Transcontinental Race 2014 - London to Istanbul

[Lee on the Condor]

Hello everybody, I have some news, I've manged to get a last minute place on the TCR2014 - London to Istanbul leaving at 0800 on August 9th from Westminster Bridge.

Myriad of emotions; nervous, inspired, panicked and new feeling I don't have words for.

I'm in desperate need of help and advice, I'm hoping Addiscombe can flood me with everything I need to know about riding 2200 miles.

I have soo many questions on...
Nutrition.
Sleep and recovery on output, mental stability.
Equipment advice.
Route advice.
Local knowledge.
Garmin.

The quickest chap last year did it in little over 7 1/2 days. I have no desire to do it in that time, but 14 days sounds achievable, anything under will be a bonus. Anything over will measured as failure

I have pages of notes of further research I'll keep the questions coming.

First question- I have 2 bikes, nothing fancy, both steel.
Ridgeback 14.4kg 57cm frame, touring bike, strong and sturdy, more relaxed sitting posture. tyres from 25mm to 37mm
Condor 9.6kg 53cm frame light and sprightly, classic styled riding position, tyres 23mm (I'd like to try a 25mm)

Key - efficient use of power, mapping, balancing speed with comfort.
Which bike?

I'll post pictures in the next 24hrs.

I'd also like to ride in an Addiscombe hat, where can I get one.

I need to join the Tuesday club, i'll post there now.

[Marek]

Just looked at the website, I presume that you are pretty fit and have no trouble in riding 150 miles a day. You are going to be going over some serious terrain as one of the check points is at the Stelvio, which probably means you will have to go up a couple of other large climbs to get to it. Wow, what an awesome looking trip.

If i were you I would go for the lighter bike. You probably need to ensure you have mud guards on it, if it rains you will suffer like a dog without them.

Make sure you get some decent panniers for the back and maybe a handlebar bag where you can attach a map for navigation. I think a garmin would be great, but that would require you to charge it every night, it doesn't sound like the winner of this is stopping off in hotels for a good nights sleep.

I would maybe plan what you intend to do each day before you go, so day one expect to get to Dover, day 2 paris etc etc. Then put route maps together for each day so that you have a manageable map where you can actually see names of places. You don't have to follow your route exactly when you get out there you may find that you end up on some horror big road so just peel off and take something smaller adjacent to it.

Nutrition, just eat a lot of bread, cheese, ham and some jam etc. Depends if you like stopping off in restaurants (I do) so just load up on what you think would be sensible at lunchtime like a large pasta or pizza etc. Drink coca cola watered down with water if you are struggling for energy drink.

Make sure you take some spare equipment and ensure you know how to mend pretty much everything on your bike. Things like spokes going can be a nightmare so having a couple of spares and knowing how to fix would probably be pretty important. Of course you can always find bike shops but if closed and on a sunday etc then you will lose a lot of time. Spare tyre.

Only thing I have ever done unsupported is to ride to Rotterdam for the Tour de France a few years ago. That was great fun and was only a few days and stayed in a hotel. Your trip sounds awesome and will be a real challenge. Good luck.

[Dominic]

Have to agree it looks great. As Marek says I hope you are pretty fit. One thing he didn't mention that struck me was decent lights. I don't know if you are going to do much night riding but if you hit a sticky patch you never know how long these things can last for. Finding yourself coming down a mountain at night without good lights can't be fun I imagine.

I have added a couple for web links. The UMCA one has a lot of articles and while very American they have been written by some very knowledgeable/experienced people:
https://www.ultracycling.com/

I have added the Audax UK one aswell. At this time of the year they are doing a lot of longer rides ie 400 and 600kms. Depending on what length of rides you have done it would give you a chance to ride longer rides, test out equipment and do some navigation.
http://www.aukweb.net/home/

Enjoy!!

[Lee on the Condor]

Thank you, thank yo for your responses Marek and Dominic.

You both emulate all the things rushing around my brain.

Tell you where I am.

Spent £250 on a new front wheel with Shimano 3N80 dynamo hub + B+M Luxos IQ2 U with USB charger for mobile or Garmin
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m ... aid:620049

Fitness, i'm fitter than I've ever been. Riding hard for 19 months (except in March/April fractured elbow). Strava - http://www.strava.com/athletes/4914169
Purchased a Edge 800 in mid May in prep for a wild camping adventure to Istanbul, not expecting to get a place in the race. Then I get the last minute email. w/e 12/13th July - Dunwich Dynamo and back, through the night - 253 miles, first time at anything over 120 miles, survived and functioned at work Monday. Planning 200+200 over the next weekends.

If I have a training mantra it's time in the saddle. I need to read up more on what controls stamina and work out a plan. Hills for interval training - increase the mysterious VO2 max thing. Visiting the In-laws in Spain, riding some larger hills, I can feel the improvement already.

Need more info on fatigue -currently drink fluids, SIS Rego after a ride. A drop of beer, moderate carbs, lots of protein, good amount of fat, replace the electrolytes. Listen to the body but paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed. Coffee makes me go faster / stops the mind wondering. Had a Redbull on Sunday (couldn't find a coffee shop) WOW!!!

Sustenance - I've been on an atkins inspired diet since September 2013, lost 8kg/1stone, I try to avoid bread, body responds to fat (cheese, salami, nuts) banana, flapjacks and haribo work too. Watered down cola - yes, avoid the sugar spikes and the sugar lows. Little often.

Bike Maintenance - Don't want to take too many tools (weight) I'll do a pro's con's. Changed a cassette and chainrings, currently replacing gear levers + cables. Tune gears (most of the time). Changed chains. Never changed a bottom bracket or replaced bearings (something I need to do) Never replaced a spoke, I've trued a wheel which subsequently popped 2 spokes a few days later. Zinn of bicyle maintenance is what I refer to. Need to deciede on whether to take a spoke wrench + cassette tool (I'm not taking a chain whip). All more to learn.

Garmin - having real problems understanding it, on the Dunwich Dyanmo I was following a line without a marked out road!!! Impossible for confident riding!!! Help.

Garmin - Yes, set route out in stages A, B, C etc, thinking 120 miles each, I hear bigger the map slower the Garmin.

Mudguards - more to come on this

Bags - I spent some silly money for what it is, on an Apidura bag. Need to buy one or two more bags - not looking forward to spending more money.
https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-regular/

Alps I did a cursory glance at the Stelvio 1800m from the base, I think I have a feel for it. Won't know until I get there, high gradients hurt me, long climbs i'll take my time. Think there are at least 2 mountains before Stelvio, I'll reduce my millage increase my reserves. Reading a few blogs, best to use one of the local hostals, have a good sleep, good breakfast, attack in the morning. Probably do that.

Plenty more questions, hit a hitch this morning, the new dynamo wheel I bought to be interchangeable with the Ridgeback + Condor. It's too big, it's rubbing against the brakes. Pictures to follow.

100 Thank yous for the links Dom, web is full of info it's finding the time, sorting the wheat from the chaff.

this chap is one of my inspirations - http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/

[Lee on the Condor]

[img]http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/leepearce/WP_004097.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/leepearce/WP_004267.jpg[/img]

[Lee on the Condor]

Major Problem - new wheel + 23mm new Continental Grand Prix tyre rubs on the brakes... possible solutions?
New brake caliper with more clearance?
Try my worn 23mm Continental 4000 GP
Try my worn 23mm Continental 4000s GP
Drop the axel + wheel 2mm in the fork - very dangerous.
Buy a 20mm tyre.

It rubs not stops or jams

I'd like to run a 25mm tyre...that suggests a change of brake caliper.

Grrrrrrrr - help!!!

[img]http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/leepearce/WP_004343.jpg[/img]

[Lee on the Condor]

Condor vs Ridgeback
Condor is 10kg (now i've added the Dynamo wheel)
Condor is limited to 23mm tyres*.
Condor riding position might be too aggressive.
Condor brakes are good.
Condor might need new back wheel.
Condor needs gear lever refurbished or new lever (on order from Wiggle).
Condor could do with new bottom bracket bearings.
Condor's seat I prefer.
Condor's Campagnolo groupset I prefer.
Condor is supple and lovely flex.


Ridgeback is heavy 14.2kg (rack, back mudguard to be removed, lock holder (-400g)
Ridgeback is strong and stiff
Ridgeback has larger gear range
Ridgeback can take 23 to 37mm tyres
Ridgeback has better brakes
Ridgeback will get new Deore chainset, chain and cassette
Ridgeback has a 4 month old Brooks B17 - still feels stiff and hard but survived 250mile DD.
Ridgeback has a more relaxed riding position but you can feel the extra air resistance.
Ridgeback has heavier wheels you can feel delayed acceleration.
Ridgeback 37mm Marathon Plus tyres are softer and slower than 23mm.
Ridgeback could do with an Easton carbon fork. (maybe saving 700g)
Ridgeback I feel less safe turning corners.
Ridgeback performed well in Sundays torrential rain.

[Lee on the Condor]

Any ideas on the tyre rubbing? Anyone?

[Dominic]

When you say rubbing do you mean to the top of the tyre is rubbing on the on the underside of the 'bridge' of the brake? IE the inverted U which is attached to the crown of the fork. Sorry if that is a rubbish description. If a Conti GP4000 had previously fitted with no issues then the Conti Grand Prix has a higher (rounder) profile. If that is the case the clearances must be very tight. Try a new GP4000 or take to a bike shop. You could drive yourself mad with these things.

One comment about your saddles. I am a big Brooks fan and whatever bike you decide I would stick the Brooks on it. The longer you have and use them the better they are. Just my opinion though!

[Andrew G]

Good luck, quite an undertaking.

I have to say I'd want bigger than a 23mm tyre on ideally with the extra weight on the bike but if there isn't the clearance then so be it. I'd recommend Conti 4Seasons for tyre as they have good rolling resistance but are durable and have good punture protection without being dead to ride. I've ridden 23mm 4Seasons with quite a heavy pair of panniers stuffed on top and it was fine. I would only go the new caliper route, I'd want new rubber on for the trip not worn down, and the dropping the axle in the dropout route is just plain lunacy.

You mention heavy acceleration, was this on the bike with the dynamo fitted and not the other? Dynamo's create drag so acceleration is less spritely, even when the light is turned off, when up to speed then it's not that noticable, the main impact is that you don't carry your momentum as much so if decending in to a dip and a climb then you'll feel the effort of climbing much sooner. Dynamo's have negatives like this but can not be beaten for reliable powerful lighting at any time.

Not sure from the photos which wheels you are going to use. Preferably 3 cross spoking on something like a Mavic Open Pro with as many spokes as you can. I have commuting wheels that are 36 spoke and strong as hell, break spokes and the wheel doesn't move a fraction out of true.

For saddle it's what you're comfy with but I had a Brooks which I didn't get on with at all, did at first but then it nearly ruined me. It weighed a ton too, but then Dominic and many others swear by them, I just swore at mine.

Re nutrition it's just make sure you eat all the time and little and often will work best. Keep thing as normal as possible as energy products will become sickly as hell very quickly, cheese and ham roll in foil or sausages are good for protein and taste nice, and the king of foods is rice pudding - although I don't know how easy this is to get up a mountain halway across Europe! Rather than REGO which is expensive then go for a glass of milk and some tuna for the protein replacement. Just a glass of milk is pretty good, and you can have a few nuts as well if you like.

[Lee on the Condor]

Thank you again for the input, much appreciated. I'm talking and reading from as many sources as I can balancing opinion and moving from there.

Bike is currently at Balf's Bikes (GB was full) all my questions they seemed very knowledgeable.

Yes the brake bridge!!! there is at least 10mm+ if I can just raise the brake...Balf's are looking for a solution, they think a 25mm Schwalbe Durano etape will fit, but they haven't tried on the new dynamo wheel.

Note - The dynamo front wheel I bought to be interchangeable with the Ridgeback or Condor. I will move the light over to the Condor.

the Ridgeback back wheel has Ryde Sputnik Rim + Sapim spokes, I asked Arup Sen (South London Wheel Builder) to build it bombproof it weights Ryde Sputnik + cassette + tube + Contact 32mm = 2.35kg - far too much. The Rear of the Condor about 1kg or maybe 200g more.

The Dynamo does have drag, I can't feel it, it's a small compromise for being able to charge garmin/mobile/mp3 player.

Weight of kit thinking 5 kg - seriously minimal.
Saddle still undecided - I find the thinner the better - really want to try an Arione Bull.
Good call on the creamed rice, have a hippy friend who mane a delicious "energy balls" involving coconut butter, packed with seeds and dried fruit. From my recollections fat is the best energy/weight. Need to get the balance of fast energy slow energy, fluids. Reading up on that now. Thanks for the tip on Rego, yes expensive, 20 drinks in 1 bottle - taking the edge of exhaustion priceless.

I'm interested in homemade energy drinks - reading about 50g sugar / litre + 1/2 spoon table salt. Bicarb???
Hypertonic etc.

I'll be plotting lot's of Lidl stops maybe Decathlon too, salami + flat bread + salad + yoghurt, mmmmmm.

Think the bike shop want's me to buy Schwalb Durano Etape...anybody experience of these? I'm a Continental 4000s man myself. Michelin Pro4 Service Course £21.99 has just popped up as a contender (200g).

Getting cold feet about the whole thing tbh. Wife says plan for 21 days, she has a point.

[Lee on the Condor]

I have fixed the tyre rubbing on the brake caliper (Balfe's Bikes did) as the brake cable wasn't attached, caliper was in full extention, thus resulting in rub. Once the brake was wired up and attached more clearance, enough space for 25mm probably. #bangsheadagainstthewall

[Dominic]

Not used Schwalbe tyres before so can't comment. The Michelin Pro4 Service Course is a race tyre I believe. I am a big fan of Michelin tyres especially what used to be the Kyrlion. I did a lot of long distance stuff on them and found them to have a nice ride quality with a good level of puncture resistance. They were also easy to get on and off a variety of rims in the case of punctures. They are no longer made but there equivalent is I think the Pro4 Endurance which is similar. I think they are about £25 pound a pop depending where you get them from.

Homemade drinks I think are fine but you have to remember that you are after consistency with your fueling. You need to think about what drinks you will be using, that you will be able to get access to along the way. This would suggest to me that you would be better sticking to a commercially available brand. It sounds like most of your calories will be from proper food which is probably best. Whatever you use make sure you have tried it before you go.

Getting cold feet is normal for such a big undertaking, stick with it!!

[Andrew G]

I find flat coke good once over a certain distance and it's easy to get hold of, well coke is you have to do the making it flat bit.

A pinch of salt in drinks helps against cramp if you suffer, but an easier way is just to make sure you have some food with salt in, such as savouries. Salami in flat bread will be a great food stuff for your riding, energy. Red things are good for antioxidents so some red drinks, like red berry fruit juices are handy to have now and again to help keep fit.

[Lee on the Condor]

Thanks guys, all good advice.

Just received this a message -

Anyone want to ride to Istanbul last minute? tcr@theadventurists.com