Transcontinental Race No. 6 - TCR6 - #TCRN06 - 2018

That's the application submitted, with a cool hour and half to spare. I hope they don't filter out the last minute people and focus on the fact it was still before the deadline. I wanted the application to mirror how i plan to do the race, 1 hour before closing time.

Now to find ways to forget about it until the results are out. Pub?

This was meant to be my year for entering TCR - gutted I can't but good luck to all who do (for the place and for the race)! Very excited, as always. Be interesting how they handle the checkpoint situation.

Well you would, when the alternative is Kiwi.

;-)

Antipode burn!!!

Sik burn :)

I thought you'd appreciate it :)

Right, slowly getting the lighting and charging side sorted as even if I don't get in this year sure I will another year.
Question re tyre choice. Was watching some of the TCRNO5 YouTube clips last night and seems there was a very wide range of tyres. I guess it's somewhat dependent on route chosen but 25 or 28? And is there a preferred brand? I've always ridden Vittoria or Conti GP 4000Sii

How much do you weigh? Regardless I would always go bigger. You're not moving fast enough a lot of the time that aero matters too much and fatter tyres have better rolling resistance and sure as shit last longer when you smash into the 14th pothole on that goat track you've routed along... plus there's comfort it running lower tyre pressures. But it is personal. Try some variations in training.

Yes, there is a wide range used. Schwalbe Pro One tubeless and Conti GP4000 (tubes) are probably the most common. I've had a tyre failure in a big ride using each of those so won't give any recommendations!
Same with width. I'd guess 25mm probably most common but plenty of 23 and 28mm and a few fatter ones.

How much do you weigh?

Currently at 68.7kg but hoping to be down to 67.00 kg in a month or so. 179cm so have been leaning out a bit recently.
Might go for the 28s then.

I know people who've run 25mm GP4000s and 28mm GP4000s during TCR.

Evan used them in TABR: "Continental GP 4000s (tires replaced mid-race)"

Paul Buckley used Schwalbe Ones (the older ones, I think S-Ones maybe in 30mm?)

"Continental Gator Hardshell 28” tires performed superbly and 1 set of tires lasted the whole Trans Am. Gator Hardshell tires have re-enforced sidewalls unlike the regular Gatorskins. 1 puncture during the Trans Am when I got a drawing pin through my rear tire in Cowdry, Colorado. I put tubeless sealant in my inner tubes and also used Mr Tuffy tire liners."

BurlyCross used Schwalbe One tubeless 28mm
https://burlycross.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/salsa-colossal-tcr/

Chris Herbert
"tubeless (Schwalbe Pro One) tyres, despite only being 23mm"
"For the actual race I’ll be using 25mm tyres, but they’ll definitely be Pro Ones"
https://brbrn.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/3-down-starting-to-come-together/

Ed Pickup on Duranos:
https://edwardpickup.com/2013/12/05/gear-review-transcontinental-kit/

TABR has much better roads than TCR so beware of TABR tyre choice, but still:
https://transambikerace.com/racer-steeds/

Lael Wilcox TABR: "Hutchinson Sector 28 tubeless road tires"

"I tried tubeless tyres but they’re just to tight causing nervous break downs during mounting and I don’t want to risk getting a serious issue with one of the tyres and not be able to get it back on the rim while being exhausted and having no power in my arms and hands. Fast and proven quality for my tyre choice: 28mm Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II Race tyres will get me across Europe as they have brought millions of others to their destination too. Probably the most sold tyre in the past three years. I used to ride 23mm width tyres, but 28mm gives me much more control and comfort with a loaded bike as I experienced after buying the Mason Resolution"
https://www.cyclingacrosstheworld.com/gear-list-transcontinental-race-2016/

I've had a tyre failure in a big ride using each of those so won't give any recommendations!

Ha, might stick with Contis then!
Felt a bit ill when I saw the guy in the clip run out of tubes zip tying the tyre to the rim and descending down a mountain on the flat tyre! I could feel my teeth chattering.

I think there was lots of gp4ks in Meteora last year, mostly looked like 28's. That's what I had too.

Tempted to try something even wider but haven't found a convincing wider tire yet so might stick with those.

25kg lighter than me, so you could probably get away with skinnier tyres but I still wouldn't bother. Your hands, arse, etc will thank you for the wider, lower pressure rollers.

What's the best strategy for pedals /cleats on this? I'm a lifelong LOOK Keo man but pretty sure I read somewhere that you're silly to rock anything else than SPD. This the case?

Personally I’ve used SPD-SL twice with no major problems. I think there was a poll recently on the Facebook group and if I remember correctly at least 50% of the respondents didn’t use SPDs. Other advice would be to make sure the cleats arebrand new and you take 1 spare (highly unlikely that you’ll destroy two).

Not Speedplay. I would be on SPD if I had the choice.

50% of entrants don't finish so be careful putting any faith in their facebook surveys. ;)

One way to look at it is you're more likely to need to walk a bit in TCR than any other road racing and therefore walk faster and more securely in SPD is a benefit over any potential time saved with road shoes. The one advantage road shoes might offer is a stiffer sole which some people find helps avoid hot spots.

In the heat wave last year, spd sandals would have been fabulous.

i used 28mm gp4000II and would do so again! Great tires -fast, grippy, durable and comfortable. I might consider replacing them at some point during the race, though. I find they are good at avoiding punctures up to a certain point, but once they've worn beyond this, you'll get quite a few.

IMV re pedals - use what you're comfy with and take spare cleats. Comfort for pedalling > comfort for walking.

There was a heat wave?

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Nothing a couple of ice creams can't fix ;)

Indeed, and the wind on the downhills would make it feel cool. I just had to climb up those mountains first. Such a brilliant choice to take the different route to anyone in front of me, with those Macedonian mountains. Well, it was fast.

I can't believe I took the same cobbled road in Macedonia that I hate the first time I road it. I really should overlay my 2016 and 2017 maps to highlight anything that I "never want to ride again!". Having a tyre at full pressure might've helped.

I definitely remember coming down monte grappa with the wind feeling like a hot fucking hairdryer!