Saturday 29 November 2014

I'm in and here we go again with some hard miles

Relief, elation, determination and a bucket load of trepidation as the 'Congratulations, you're in' email arrived this evening. Transcontinental 2015 is GO!

It's all about timing, as I come to the end of a major house rebuild in time for us to move in just before Christmas and what I hope will signal a little more space to return to serious training.

I am under no illusion as to the enormity of this challenge. Hey, I still don't have feeling back in my left little toe after last years race. I have already started to plan the first choice route, though will have to wait until the spring to determine the first part of my route through Belgium and France.

I was determined to pick up my route from Kotor, in Montenegro through Kosovo, Macedonia and Bulgaria, but have thankfully discovered what I think is a better route through part of Albania to Skopje. Since last year, so many people took the Albania/Greece route, I will also plan that route in case I get behind on the miles. I have no doubt though that the greatest adventure lies through the old Eastern block countries to the north.

As I work my way through the route, I shall try to outline some detail and add in thoughts on changes to the bike, kit and strategy.

Bonne chance to all those of you whom I hope to meet in Belgium next summer, Safe training.

To everyone else, if you fancy a long bike ride anytime, drop me a line at johnnybakewell@hotmail.com. In the spring I plan to ride home to Aberystwyth and back in 2 days if I can do it, if you want to join me. That's about 500 miles or so give or take. Seriously, if you don't know what hard is before you leave, it will be a shock when you find out on day two in France.

Istanbul here we come part 2.

Friday 14 November 2014

Preparing for 2015 starts with reflection

For those of you who have waited patiently for the beginning of the 2015 TCR lead in, this is the first of what I hope will be many posts before and during next years race. It is by no means certain that I shall get a place.

Entries for 2015 opened on the 5th November for veterans and on the 7th for newcomers, but the final decision about who gets the nod and who has to endure the disappointment for another year will not be made until the 30th. (I am not at all sure how I will cope with rejection, if it comes my way.)

From the minute that I hit the tarmac at Heathrow at the end of my 2014 race, I knew that I would have to go back and do it again. To her credit, Laura knew that too and tried to stop me coming home early. My mind though had been made up. My planning though well intentioned for the family in my absence had not been ideal. Two small boys with the energy and zest for destruction of a small army in a strangers house do not make for a relaxing holiday and it seemed hardly fair to extend the absence.

That only tells half the story, however. I have hesitated to write what I am about to say, because I do not like to make myself out to be anyone/thing special. I take on this challenges, because I like to find my limits and then extend them. Well it's fair to say that this is one very, very tough race. I didn't finish it, because I wasn't tough enough. Am I disappointed with that? Well yes, quite frankly I am.

I made a decision about withdrawing from the race in atrocious weather when my experience on a bike did not allow me to wisely carry on. In itself that was not a bad decision and I was unwell. I could however have sat on my hands for 24 hours. I am not good at sitting on my hands it has to be said, but that's just one of things that I need to learn from this years race. Good decisions are not often made in a hurry.

It is also true that nothing can truly prepare you for this event, other than the event itself. I note that Mike Hall, the organiser and winner of the Trans American race, is quoted as acknowledging, that whilst there might be fitter riders out there, it is his experience that keeps him ahead of the pack. It will be true for Kristoff in the Transcontinental, but slowly there will be some who close the gap.

In order to keep this entry a reasonable length, I would urge you to read the blog entry below. Apart from the fact that it includes a very unglamorous, but happy no. 52 at this years first check point, it also highlights details of the 2015 race.

If I get in, I'll be right back here to tell you all about it.

For those of you that did not know, by the way; we raised £4044.14 for The Alzheimer's Society, so thank you all for your support. Ideas for a charity for 2015, most welcome.