Transcontinental Race 2014 - London to Istanbul

[Andrew G]

For sun cream I find the best for on the bike and what may work well for you is something like this, lower factors are available.
http://mobile.snowandrock.com/aloe-up-p ... roduct/102
One of these small pocket tubes lady's me a week on the bike so a couple would last your trip, and they are small and light.

[Lee on the Condor]

[url=http://s203.photobucket.com/user/roydavisjnr/media/WP_20140806_010.jpg.html][img]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa210/roydavisjnr/WP_20140806_010.jpg[/img][/url]

[Lee on the Condor]

Tiggers, I'm off tomorrow, thank you very much for your help and advice, hope to catch up on my return.

If you feel like following the race here are the details...
Rider #29
http://www.transcontinentalrace.com/
http://trackleaders.com/transconrace14
Twitter -
https://twitter.com/transconrace
https://twitter.com/lee_pearce
#transconrace
#tcr2014
@lee_pearce

[Andrew G]

Good luck Lee, all the best for a great adventure. The bikes looking good .
Is your avatar an accurate picture of your permanent look of trepidation on your face .

[Jon H]

Looks like Lee's doing OK, nearing 1000km, a solid placing in the middle of the peloton (if you can call riders spread over 400km or so a peloton), and just about to hit the Alps.

[Andrew G]

Nearly 1,500 done and Stelvio passed. Interesting split in the Peleton either side of the Adriatic.

[Phil H]

I see he's broken the 1,000 mile mark and is having a jaunt down the Italian coast. Must be quite nice - well, apart from the distance.

[ColinM]

I posted this elsewhere - so for those watching this thread:
Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to put this, but Lee Pearce is taking part in the Transcontinental Race from London to Istanbul. This is an absolutely epic ride!

He's asked me to post on his behalf on his epic race - he says the Addiscombe support is appreciated!

Have a look - the race is unsupported and the riders are on their own:
[url]http://www.transcontinentalrace.com/[/url]

Lee is rider 29.
Warning - following the satellite tracking can be addictive (particularly in working hours)

More generally, the TCR facebook has some great updates:
[url]https://www.facebook.com/groups/Transco%20...%20n/?fref=ts[/url]

A few quotes from Lee over the last few days:

August 13:
"Transcontinental Day 5: Stuck in the freezing wet Alps.
Route: Davos - Susch (Fluella Pass).
Total distance: 1125 kms (25kms today).
Highlight of the day: a warm pizza (and the pizza oven to warm up hands).
Quote: "Sleeping. Charging devices. Charging my legs. Today was the worst cycling experience ever. Soooo cold, dangerously cold, winter cold. Alps never got the memo it is summer in August. It's not the rain, it's not the wind, it's not the road covered in water and vertical drops off the side. The temperature is pleasant while walking, 7 degrees or something, but when you stop pedaling to come down the hill, the speed, wind, cold, wet all combine and start nibbling at your hands and feet, fingers start to disobey commands, knees and feet start shaking. Braking and going slow reduces the sting but prolongs the torture."

"Last post - half way up the fluela pass, in saddle out if saddle, chevroning across profile of the climb. Rapha jacket on, goretex trousers on. Luminous sash on, shower cap over my helmet, food prep blue latex gloves on, feet in carrier bags. Heavy luggage wrapped in bin liner, mountain beast sounding their bells, i realised this is not the Rapha photo shoot of a ride i had envisaged."

Yesterday
"I make that almost 21 hours in the saddle. Clawed back all the time i lost stuck up the fluela pass. Celebrating with a lamb rogan josh and a pint, as you do in Italy"

Today
"Today - there is a ferry from Ancona to Split. 630 check in, 2030 departure. 205 miles. I hope to make it."

"Scuppered... On the SS16 the police escourted me off while on target to make the ferry...no chance on the small roads. Guess ill have to relax in the Italian Ibiza that is Rimini. How does the saying go, dropping a penny finding a pound. Ill get tomorrows ferry. So near, so far. 5 or 6 hours of 20mph+ biggest effort yet. So glad to be out of the Alps, mountains give me the heebee geebees."

[Andrew G]

Thanks Colin, great to hear Lee's experiences. Have seen a couple of his posts on Twitter and despite the cold descents out looks like he is enjoying his fantastic adventure. I'm very jealous.

[Dominic]

Really enjoying following it on the sites blog and Lee's twitter. Keep it up Lee!

Interesting to see the different types of equipment being used. Still need to use the legs though

[ColinM]

For those not following Lee elsewhere here is yesterday's update:

Transcontinental Day 8: A "short" ride and a long wait for the ferry to Croatia.
Route: Riccione (Rimini) to Ancona/Split (ferry crossing).
Total distance: 1770 kms (90 kms today)
Low point: sleeping on the campsite carpark.
Highlight: beers on the ferry?
Quote: "Today the USB cable for the phone failed. Mid peril sets in. Most of the shops seem shut. Today is an easy day but finding it hard to relax, haven't eaten properly. Clothes are all washed. Fortifying my nerves with some tea."

And since the front wheel dynamo wasn't charging the phone, I'm afraid very few pics to share... All the fun starts again tomorrow, Mount Lovcen... here they come!

Looks like he is flying down the Croatian coast today!

[Phil H]

I see he's almost onto cruising that last 500 miles. Plain sailing from here

[ColinM]

He's passed the last waypoint before the final - here was yesterday's post - looks like like it's not all hard work!

Transcontinental Day 9: Sunny Croatia. Time to sweat...
Route: Split - Dubrovnik
Total distance: 2186 Kms (230 Kms today).
Low point: carrying a hangover, getting stung by a bee and the "cyclist" tan.
Highlight: my new bestie Gareth. Lunch by the beach.
Quote: "Woke to the leftover bottles and a realisation I'm carrying a hangover."

They'll be riding through the night from now on to avoid the day heat. Looking forward to that pic on top of Lovcen. Good luck for tomorrow!

[ColinM]

Looks like Lee has almost crossed Albania and is heading into Greece - just 2 more countries! Lastest posts:

Transcontinental Day 10: Good morning Croatia, good afternoon Montenegro, good evening Albania! (sounds like the Eurovision song contest).
Route: Dubrovnik - Kotor - Mount Lovcen (Checkpoint 3) - Tirana
Total distance: 2390 kms (335kms today).
Low point: finding out that Montenegro is not included in the mobile phone data plan. Ouch! ££££... Data roaming now off.
Highlight: Mount Lovcen conquered. CP3. Next: finishing line.
Quote: "It's getting hot in here" (I just made it up as I haven't spoken to Lee much today).

Transcontinental Day 11: Albania: "I'm a cyclist, get me out of here!"
Route: Tirana - Pogradec (Lake Horrid, I mean... Lake Ohrid)
Total distance: 2566 Kms (176kms today)
Low point: Entering Albania (and cycling in 90 degree heat).
Highlight: Leaving Albania (in a few hours).
Quote: "I am exhausted"

sh1t roads, sh1t weather, no internet... = no photos tonight

0400 time to ride. Rested for 12 hours. Yesterday the last six hours were hell.

[Dominic]

Lee cranked out a good mileage on day 10! Almost there.