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

Looks like he's done! So glad to see him finish after his tyre troubles.

Three of them in now. One left on the parcours

major cities

I met a 70 something year old French cyclotourist who has been touring almost without significant break since he was in his 20s. His one bit of of advice was avoid cities. People do strange/unnatural things in strange/unnatural situations. ie. when stuck in cities.

@hippy now has 350 km left and it looks as though he is riding through.

I must say that his ride has been rather demure compared with previous editions of this race and the TABR. Perhaps his gooch is now just one insensitive grizzled piece of leather.

What I shall miss, when he arrives in Greece, it the wonderful commentary that his mother provides on Twitter.

As soon as I post that, he stops for the night.

And gets to moaning of saddle sores on sores. I think a lack of mobile data is the only thing limiting his outpour.

I think we chose to route that way around Tirana because it was so flat and expected to make the most of it being in a pair and drafting.

Our inexperience showed through a few times and there would be some things I'd take into account if racing a second time. I don't know what I'd do about sleeping, I met Josh at the border on second last day, his plan was to ride all night and went on to finish 6th because of it. I struggled to get past midnight without my eyes closing!

I'm scratching. Physically and mentally broken. Bosnia got to me. Going to stop in Sarajevo.

Try having a proper meal and use it as a mental reset. Keep up the hard work, it's worth it

Don't scratch without riding cp4, you'll regret it it's amazing. the hotel there is nice too. perfect place for s breather. you've still plenty of time to make the party.

Well done. sorry I didn't see you at the finish, catch you around.

Again mr tom take a break have a sleep . We are all with you

Agreed. Rest up at cp4 and take your time-Montenegro is amazing, and after the first lump it's entirely downhill all the way to Albania

What everyone else says - don't scratch yet. Reaching CP4 will be a boost!

it's amazing

haha, I saw you swearing your way up it in the latest TCR youtube vid.

Was half hoping you'd go really far down flat part in the west of Albania and cut back in (just from a purely dot-watching perspective). Finishing top 10 (appreciate it's not GC) is a massive achievement for a first go. Much respect.

Sad to hear, I know that feeling. I hope you persevere though. If not come back next time and complete what you've started. Your ride so far has been inspiring (as have your posts)

Maybe it's most of you are British and I'm used to cycle in Belgium? I don't know but I just can't deal with the traffic anymore. It started when I rode into Czechia and since then I haven't felt safe apart from some cycle paths left and right.
I'm not enjoying the scenery, I'm not enjoying the cycling. All I feel is fear and stress. Constantly.

Going into this I knew traffic was going to be one of my weak points. But I never expected it to be this bad. And like I said, most of you are probably used to this but I'm not.

Ofcourse it's not only the traffic but because my mental fight is almost gone my body follows. My legs are so sore, I can hardly climb anymore.

So with that in mind I'm pretty sure I can't do the last section. 800 km and 11000 m elevation on big roads is too much.
TCR is a challenge I can't complete.

Chapeau though; you've come so far already.

If you're no longer getting any enjoyment from the race, only stress, then you only have one choice.

As @skinny said though, you may want to consider trying to finish at CP4, the scenery from all the pictures is beyond incredible. You're only 50Km away...

Keep it rolling.

Speaking from recent personal experience - pushing on through a point when you're totally broken is very satisfying to look back on from the warmth of the pub. Best of luck and ride safe.

TCR is a challenge I can't might complete

#ftfy
Edit: Courage!

Yeah they caught my Mr Hyde. A rare occouracne. I'm a bit embarrassed to be honest, not great.

Then navigste off the main roads and take back roads. At cp4 there will be a laptop you can use and plan some quiet roads. Montenegro and Albania are absoloutle the most beautiful parts of the trio and once off the main roads as so quiet and brilliant to cycle.

Just take a but longer and take in the good roads

Go MisterTomTom, choose what you think is right, keep going!