2VS - Two Volcano Sprint - South Italy

Not sure I'll manage to go, but I'd suggest you have a look at this nice ride in South of Italy, volcano to volcano.

https://www.twovolcanosprint.com

And you start from this city :

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/campania/naples/travel-tips-and-articles/italys-coolest-city-why-naples-is-the-place-to-be-right-now

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The 2020 Two Volcano Sprint (Founded and directed by Juliana Buhring) is due to start on Sunday, October 18th, at 05:30am. Didn't catch it last time, I think the route is slightly different through Sicily on this one.
My dot watching sweepstake is all set up..

I know @skinny is racing and a bunch of other hitters. Anyone else from lfgss?

Yes, they've cut out some hills just after it goes into sicily and stick to the coast, so slightly less climbing.

I had a close look at this but decided not to, partly because I didn't fancy flying, but also as I really wasn't sure I could get round it in the time limit, given how hilly is. It looks really tough, there are some gravel sections, and dark nights make it even harder.

No problem for @skinny, though!

This might make it harder for some people to do it.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/15/italy-poised-to-be-removed-from-englands-travel-corridor

Leaving Italy there was always fucking dodgy. Definitely some brown envelopes changing hands somewhere for them to stay untouched.

Are we only banning countries that are in a BETTER Covid state than us now?

and they're off...

https://www.followmychallenge.com/live/2vs/2020/?40.610015,14.55156,11.36

@skinny currently in 5th. The view must be great on that road.

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Shame that Fiona Kolbinger didn't start.

With the amount of climbing it's difficult to see anyone but Ulrich as the favourite.

I'm sure this is answered somewhere, but how does it work with the ferry crossing? Will people who have to wait for the ferry while others behind get there be started with time gaps again on the Sicilian side?

Neil is vlogging a bit: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfSgMCnZblgvsBJrtWVlZBoigP7ZAkj_7

Looking anecdotally at a couple of 2019 ride reports, there's no mention of any time control at the ferry. They seem to go every couple of hours, so maybe just a question of pacing the ride in.
Looks like quite an effort on the other side so maybe a bit of a rest while waiting would be welcomed by some.

Ulrich has got a 20km lead over Sofiane. Amazing distance they've covered in the first day given the climbing.

Looks like Skinny has either slept in or has tracker problems - back in 25th with tracker not updated for 10 hours. Or maybe he has scratched.

Broken RD after a crash. He's ok but isn't planning on doing 600k with 2 gears.

Ah, bad news.
600k on 2 gears is one thing, but the 20,000m is what would sway it for me!

It's only 15,000m and he does have the shoes for walking it. ;)

So he did try to singlespeed his drivetrain and has now split the freehub body in two!

That sounds like game over. :(

Where is he posting? Instagrief?

That's an epic story in the making there...

I already told him it's only epic if he walks to the finish. He's not walking to the finish. :D

Well, obviously, some people are better prepared and take their walking shoes on long bike rides, e.g. a 100 mile time trial.

This movie was very formulative in my youth...

https://youtu.be/y3aRMO2SP7Y?t=43

Thanks, by the way.