#TCRNo6: The Checkpoints

Riders, cap numbers, and the stories behind them

Transcontinental Race Filmography

Q&A with TCRNo5 Winner, Melissa Pritchard

Background Reading

Transcontinental Race No.6: Race Preview

5 to Follow

Now that big race in France is over

How to deal with the heat

Checkpoint 1: Bernd Paul and Björn Lenhard reprise their TAW roles

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

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

While the route is self-navigated, the checkpoints nonetheless 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. They are the skeleton of structure to the spirit of its beating heart.  

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 __
![cp1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/11RBo48NwCiqOYKAoIaaM/22d535bb3bad5af97f4f009d62ee39ad/cp1.jpg)

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__
![cp2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/i5cqfI2UOOk0uySCWooQQ/a35bf36a7fbfb80022f996acd55c3d31/cp2.jpg)

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__
![cp3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4fsLebmJUkQA4iCEIaEmk/9d52b2f232d85dd8b31c7225d3dcf0bb/cp3.jpg)

*Image: By Rafał Nawojczyk [CC BY-SA 3.0 pl (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/pl/deed.en)], 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 __
![cp4](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6fHzgqogikso4iEou0Ko24/77a584af019f9c329d7bf81818ea1c01/cp4.JPG)
*Image: By BiHVolim [CC BY-SA 4.0  (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], 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 nonetheless the home stretch, to the finish in Meteora.

Visit [transcontinental.cc](http://www.transcontinental.cc/) for information.


Transcontinental Race Checkpoints Announced

__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 __
![cp1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/11RBo48NwCiqOYKAoIaaM/22d535bb3bad5af97f4f009d62ee39ad/cp1.jpg)

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__
![cp2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/i5cqfI2UOOk0uySCWooQQ/a35bf36a7fbfb80022f996acd55c3d31/cp2.jpg)

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__
![cp3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4fsLebmJUkQA4iCEIaEmk/9d52b2f232d85dd8b31c7225d3dcf0bb/cp3.jpg)

*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 __
![cp4](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6fHzgqogikso4iEou0Ko24/77a584af019f9c329d7bf81818ea1c01/cp4.JPG)
*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. 

![route](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/25KicNMvLSawioqwIokq20/6b6e67c1d7bf9fd9defc3db573847828/route.jpg)

Visit [transcontinental.cc](http://www.transcontinental.cc/) or the Transcontinental Instagram account for information on the checkpoints, and checkpoint sponsors. 

[[ instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk25wScHWhK/?hl=en&taken-by=thetranscontinental" ]]


Race organisers have published the official start list for #TCRNo6, with around 250 riders announced, along with their respective cap numbers, for the 2018 edition.

[[ tweet id="1016620453031489536" ]]

As well as the numerical list, [which can be found here](https://www.transcontinental.cc/riderstcrn06/), TCR organisers have also published a resource that profiles many of the competing riders with information about their backgrounds, motivations, expectations, and social media accounts. It's sure to prove an insightful and helpful tool as the dots begin to make their way across Europe, and we're able to put people and stories behind the numbers appearing on our screen. 

__[Get to know the riders here.](https://www.transcontinental.cc/riders-a-c)__

Ever since its inaugural edition in 2013, The Transcontinental Race has lent itself to fantastic imagery. As well as remarkable photography - shot by [Camille McMillan](https://www.instagram.com/camillejmcmillan/?hl=en), [James Robertson](https://www.instagram.com/jprobertson/), and [Kristian Pletten](https://www.instagram.com/kristianpletten/), to name a few - the race has been captured on film by a number of filmmakers, and below you'll find a sample of some of their work.

From feature length documentaries to arresting shorts; media crews to vloggers, there are hours upon hours of video out there, providing an often candid, raw insight into what life on The Trascontinental Race is like.

## __TCR YouTube Channel__ 
Mid-race shorts and features from the official race filmmakers. See the  [TCR channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRsd5HOKbR2O4517b7cmLA) for more.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gdy_mrXAh-w" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## __#171 A Journey Through Europe__ 
30 minute documentary following Italian rider Jacopo Porecco at the 2016 edition.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/197782959?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/197782959"></a>.</p>

## __Melons, Trucks & Angry Dogs__ 
Four-part series following two riders at the inaugural 2013 edition.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/80636312?color=ffffff" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/80636312"></a>.</p>

## __Transcontinental: Race to Istanbul__ 
An hour-long documentary, featuring lots of interviews, following the 2015 edition. Available to buy in full on Vimeo [here](https://vimeo.com/ondemand/transcontinental).
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/170160375" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/170160375"></a>.</p>

## __Francis Cade vlogs__ 
YouTube vlogger Francis Cade provides an insight into the rider experience, and that of the race crew, in his videos from the 2016 race.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D3CySSD7ZAQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Melissa Pritchard is no stranger to long-distance cycling (she did spend almost 2 years riding 33,000km ['The Loong Way Home'](http://www.theloongwayhome.com/) around the world, after all). But in 2017 she added some speed to her adventures, and entered her first ultra-distance bike race; TCRNo5. Not only did she finish, but Melissa won the women's race altogether. 

Although she won't be racing this year, Melissa will be volunteering at the start in Geraardsbergen, and despite all there is to do, managed to find some time to speak to us as well. Here, she talks of her experiences riding last year, and what's in store for this year's crop of riders at TCRNo6. 

*Photography: [Kristian Pletten](https://www.instagram.com/kristianpletten/)*

![melissa-pritchard-2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5wiWZs0oJGgkqiWoumKM4M/44cbdb8cdb99f833721e1777b6d5915b/melissa-pritchard-2.jpg)

__What first attracted you to the TCR?__

What enticed me most about the TCR is the fact that it sounded impossible.  Upon learning about this race, I asked myself; Can I really do something like this? Is my body physically capable of such a challenge?  I feared I couldn’t, so - as with anything that poses a threat to me in my life - I decided to confront it in order to overcome it. I soon found myself filling out the application in October of 2016.  Determined not to fail, I had to know the answer myself.

 
__What makes it such a unique experience?__

The TCR is a unique experience because no two racers take the same course, nor is the route the same from year to year.  Each and every participant has to find the route that best suits them, and this can even change during the race. As a result, there is a lot of pre-race logistics that don’t exist in other self-supported races. During the TCR participants can alter their route, and make last minute changes in order to be more competitive and adapt to their situation in any given moment. As a dot watcher, which I found myself doing occasionally even while racing, it is exciting and motivating to see the slew of dots cross Europe.  You not only have to be physically stronger than your competitors, but you have execute precision and good judgement on the road at each and every moment. 

![melissa-pritchard-1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4kN1GpDvUcuqYkAUQmK8ea/49f66868fccfb030e582e11d3ed1c4a0/melissa-pritchard-1.jpg)

 
__What will riders be thinking and feeling during this week preceding the start?__

The anxiety will definitely accumulate during the week prior to the race.  While your list of things to prepare for the race should decrease, many times there are a lot of little logistical items that need attention, making the last week stressful - especially if riders need to travel long distances to reach the start line in Belgium.  Racers will probably also be double checking their route, making sure they have all of it traced and successfully saved to their devices. Then of course there's all the gear, which riders will be making sure is set and ready to go.

 
__What do you think of the route and Checkpoints this year?__

What makes the TCR so unique is that that route changes from year to year.  Last year all the checkpoints were on paved roads, although with some of the road conditions, you could barely say they were roads.  This year there is a checkpoint on a gravel road, which Mike (Hall) was fond of. The race heads further north than last year, but not as far east, passing through Poland and The Czech Republic - two new countries this year.  There is still a good portion of the race in the Balkans, making for more challenges considering road surfaces as well as food options.

![melissa-pritchard-3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3aT7hgdHbi2SoUYYCsQOyA/a723f4128226f82bfd744464ff8ffabe/melissa-pritchard-3.jpg)

 
__Who do you think are the riders to watch?__

I have to admit, I have been a bit disconected following the preparation of this years race and stalking the riders.  I was more interested in that last year when I was competing. Of course James (Hayden, 1st 2017) and Bjorn (Lenhard, 2nd 2017) will put on a good show for us all, but watch out for Alexandre Bourgeonnier, who came in second in 2015 and then scratched in 2016.  I have to admit, I don’t know much about the women’s race. There is one returning female, Caroline Item, and Svenja Schrade, who volunteered at CP3 last year arriving by bike, and seemed quite tuned in to observing the racers in the hope of participating herself at some point.  There seems to be several pairs who are couples too, and considering last year's pairs, husband and wife combinations make for strong riders in this category. It's going to be fun seeing who ends up out front!

 
__You’re going to be volunteering at the start in Geraardsbergen. Why was that important to you?__

It was out of the question to participate this year (I got pregnant just after the race last year and gave birth in May), but my partner and I are keen on being there at the start to see familiar faces, cheer on the racers, and give back to the organization. It will be good fun and interesting to be on “this side of the race” this year.

*Melissa will be appearing alongside James Hayden and Bjorn Lenhard in [a Q&A in Geraardsbergen on Saturday 28th July](https://www.facebook.com/events/657052797987554/), the day before the 2018 race starts. "Whether you are one of the racers, a friend, family, volunteer, dot watcher or spectator," say the TCR organisers, "we hope you'll join us."*

__With just days to go before the 2018 edition of the Transcontinental Race kicks off, the sense of occassion is becoming palpable. Before we get our teeth stuck into TCRNo6 though, we decided to take a moment to round up some of our favourite articles covering previous editions, from around the web.__

### The Guardian 
A picture gallery, featuring race photographers James Robertson, Camille McMillan and Lian Van Leeuwen, covering the 2017 edition of the race.

__[
The Transcontinental bike race: 2,400 gruelling miles across Europe – in pictures on The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/gallery/2017/aug/11/the-transcontinental-bike-race-2400-gruelling-miles-across-europe-in-pictures)__

### Pannier.cc & VSCO
Two similar pieces here. First, an insightful piece written by race photographer Camille McMillan, talking about his experiences capturing the race, and the thoughts, feelings, and decisions that are made behind the lens.

[__TCR No.5: A Photographer's Race Manual on Pannier.cc__](https://www.pannier.cc/journal/the-transcontinental-race-no5-2017-photographers-manual)

The second, a VSCO Q&A with fellow race photographer James Robertson, provides a similar insight into what life is like following and documenting the race, while also producing such stunning images.

[__Photographing the Transcontinental Race on VSCO__](https://vsco.co/undefeated/journal/photographing-the-transcontinental-race)


### Apidura
This piece from Apidura, written just prior to the start of the 2017 edition, explores the significance of #TCRNo5 - the first edition of the race after the death of race its founder Mike Hall - and the team behind the scenes.

__[TCRNo5; Race for Mike on Apidura](https://www.apidura.com/adventures/tcrno5-race-for-mike/)__

### CyclingTips

'It taught me so much about myself and helped me find direction in my life when I was a little lost.' This piece, written by TCRNo5 women's race winner Melissa Pritchard, beautifully describes how life journeys, both in and outside of racing, are often inextricably linked. 

[__The Transcontinental Win That Started an Even Bigger Adventure on CyclingTips__](https://cyclingtips.com/2018/04/the-transcontinental-win-that-started-an-even-bigger-adventure/)



__Fact File
__
- Location: Europe (Geraardsbergen, Belgium to Meteora, Greece)
- Length: ~ 4,000km
- Riders: +/- 250
- Last year's winner: James Hayden (GBR)
- Terrain: Road

The Transcontinental Race is, according to [the race website](https://www.transcontinental.cc/), 'the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe,' and it is hard to argue with that. First dreamt up and organised by Mike Hall in 2013, the Transcontinental Race has indeed come to be recognised as somewhat of a genre-defining event. Starting in Belgium (at a mischievous 22:00), and finishing in Greece 4,000km later, with four checkpoints en route that change with every passing year, this self-navigated epic is as arduous as it is adventurous, and therein lies its appeal. 

The 2018 checkpoints will be located in Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and Bosnia, and a glance at the very rough route below shows what the general shape of the race will be: South east from Belgium, through the  heart of the Alps, then directly north to the Czech-Polish border, before another about turn to head south, through the Balkans, to the finish in Greece. Comments from riders in the [TCR Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/Transcontinental.en/) indicate that there could be over 40,000m of climbing in store for some, and judging by the elevation profile below, clearly showing the high passes of the Alps and Balkans, it's not hard to believe.

![route](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/25KicNMvLSawioqwIokq20/6b6e67c1d7bf9fd9defc3db573847828/route.jpg)

With so much climbing, added to the reported gravel road surfaces at checkpoints 3 and 4, lots of attention has been paid to rider's setups this year. Keeping weight down, and being clever with choices in gearing and tyre, will be as important as ever. We're already enjoying the pictures being posted by riders of the different setups that they'll be using on the [TCR Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/Transcontinental.en/), and looking forward to seeing the many iterations of 'cross-continental race bike' at the start in Geraardsbergen. 

As well as terrain, something else that looks like it will have an impact on the race is the weather, with the high temperatures and intermittent thunderstorms that have engulfed Europe in recent weeks set to continue. After the 'Lucifer' heatwave that fell upon the race last year, the impending conditions will perhaps not be quite as much of a shock for anyone who rode TCRNo5, but  the likely heat will be sure to have an impact on rookies and veterans alike: Riding sensibly, staying hydrated, and listening to your body will be key.

The official race start list ([viewable here](https://www.transcontinental.cc/riderstcrn06/)) shows almost 260 names due to take part in TCRNo6, although there will inevitably be a couple of drop-outs. Excitingly, there are lots of new names, and a handful of familiar ones too. Last year's winner James Hayden (Cap #1) is joined by last year's runner up, and winner of the TransAtlantic Way earlier this year, Bjorn Lenhard (Cap #2), and these two are surely the favourites to take victory in 2018. Former 2nd place finisher Alexandre Bourgeonnier will also be present (Cap #148), as will previous top ten finishers Stephane Ouaja (Cap #12) and Matthew Falconer (Cap #5). A rider with certain pedigree, being a former winner of The TransAtlantic Way Race, but who has so far not managed to finish the Transcontinental Race, and as such comes as a bit more of an unknown, is Bernd Paul (Cap #15). With no returning winners in the women's field, picking out the favourites is a little more difficult. However, Isobel Jobling (Cap #224) has ridden the TCR before, Megan Pugh (Cap #138) was third at the TransAtlantic Way this year, Sheila Woollam (Cap #127) has some serious experience of riding around Europe, and Johanna Jahnke and Marion Dziwnik (Caps #255a and #255b) have openly said they want to win the women's pairs category, so the competition will no doubt be exciting to witness.

The Transcontinental Race, and 250 journeys across a continent, start at 22:00 (CET) on 29th July. Keep it tuned to DotWatcher for live coverage, daily news updates, and all the best content from around the web, throughout the race. 









What - and what not - to pack?

[[ instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlsW0uSBV-9/" ]]

Last year's winner, James Hayden, is as keen to write about ultra racing as he is to participate in it, and - similarly to last year - has penned some thoughts on what he's expecting for TCRNo6. 

With some cultural background, riders to watch, as well as insight into what his own personal race strategy will be, it's surely a must-read. 

Transcontinental No6 2018 Race Preview on [jamesmarkhayden.co.uk](http://jamesmarkhayden.uk/transcontinental-race-2018/tcr-no6-2018-race-preview/)


James Hayden's Race Preview

### With the start of #TCRNo6 now just 2 days away, we round up five social media accounts worth following as the race makes its way across Europe.

__TCR Official__

The official TCR accounts, on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/transconrace), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/transconrace/?ref=br_rs), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thetranscontinental/), will be essential sources for race updates and stories from the road. 

__James Hayden__

Last year's winner is sure to be at the front end of the race again in 2018. While his time will be dedicated to racing hard, James is a frequent user of both [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JamesMarkHayden?lang=en-gb) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jamesmarkhayden/), and should provide a few updates mid-race. He even managed some audio mini-pods last year too. 

__Stuart Birnie __

Stuart Birnie, or @hippy, as he's more commonly known, is a very experienced ultra racer. He's already ridden the TransAm this year, and is known for his constant - and often amusing - updates from the road [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/firsthippy?lang=en-gb). 

__Jack Thurston__

While not such a prolific tweeter, Jack has followed the TCR keenly since the start, and can provide some very insightful commentary on the race [from Twitter](https://twitter.com/jackthurston). 


__Mikko Mäkipää__

The only rider to have completed all five editions of The Transcontinental, and as such, one of those whose [Twitter posts](https://twitter.com/mkpaa) will no doubt be worth seeing. 



First dreamt up and organised by Mike Hall in 2013, the Transcontinental Race has come to be recognised as somewhat of a genre-defining event. Starting in Belgium, and finishing in Greece, with four checkpoints en route that change with every passing year, this 4,000km, self-navigated epic is as arduous as it is adventurous, and therein lies its appeal. 

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