Ultracycling

"When going for the double backflip, you really have to throw your hips forward and not extend your arms too much or it slow the rotation down"

Thanks - scratch or no scratch I'm just so happy I got the chance to come out and gain experience in such a testing event

You did a hell of a lot more than beat last year's 50km then Chris/Tom's 400km! Once you passed death forest I knew you'd make the finish.

More pics to come on the drive in a week if ya need
Great meeting ya - I'm sure I'll be in Girona again. Possibly next year.

That jersey must be older than some of the members on here.

It's got some stories to tell I'm sure. It's full zip which is handy and I basically didn't want to use anything new because I knew it'd get ripped to shreds on the blackberries etc.

and black is slimming right? RIGHT?!

It befits a former club hill climb champion.

Good description! I can't begin to imagine taking on a beast like that. Well done on getting round and good luck with the rehab!

Strasser's '10 lessons' from his second TCR. Well worth a read if you are doing any ultra.
It will basically tell you what is in the various threads on here but without loads of searching and repetition!

It sounds like he is getting well down the learning curve now. Spoiler alert - he has realised that it is more efficient to use hotels than sleep out!

I found his comments on diet the most interesting.

https://www.christophstrasser.at/aktuelles_live_newsletter/news/aktuelles_detailansicht/tcrno9-fazit-und-meine-10-wichtigsten-lektionen/?fbclid=IwAR1ksuva-mK6np25QJKHI_t7CIfFslCPN3qlGG9yKJZIUrfk9f0L__4y3nU

In German but the google translation is fine.

Anyone done any Race Across events? Considering dipping a toe and doing the 500km version Race Across France.

Oh well, paid for an entry. No better way to see how shit I am

How much is it?

Yesterday it was 150-odd euros (can't find the receipt). I could probably go out and ride the distance myself but a little support/encouragement for the first time can't hurt.

The full-fat 2500km one is 400e. No idea if that is normal for that sort of thing or not (there's trackers and bag drops and the like)

I can't see it on their website, nothin seems to work on it, maybe it's me.

There isn't really a 'normal' yet. Prices are the wild west, like organisers are.

Have fun!

I think it only works if you have the French language site up rather than the English version. This is the URL:

https://in.njuko.com/race-across-france-by-van-rysel-2024?currentPage=select-competition

Oh, and they changed the name of their "series" so the website changed too... Google hasn't caught up and they've not redirected the traffic.

https://raceacrossseries.com/

The endless redirects don't help. Do they have any actual descriptions of the events?

Other than the very high level images of France with a trace on and the fact everyone has to ride over the Ventoux, I think no.

I might go do one of their gravel events too, as an excuse for a weekend in Brussels.

Not done any but I did consider doing the France one last year and would have done it if no other commitments. It looked pretty good too me. Certainly on the more expensive end of the spectrum, though.
Let us know how you get on!

I'd imagine I'll get on slowly. Longer term plan is to do PBP next time around, so need to start pushing the boundaries of what's comfortable a bit.

Anyone recommend any events that take in the Dolomites (road, not gravel) ? Can be audaxes or 'ultras', whatever the difference is.

I know TPBR usually passes through a chunk of them but I've heard from a few people that you don't really get much for your entry fee, so wondering what else there is around there.

Italian audax? There's a bit in the ALPI4000 but I'd probably look for a shorter Dolomite specific event if that's what you're after. Have a poke around some Italian rando sites. Or just plan a tour stealing some existing routes.

Starts tomorrow, first time since 2019 edition:
https://japaneseodyssey2023.maprogress.com/

Ah yes ALPI4000 looks decent. Alps Divide looks OK too but sounds like they've put a load of off road in there.

Alps Divide

I've looked at this before. I guess it was mentioned here or in a Dotwatcher email or something.

I don't remember it having a route but it's here now

https://www.komoot.com/collection/2326236/-alps-divide-the-ultra-provisional-route

It doesn't look bad and unlike TPBR I like that they'll transport your cardboard bike box to the finish. Would like to not fly to the next one of these that I do, so need to weigh it up.

Alps divide is very much off road

yeah, definitely too many surfaces that aren't tarmac for me on closer inspection