View allAll Photos Tagged TPBR2019.
Colle delle Finestre didn’t dissapoint. Far from it! It was a magical experience. First riding in good company at the lower slopes through the forest and over tarmac and then focusing on the surface and the surroundings at the same time. Being right there. Just in the moment. Alone, in the quiet and majestic surroundings of the Cottian Alps, in the nature reserve of the Parco naturale Orsiera - Rocciavré. And working my way towards the summit which was the CP2 of the Three Peaks Bike Race.
I just loved the Finish Parcours of this years #TPBR2019! Already at the first sighting of Montserrat I was going „wow, amazing!“. So distinct this sandstone mountain range rises above the surrounding countryside. So I made several photos of it basically every few kilometres when a new perspective or new foregrounds provided interesting photo subjects. But then at the start of the Parcours the magic really started. I also arrived just at the right hour, I guess. Near sunset. Wow! Kudos to Michael and @adventurebikeracing! That first stretch of the Finish Parcours alone could easily match the awesomeness of Meteora in TCRno5 and TCRNo6. It’s really that beautiful and majestic experience nearing Montserrat and then riding just along its very base and descending down to the monastery Santa Maria de Montserrat and onwards.
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Ich fand den Finish Parcours des diesjährigen TPBR2019 einfach nur großartig! Schon beim ersten Sichten des Montserrat Gebirgsstocks war ich begeistert. "Wow, genial - sofort mal ein Foto machen!". So herausragend ist dieses Sandsteingebirge aus seiner Umgebung. So machte ich dann auch alle paar Kilometer, wenn sich wieder eine etwas andere Perspektive und ein anderer Vordergrund darbot, weitere Fotos. Aber am Start des Finishing Parcours war es dann, wo die Magie richtig begann. Ich erreichte diese Stelle genau zur richtigen Stunde, denke ich mal. Nahe Sonnenuntergang. Wow! Kudos für Michael und Adventure Bike Racing! Dieser erste Abschnitt des Parcours konnte es ohne weiteres mit der Großartigkeit von Meteora im Rahmen des Finish Parcours des TCRNo5 und TCRNo6 aufnehmen. Es war wirklich eine wunderbare und majestätische Erfahrung, sich auf dieser Strecke Montserrat zu nähern und dann entlang seiner Felshänge hinab Richtung Kloster Santa maria de Montserrat und dann weiter abzufahren.
Amazing Dusk rays from the setting sun behind the Dauphiné Alps. In the background the snow-covered peaks of the Barre des Écrins (the southernmost and westernmost 4000 meters peak of the Alps) and to his right the Mont Pelvoux can be seen.
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Grandiose Dämmerungsstrahlen beim Sonnenuntergang hinter den Dauphiné-Alpen. Im Hintergrund ragen die schneebedeckten Gipfel der Barre des Écrins, dem südlichsten und westlichsten 4000er Gipfel der Alpen und des rechts daneben liegenden Mont Pelvoux .
View onto the Bernina Alps over the Pian di Spagna plain between the Lakes Mezzola and Como.
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Blick auf die Bernina-Alpen über die Pian di Spagna Ebene zwischen dem Mezzola und dem Comersee hinweg.
Another Set of photos from the Colle delle Finestre. I just love Bikepacking Racing across mountains. Why? Do I have to say any more than just let the photos speak for themselves?
My Drifter below the sculpture „Onades (Waves)“ from Andreu Alfaro in Barcelona. With its 42 metres of height and 15 tons of weight it nevertheless appears thin and fragile. It’s meant as a greeting for those visiting or leaving Barcelona via the Sea.
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Mein Drifter unter der Skulptur "Onades (Waves)" von Andreu Alfaro. 42 m hoch und 15 Tonnen schwer wirkt sie doch aufgrund ihrer Größe fragil. Sie soll die Besucher Barcelonas, die über den Seeweg in die Stadt gelangen, grüßen.
Can you have it any better? Waking up in the early morning, hopping on your bike refreshed and cycling alone and undisturbed along a river in a mountain valley. With the sun and the morning haze spilling a warm light on your path and the surroundings…
That was at the Adda river in the Valtelina on the third morning of the #TPBR2019.
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Kann man es besser treffen? Früh am Morgen aufwachen, erfrischt auf das Rad springen und allein und ungestört entlang eines Flusses in einem Gebirgstal radeln. Mit der Sonne durch frühen Morgendunst alles in ein warmes Licht hüllend...
Das war an der Adda im Veltlin am dritten Morgen des #TPBR2019.
#BAAW as I like it. A nice picturesque house in Sant Andreu Salou. Flashback to my ride from Barcelona to Girona in the week after the #TPBR2019.
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#BAAW wie ich es mag. Ein schönes pittoreskes Haus in Sant Andreu Salou. Rückblick auf meine Tour von Barcelona nach Girona in der Woche nach dem #TPBR2019.
BAAW with a view. My Drifter on the side of an Underpass in the Pian di Spagna, the wide plain and nature reserve between the Lakes of Mezzola and Como.
What a fine morning!
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Bike against a Wall mit Ausblick. Mein Drifter an der Seite einer Unterführung in der Pian di Spagna, der weiten Ebene und dem Naturreservat zwischen dem Mezzola und dem Comer See.
Was ein tollerer Morgen!
Can you have it any better? Waking up in the early morning, hopping on your bike refreshed and cycling alone and undisturbed along a river in a mountain valley. With the sun and the morning haze spilling a warm light on your path and the surroundings…
That was at the Adda river in the Valtelina on the third morning of the #TPBR2019.
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Kann man es besser treffen? Früh am Morgen aufwachen, erfrischt auf das Rad springen und allein und ungestört entlang eines Flusses in einem Gebirgstal radeln. Mit der Sonne durch frühen Morgendunst alles in ein warmes Licht hüllend...
Das war an der Adda im Veltlin am dritten Morgen des #TPBR2019.
Gas stations or petrol stations. They hold a special meaning for self supported endurance cyclists. They are often beacons in the night. Providing food and resupply even in the latest or earliest hours. Most often they are also welcome to warm up a bit and get a hot beverage or at least a much needed caffeine fixture. That one was no difference but it’s height was special. It is situated right atop the highest paved pass in the Pyrenees. The Port d’Envalira in Andorra. There I was before sunrise in the end of July for my last stint of the Three Peaks Bike Race 2019 in chilly 3 ° Celsius and bought some breakfast. I could have ridden the Port d’Envalira also in the opposite direction while racing the Trans Pyrenees Race but my planning showed that the southern route via La Seu d’Urgell provided a faster progress for me there.
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Tankstellen. Sie haben eine besondere Bedeutung für Selbstversorger Radfahrer. Sie sind oft Leuchtfeuer in der Nacht. Gewähren Nahrung und Nachschub auch in den späten oder frühesten Stunden. Meist sind sie auch willkommen, um sich etwas aufzuwärmen und ein heißes Getränk oder wenigstens einen sehr benötigten Koffein-Fix zu bekommen. Diese hier war da keine Ausnahme aber ihre Höhe war besonders. Sie liegt direkt auf der Passhöhe des höchsten asphaltierten Passes in den Pyrenäen, dem Port d'Envalira in Andorra. Dort war ich vor Sonnenaufgang am Ende Juli bei sehr frischen 3 Grad Celcius und holte mir Frühstück. Ich hätte den Port d'Envalira auch in der Gegenrichtung befahren können, und zwar im Oktober während des Trans Pyrenees Race aber meine Routenplanung wies nach, dass die südliche Route über La Seu d'Urgell für schnelleres Vorankommen sorgte.
My bike on the Ponte Unità d'Italia crossing the River Doria Riparia along the midst of the Susa Valley. I was crossing it from south to north in San Giorio to reach Bussoleno right after this. There I would have been able to resupply even late in the evening without the need to later enter Susa but being able to go directly up the Colle delle Finestre. But apart from this what a lovely bridge inside the valley. :)
This was the moment were I was saying to myself and out loud in the morning „Now we are talking!“.
Only on the morning of the third day of the Three Peaks Bike Race I found what I am always looking for when going out for a bike ride - either small or while on a bikepacking race across Europe: stunning scenery, nice and new and intriguing places.
While the first stint from the afternoon start into and through the night was all focused on making good progress and getting into the flow the second day was in the first half only rain and dismal weather. Even when the sun finally did came out in the afternoon I held no interest in the views of the Inn valley (which also weren’t particularly enticing for my taste and also already well known). But here and now on the morning of the third day, shortly after the start in Telfs I crossed the Inn over this nice small bridge with lovely sights into the Inn gorge towards Imst-Bahnhof. Of course I made several photos, enjoyed a banana in the process and then continued over a very nice stretch of the Inn cycling route which I'd deliberately chosen while I was planning my route in preparation for the race. Since it promised nice views and car free cycling while at the same time providing good progress and virtually no added kilometres or climbing compared to the main road. Because despite nice views and all - an overly winding and up and down running cycling path just frustrates the heck out of me when you don’t get into any flow and good pace.
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Das war der Moment, wo ich zu mir selbst und laut in den Morgen sagte: "Now we are talking!".
Erst am Morgen des dritten Tages des Three Peaks Bike Race fand ich, wonach ich immer suche wenn ich zum Rad fahren aufbreche - ob kurz oder während des Bestreitens eines Bikepacking Rennens quer durch Europa: beeindruckende Landschaften, schöne und neue und faszinierende Orte.
Während ich im ersten Rennabschnitt vom Start am Nachmittag in und durch die Nacht komplett darauf ausgerichtet war, guten Fortschritt zu machen und in den Flow zu kommen, war der zweite Tag fast ganz vom Morgen weg in der ersten Hälfte komplett verregnet. Auch als am Nachmittag endlich die Sonne herauskam, hegte ich wenig Interesse für die Aussichten im Inntal (die ehrlich gesagt auch gar nicht so sonderlich waren bzw. die ich auch schon kannte). Aber hier und jetzt am Morgen des dritten Tages überquerte ich nach dem frühen Start in Telfs den Inn nun über diese schöne kleine Brücke des Innradweges; mit schönen Blicken über den Inn herab und hinauf in die Inn-Schlucht Richtung Imst-Bahnhof. Natürlich machte ich eine ganze Reihe von Fotos, genoss eine Banane dabei und machte mich dann auf, die weitere Strecke entlang des Innradweges in Angriff zu nehmen. Für diesen schönen Abschnitt hatte ich nämlich extra schon im Vorfeld bei meiner Planung den Radweg ausgewählt, weil er besonders schöne Sichten und autoloses Radfahren, gleichzeitig aber auch mindestens so gutes Vorankommen wie auf der Hauptstraße versprach. Denn bei allen schönen Sichten - ein Radweg, der sich umständlich windet, viele enge Abzweige aufweist, ständig auf und ab führt (während die Hauptstraße mit gleichmäßigem Gradient und geradlinig vorankommt) ist im Zusammenhang mit weiträumigen Touren und besonders Rennen einfach nur frustrierend. Nicht der Innradweg in diesem Teil.
Another Set of photos from the Colle delle Finestre. I just love Bikepacking Racing across mountains. Why? Do I have to say any more than just let the photos speak for themselves?
A typical picture for bikepacking races: a bike at night at a gas station. Not so typical for the Transpyrenees Race as you would be lucky to find any station at all in the small places the race route would lead us through. And if there were any they typically wouldn’t offer the services, i.e. food, which we would seek from them and wouldn’t open for longer hours then normal shops in the first place. The only thing „24 hour“ about them would be automated tanking by card payment. For this station at Martinet I knew that it would feature a Coke vending machine. Something I conveniently already knew from my route planning of this years Three Peaks Bike Race where I researched already the N-260 between La Seu d’Urgell and Puigcerda as one option. In the #TPBR2019 I choose my other alternative via Ax-les-Thermes and the Port d’Envalira. For the #TPRNo1 my planning clearly showed the southern route out of Andorra and thus avoiding the arduous climbing over the Port d’Envalira as the clearly faster option.
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Ein typisches Bild für Bikepacking-Rennen: Ein Rad in der Nacht an einer Tankstelle. Nicht so typisch allerdings für das Transpyrenees Race. Denn das führte uns durch kleine Orte und einsame Gegenden wo man glücklich sein musste, überhaupt eine Tankstelle vorzufinden. Geschweige denn eine, die auch tatsächlich Essbares verkaufen würde. Und auch länger aufhaben würde, als normale Läden. Das einzige "24 Stunden" mäßige an solchen Tanken waren die rund um die Uhr verfügbaren Zapfsäulen.
Für diese Tankstelle in Martinet wusste ich allerdings, dass sie einen Cola-Automat vor sich stehen hatte. Etwas, was ich praktischerweise schon von meiner Routenplanung für das Three Peaks Bike Race wusste, für das ich bereits die N-260 zwischen La Seu d'Uurgell und Puigcerda als eine Option untersucht hatte. Im #TPBR2019 wählte ich allerdings die Variante über Ax-les-Thermes und den Port d'Envalira. Für das #TPRNo1 zeigte meine Planung allerdings klar, dass die südliche Route aus Andorra heraus und so den langwierigen Anstieg über den Port d'Envalira vermeidend die schnellere Option war.
Have spared this photo from posting till I had my recap of the full #TPBR2019 ready and posted on my Blog. :)
So head over and follow the Link given below for my detailed journal and all the usual ramblings on my experiences while racing from Vienna to Barcelona and crossing the Alps and the Pyrenees.
What a great week it was. Immensly satisfied by the whole race and my welcome here at the finish line in Barcelona below the Arc de Triomf. That photo is actually a panoramic shot and I thank @maltecyclingtourist not only for directing me in the correct alignment and operating the time release but also for the welcome in the middle of the night and that can of Radler. Also @adventurebikeracing for coming up with such a nice race and caring for each individual rider and being there to welcoming me at the finish, too!
Blog Post: torstenfrank.wordpress.com/2019/09/22/three-peaks-bike-ra...
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Ich habe für dieses Photo so lange mit dem Posting gewartet, bis ich meinen Journal-Artikel für das gesamte Three Peaks Bike Race 2019 komplett fertig und hochgeladen hatte.
Also folgt gerne dem unten angegebenen Link zu meinem Tagebuch und den üblichen Überlegungen zu meinen Erfahrungen während des Rennens von Wien nach Barcelona und der Überquerung von Alpen und Pyrenäen.
Was für eine tolle Woche das war. Ich bin überaus zufrieden mit dem ganzen Rennen und meinem Willkommen hier an der Ziellinie in Barcelona unterhalb des Arc de Triomf. Dieses Foto hier ist in der Tat ein Panorama und ich danke Maltecyclingtourist nicht nur für das Dirigieren, damit ich im Torbogen platziert bin und für das Bedienen des Selbstauslösers sondern auch für das Warten bis mitten in der Nacht und die Dose Radler. Ebenso Adventure Bike Racing für die Organisation eines so tollen Rennens und das Sorgen um jeden einzelnen Teilnehmer und ebenfalls dem Willkommen heißen am Ziel!
Blog-Post: torstenfrank.wordpress.com/2019/09/22/three-peaks-bike-ra...
So, who’s up for some gravel this year? Or ponders how one should tackle the diverse gravel parcours this years bikepacking events like #TCRNo7 #TPBR2019 or #TPRNo1 seem to offer? Maybe like this nice 12 km stretch I rode (ok, halfway pushed up 😜) to the summit of Bjelašnica which featured as CP4 in the #TCRNo6? Then head over to my newest article on optimum tire choice for road bike, ultracycling-events and bikepacking races:
torstenfrank.wordpress.com/2019/03/18/der-optimale-reifen...
(it’s only available in German for the time being)
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So, wer ist für etwas Gravel in diesem Jahr? Oder fragt sich gerade, wie der die diversen Schotter- und Offroad-Sektionen angehen soll, die in den Bikepacking-Veranstaltungen dieses Jahres, wie TCRNo7, TPBR2019 oder TPRNo1, besonders gefragt zu sein scheinen?
Vielleicht wie dieser 12 km Abschnitt hier den ich zum Gipfel des Bjelasnica befahren habe (oh, die Hälfte hochgeschoben ;-)). Das war der CP4 des letztjährigen TCRNo6.
Dann nichts wie rüber zu meinem neuesten Artikel zur optimalen Reifenwahl für Rennrad und Gravelbike - insbesondere für Brevet und Bikepacking-Rennen:
torstenfrank.wordpress.com/2019/03/18/der-optimale-reifen...
From one of the last frosty rides in 2019. My No. 22 Bicycles Drifter somewhere in the Sauerland region on the quest to #exploremore.
A wonderful bike I built up from a custom made titanium frame last late spring to early summer by myself. I rode it with much pleasure over diverse grounds. From the technical gravelly terrain of the forest trails around the Pfälzerwald (shoutout to @votec_gravelfondo) to enduring the heat, the flats and ups and downs of the #TPBR2019 (hi to @adventurebikeracing) and the mostly steep ups traversing the Pyrenees from West to East and back again in the inaugural Trans Pyrenees Race (always a pleasure @transpyrenees).
Can’t fault it a single bit. :)
UFO Landing Station by night. — 4 star bivy place between night and morning.
What a nice resting place which I had found there in the night at the Sentiero Valtellina.
Having previously ridden over main roads in the night, because, well, wow, what a blast coming from Bormio. It was basically always a slow downhill gradient and smooth sailing with good progress. I had previously scouted the cycling path and knew where it would provide me with good progress and quiet roads and even an earlier fresh water place. But later on behind Tirano it was uncharted territory for me. I tried the cycling path but found it too winding and even at times unpaved. Nope - back to the main road at once! That gave me the chance to even find a 24 hour super market. Cool stuff. As I wanted to sleep, I looked in the outskirts of Talamo just before Morbegno for a quiet place for my bivy. Didn’t found one - Italian businesses’ and outlets’ surroundings are all fenced and closed by gates. So I thought, lets give the cycling route a chance. Bingo - already in the first kilometre I found this place.
What makes it 4 stars? Well, that bench was just ever so wide enough for me and it also had a bit of light to get myself sorted and cooled water on tap in that water vending machine. I could even choose between with and without gas! Top notch!
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Was für ein toller Rastplatz, bzw. besser, Erfrischungs- und kurze Erholungsstelle, die ich da in der Nacht für mein Biwak am Sentiero Valtellina gefunden hatte. Die Bank war zwar schmal, aber so gerade noch ausreichend für mich und so etwas wie diesen Wasserspende-Automaten, der auch in der Nachtankunft für etwas praktisches Licht sorgte, hatte ich noch gar nirgendwo gesehen.
Colle delle Finestre didn’t dissapoint. Far from it! It was a magical experience. First riding in good company at the lower slopes through the forest and over tarmac and then focusing on the surface and the surroundings at the same time. Being right there. Just in the moment. Alone, in the quiet and majestic surroundings of the Cottian Alps, in the nature reserve of the Parco naturale Orsiera - Rocciavré. And working my way towards the summit which was the CP2 of the Three Peaks Bike Race.
My Drifter parked right at the start of the gravel section for the last kilometers of the Colle delle Finestre.
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Mein Drifter direkt am Start des Schotter-Abschnitts für die letzten Kilometer des Colle delle Finestre geparkt.
The Collada de Clarà was the only „real“ col I rode in Spain. That is, if you only count passes with a real pass summit sign. The whole stretch and especially the finishing Parcours of the Three Peaks Bike Race made sure that there wasn’t a shortage on some climbing in the last kilometres to Barcelona. Of course I had to stop for a quick photo. :)
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Der Collada de Clarà war der einzig "echte" Pass, den ich in Spanien gefahren bin. Das heisst, wenn man nur Pässe mit richtigem Passschild zählt. Die ganze Strecke in Spanien und besonders der Finish Parcours des Three Peaks Bike Race stellte sicher, dass in den letzten Kilometern nach Barcelona kein Mangel an Kletterei herrschte. Natürlich musste ich hier für ein schnelles Foto anhalten. :)
I found this bridge over the Adda while not only scouting the next days Giro stage over the Mortirolo but also for the upcoming #TPBR2019 and my route planning from the Stelvio check point onwards.
Nice stage for my J.Guillem Orient also. :)
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Ich hatte diese Brücke über die Adda entdeckt, als ich nicht nur die Giro-Etappe des folgenden Tages über den Passo del Mortirolo sondern auch meine Route für das kommende #TPBR2019 und die Strecke vom Checkpoint am Stilfser Joch an erkundete.
Sie stellte sich auch als hervorragende Bühne für mein J.Guillem Orient heraus. :)
My Drifter is also a shape shifter. The Drifter-Shifter… 😄
I nearly got the feeling that no two photo sets show it in the exact same configuration…
This is it in the road setup. Basically pulled out of the transport box of the return flight from the #TPBR2019. Removed some of the reflective stickers but not all. Also left the protective foil along the bag contact areas on the frame since in a month it’s already the next bikepacking race in the Pyrenees ( #TPRNo1 ). Still have the dynamo front wheel in but undid all the cables. Removed the aerobars, wrapped new bar tape (@sramroad please make the blip box connect to the Derailleurs parallel to the normal road brake shifters so I don’t always have to unwrap the bar tape to connect the clic buttons to them) cleaned it and already continued comparing three saddles over the last week. Settled on the Brooks Cambium C13 Carved instead of the also very nice Selle San Marco Shortfit for the moment.
Speaking of shapeshifting I will now switch the wheels and pedals to the gravel setup to get the bike ready for the @votec_gravelfondo.
My Drifter is also a shape shifter. The Drifter-Shifter… 😄
I nearly got the feeling that no two photo sets show it in the exact same configuration…
This is it in the road setup. Basically pulled out of the transport box of the return flight from the #TPBR2019. Removed some of the reflective stickers but not all. Also left the protective foil along the bag contact areas on the frame since in a month it’s already the next bikepacking race in the Pyrenees ( #TPRNo1 ). Still have the dynamo front wheel in but undid all the cables. Removed the aerobars, wrapped new bar tape (@sramroad please make the blip box connect to the Derailleurs parallel to the normal road brake shifters so I don’t always have to unwrap the bar tape to connect the clic buttons to them) cleaned it and already continued comparing three saddles over the last week. Settled on the Brooks Cambium C13 Carved instead of the also very nice Selle San Marco Shortfit for the moment.
Speaking of shapeshifting I will now switch the wheels and pedals to the gravel setup to get the bike ready for the @votec_gravelfondo.
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Mein Drifter ist auch ein Shape Shifter. Das Drifter-Shifter… 😄
Ich habe fast das Gefühl, das keine zwei Foto-Sets das Rad in derselben Konfiguration zeigen...
Das ist es im Straßen-Trimm. Ich habe es im Grunde nur aus dem Transportkarton vom Rückflug vom #TPBR2019 gezogen. Einige, aber nicht alle, der dafür geforderten Reflective Stickers entfernt. Die angebrachte Schutzfolie im Bereich der Taschen-Kontaktbereiche habe ich dran gelassen - in einem Monat ist schon das nächste Bikepacking-Rennen in den Pyrenäen (#TPRNo1). Aerobars abgeschraubt, neues Lenkerband gewickelt (Ach komm schon, @sramroad, bitte bekomme es hin, dass man die Blip Box parallel zu den normalen Schalt-/Bremshebeln verwenden kann, so dass man nicht jedesmal das Lenkerband neu wickeln darf, wenn man die Click Buttons an letztere anschließen möchte), das Rad gewaschen und direkt mal weiter mit Sattelvergleichen gemacht. Habe mich jetzt für den Moment für den Brooks Cambium C13 Carved anstelle des mir auch sehr gut gefallenden Selle San Marco Shortfit entschieden.
Apropos Shapeshifting: Kaum fotografiert wurden direkt schon wieder die Laufräder und Pedalen gewechselt, um das Rad in den Graveltrimm zu wechseln und fertig für den Votec Gravel Fondo zu machen. :)
Pas sur mais au pont d’Avignon. :) Another flashback to this summers Three Peaks Bike Race. :)
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Nicht auf aber an der Brücke von Avignon. :) Ein weiterer Rückblick auf das Three Peaks Bike Race von diesem Sommer. :)
It’s nearly time for l’Eroica. So enjoy a look across the street to the @eroica.cc caffè Barcelona.
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Es ist nicht mehr lang zur diesjährigen l'Eroica. Deswegen hier ein Blick über die Straße zum Eroica Caffè Barcelona.
From the popular series: Bikepacking bikes after finished Bikepacking Races in Hotel Lobbys. I present: my No. 22 Bicycles Drifter in the small Hotel Restaurante La Ciutadela right at the Corner of the Passeig de Lluis Companys and the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona.. Just some 500 metres from the destination of this years Three Peaks Bike Race, the Arc de Triomf.
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Aus der beliebten Reihe: Bikepacking-Räder nach beendetem Bikepacking-Rennen in Hotel-Lobbys. :) Ich präsentiere: mein No. 22 Bicycles Drifter in dem kleinen Hotel Restaurante La Ciutadella direkt an der Ecke des Passeig de Lluis Companys und des Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona. Nur etwa 500 Meter vom Ziel des diesjährigen Three Peaks Bike Race, dem Arc de Triomf, entfernt.
Here’s a look back at the very start of this summers Three Peaks Bike Race. Well, even before the start. It was my start of the travel to the start of the race by train from Wuppertal to Vienna.
My No. 22 Drifter fully laden and ready to go.
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Hier ist ein Blick zurück zum Start des Three Peaks Bike Race in diesem Sommer. In der Tat, noch vor dem eigentlichen Start des Rennens. Es war der Start meiner Anreise zum Start des Rennens in Wien von Wuppertal aus.
Mein No. 22 Drifter voll beladen und Rennfertig.
And another look back to this summers Three Peaks Bike Race. That was on the last long day. First up and down through Andorra and then all the way flying down the C-14 from La Seu d’Urgell to Oliana.
Just north of Oliana the River Segre is impounded by this dam to the Embalse Oliana.
I found this bridge over the Adda while not only scouting the next days Giro stage over the Mortirolo but also for the upcoming #TPBR2019 and my route planning from the Stelvio check point onwards.
Nice stage for my J.Guillem Orient also. :)
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Ich hatte diese Brücke über die Adda entdeckt, als ich nicht nur die Giro-Etappe des folgenden Tages über den Passo del Mortirolo sondern auch meine Route für das kommende #TPBR2019 und die Strecke vom Checkpoint am Stilfser Joch an erkundete.
Sie stellte sich auch als hervorragende Bühne für mein J.Guillem Orient heraus. :)
Ahh, the glorious Engadin! I just had to add Switzerland to my list of countries in the #TPBR2019. Even when just entering it and then basically turn left, crossing the Inn again over this bridge in Martina and then continuing up the Norbertshöhe towards Nauders and Austria again to reach the Reschen Pass.
My Drifter is also a shape shifter. The Drifter-Shifter… 😄
I nearly got the feeling that no two photo sets show it in the exact same configuration…
This is it in the road setup. Basically pulled out of the transport box of the return flight from the #TPBR2019. Removed some of the reflective stickers but not all. Also left the protective foil along the bag contact areas on the frame since in a month it’s already the next bikepacking race in the Pyrenees ( #TPRNo1 ). Still have the dynamo front wheel in but undid all the cables. Removed the aerobars, wrapped new bar tape (@sramroad please make the blip box connect to the Derailleurs parallel to the normal road brake shifters so I don’t always have to unwrap the bar tape to connect the clic buttons to them) cleaned it and already continued comparing three saddles over the last week. Settled on the Brooks Cambium C13 Carved instead of the also very nice Selle San Marco Shortfit for the moment.
Speaking of shapeshifting I will now switch the wheels and pedals to the gravel setup to get the bike ready for the @votec_gravelfondo.
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Mein Drifter ist auch ein Shape Shifter. Das Drifter-Shifter… 😄
Ich habe fast das Gefühl, das keine zwei Foto-Sets das Rad in derselben Konfiguration zeigen...
Das ist es im Straßen-Trimm. Ich habe es im Grunde nur aus dem Transportkarton vom Rückflug vom #TPBR2019 gezogen. Einige, aber nicht alle, der dafür geforderten Reflective Stickers entfernt. Die angebrachte Schutzfolie im Bereich der Taschen-Kontaktbereiche habe ich dran gelassen - in einem Monat ist schon das nächste Bikepacking-Rennen in den Pyrenäen (#TPRNo1). Aerobars abgeschraubt, neues Lenkerband gewickelt (Ach komm schon, @sramroad, bitte bekomme es hin, dass man die Blip Box parallel zu den normalen Schalt-/Bremshebeln verwenden kann, so dass man nicht jedesmal das Lenkerband neu wickeln darf, wenn man die Click Buttons an letztere anschließen möchte), das Rad gewaschen und direkt mal weiter mit Sattelvergleichen gemacht. Habe mich jetzt für den Moment für den Brooks Cambium C13 Carved anstelle des mir auch sehr gut gefallenden Selle San Marco Shortfit entschieden.
Apropos Shapeshifting: Kaum fotografiert wurden direkt schon wieder die Laufräder und Pedalen gewechselt, um das Rad in den Graveltrimm zu wechseln und fertig für den Votec Gravel Fondo zu machen. :)
Colle delle Finestre didn’t dissapoint. Far from it! It was a magical experience. First riding in good company at the lower slopes through the forest and over tarmac and then focusing on the surface and the surroundings at the same time. Being right there. Just in the moment. Alone, in the quiet and majestic surroundings of the Cottian Alps, in the nature reserve of the Parco naturale Orsiera - Rocciavré. And working my way towards the summit which was the CP2 of the Three Peaks Bike Race.
On the beginning on the gravel section on top of the Colle delle Finestre.
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Am Beginn des Schotter-Abschnitts im oberen Bereich des Colle delle Finestre
Oh hi there! Colle delle Finestre was a great experience. Apart from the pass and the mountain landscape it was also a pleasure to meet fellow rider cap no 83, Sonia Barrar from Spain. The first time I met her in the race was that morning in the north of Torino which we were both traversing. Her first question to me was „Are you having fun?“ with a positive tune and genuine interest. What a great question to ask in the midst of an ultracycling race!
I then met her again on the slopes of the Colle delle Finestre where after a nice chat we than leapfrogged one another while either fighting for traction on the at times loose gravel or stopping for a photo.
This is at the beginning of the gravel section at the top of the pass.
Two photos I made in last years TPRNo1 to document my lighting system to which I evolved over the last road centric ultracycling races. Last year I switched already in summer for the TPBR2019 from a purely battery pack oriented set-up to a hub dynamo powered one. And I'm rather fond of it because it makes me completely self-sufficient. If I don't want to stop overnight in a hotel I don't have to. But I still can charge all my devices and have always light - even if days into the race and riding through the night. The peace of mind this provides is a big bonus in itself.
So last year I chose the SON Edelux II front light. It has a nice reflector and a nice beam. But it is StVZO compliant which means it's street legal in Germany. While this is a good thing it also means the beam shape has to comply to some restrictions so to not daze oncoming traffic. What's good for the oncoming traffic is to the detriment of my own range of vision and awareness of obstacles at the very edge of the beam.
And apart from that if you are riding reasonably swift (i.e. already on a plain and certainly on a slight or even steep gradient) the range of the beam could be wider.
Then you also have the fact: if you would be very slow (more a concern for offroad riding uphill) or even hiking you would need a battery powered light nevertheless.
And the 3rd point is: every vital system you have (and lights are vital else you could only ride in daytime) needs a redundant backup. That is a battery powered light for a hub dynamo system.
So all that means: In my battery powered set-up my Lupine Neo was my main light and was mounted on the center bridge on the tip of my aerobar extensions. There where you see now the SON Edelux II mounted.
My redundancy option then was a separate battery powered light (the Supernova Airstream) transported inside my handlebar bag (only retrieved in case of need).
Now last year with the SON my new main light is the SON Edelux II now taking the center spot. But I kept the Lupine Neo. And decided to make it also fixed. I went down into the bend of my right extension where it neither collides with my grip nor gets shadowed by my hands. Im rather fond of this position. It's a small footprint GoPro-Cable-tie mount. And the diminuitive Neo has a special mount for this. Sweet.
It's permanently mounted because I use the Lupine Neo as my "high beam". I.e. every time when I'm outrunning the visibility range of the SON Edelux II beam. This is for every descent (safe for ones with really frequent tight corners and thus slow speed) and also for normal pace on the flats as long as I'm confident having enough battery juice left).
That is already a really sound and nice system. But I still thought it left something to be desired. How capable can a dynamo powered light really be? Can't I have both? Sufficient throw when going fast and but also well defined and wide enough at low speeds? And if that is not (yet) combinable with the German StVZO by the industry (or they don't see the market for this yet) then so be it. Because of this I approached Kerry Staite from kLite last winter and ended up purchasing his kLite Bikepacker Ultra Lights. I got both because I wondered which would be better for me and my diverse needs. So I took the MTB version with me to the Atlas Mountain Race and plan to use the Road version instead of the SON Edelux II for the upcoming Three Peaks Bike Race.
Still want to make another night time test of all 3 lights (SON and the 2 kLites), though (only did a quick first impression comparison of those last winter and was already impressed by the kLites).
All cats are grey by night. Or all bikes orange. ;-)
This was in the small village of Lansargues in the Region Occitanie in France. I crossed the Provence and then the Camargue earlier that day and was now behind of Lunel and very near to Montpellier. Satisfied with my daily mileage and late in the night I was now on the lookout for a fitting bivy spot for the night. This village wasn’t suited for this, but in the next one I would find a fitting place.
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Nachts sind alle Katzen grau. Oder alle Räder orange. ;-) Das war in der kleinen Ortschaft Lansargues in der Region Okzitanien in Frankreich. Früher am Tag durchquerte ich bereits die Provence und die Camargue und war hier nun hinter Lunel und sehr nahe vor Montpellier. Zufrieden mit meinem Tagesfortschritt und spät in der Nacht war ich nun auf der Suche nach einem Biwak-Platz für die Nacht. Diese Ortschaft war nicht geeignet, aber in der Nächsten würde ich einen passenden Platz finden.
Canal with a view. This is the canal of the Electricité de France (Canal EDF) which runs alongside the Durance and transports and distributes its water which is stored in several impoundments for drinking water supply, energy production as well as irrigation purposes through the Haute Alpes and into the Provence.
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Der Kanal der Èlectricité de France (Canal EDF) begleitet die Durance und leitet das in diversen Stauhaltungen aufgestaute Wasser zum Großteil für Trinkwasserversorgung, Energieerzeugung und für die landwirtschaftliche Bewässerung aus durch die Provence.
Another Set of photos from the Colle delle Finestre. I just love Bikepacking Racing across mountains. Why? Do I have to say any more than just let the photos speak for themselves?
Getting ready to post my #TPBR2019 recap this weekend. All pics which I need for it are developed and text is ready save the introduction. So enjoy this view over the Andorran Pyrenees from the lower reaches of the Col d’Ordino until then. :)
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Ich bin bald soweit, meinen #TPBR2019 Recap dieses Wochenende zu posten. Alle dafür benötigten Fotos sind entwickelt und der Text steht bis auf die Einleitung. Also erfreut euch schon mal über diese Aussicht über die Pyrenäen in Andorra aus dem unteren Bereich des Col d'Ordino. :)
Italian icecream from #Southtyrol, shouldn’t miss it. All the more at such a scorcher of a day where I was about to tackle the Stelvio afterwards. So I made a short break in the village of Glurns.
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Italienisches Eis aus Südtirol - das sollte man nicht verpassen. Um so mehr an einem so heissen Tag wie dort, wo ich danach noch den Stelvio in Angriff nehmen wollte. Also machte ich eine kurze Pause in Glurns.
And another look back to this summers Three Peaks Bike Race. That was on the last long day. First up and down through Andorra and then all the way flying down the C-14 from La Seu d’Urgell to Oliana.
Just north of Oliana the River Segre is impounded by this dam to the Embalse Oliana.
#SpillwaySaturday ! Well I just made that Hashtag up - but lo and behold, it exists already 3 times on instagram (by a skater). Let’s make it more common, engineers! :)
You may know already of my long time project. On every reservoir I come across (well nearly every one) I want to photograph my bike on the dam. Here I’m on the dam of the Reschensee Reservoir. And these three „saucers“ behind my bike are a essential part of every dam. Not necessarily in that form but function. These are flood spillways and they provide the relief for incoming floods when the inflow is bigger than the maximum outflow of the normal operating gates and continues to be that way even when the reservoir reached its design water level. The special type we see here can be simply called drop inlet spillways. But the way cooler name is the one they had since it’s inception in 1896 (where the first spillway in this principle was built) and that is: Morning-glory shaft spillway. The chalice, or the collecting structure (in German this kind of spillway is called Kelchüberfall) is the morning-glory. This leads into a vertical or inclined shaft which then bends into an horizontal tunnel which either crosses the dam or the hills on either side of the dam to connect to the downstream via a stilling basin.
So there you have your civil engineering fact brought to you by cycling. :)
Saddles! Can you ever find the perfect one?
They are the most important contact point between rider and bike. And they have to perform for a wide range of riding conditions and demands. Especially for ultra cycling where comfort for miles and days and weeks is of utmost importance.
For road riding I have a pure carbon saddle. The Tune Komm-Vor. While it combines exceptional light weight and exceptional comfort regardless whether in the drops or climbing in an upright position it’s way to fragile to be considered for any unsupported long distance task. It’s carbon rails wouldn’t be the right thing to hang big saddle bags onto and it’s shell might just crack on just the slightest of mishaps - maybe your bike falling over in front of a supermarket.
I have good success with the Brooks Cambium C15 carved. This one brought me through 2 TCRs and a TPBR. But it’s really heavy and I’m prone to chaving my inner thighs on this one if I’m not dilligent with the chamois cream in this areas.
So I was (and still are) in test mode again. My current question: is the current „Shortfit“ and „open“ range of saddles anything for me? I purchased Specializeds Power Arc Expert in 143 mm width, after this the Womens Arc Mimic and then the pictured Selle San Marco.
The Specialized Power Arc was nice and confirmed for me that I can ride conventional saddles with a cutout. But - it nonetheless wasn’t optimal for me. The Specialized Women Power Expert with Mimic showed me, that while cutouts work, it’s better if they aren’t there or at least doesn’t run all the way to the nose. But being not rounded like the „Arc“ Mens versions the back part stood out in a not very fitting way to my rear. I conclude that a Women Power Arc Mimic (which doesn’t exist just yet) would be the better blend of these two saddles.
Enter the Selle San Marco Shortfit Dynamic Open-Fit Wide L3. Wow, what a mouthful! I was sceptic on the even wider cut out. But the edges seemed to chamfered quite nicely and the shape was intriguing. It also features a rather wide tip. And wow - what a sensation upon first sitting on it! As if it was shaped right after my behind. I just had two outings with it. Both rather short. Both rather spirited. A 2,5 hour ride at home with long parts in the Aerobars and a 150 km alpine ride over the Passo del Mortirolo and Aprica. So the jury is still out. But boy do I wish this was a saddle for me! Because it’s nearly half in weight as the heavy Brooks Cambium and it’s certainly one of the most stylish saddles there is and an adornment for every bike.
Between this and both Specialized saddles this one wins hand’s down. Selle San Marco says it’s best for aggressive riding styles. Meaning low upper body and boy - when in the drops or on the aerobars this one is nearly as if it wasn’t there. In regard of no pressure on your behind and in regard of absolutely no restriction or friction of your whirling legs. It’s when you are climbing or riding in a more upright position that the fact that it has this cutout could lead to a bit more pressure. I just need some more miles on this and urgently something like a 300 km stint also.
If this one isn’t it, then I’ll return to the Brooks Cambium but will upgrade to it’s All Weather Carbon version C13 carved. Since time is then running out to thoroughly test another saddle model before the #TPBR2019.
Canal with a view. This is the canal of the Electricité de France (Canal EDF) which runs alongside the Durance and transports and distributes its water which is stored in several impoundments for drinking water supply, energy production as well as irrigation purposes through the Haute Alpes and into the Provence.
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Der Kanal der Èlectricité de France (Canal EDF) begleitet die Durance und leitet das in diversen Stauhaltungen aufgestaute Wasser zum Großteil für Trinkwasserversorgung, Energieerzeugung und für die landwirtschaftliche Bewässerung aus durch die Provence.
Imagine riding in a nice but wide valley where you know you share the valley floor with some highway, a normal main road and several fields and stuff but then just turn left, follow a side path, traverse a bit of non-paved cycling path below trees and suddenly find this bridge, crossing a big mountain river and forming a very scenic gorge. Beautiful! Obviously, that’s the view to the other side than the last photo with the morning sun in my back.
Colle delle Finestre didn’t dissapoint. Far from it! It was a magical experience. First riding in good company at the lower slopes through the forest and over tarmac and then focusing on the surface and the surroundings at the same time. Being right there. Just in the moment. Alone, in the quiet and majestic surroundings of the Cottian Alps, in the nature reserve of the Parco naturale Orsiera - Rocciavré. And working my way towards the summit which was the CP2 of the Three Peaks Bike Race.
We interrupt our current #TPBR2019 recap to bring you… the @votec_gravelfondo!
Yes, #crossiscoming and I #willtravelforgravel. This year to the beautiful Palatinate Forest (I do hope so at least, that’s what they told me - never have been there up to now. :)) There, the now already 4th #votecgravelfondo will take place the next weekend. I posted a short preview on what we can expect and also a recap of the 3rd Gravel Fondo from last year, where I made not only the above photo but a few more. This was in the northern Black Forest near Schönwald.
Find the link to the article here: torstenfrank.wordpress.de/2019/08/21/blitz-vorschau-zum-k...
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Wir unterbrechen unsere laufende #TPBR2019 Rückschau, um... den Votec Gravel Fondo zu bringen!
Yupp, #crossiscoming und I #willtravelforgravel. Dieses Jahr in den schönen Pfälzer Wald (Hoffe zumindest, dass er schön ist; das haben sie mir gesagt - ich war noch nie da. :)) Dort wird der dann bereits vierte Vote Gravel Fondo am nächsten Wochenende stattfinden. Ich habe kurze Vorschau dazu, was wir erwarten können und eine Rückschau auf den dritten Gravel Fondo im letzten Jahr gepostet. Da gibt es auch noch mehr Fotos. Das war im Nordschwarzwald.
Finde den Artikel hier: torstenfrank.wordpress.de/2019/08/21/blitz-vorschau-zum-k...