone know Bike Rack Racing #TABR2017 Ennis to Yellowstone pic.twitter.com/7bYyqTVskq

— hippy (@firsthippy) June 9, 2017

Worked it out, It's @kenallenray 's - https://t.co/M9fCpr0skI
He's just cycled past you in West Yellowstone. Wake up and get after him!

— Tim Simon (@ScrableTim) June 9, 2017

Good spot!

A bit like playing transatlantic biketag with the detective skillz.

Thanks @skinny

Nice one @skinny

Glad you enjoyed it.

Questions are welcomed, I can address them in the next roundup.

That was great, nicely done. Pop your twitter link in the notes.

Uploaded a hi res, so you can actually see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqQuWrGNuB4

How do you think the flatlands will work out on on the leading group given their progress so far? Any changes? Or much the same? Will hippy start gaining time on the leaders given his dislike for the hills?

Much the same. I think at this point they'll all be peddling as strong as each other, it'll be about minimising wasted time. Into the last third of the race we'll see them start to weaken depending upon how much they over exerted in the first third. Plus this is the point when they will start making the push for the finish, and those who've looked after their body, will be rewarded with strength left.

And no, sadly I think due to his non ideal run in to the race training wise, hippy is struggling more then he expected.

Your observations on the sleep patterns and how that unfolds is interesting. You mention John Lester getting it right and Benjamin potentially getting that wrong so it will be good to see which "tortoise" comes through in the latter part of the race to beat the early hares.

Does consistent sleep = success in trans con races in your opinion? Are their any acceptions to this?

Exceptions to everything. But TABR is 4250 miles, 17 days 16h is Mike's record. That kind of time racing needs consistent sleep to keep strong.

Supported races are different, with support you can push yourself harder.

Maybe, but Mike didn't get consistent sleep, once he hit the hilly east he was napping in the day to avoid the heat. I think everyone is different and it's about how far you can push towards the end of such a sustained effort. Some people can dig deeper than others.

Mike's record run at TD last year didn't have very much sleep!

Excellent video... subscribed. I look forward to the next ones!!

thanks for the vid @skinny

I said there are exceptions.

You can't use what mike was capable of as a point. He was on another level to nearly everyone.

You can't use what mike was capable of as a point.

You're right! sorry

This is my Trans con from last year.

1 Attachment

Also, remember that Trans Am is long, the record is just under 18 days. So what you can do over 10 or 13 days can't always be done of 18 days. Hence my importance on consistent sleep.

yeah, an extra 4-5 days is drawing it out a lot, but then Mike's 13 days is 16-19 days for most people who are 'fast'!

https://youtu.be/3YYf25kxYS4

Thanks for this, really enjoyed it

Excellent work again dude.

And the race is wondefully poised at the moment.

One of the mid-pack riders is keeping a daily blog: https://www.jencolestock.com/

And the #TABR tag on instagram seems to have new content added often.

Looks like the Newton Bike shop will be streaming some video when the riders reach there, I think it is 2 or 3 days off (?) yet.

@skinny, I saw that you can replay the race from last year at http://trackleaders.com/transam16 , might make for a nice comparison?