Atlas Mountain Race

Here's Christian Meier's bike https://bikepacking.com/bikes/belle-cycles-ater/

That’s a silly bike. But i guess the bikes most ppl like here are silly in one way or the other.

What's the consensus about Petervary? I remember reading something about him 'cheating' or using a grey area in the rules a while ago but can't remember any punishment or something like that?

Worth a listen for JayPs view of things.

Thanks, that's the morning commute sorted.

Worth a listen as it gives his side to the old, old accusations and also the business last year about Laels TD film. Comes across as quite reasonable. Think Salsa were shitty to him as well.

Anyone know what happened to Meier? Tracker problem?

Don't know, but at least he said "Tonight I'm really gonna sleep. These guys are crazy" in Pedaled's insta stories.

Ah, makes sense.

Issues with saddle sores and possibly shermers neck according to atmrs Instagram

Little Chrome extension to link to Insta Stories: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/high-resolution-downloade/hbijmiokbffalbolieapplfhmmnioeao

Maybe you can use this in the reports? This link doesn't "disappear" after 24 hours so it can be handy for people who read your reports a bit later. Just an idea. :)

I will give this a whirl in this morning's update. Thanks for the tip!

12h rest in a race?

Sofiane hasn't slept/stopped for more than an hour in 49h, since the beginning of the race. Good or bad strategy, that is impressive.

This Petervary interview is absolutely bollocks.

'I ask people who might want to do Tour Divide: would you do it if you weren't a dot on the map? Would you do if you weren't on social media?'

Which he says in an interview on a fucking podcast! Would Petervary do it if he weren't on social media and rode the most high profile off-road 'races' in the world? Would he continue to do it if he didn't somehow earn his living from being a influencer? He also completely dodges the question of how he affords to ride multiple events in the same calender year.

He questions the motives of other riders who want to ride their bike on someone else's dime in exchange for talking about their products. It's his whole fucking business model! His astounding lack of self-awareness washes away any credibility.

I did that in my first TCR :D Didn't plan to, but didn't hear the alarm. But yeah, apparently he also has some problems to deal with.

Indeed. I went on like that once for about 62 hours, which was fine, but for the last 12, I didn't have much left. And he still has half of the race left. But it might be ok, with a stop of few hours next night.

This has been pretty great so far. Skinny is well placed, Sofiane is being his unique self and making it interesting. He has the sort of determination you probably need to take it to James. Hope for another close finish.

That first question he asks is fair enough I think. The races were formed in this spirit. Sounds like he has enough history that he knew a time when the TD was raced by simply turning up and riding hard. Wish he'd talked a bit more about that.

@skinny vs. Sofiane again or will Sofiane be able to hold his lead? Hopefully @skinny will hold off JP. @CarlosBI is still up there too.

Liam Yates has scratched after 7 punctures which got me thinking about tyres/bike choice. What do you all think?

Gravel and skinny tubeless tyres? Full-sus, lower pressure 2 inch tyres? Sofiane is on a gravel bike, Skinny on a hardtail, Jay on gravel...hard to choose one "correct" choice I guess.

I didn't see Skinny or Sofiane's bikes in the bikepacking article. Would have liked to see their setups.

Skinny's here...not a close up or with any details bit you get the gist.

And I take back what I said about Sofiane's bike: he's on a rigid hardtail!

Yeah I was hoping for a breakdown and a full on shot to satisfy my gear lust! :)

Ok, now you're peeing in the soup!