Transcontinental Race No. 7 - TCR7 - #TCRN07 - 2019

I figure if I get there Tuesday and I have major bike issues it might just be enough time to sort it...?

Getting worried now about having booked a flight with a connection. Anyone had a bike lost or damaged by an airline or had any experience with Norwegian air?

I wouldn't really worry about it I've never had a bike lost - in fact I think there's a higher chance that a bike will make it onto a flight in general just because it'll have to be done manually rather than go on the automatic machines. Additionally, it won't be the airline handling your bike - it'll be the airport workers at Gatwick and Burgas.

Obviously a connection will add some risk but not a huge amount - how long is your connection?

@GoatandTricycle that's what I figured. If your bike doesn't make it onto the flight it'll probably turn up in the next day or so

That puts my mind at rest a bit.

Arrive in Copenhagen 1420, depart there at 1800. Does this length of time make a difference?

I heard that one airline lost the bike of a TCRno6 rider when he flew from Germany to Belgium which resulted in him starting late.

When I flew Norwegian, without a bike, I was really impressed. So would expect their customer service to be good.

I’d think a long transfer is better than a short one that it could miss.

A longer transfer is generally better. If you flight into Copenhagen is delayed for whatever reason then if you’ve gotto run to the next flight your bike not make it. 4 hours should be more than enough time to account for a flight delay or slow baggage handling staff at Copenhagen.

The rider you’re talking about is Jürgen Knupe, I think? His situation was slightly different - there was a security scare at Munich airport which meant there was a lock down.

How many days are you getting there in advance?

Norwegian are budget with a not great record for reliability, think it's in the bottom ten EMEA airlines for punctuality so I would be a little wary about getting a connection with them if it's tight.

It was on their long-haul rather than short-haul but one of my colleagues was delayed for nigh on two days recently.

Customer service is around Easyjet/Ryanair levels so I wouldn't expect them to bust a gut to get you on another flight if you missed a connection. (And missing connections is most likely to screw up luggage.)

Yes, it was Jurgen Knupe. I didnt know it was a securitt scare.

Getting there on the 24th. Too tight you think?

Oh dear. Bit worried now. Unfortunately I cant cancel it without losing what i paid. Guess will have to hope for the best!

The 24th should be fine!

Can't believe this is something I can comment on but as someone who has probably slept overnight at Luton airport a dozen times, it's definitely not my favourite airport for doing this. Limited spots with no footfall all night, cold and generally noisy. Places like Stansted or Gatwick are dreamy in comparison. Am actually staying at the airport tonight but at the Ibis budget, is only £30 for a twin room, seems a no brainer for the chance of a few hours peace, especially if you can find someone to share with.

A 4 hour change gives you scope for a couple of hours delay and still comfortably making your connection so you should be OK.

Phew! Thanks.

How’s the (sleep) training going?

Home of that windmill...?

(cautiously) better - last two nights have only had 1 interruption each. I've learned in the past not to get too hopeful though...

Sounds promising!

Home of that windmill...?

Yes. Don't know if it based on anything more than the windmill being a question, and someone reckoning it was a better route to cp1 from there

I figure if I get there Tuesday and I have major bike issues it might just be enough time to sort it...?

Depends when the bike gets there!

I'd like to go on the Tuesday but will most likely go for the Wednesday to reduce time away by a day. For indypac I cut it fine (arrived Friday lunchtime for Sunday am start) and didn't have much time to get everything ready. Building up the bike always takes longer than I expect.

For indypac I cut it fine (arrived Friday lunchtime for Sunday am start

No jetlag?

I was thinking if it didn’t get there haha

Perth is 8 hours which is a lot but much easier than 11 to the east coast.
I hardly slept on the plane and was tired at the wrong times to sleep on the Friday and Saturday night so I started completely sleep dep'd.
But once the ride was underway, it all fell into place. Wonderful sleep in motel at the end of day 2, and I was fine.

did you eat meat throughout the race? i think you previously mentioned you did during TCR one year?

I had meat twice, which was when it was a good, local food and there wasn't an alternative without. One time was a pizza in a village in Italy and the other was a bjrek in a village in Bosnia. Both times it was either something nice with meat or nothing, hoping for more packaged junk in the next town.
I'd do the same again when somewhere where non meat options aren't common, but others might feel stronger about never having meat and hold out for another croissant

Loads of coaches from London to Luton pretty much all night should mean you won't have to sleep at the airport

Trains run most of the night too