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That 'locals only' border crossing in TCR4 pissed me off. I found it, it was quicker, I asked about it, but took the legit border instead because the rules say 'laws need to be obeyed' which should have eliminated that border as being as option and DQ'd anyone that used it. You can't say, all laws have to be obeyed and then ignore stuff like that. But having raced a tonne of these events most people it seems are breaking the rules in some way. Fuck it, I try and race legit and if I finish a few spots down, then so be it.
Someone talking to me was suspicious of the top-10 Italians in TABR the first time I raced it. One or both of them just popped up in front of him after 'tracker issues'. #trainznotgainz
Riders have told me to my face they've booked 5 days of hotels in advance. The Lael/Evan paired riding thing. People getting phone calls telling them where to ride, or weather conditions and when to ride or booking stuff for them. So much outside assistance must go on.
hippy-
Yeah, I looked at that crossing in TCR4 too when planning, but decided to not use it for the same reason. Some of the people that tried to use it didn't get through though and lost time rerouting.
There was some grouping in NCT too, and asking for advice on bike shops to use. And something in NC4000 too. One racer from the latter found me along the route of NCT close to where he lives, really nice guy, but insisted I'd come to eat and sleep at his home. Not right, I think.
All kinds of things going on, but it's good to talk about the spirit openly, might make it more established.
Samuli
Indeed, tho in a way it might be entertaining to do a race where everything is allowed. Use illegal border crossings (unofficial gravel crossings are tempting, but it wouldn't be fair for others to brake the law, as it's in the rules you must obey it the local laws) share hotel rooms and even ride in a group for a while, then try to do a breakaway later. Dump things you don't need anymore along the course and finish with an empty bike. Book everything before the race. Ride on motorways and through every red light like you were in an alleycat etc.
But that would be a very different race to TCR. And where would it end. Taking ferries. Trains. Cars. Flights.