Trans Am Bike Race / TransAm / TABR

There are a few sections like that over the route. Other times there are less obvious, hard to find bike paths along side the interstates, the route to Breckinridge in particular.

Just looked that up. I take it an Interstate counts as a freeway for these purposes?

Wyoming, the least populated state, allows cycling on all freeways.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled-access_highway#United_States

It's always interesting to see how laws differ in different US states.

Rawlins is renowned for being bastard windy too.

Thinking of driving out there this afternoon, see some riders go through, maybe hippy if he gets a move on. I know that part of I-80 is desolate and fast - I'd be surprised if there's a paved path or access road. But eh, no one's complaining about it.

Terrifying stuff particularly crossing the slip roads, lots of wire from blown out truck tyres too and the occasional road kill deer.

Ah hah, interesting. It'll have a wide shoulder at least. And yes, bastardly windy. Last time I drove through that region I saw semi trucks tipped over on the side of the road.

Darren's frame isn't a Kinesis is it? I thought he had a J.ACK Laverack. Before it developed a fatal crack.

Correct, just flashing it as an example of what could be done.

Darren has given Laverack lots of good pr but I recall he also had issues with seatpost slip with that frame. Combine it with what I've heard about people with Bowman frames having failures, like Paul Buckley, and it would put me off going to one of these smaller bike makers.
I also still don't see the point of titanium bikes!

Isnt it a major freight railway hub for the US? Remember trains that were miles long!

No, hippy really doesn't take trains through the area all that often.

Being able to clean with a Brillo pad is a big positive!

To be fair. Should NOT crack like that. Poor tubing quality or design.

Shit for Darren. Sorry mate.

Wonder if it'd be quicker/easier to buy an off-the-peg Kona or something and get back on it. Logistical faff though, and could get spendy to match wheel axle compatibility for example.

Yes, you would expect Marcel to put some distance into Peter Andersen now. Apparently it is just steep uphills that they struggle with and heat which could be a problem through Kansas maybe. Roller hills no problem they say as you can carry momentum. Still a few riders with a chance of beating Evan's record however, they will have to be consistent though because he didn't let up.

Bowman frames having failures, like Paul Buckley

What happened there?

Darren, in your search for a replacement bike to Rawlins, maybe try asking Newton Bike Shop? They are involved with the race, (you probably already know that) and helpful people, they may know someone who knows someone? Just a thought.

He cracked the frame around 2 or 3 times. All in the same place

That's what Rudy did in TCR couple of years ago when his Van nicholas cracked, bought an otp Bianchi and carried on. Though just any entry level road bike might not be too reliable for such a distance and indeed your dynamo might not fit or your bags.

There seems to be a broken frame or two in these races every year. Carbon, alu, ti, steel.

I think Falconer's Bowman cracked too, but not in a race.

I’ve not seen a steel frame go. Franks forks went, but perhaps different?

Even if it does, nearly anyone with a welder can fix it for you. Not the case with Ti

Don't recall lots of carbon bikes going either.
I'm pretty sure Frank van der Sman's forks were steel but I recall they had a good few miles on them.

Nice pic of @hippy stolen from Facebook.

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Looks like he's just making a show on twitter, that face says "I'm having a grand old time".

Yeah Franks steel fork was what I meant, don't remember seeing a broken steel frame in a race either. Though I have seen a few elsewhere, but they've been cheap or vintage and in heavy use for years. On One, Surly, Genesis. Still, rather reliable.

Saddle too high.

He seemed to be in good spirits the other day, posting about how nice the mountains were and fewer complaints and mentions of quitting.

His beard is looking pretty strong even if the rest of his body is in pain. Funny actually, I guess no one's going to bring a razor* so most male riders are going to be rocking a fair bit of beard by the end

* maybe the leg-shaving weirdos do so that they can stay "aero"