I'm just wondering if anyone has spoken to Mike Hall in the last few days? He's been through Slater and Brush Mtn Lodge right? Any news? I'd love to hear something of how he is, I think he might have lost his voice? Anna (his gf)

Ah wow, good to see these. Thank you. Can we share any with Pedaled for thier Instagram?

I'm MIke Hall's partner, I'm trying to get news of where he is. I just read someone thought Josh Kato's wife said he was out front? I was hoping he was near Josh at least. He didn't take a phone (no distractions) but it's frustrating that I can't tell him about the tracker, although he must have realised/ know by now? I've spoken to Matt Lee and it's mounted correctly, bit of a mystery what's gone wrong with it so early in the race. Gutted I can't see his dot but encouraging to hear he might be where he planned to be.

Marshall

Stretch well - Wall push and heel drop, Hams also
Tape the heels - Kinesio
Drop the saddle (1/4 inch)
+NSAID for pain relief and circulation

...and you can recover in the saddle

Best of luck

Mike

Label's issues sound very much like mine in 2013, especially the worsening throughout the day. I got some Claratin in Helena and was flying again within an hour.

Good luck Lael.

Hello

I have a friend who is travelling across Europe and would like to get some bike bags - he is currently heading into Austria and then on to Istanbul.  Does anyone know any supply of bags over that way? - Mailing to that area is a bit hit and miss with his timing, I would doubt it would get to him if I sent anything from here.

Thanks

Mike

Slightly greater than 50% chance of a re-run right now for me.

One word of caution to those getting bike fits - something all my long rides have taught me is to run your saddle 3-5mm lower than you would normally and be ready to lower it more after 4 or 5 days.  Bike fit is all well and good if your body stays the same shape, my experience has taught me that it doesn't.  Also check the sport tape you-tube videos and tape your heels before you go.  I bought Kineseo tape in Banff, a $15 roll would do for about 3 applications for 3 riders.

Yep there seems to be a good bit of interest already and we haven't really told many people about it yet.  There seems to be quite a few from mainland Europe registering their interest too which is great.  We're really keen to have a properly international field.

Yes there will be at least one, maybe two, checkpoints they are more or less decided but the logistics details need closer looking at before we confirm there exact location.  Assume for now that riders won't get away without going over at least one big climb in the alps.

No decisions on 2015 yet but when I say we're going to move the transcontinental about a bit I mean it might not necessarily be on the same continent.  That said if there's enough demand that could be in addition to, rather than instead.  If the format proves successful there might be lots of different ideas for future editions but we need to get this one done and done right first, until then all bets are off.

London - Istanbul was also chosen as its a popular section of a circumnavigation.  Yes there are some great routes available but sometimes you just need to go with what you know.  

Its TBC but about £95 +google checkout fees

There's a few reasons, including that its better all round for the title sponsors and events team who are all UK based.  Having a race sponsor means that the race works economically because the value for them is in the amount of people following it, not competing.  Hence the entry fees can be much lower and the fate of the race does not rest on having a minimum number of riders to be viable.

Istanbul is a major international hub, getting out of there won't be difficult.

Thanks! - I take it I add myself?

I'm hoping to return to the TDR this year after a slightly less than ideal effort in 2011.

I haven't read all 20-odd pages of this thread.  Is there a start list anywhere?

Cheers

Mike

Hi Everyone

There have been a few discussions about un-supported RAAM type races in the past and after our World Cycle Race last year my sponsor and a few other people were keen to put on a similar event with more formal organisation in 2013.  The result is the 'Transcontinental' - a race which follows some of the bikepacking racing principals and is on road.

We have not formally launched but its imminent and our site is live at www.transcontinentalrace.com

I wanted to invite the bikepacking community to come and take a look first.  Any feedback and reaction you wish to give will be gratefully accepted.

The intention long term is that the World Cycle Race will run again in 2014 and every two years with a transcontinental race in the intervening years and will move about so that riders around the world can experience a shorter, lower cost format which does not require so much time away.  The race will serve as a good test event for the World Cycle Race so riders can use this to judge and fine tune their training, packing and logistics measures, or they can just race it for its own sake.

Thanks for looking

Mike Hall