Transcontinental Race

[Gruffy]

Yes, ferries are allowed but they're not considered to be a particularly quick option. That was last year, when they were headed straight for Lovcen. Now that they have to pass Vukovar too I'm sure it'll be much slower but it does give people the opportunity to rest and recover so for those that need it that might be a decent option.

Unless it was quicker and working towards a faster overall pace I think I'd stick to dry land myself.

[okgo]

I've already told James what to expect from the climb from Kotor to Lovcen as I rode it about a month ago - its quite long https://www.strava.com/segments/2134103 it took me 1hr45 doing tempo up there with no additional kit, could be a 2.5 hour job for them, if not more as it gets steep at points.

[Usget]

Sounds like James H hit a bit of a wall last night (psychologically, not physically) - okgo, give him a text and tell him to keep going (if you hadn't already)

[fromage]

Usget said:

Sounds like James H hit a bit of a wall last night (psychologically, not physically) - okgo, give him a text and tell him to keep going (if you hadn't already)

Sounded very much like physically to me with a fked neck and blistered pubic bone area! He is heading off again shortly and still comfortably in 2nd.

[Gruffy]

Classy move, passing the message to Josh. I doubt it'll change Josh's strategy but chapeau all the same.

[okgo]

Be interesting to see how it goes now, some serious terrain on the way!

[Gruffy]

I'm looking at #29 who took the ferry and is doing CP4 before CP3 (which is allowed) and wondering if he's played a blinder. CP4-Istanbul looks quite a bit lumpier than CP3-Istanbul. It'll be interesting to watch this pan out of the next couple of days.

[Celtic Dragon]

I wondered what he was doing, and as you say, it could be influential in the outcome.

I can't say I've read the rules on this as I know its well out of my abilities, and not the sort of thing I'd go for. I started looking at it as I know someone that was supposed to be racing, but got a better offer.

[Celtic Dragon]

I think Josh has this 1 in the bag now. Having watched little orange flags for the last 2 hours, it looks like Jams has had a mare for the last 36 hours. His PS trace looks like he's been crit racing around a small town near the checkpoint, but unable to find his way out of town. He's on his way again now, so I wonder if his GPS failed on him.

[Celtic Dragon]

James retired this morning with neck issues. Tcr posted a picture of him trying to alleviate it and his neck really is in a bad way.

[Gruffy]

That sucks. So close, too. Must've been properly bad to scratch at this stage.

[Celtic Dragon]

Gruffy said:

That sucks. So close, too. Must've been properly bad to scratch at this stage.

I'd say! This is TCR's photo

[okgo]

Aye, body totally fked, fair play to the lad, gave it a proper go, he'll be back I hope.

[Celtic Dragon]

Josh crossed into Turkey this morning!

Edit: if he keeps going at the rate he is, it'll be job done this side of midnight!

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Monday 3rd August 12:52

[Gruffy]

He's minutes from the finish.
http://trackleaders.com/transconrace15f

[Joey Ramone]

Mental

[Gruffy]

Best part of 4,000km in a whisker under 10 days. Ferocious pace.

[timnoyce]

Absolute legend. Doesn't bear thinking about, cycling that much in that amount of time. Moving average of 25.8kph too, which is ridiculous given the terrain. Cha-fking-peau!

[Celtic Dragon]

Over 400km a day for 10 days, wow!!! I'm seriously impressed! Chapeau.

[tobinen]

You've probably read it already Darren - his equipment: http://road.cc/content/news/158492-transcontinenta...