Trans Am Bike Race / TransAm / TABR

Maybe mental support rather physical . I recall he had a big crash and recovered so this must be a blow .

He seems to have people looking after his instagram and in race photos being taken, not sure what the rules are on this. Photos could of been taken beforehand!

Jodi Ashley, 65. Had a broken rear d, but keeping in the spirit. Only managed to cover 100miles so far. Hope she makes it.

https://www.facebook.com/people/Jodi-Ashley/1024417275

Hippy not too far behind is he? Hope he is not serious about giving up. Seems like the others are sleeping and he's making ground back.

Indeed. Everyone will have at least one shit day.

He's back up into 16th and should start to pick off people after his long rest. The only question is whether he can stay injury free enough to keep going.

Loving how close it is at the front. A proper Ding Dong.

Also, I'm getting the impression that Ben likes his bivvy. It looks like he spent last night behind a hedge and tonight he's just resting up at a layby. John Lester however appears to have checked in at the "Old Faithful". Wonder if this will make a difference in the end. I think I know where I'd prefer after 1300 miles in 4 and a bit days.

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He's had a tough 1000 miles and there's a tough 1000 to go before the 'downhill' section. Believe he can do it tho

We need pics of the hedge for a fair comparison.

The problem with nice places is you never want to leave them and you'll end up staying longer (which equals less time on the road).

Obviously if your bivvy/wildcamp setup is shit then you'll get far lower quality rest, but once you get tired enough you'll be happy sleeping on icy gravel.

Bit stalky, but thats dot watching I suppose.

In the interests of comparison, I think the first was last night's hedge.

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And this is tonight's lay-by...

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I think id prefer the hedge. as Greenbank mentioned ^ if its too nice you'll spend less time on bike. and look at those views!

Weather forecast says it's between 7 and 26C today in Wisdom, Montana.

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It's probably for the best that hippy doesn't do bivvies, he'd just leave craters everywhere.

Looks stunning if not monotonous. Right now its 2:30 am so just a straight dark road. Nothing on the flatlands of Kansas though. That looks like a headfuck.

I wish I had known about Audax and other types of silly cycling when I lived in KS (2000-2001). Some of the rides there have minimal routesheets:-

Start at Bill's Diner.
Turn L out of control
After 62.2 miles R into control (Bob's Diner)
Turn L out of control
After 62.2 miles R into finish control (Bill's Diner).

As a swimmer I'm used to monotony. I love the headspace I get when on a long ride (never done anything TABR long, only up to 1400km).

Those long straights look like a place where one might be caught riding with the helmet hanging behind the saddle, shirt/jacket flapping open and singing Born to be wild.

Isn't that what Lachlan Morton does?

Another tweetspunk from him, sounding positive.

I hope he clears Ken and Anthony. Saves me having to scroll down the list of riders to find his name. Stupid tiny screen.

Maybe just poor choice of words.

Yeah, you're probably right. And friends and family are allowed on route in TransAm unlike Tour Divide. Whatever my view of this, it's legit for them to be around as long as they don't physically help him.

That said, mental support can be a big thing. At times bigger than physical.

You shouldn't be phoning home for route/race help/booking hotels. But getting someone to post pictures is cool. I don't see a problem with phoning for advice. But it becomes a grey area with that kind of stuff.

Yep, and it's down to how much of a purist you are. I like the Tour Divide rule about no spectators that you know as the moral boost you could gain as a local over someone who's flown in from Europe is a factor. I remember coming in to Steamboat Springs with Mike Schlitmann who lives there, and he had to stay in a motel, and not see his wife while he was there. Some local riders rode with him for a few miles, but beyond that he self regulated and made sure that he didn't get any extra benefits over other racers beyond his local knowledge of where to eat.

The temptation to pop home for a shower and sleep in your own bed must be huge!

Yeah, TCR rules are pretty good, you can visit people at checkpoints but not in between.

I like dot watchers who come out and support racers.

I will admit, in TCR last year, I went through my parents town in the south of france, as did 95% of the race. They'd been out supporting loads of racers who came though. I did see them and say hello, mainly to give them back the hotel key I'd cycled off with from Geraardsbergen, the hotel manager was NOT happy. I wasn't bothered by a conflict of interest here, as I was 2 days behind the leaders. And it was pure coincidence the race went through their town, who were really keen about it when my parents put out the word.

But I do find some dot watchers a bit over keen. This guy in macedonia was holding up a carrier bag as I came done a hill at 35mph trying to get me to take it! I know some guy did take his bag of food, as they said so, which is OK. But I wouldn't. Plus at other points people have almost demanded I stop for a photo.

I'm all for dot watchers coming out and supporting, but a bit like in Pro races, don't get to close and leave the racers to be.