They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what words could ever capture the essence of the Transcontinental Race TCR No.9? My experience finishing in 10 days, 21 hours, securing the 16th position in the general classification and winning the pairs classification is beyond description. It's not just a race; it's a lifetime experience that pushed me to the limits of my physical and mental endurance.
More insights into my story in the link below:
Embarking on a journey across Europe by bike, I never could have imagined that the mental challenges would overshadow the physical ones. The Transcontinental Race, often hailed as the world's toughest self-supported ultra-distance cycling race, proved every bit of its reputation.
Photo by Saskia Martin (@saskiacmartin)
The Transcontinental Challenge:
At its core, the Transcontinental Race is an odyssey that defies convention. Riders aren't simply handed a predefined route; they must craft their own path, weaving through control points and mandatory parcours along the way. TCR No.9 kicked off with a formidable challenge, commencing in de Muur of Geraardsbergen, Belgium.
CP1: Freezing in the Swiss Alps
Our first test came early, after riding nearly 600 km in 24 H we had the challenging Alps ahead of us. The first milestone was trying to find a way around the banned road of the Axenstrasse through a very steep gravel path in pouring rain before heading towards the treacherous Splugen Pass in the Swiss Alps, a battleground of freezing temperatures and stormy conditions. It was here that the race revealed its true nature – a relentless pursuit of self-discovery and perseverance. CP1 awaited us in the high mountains of Livigno, a high-altitude test of endurance. But our race was not a walk in the park, we made routing mistakes that cost us hours, and the most relevant one was not being able to get to our planned hiking shortcut next to the Munchera tunnel having to make a deviation towards the famous Stelvio pass.
Photo by Tomas Montes (@arrieredupeloton).
CP2: Gravel grinder!
As we pressed on towards CP2 in Slovenia, we encountered a brutal gravel parcour through the mountains, setting the tone for what lay ahead. After having some mechanicals and a few flat tyres we started to make our way from Western Europe to Eastern Europe and it was there where the race truly took shape.
CP3: The breaking point!
CP3 in Albania proved to be the most challenging, with a gruelling 65 km gravel parcour, more rock than gravel. I ended up walking the whole parcour hiking my way up and down from midnight to 6 am on the next day. It felt like a nightmare that nearly broke me, it was the only time I wondered why I decided to do a race like this but it is when we overcome the greatest challenges that we shine and forge memories that will last a lifetime!
CP4: The Greek labyrinth
CP4 was a labyrinth in terms of navigation, the parcour was divided into three parts and you had two choices to connect the parcour: a lengthy road loop or a daring gravel shortcut between them.
CP4 brought us to the breathtaking Meteora, a spectacle of rock formations that briefly distracted us from the impending trials. As we made our way to southern Europe weather conditions changed dramatically from freezing cold to facing daily temperatures of around 40 degrees, managing heat and preventing a heat stroke were crucial at this stage of the race.
The finish line: The good stuff waits till the end!
As the finish line in Thessaloniki, Greece loomed on the horizon, the race unleashed its final barrage – gravel roads, steep climbs, and relentless canine companions. It was an awe-inspiring journey through the ever-shifting landscapes of Europe, cultures, and weather conditions.
Crafting Your Route: A Race Within a Race:
One of the defining aspects of the Transcontinental Race is the need to create your own route. It's a race within a race, where strategy and planning play pivotal roles. In my preparation, I relied on tools like Komoot and Google Street View to meticulously craft a route that suited my riding style. I drew inspiration from Christoph Strasser's approach, opting for the flattest route with smooth tarmac to maximize efficiency and time spent in the aerobars. For me, time-trialing style was the way to go.
The beauty of self-routed races lies in their unpredictability. Whether you're a roadie or a gravel grinder, there's a challenge tailored to your preferences. It's a testament to the versatility of the Transcontinental Race – there are always surprises, and riders can use their strengths to their advantage.
The Duo Dilemma: Racing as a Pair
While the idea of racing in pairs might seem like a comforting notion, it brings its own set of unique challenges. In many ways, it can be even more demanding than going solo. Doubts can creep in, wondering if you're holding your partner back or if he or she could perform better independently. However, for Gereon (@gereon.cycling) and me, there was no ambiguity. Despite our individual ambitions to excel in the race, we were united in our commitment to move forward together, as a team. This race was our grand adventure, and we embraced it wholeheartedly.
The Perils of the Journey:
For ten grueling days, I pushed myself to the brink, confronting my deepest fears on the bike. Gravel roads, traffic, encounters with dogs, crashes, and mechanical issues all became part of the relentless struggle. But the reward was beyond imagination. Along the way, I had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals, witnessing the ever-changing landscapes, and experiencing moments of euphoria that made me feel on top of the world.
"Ultra cycling is an experience like no other, I never felt so alive and connected to the world before!"
Setting Ground Rules for Success:
A critical aspect of racing as a pair is establishing ground rules before the race begins. It's essential to understand that whatever happens during the race stays there, creating a bubble of mutual trust. Accepting each other's strengths and weaknesses is paramount. I had my moments of daytime sleepiness but coped well with the cold. In contrast, Gereon struggled with the cold and night riding. Through it all, we provided each other with motivation and unwavering support during the most challenging moments.
The Human Tapestry of TCR No.9:
One of the most incredible aspects of the Transcontinental Race is the opportunity to meet remarkable people along the way. Witnessing how cultures and ways of life transform across the diverse tapestry of Europe is a privilege few experience. Sharing stories with fellow riders after the race and encountering the dedicated volunteers and dotwatchers who make this event unique adds depth to the journey.
The Crucial Role of Preparation:
A race of this magnitude demands meticulous preparation, both physically and in terms of equipment. My trusted Fara All Road bike proved to be a reliable companion, resilient against roads, gravel, and rocky terrain.
• Bike: Fara F/ All‑Road
• Group set: SRAM RED AXS
• Kogel Oversized Derailleur Cage
• BlackInc Thirty AR CS Carbon Wheels
• Crack set 48/35 T
• Cassette 12s, 10‑33T
• Tyres: front Continental GP 5000 S 30mm, rear
• Continental GP 5000 AS 32mm
• Deda Jet Aerobars
In a race where every watt counts, I equipped my bike with an oversized derailleur cage from Kogel and maintained a well-lubricated chain using Silca's wet lube.
Night riding was essential for me and something I really enjoyed, the quiet roads and fresh breeze were a contrast from the busy roads during the day, I relied on my dependable Supernova Airstream light for good visibility and used it in the Eco mode to make the battery last all night.
Get an exclusive 15% discount on Supernova lights using the discount code below:
SHERRY-15
My choice of cycling kit was crucial for comfort. My favourite Velocio bibs, jersey, arm screens, and leg warmers provided the support needed for long hours in the saddle. Silca's aero socks contributed to aerodynamic gains, a small but significant advantage.
The most significant improvement in my performance came from a well-structured training plan. In the weeks leading up to the race, I collaborated closely with my coach, Lukas, refining my fitness and endurance. The use of the Supersapiens glucose monitor to maintain constant glucose levels further honed my performance and stamina.
Supporting my extensive hiking sections were my Quoc Grand Tourer shoes, kept my feet without blisters all the way.
Finally a ton of Harbibo well kept in a set of super light Cyclite bikepacking bags.
It turned out to be a great video about the race. I especially liked the part where they interviewed the participants. By the way, how did you make 4k quality, did you use a program or was the video already shot in this resolution? I heard that you can change the resolution by changing the quality, I even found this article where they talk about it, but I haven’t tried it myself yet. If it’s not difficult for you, then please tell me about it.With each blog post I appreciate you even more! I am grateful to you in many ways perhaps most of all for being so terrifically inspiring.