Search results for:

I’m in as well
Have given up wondering what summer will bring

I have a place; its my first TCR. Very aware that the veterans will say its not a real TCR!
They will have a point though; its less a ride across europe and more a ride across France and italy with a little bit of Greece at the end?
Not a criticism of the organisers - they have huge issues to deal with and any event will be a victory
Not sure if I will do this one; might do Transiberica again instead...

Looks mega
https://bikepacking.com/plog/migration-gravel-race-kenya/

Roster is filling up fast; last I looked there was 6 names...
I think this year is up north as slightly cooler than Southern Spain in Aug which would be savage
My nav is normally atrocious, but I think the first 900km go through France
So its a very different vibe to previous ones

Strongly tempted ! Loved this one

Not sure if anyone saw this article? Seems really condescending to me
A woman (Pro) managed to ride 1000km in 5 days. 5 days in a row. A woman !

https://cyclingtips.com/2020/11/her-race-was-cancelled-at-the-last-minute-so-she-rode-1000-km-home/

I used Squirt for my last race
Have to say; it seems impossible to keep a chain clean riding 15+hrs a day, day after day

I have not used it yet, but the new Silca wax lube looks good. Comes in a small bottle option as well

Let the bike and tyre choice discussion commence !

I entered and have a place. Have until 18th to commit. Anyone else here going?

Probably the best way to avoid all this US election nonsense !

Thanks for your input
I appreciate its no one rule; will depend how deep you raced, how much sleep etc
And yes experience is a big one; you would expect your recovery to be better as you do more of these

I have heard that if you take blood work from a triathlete after an Ironman their hormones are all over the place for weeks. And that’s 10-14 hrs (albeit at a higher intensity)
So it makes sense
Makes it even more impressive the guys who race 4-5 times a year

How long does it take you guys to ‘recover’ from an ultra
By recover I mean (a) feel like you can (and want) to do a 2-3 hr Z2 ride
And then (b) how long before your top end threshold comes back
And (c) does the above vary based on if you did a 3-4 day ‘sprint’ vs the longer stuff

I will go first
I did Transiberica 6 weeks ago; normal riding was okay after 10 days but anything near threshold is still atrocious - am 40 watts down!
Thats a 2800km route and I am surprised just how long it took to recover
When I have done sprints of c.1000km I have felt decent 2 weeks later
It seems recovery length is compounded by distance - its non linear (for me at least)
If I did TABR I would likely be out of action for months !

Curious if the above is shared by others; or if some people recover much quicker than others?

Thanks for that one; looks cool
I agree on Brittany; we had an extended family holiday there 3 years ago; amazing beaches etc
I took my bike and had a great time
Def a place to go back to !

Love your work....

Maybe not - just looking for some inspiration amongst all the gloom!

Bored at work - shall we create a list of known events for 2021 (esp those that were due to run in ‘20 and were delayed)
For instance “Classics story” is 5th April - looks great but hardly any press about it

BikingMan Corsica on now; but there is a curfew in Corsica between 9pm-6am. So really its just a 3-4 day training camp.....

Have to think that solo country events (RATN, 2VS, Transiberica etc) have a much better chance than TCR, Northcape etc. Thats a nightmare - only takes 1 country to derail whole thing

52 hrs is just ridiculous on a course that tough
He combines going fast with just not stopping. Lead the first climb, and never relinquish it....
Its a pretty unbeatable combo

When I looked this morning I could not believe how many people near the ferry already
Normally Ulrich is miles ahead; but this year the top 6 are all very strong
If you stop for any sort of a kip this year you lose 5 places

I bet the 6th finisher time beats Ulrichs time last year

I did this last yr; ferries were plentiful and only a 20min crossing
They had food and coffee on them; bliss
I remember wishing the crossing could have taken much longer !

This year everyone seems much faster; even guys who did it last yr. Not sure if weather is better or just competition lifting the pace. Very impressive either way

From memory the Appenine section is properly exposed and limited food and hotels; this is where wheels can and will come off...

Gravel is great on a gravel bike; not when you dont want it at 3am! My other fear is getting on a road that’s marked not for cyclists; I see in last years edition that was a recurring issue for people. I would have a proper sense of humour failure...

So I am doing this bad boy; its 3x the distance of anything I have done before. To say I am unprepared is a huge understatement
I read last years reports with great interest; a mixture of laughing and fear....
Based on the epic Badlands, these boys can put on an event....

To save me from bombarding Hippy via DM I want him to recap his race last year and give me all his tips in one place !!