Transcontinental Race

[Gruffy]

I have, thanks. I'm looking at it and thinking he's travelling about as light as any rider on the race, but I'm not sure what else you'd actually need in your kit list. Hopefully I'll figure this stuff out over the next year because I suspect I will want/need a little more than somebody of Josh's experience.

[Gruffy]

SWMBO has already started to drop my entry of TCR16 into conversation with her friends (with accompanying ) which means the pass is confirmed.

First task is to identify the right bike ahead of the winter, to spare the Canyon. Having done a little more research the criteria are:

• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Clearance for 25-28mm tyres
• Durable wheels and dynamo hub
• Di2 would be a big advantage (and I could move it to the Canyon after the race)
• It would double as a winter bike so guards and durability would be good

It's all starting to tot up to a bigger price tag than I'd like though. I'll be looking to see if I can recruit some corporate sponsorship. I already know Genesis supported three riders with Datums this year as part of their testing program. The Datum does look ideal too.

[Gruffy]

Entries for TCR No.4 open tomorrow, along with the announcement of the finish line location. Some veteran racers are making noises about returning if it goes somewhere new but probably not bothering if it's Istanbul again. I can see pros and cons either way. I'm in regardless.

I've also begun a blog to journal my build up and participation, for those that might be interested in following my story. The Adventure Capitalist.

[leyorkie]

Fingers crossed for your entry.
It's the only way I can enjoy the TCR.

[Celtic Dragon]

Fingers crossed for you Gruffy, I will be reading your blog for certain. Reading the Facebook group, there certainly seems an element amongst the veterans wanting a harder route, like over 4000km isn't hard enough!

[Gruffy]

I don't mind what it is really. It's already silly and plenty tough enough to sort the wheat from the chaff. Making it tougher won't really change much except making it longer.

I'd be happy to see a new 'route' as I think being a veteran TCR rider gives you a substantial advantage and this would reduce it a lot and make my chances better. A flatter, longer route would better suit my strengths too, but I don't think we'll see that.

I'm just looking forward to a proper adventure, in whatever form they devise.

[ShortShift811]

I'm a bit of a lurker on here, but just wanted to say chapeau Gruffy!

A proper adventure and I'll be following your blog with interest.

[richardxjr]

You're a bloody looney Gruffy, best of luck

[adamwri]

Chapeau Gruffy! Keep us posted on the status and I'll be bookmarking your blog.

[timnoyce]

I've also bookmarked your blog Gruffy. Look forward to reading it with great interest!

[Gruffy]

Gruffy said:

I don't mind what it is really.

I take that back. They're hinting that TCR No4 is one for the climbers. Oh well, that's my winter training sorted then.

[Usget]

Full route now online. Finish line outside Istanbul for the first time.

http://bikepackersmagazine.com/transcontinental-ra...

[Gruffy]

Lumpier than my mum's mashed potato.

[Gruffy]

After a crude session on ridewithgps it comes out at 4,000km with 50,000m of climbing. Five and a half Everests in less than two weeks. Punchy.

[richardxjr]

Now I don't mind a hill (slowly) but that's a metric stload. My whole summer's riding in 2 weeks, Jeez.

[okgo]

Mate James is doing it again, seems fired up too. Reckon he may win it this time!

[loudlashadjuster]

Blog is great, Gruffy, added it to Feedly. Can't wait to see how this unfolds

[adamwri]

okgo said:

Mate James is doing it again, seems fired up too. Reckon he may win it this time!

Good lad, let's hope he doesn't have to bow out like this year!

[Gruffy]

okgo said:

Mate James is doing it again, seems fired up too. Reckon he may win it this time!

Unless Kristoff has another pop, my money would be on James to win it, based on this year's performance. He looked incredibly strong and the experience from TCR No.3 can only help.

I was entertaining the slim possibility that there was some way I could be a contender come race time, even if it was chasing a podium rather than the win. The lumpy route definitively rules that out and takes the pressure off somewhat. I'll try to tackle my weaknesses over the next 9 months but I ain't no climber. Now the challenge is a personal one and I'd like to reach the end feeling like I couldn't have got there any quicker, however long that actually takes.

[Gruffy]

My application is in. Hopefully I've made a compelling case for getting a place, but I'm told I'll know by the end of the year. For now I have to assume I'm in and continue with the planning, bike-building and training.