Transcontinental Race No. 5 - TCR5 - #TCRN05 - 2017

Why avoid Germany?

no streetview makes me a little nervous

Wait until you get further east :P

I hate to plan in Germany, especially because there are also quite a lot of roads not allowed for cyclists.
But I hate Hungary. It is worst ever. So many cyclists not allowed signs! Never saw something like that.
Well, good luck for planning! :) At least the part in Germany I can test out on a weekend-trip! :)

Yes, Andy did quite well, last year. He also did the event in South-Africa. Michael Wacker which was in the Top10 at TCR also started at TABR last year but had to scratch due knee problems. So, might got more time to relax before TCR! :)

Yeah, Michael was one of the riders I spoke to during the race. Nice guy.

He was the only rider I met before TCRNo4. I met him on a 600km RAAM-quali event in Switzerland in the middle of the night. He lost his support-crew and had no batteries anymore! :) So I helped him out though I was unsupported. He is a nice guy.

Any of you lot made any plans for getting home?

Still not sure how I'm getting to the start, but I'm liking the idea of riding over direct, given Eurostars dislike of bikes. To get home was thinking bike in box, hire care, explore a bit, drive to Athens, fly home.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Meteora/Athens+International+Airport,+Attiki+Odos,+Spata+Artemida+190+04,+Greece/@38.7097978,22.0866788,8.71z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x13590faee8327f39:0x7127add4d8bc32ff!2m2!1d21.6305896!2d39.7217044!1m5!1m1!1s0x14a1901ad9e75c61:0x38b215df0aeeb3aa!2m2!1d23.9484156!2d37.9356467!3e0?hl=en

Wonder where the nearest car hire joint is to Meteora?
http://www.meteora-carrental.com/

They don't seem to do trains in Greece. Am I wrong?

There's a fairly limited network;

https://www.raileurope.com/europe-travel-guide/greece/map.html

Yeah, bit limited when we finish in the dead zone NW of all their train lines.

Looks like I might fly the missus over and get her to hire a car in Athens or Ioannina and then we can explore a bit while heading back towards Athens. Or I could ride the 350-400k down to Athens...

Although: https://www.visitmeteora.travel/en/getting-to-meteora/getting-to-meteora-by-train

Greece doesnt really have much in the way of a transport system, although I took the train from athens to meteora about 10 years ago. The carriages were straight out of the 50s, wood panelling rickety benches and compartments. We did have to take a coach for a bit from the train to meteora proper. It was fine, but slow. I imagine the best option is to cycle to the train station then jump on the train.

Yeah, I think there is a direct train. Will just need to find out about carting bikes and what exploring the missus wants to do.

Meteora is pretty spectacular. As you'll be there already it is worth a look around, especially if any of the monasteries are open.

I've booked a BA flight from Thessaloniki home on the 14th. Hoping to finish on the 12th, take a day resting at Meteora then take a train to the airport.

Yeah, I expect we'll have a look around there. I hope their bottle shops are preparing for my arrival.

Thessaloniki

Odd that didn't come up when I searched for Int Airports in Greece. Feckin' google maps.
I'll have a look at that option, cheers.

Yeah, my reasoning was that it is the same distance away from Meteora and slightly closer to the UK, so a bit quicker to get home.

I had two ideas so far for me:
1) Taking the train to Athens, do a day sightseeing and fly home.
2) Ride or taking the bus to Igoumenitsa and from there take the ferry to Venice from where I probably get back by train. Maybe would be nice to take this cruise after the TCR. :)

But the main problem will be to reach the finish! :)

Northern Greece is beautiful, lots to do. I stopped in Florina before, beautiful little town.

FYI all, busses in greece are cheap and really good, they're pretty happy to take bikes too.

I've got a cool idea for getting home brewing, but I need to look at the logistics of it more!

You're a lazy student. Just ride home. ;)

Not a big fan of buses but thanks for the tips.

I'm planning on it.

Yeah buses wasn't for you, but more generally. The Florina tip was for you.

Booked flights. Hope TABR doesn't kill me before I get to use them.

is it nuts to use spd-sl for this? If i take some cleat covers with me?

I'm just aware that I'm quite comfortable with those pedals and cleats. Not sure I could say the same for spds or anything else.

Not nuts, just annoying when you need to walk places. Unless you swap to SPD now and test them out though I'd stick with what works on the bike. I'd use SPD or ATAC given a choice but have to stick with Speedplay which are shit for walking on and fill up with dirt anywhere not on road.