TCR No. 8

[Jamesh]

Does seem they have made the course unduly complicated.

Why not have start x, finish y, Go....

Ok a few checkpoints.... If you must....

but specific routes you must ride and must not ride... Seems a bit ott.

Would make my head hurt!!

It's become the most prestigious, well-loved ultra race in the world, and it's a tried+tested formula.

(Many other races (and euro audaxes) just use a mandatory route - which is much easier for the organisers. The TCR way is difficult - yet they do an amazing job most years!)

Above the RAAM?

[ratherbeintobago]

I thought the RAAM allowed support vehicles?

[mattheus]

I thought the RAAM allowed support vehicles?

It *requires* support vehicles! In the rules (minimum two, IIRC?). You're looking at budgets around £7,000 even if no-one charges for their time.

Hardly an inclusive event. Totally different category, and I think my phrase "well-loved" sums up the difference.

[ratherbeintobago]

I thought the RAAM allowed support vehicles?

It *requires* support vehicles! In the rules (minimum two, IIRC?). You're looking at budgets around £7,000 even if no-one charges for their time.

Hardly an inclusive event. Totally different category, and I think my phrase "well-loved" sums up the difference.

It’s a very different race all in then. There is the TransAm which is unsupported though?

In other thoughts, the parcours section at CP4 looks a bit rough for a heavily laden road bike…

[mattheus]

I thought the RAAM allowed support vehicles?

It *requires* support vehicles! In the rules (minimum two, IIRC?). You're looking at budgets around £7,000 even if no-one charges for their time.

Hardly an inclusive event. Totally different category, and I think my phrase "well-loved" sums up the difference.

It’s a very different race all in then. There is the TransAm which is unsupported though?

Yes - VERY different!

And yes, TransAm is unsupported - Mike Hall won it at least once. But what's your point? (I may have lost track of the thread ... )

There's a film about TransAm 2015 that everyone should see https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4340740/

[mattheus]

In other thoughts, the parcours section at CP4 looks a bit rough for a heavily laden road bike…

Well yes ... that's part of the challenge!

[1982john]

At some point last night (in the dark) Mike negotiated this aqueduct. It was by no means mandatory (only about 5 riders chose this route). Yes he climbed down that ladder with his bike. Really hope we get a podcast interview with his journey afterwards.

[mattheus]

I'm hoping that The Aqueduct will be what this race is remembered for - rather than The Danube Ferry Issues!

That really is bonkers. Is Mike the first to use it in the dark??

[mattheus]

I'm hoping that The Aqueduct will be what this race is remembered for - rather than The Danube Ferry Issues!

That really is bonkers. Is Mike the first to use it in the dark??

Answer: first male rider!
Amrei Kuhne (bursary rider) went through at possibly the exact same time.

No others last night (and none the night before).

[1982john]

He's finished!

[ratherbeintobago]

Meanwhile other people are making the routing error he nearly made:

[1982john]

I did wonder if she couldn't face the 110km detour.

[mattheus]

Meanwhile other people are making the routing error he nearly made:

4672897C-F951-415D-BB13-C230E7784000.jpeg

She's today's official tweet cover-girl!

[ratherbeintobago]

Carlton Reid’s son is the youngest finisher, I think.

[ratherbeintobago]

Anyone know when the arrival CP closes?