Transcontinental Race No. 9 - TCR9 - #TCRN09 - 2023

Sit back and enjoy it! Not been to the Po valley can't say I've any desire to return. Andy does seem to put together some good routes, will be interesting to hear how it goes.

What are the go to insurers and dr notes? Got some GP mates, do I just need a letter from them saying I won't die?

There is usually a suggested wording of the doctors letter in the race manual. My GP was happy to give me a note for a nominal fee. I used Yellow Jersey and they did pay out for a small claim made which they paid without fuss, so I would use them again.

I'll double check the manual. Thanks.
And will take a look at yellow jersey.

who's doing this? I am volunteering at the start this year be good to meet you

Hive mind...this ferry crossing at the Bay of Kotor....good or no good within the rules of TCR?

For me...not allowed. Its not a river and technically you could argue its parallel to the coast to the east.

EDIT:
The previous year’s winner, Kristof Allegaert, had built up quite a lead, but took a forbidden ferry that was a shortcut across the mouth of Kotor Bay instead of taking the road around it. He was fortunate that this was not far from Mount Lovćen, so when he was informed of his mistake at the checkpoint, he was able to descend, rectify his error, and re-do the climb. This lost him about 5 hours total but he was still in the lead.

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Current year manual should say something on these things. But likely any ferry is not ok, unless stipulated so.

Hum, i was reading that as ok. But now re-reading you might be right it's not ok.
All is reminding me I've loads of route stuff to do.

I am not racing but having ridden a very small section of that coast road I never want to be there on a bicycle again. I think most people will choose it as a path of least resistance but it seems like hundreds of miles of lorry, coach and fumigated hell.

And enjoy the headwind!

If they're half smart they'll look at old race trackers.

I've ridden that bit, right round the bay. It was 13 years ago, and not in the peak of summer, but it wasn't too bad for traffic then, and absolutely stunning scenery.
I've also done some of the cost road further north in Croatia and know how bad it is.

Actually I recall on that trip that I tried to reroute onto back roads near dubrovnik, but couldn't find any decent alternatives. It was less busy in Montenegro, and fairly quiet by the time I got into Albania.

Not seen this year's manual but last year's was clearly worded to say 'the only Ferries allowed are...'

Frank please leak the entrants list like you did last year from the race manual ;)

Hahahaha yes pls :)

List is out https://www.transcontinental.cc/rider-list

it begins...

I'll be dotwatching this year. I romanticised TCR forever, got to ride a parcour in Italy with the pack back in 2019. An awesome day that was. I applied for the bursary one year, but I don't think I'll ever end up doing it because it just seems so unsafe.

I grew up, toured and audaxed in eastern europe, and every time I go back to visit family I realise how messed up the roads and drivers are. People dunk on UK drivers, but compared to home, they're a breeze.

I still have reverence for the TCR and the riders, but I don't know if I'll ever convince myself to do it.

Trackerlink https://www.followmychallenge.com/live/tcrno9/

This year will be the first TCR to feature a Green Leaderboard, a concurrent race to find the fastest person to cross Europe and use sustainable travel to get to and from the Race.

rigs pictures please...

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Urgh I'm not into that.

4 lots of parcour in Greece? I like Greece so that's cool I guess. Oh wait, except i'm not riding. I'm out.

Not into the green leaderboard you mean? How come?

It's convoluted I think (my answer). It's great to try new things and it's very easy to criticise others ideas. I'm just not sure what it ultimately achives. Maybe it will achieve inspiration and get more people travelling sustainablly. But then we all know trains can be expensive, cycling to and from events takes time. And really, is taking perhaps one/two flights a year to do an event the evil we need dissuade, people are already riding their bikes across Europe. What if someone has bought all new stuff for the event and is rich enough to return by train or car or etc. But another is using an old second hand bike and used kit but taking a flight home because it's cheap or time limited. It doesn't even consider somones wider impact on an annual basis.

I get it, it's a nice idea. Just not sure painting some people as better than others, by a very rudimentary criteria is needed here. But that's me, and it's easy to criticise.

Hadn't realised that this was so close to starting. Which forumengers are riding it this year? I always enjoy it more when there are people on here riding.

Jackmcree
Bossman
Mikko

Sadly I’ll no longer be on the start line. Have picked up a knee problem I just can’t seem to get rid of so have to bail. Best of luck @mikko & @Bossman

Sorry to hear that. I hope it sorts itself out soon.