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This is frmo the race director for the ATR 5000.
Potential racers READ
"It is raining, and it will continue to rain until it is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world you will have to find yourself another wizard" - Gandolf
Listen up all those contemplating pain and magnificent suffering for 5000 miles.
This is a first year race. Loads of people have come together to make this one amazing event. It will not be perfect. There will be failures. There will be the unexpected, the unknown the challenges no one ever saw coming. There is no money. Self-supported ultra-distance cycling is by nature, an independent, and for many, a spiritual event. There will be those who find it easy to sit in the comfort of life and criticize. Racing is not touring. The experience of the race demands within the racer, the ability to adapt to these "opportunities" for growth so that we may come out the other end, a slight better person than started, and show to the world, what real humanity is capable of.
If you are considering this race, please prepare for that. This is not 5 star cycling. There will be cars, boats, planes, bears, mean people, mean mud, stubborn mountains, and every other conceivable mental and physical challenge imaginable. It is after all, 5000 miles of desolate adventure.
The official website is coming but it is a delicate situation. Those racers seriously able to complete this race probably don't need a website to make that decision. Show up June 1. A note of intent to the message board of this Facebook page will suffice for entry. If you have specific questions, a message to our Facebook also works. The TL link will go out about a month prior to race day.
Future event details will be released as finalized. And yes, you will be camping on the beach and taking a boat at the start 🙂 Details to follow.
Keep it positive - billy
An event so secret not even google knows about it.
[i]An event so secret not even google knows about it. [/i]
Everyone know the Around The Rec 5000 times race, surely?
It was a feat of endurance to read all of that so I didn't 🙂
Self-supported ultra-distance cycling is by nature, an independent, and for many, a spiritual event.
i think lala read that out earlier 😉
Nice, but I thought UK Garage horse racing was funnier:
A friend did the Coniston Triathalon a few years ago, the organiser's pre-race briefing included:
"The only flat bit of the course is the lake!"
Sorry - I'm so wrapped up in it I didn't explain the title - its the American Trail Race.
It is an off road race from North Carolina to Oregon with the same rules as the Tour Divide.
My goal is 38 days of 16 hours a day of riding. 348,000 feet of climbing too.
If you want to read about my preparation so far, check out
Jesus wept, that's more than 5 years worth of riding for me (based on last years Strava).
Best of luck.
Good luck! I'll be reading your blog later. Whilst I'm just dipping my toe into Ultras, but this one appeals more then the TD, but the sadist in me would like to do both!
Interesting blog, Rob, that's my train reading for today! Best of luck with the race, sounds brilliantly mental!
Good to hear from you again Rob. I rather enjoyed last years double double thread.
Bloody hell. Great read and massive respect. I cannot contemplate the mental capacity for suffering you must have Rob. Good luck with everything and keep us mere mortals updated
Its not suffering - really!
There was a lad who did TD this year and seemed to dislike the experience intently; I can't wait for 1st of June- the whole 38 days should be a superb adventure.
Just imagine getting 3000 miles into a race, then being on the slickrock trails in Moab.
How can it get better?
Next blog post is up. It was going to be about all the eateries on the course, but Im only 4300 miles into the planning so that will have to wait.
I did have a chat with the marketing guys from USE tonight and they suggested I shared todays training session and why I did it, so please feel free to read it here.
> https://robcolliveradventures.wordpress.com/blog/
Stats for resupply for the race are up on the blog - there are more McDonalds, Subways, 7/11's, diners etc than I thought, but so far, only three bike shops in 5100 miles.
Bottom, bottom, bottom 🙂