James O Finished!!


well done

C

Looks like James, Alex and Liam are all pretty much riding together and will finish 3/4/5 in the next hour.  I know people are wanting them to sprint but if they all come in 3rd equal, that would be a top result.  Special well done to James.  I am in awe of what you have achieved

C

Sorry <20 days of course!

C

If Mike makes it so that the 1.5 times rule means in future years racers must do <20hours, that will beast most people!

C

I know James a bit.  I worked out a Transalp a while ago that I did which was pretty full-on from Geneva to Nice.  After a lot of chatting James said he would like to have the info I gleaned, maps etc and he went and did it although he camped it where we stayed at climbing huts.  All the chatter we had convinced me that he’s a really nice guy.  I set off on another one (Geneva to Como) in 10 days and have promised to tell him all I know.  I’d be honoured if he took the time to do it.  More recently he’s been really helpful to me with some information (a bit of a secret really) so I owe him one.  He’s a top guy,


C

I agree entirely with what Dumpster said.

And I might even be there for the -7day Grand de-Fart!

C

It’s got me thinking.  Thoughts but not many answers.

I’d love to do the TD and maybe I might.  I’d want to do it as a personal challenge to ride the course, unsupported in the best time I could.  I’m 50 and do some 10/15day alpine tours unsupported but no way could ever go as fast as many of the TD front 10 guys and probably couldn’t do it within 1.5 times Mike Halls time.

What I would want to do though is line up at Banff and experience it.  Being in the back 50% I would hope for good camaraderie and a sense of different but shared achievement to the guys who you might see one day, spend an hour with then see again 5 days later at a lodge or diner.  Of course I wouldn’t see Mike Hall or Craig anytime after 5 minutes from the start and that’s fine.  I would see guys from all over the world and share a purpose.  I know I can do ITT any time but maybe that’s not enough of what I want.  Maybe TD is the only way a guy from the other side of the world can get this experiance?

Is it fair that I can’t have that?  Would my ride really detract from the top 10 guys who never saw me after Banff?  Are the guys who are doing it this year for a kids charity, who may well be ‘timed out’ on the 1.5x rule to be discouraged from taking part?

C

So sad to hear Craig's voice.  Hope he comes back soon.  He has ridden a speed to be proud of

C

I think the GTA is a bit tame.  It keeps out of the biggest mountain areas.  Around areas that will be silly-hot at the height of summer.

I did send all the data, maps etc to a guy to put on the WWW but not sure it's up yet,

C

This is my list.  I tour in the Alps (Europe), 600-3200m (say 2000 to 11,000ft).  Stay in mountain huts more than tents or bivis,

Hope it helps or gives some ideas


2no shorts (1 wear, 1 carry)   145+220g
2no cycle shirts (1wear, 1carry)   159+164g
2pr thin socks (1wear, 1carry)   35+45+46g
1pr longs   307g
1 base layer   163g
1 cycle coat   307g
1 helmet   
Gloves   75g
Balaclava   
2no inner tubes   2x94g
Pump   93g
LED micro light   28g
Micro red light on bike   15g
Puncture patches   6g
Set spare brake pads (2 prs)   2x18g
Pen and notebook   60g
Mobile phone   137g
Shades   19g
Contact lenses   15x4g
Ear plugs, 4pr   4x1g
Razors (6)   43g
Small sun cream   120g
Tooth brush & paste   14 + 12g
Soap   12g
Camelbak   249g
Paraglider line   5g
Passport   35g
Credit cards & cash   
BMC card   2g
Activcard insurance card   5g
Energy bars   
Isostar powder   195g
Chain oil   81g
Maps   377g
Camera   
Micro USB charger for phone   19g+13g
Space blanket   
Compass   16g
Contact list   
Tube Sudacrem   38g
Bike computer   
Clip for map on handlebars   
Whistle   10g
Boarding card for return   
Bin bags (for packing bike in if argued at airport)   
Labels for bike return   
Spare spokes (specific Mavic UST)   21g
Spare headtorch batteries   7g
Warm gloves   49g
Spare jockey bearing   7g
Solar charger   70g
Tyre levers   2x12g
Buff   34g
Tissue (toilet)   27g
Winter gloves   51g
Fleeces   240+260g
Disco pants   168g
Contact lens mirror   7g
   
bike   11050g
   
   
   
Shared equipment   
Multitool, 1 between 2   104g
Spare 5mm and 2mm alen keys   
8mm Allen extension   8g
Selection cable ties (incl some massive ones)   51g
Michelin map(s) yellow series for overall area   87g
Cassette removal tool   30g
Selection bolts nuts etc   92g
2 spare chainring bolts   
Superglue   
First aid stuff 1 between 2 incl steristrips, loads steriwipes   137g
Spare spokes   28g
Knife   
Sewing kit   
Shock pump   
Spare gear cable   19g
Spare chain links plus 2 spare Sram connectors   
French and Italian phrase books   
Roll insulation tape   
1m gaffer tape   17g
Spare phone battery   29g

Have sent you an email with some route info

Did a similar route.  details are here

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/with-pics-the-best-adventure-best-ride-ever-gr5-transalp

I am from the UK, you can email me if you need pdf maps, planning spreadsheets etc.  email is chris$$@$high$bark.co.$uk taking out the dollars

C

Hi there,

Sorry to barge in……

I have been looking round the WWW at the TD12 and at TD’s from previous years.  I really fancy having a go at it another year, but having real problems finding enough information to dare to take 4 weeks from work, fly out there (I am in the UK) and be on the start line.

I’m right in saying that the organiser has very little input, but what do I need to do to get a good knowledge of the route, and make a go of it?  I wouldn’t be a winner, but would just hope to finish by doing 90-140 mile days. Done loads of 8/10day plus Alps rides in Europe but guess the huts etc are not nearly as close or as good as there.

Help, ta

Chris