#TCRNo6: The Checkpoints

A closer look at the checkpoints, and rough race route, in store for riders at the 2018 Transcontinental Race.

One of the defining characteristics of the Transcontinental Race is that riders must navigate their own route - from start to finish, via four checkpoints across the continent.

The start and finish have not historically been set in stone, and the checkpoints change with every passing year, meaning that no Transcontinental Race is ever the same.

But while the route is self-navigated, the checkpoints serve as a backbone to the shape of the race as it carves its way across Europe. Their location, in relation to geography, terrain, altitude, country, and - most importantly - in relation to eachother, give fresh life, character, and intrigue to this constantly evolving race. If spirit is the beating heart of The Transcontinental Race, then the checkpoints form its skeleton of structure.

The checkpoints for 2018, and #TCRNo6, are as follows:

• Start: Geraardsbergen, Belgium
• CP1: Bielerhöhe Pass, Austria
• CP2: Mangart Sedlo, Slovenia
• CP3: Karkonosze Pass, Poland
• CP4: Bielašnica, Bosnia
• Finish: Meteora, Greece

__Checkpoint 1: Bielerhöhe Pass __

After starting Geraarsbergen, Belgium, at 22:00 on 29th July, riders will begin heading south-west towards Checkpoint 1: The Bielerhöhe Pass. It's a 2,071m climb in the heart of the Austrian Alps, famous for being on the renowned Silvretta Hochalpenstraße - one of the most scenic drives in the Alps.

Checkpoint 2: Mangart Sedlo

From CP1, riders will face a lengthy passage through the Alps, with the first point of call being Checkpoint 2 at Mangart Sedlo in Slovenia. At 2,072m it's only a metre higher than CP1, but the narrow winding road leading to it's summit, through the belly of Slovenia's Julian Alps, could not be more different from the Hochalpenstraße.

Checkpoint 3: Karkonosze Pass

Image: By Rafał Nawojczyk, from Wikimedia Commons

After checking into Slovenia, already having ridden over 1,000km, riders will make a difficult turn, away from the direction of the finish, to head north for CP3: The Karkonosze Pass. Tucked in the Sudetes Mountains on the Polish-Czech border, the pass lays in a region characterised by its barren, exposed slopes, but will be feared most for the 20%+ that will greet riders.

__Checkpoint 4: Bielašnica __ Image: By BiHVolim, from Wikimedia Commons

High above the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is the long-retired ski resort of Bielašnica, and the focal point of Checkpoint 4. Riders will arrive after a journey from CP3 in excess of 1,000km, and face a 12km gravel climb to an exposed, desolate peak. From the top, it's far from downhill all the way, but it will be the beginning of the end, towards the finish in Meteora.

Race Route That leaves us with a rough idea of the direction across Europe that TCRNo6 will be taking, and - with lots of time spent in the Alps and Balkans - the amount of climbing that riders will be facing. We'll take a closer look in our full race preview, so stay tuned.

Visit transcontinental.cc or the Transcontinental Instagram account for information on the checkpoints, and checkpoint sponsors.

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