Transcontinental Race No. 6 - TCR6 - #TCRN06 - 2018

https://reportage.transcontinental.cc/?page_id=1301

"Melons, Trucks and Angry Dogs" it was.

I reckon I would double up on dog repelling methods. Electronic device with some kind of pepper/bear spray would be good. Certainly cycling fast isn't really an option for me.

Have read a fair few times about 'Halt' spray in the US taken by people doing Trans America route, particularly for the Kentucky stretch. Mostly sounds like firm commands do the job and most dogs are just 'protecting' territory they see as theirs or inquisitive of bicycles as a highlight of their day.

I'd agree with you on the first bit.

The second bit seems somewhat against the philosophy (which maybe I've imagined) of being open to all including those with little experience, it certainly seems some spaces are specifically for such riders.

I think those of you who have a lot of experience and maybe found such things out the hard way and have ridden such events, since their inception, sometimes let this cloud your judgement on what is and isn't obvious. You are all often incredibly helpful when asked about things but not everyone who is preparing for such events will have been fortunate enough to have contact with people with such experience.

I'm quite curious as to how such inexperienced cyclists or tourers come across and apply to TCR.

I used to do a bit of mountain bike guiding in southern Greece. Shouting, riding straight at them and them and the final mid weight boot to the head if they were really going for it tended to work well. Could see it being significantly scarier at night in the pitch black.

If you don't have experience you do research.

The race philosophy is very much based on finding stuff out for yourself. Explaining every hazard you may or may not encounter is contrary to this.

Find me a TCR or TABR race report that doesn't mention a dog encounter at some point.

Bear spray (can) kills dogs.

So yeah pretty effective if you can get it.

I'm cool with that.

I would be too TBH - if I was being attacked.

To be fair it happens everywhere.

This.

2 loose & angry Akitas chasing me when I had 3yo daughter on front seat remains the most terrifying bike experience I've ever had. That was in nice suburb of Mcr. /ncsb

The clue is in the name, the Transcontinental Race.

You need to demonstrate that you are self sufficient and a capable enough cyclist that you can cope with the challenge to get an entry. If you are inexperienced, then get the experience by doing similar events with less challenging entry criteria, or doing long, unsupported tours.

For me, this is the essential part of the attraction of the event, it should never become some kind of bucket list event for charity cyclists.

Are there entry criteria based on endurance cycling ability? I thought there was an element that any rider could enter and have a shot at it? Might be misremembering but thought I saw Mike say in a clip that he liked the idea that someone would turn up and have a go? Do you need to show Audax ability etc?

The application process this year had a few questions testing basic googling skills. These had to be filled out but supplying evidence of experience or ability was purely optional.

I think turning up and having a go doesn't contradict what's being said above. So you've just learnt how to ride a bike 6 months ago? Great, a perfect candidate. It is still up to you to do the research of what you're about to face before the starting pistol.

Seriously though if he was bitten by a feral dog he should go to the hospital and get sorted. Rabies will kill you, most of the time.

If you only want/allow people who are very experienced at the start of the TCR you would see 50 racers and it would all be over in 12 days.
You can't research everything. No amount of touring or training or reading will prepare you for everything that happens on the road after 3000 km of cycling in some parts of Eastern Europe. It's a good thing TCR allows first timers who just know how to ride a bike but not much more. It's very likely X amount of them will have meltdowns (like me) and everyone copes in a different way.
I needed to vent, not on Facebook but here and on Whatsapp. I couldn't stay of the internet and just shut up. I felt very lonely.

Did Neil do the right thing? No. But it's a bit harsh to just say "You just should have done your research." I fully understand his reaction.

It's not a prerequisite to entry but I'm sure it helps. I imagine riders that don't have much experience will have their applications more closely inspected.

I had rabies shots before my first TCR. Gee, how did I work out that might be needed if it wasn't mentioned in the Race Manual? It's almost like I might've looked into where I was traveling and did things to deal with likely scenarios I would experience on the road.

It's not harsh, it's the same as mocking people who turn up with one Garmin and no backup.

"But then all of this I just put down to being tired and grumpy and everyone loves a good rant now and then so I suggested to my missus to mention the hotel/rest plan."

It's part of the challenge, to get into places and situations you've not been in before. Get unlost and so on, find a way. The dogs I've met there are usually just loud, not actually agressive, and they back off if you're louder. Or stop. I slept on a street in montenegro with local dogs, quiet fellows.

It's not a prerequisite to entry but I'm sure it helps. I imagine riders that don't have much experience will have their applications more closely inspected.

That's true, they filter out people who sound like they don't know what they are doing, or sound like arseholes. They absolutely don't mind inexperience (in fact welcome it) but they don't want people who are going to be hard work and / or risk damaging the reputation of the race.

"I did this so you should have done the same."
I think I was prepared, never thought about getting rabies shots though. :)

I don't know what point you're trying to make.

The point I'm trying to make is that everyone has a different experience level and preparations. You are clearly a good racer with a lot of knowledge about the TCR and other ultra races. In your first races you did a lot a research about things you didn't know at the time and that's a "skill" you have. (Can't find the correct word).

I'm not as skilled and experienced as you but I've been following the ultracycling world very closely for the past two years. I did a lot of research. Don't know about Neil but I would think he also did. But no matter how much I researched, it wasn't until I was in the race I got spooked by traffic. Neil by dogs. We both learned it was much worse than we anticipated at home.
"You should have known if you did your research." I don't know how, I really don't... :/

And I don't think it's the same as someone turning up with 1 Garmin or a crappy bike.

I agree.

I've looked at Rabies shots for TCR (next year) before and discussed bear spray with others.
I however fully appreciate that others might not do as I do and therefor guidance in the race manual for such vaccinations if missing would seem like a good addition.