Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

And he has the control car just in front of him. Must be navigable from there on.

Over a border, there was possibility he might not be able to cross there.

I love Darren's determination. He will finish.

And now he's in Montenegro without a passport stamp, he may not be allowed out again :-)

@CarlosBI now well on his way up the same goat track.

^ unless there's a similar route to exit? Will be interesting to see how this develops.

Hoping the control car is not intercepting to send him back.

Uh-oh, looks like a turn around. Was it listed as a prohibited crossing?

{edit} No, on the move again.

Alley cat races don't have many rules.

From seeing all the folk who are utterly soaked... I'm seriously considering running mudguards at next year's TCR.

Front mudguard also gives you a great place to mount the front light that is up high enough, not on the bars, and not underneath a bar-bag.

Having stalked all the top ten contender's rigs I was wondering just that. Surely worth 100g or so for some raceblades!

Ride without. If it rains make a mudguard from plastic bottle and cable ties.

Surely worth 100g or so for some raceblades!

Didn't one rider ditch their raceblades early on? Probably regretting that decision now!

surely the way to get into this gig is either by audaxing (I'd do a LEJOG or a LEL) or getting into the 12/24 TT circuit? I have just finished building a touring bike from a cross check so would be up for the former. Next bike is a TT though but some bugger just smashed my clubs 20 year old 12 hour time and is looking at the 24 next.

Problem is the time it takes to get to this level of day-on-day fitness. Racing is possible with a life because 8-14 hours a week is just about maintainable but when a training ride is 36-48 hours minimum away from the house...

Having done that, and having just put a set of PDW metal guards on my bike. No.

All good for @skinny ;-)

Him and Kristof Allegaert must rate as Tour de France 1911 contenders surely? Is Mike Hall that fast?

One of the Pairs riding further up - I think the leading team - has been using a mantra apparently which is "Sleep more to ride faster". Decent rest and recovery are the key.

Sorry about your collar bone. Hope it is healing well.

How much does Alex ride? What other events has she done?

We were discussing tactics before she left.

1. Hardly sleep, comfortable steel bike, plod along.
   
2. Sleep lots, stiff carbon machine, smash, sleep repeat.
   
   

Not a huge amount, neither of us have! Just loads of solo stupid long rides and mini tours.

Solo stupid long rides sounds like ideal preparation. One of the most difficult aspects of the ride must be being alone for such a sustained period of time. Being used to losing oneself in ones thoughts must reallyy help.

Hating yourself a lot is key.

If anyone wants to join me in 2017 prep......?

http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-549/

I'm short of a 600 for my SR so was thinking about it. Would be my 1st 600 though!

Dead flat, do it! Parents live next to the start point. Staying there Friday, train back to London Sunday.

After wanting to do some of Tom's rides for a while, it's just dawned on me that it starts around 6miles from Stansted. Lightbulb moment!

Ding Ding!

@skinny's going to get 2nd place isn't he? Absolutely awesome. Chapeau.