257km, 4300 alt gain, 16 hours ride time Today was a spicy meatball. I really struggled to cope with the hard endeavour of prior day and the blazing 40 degree heat. But kept moving and hydrated as much as possible, however my average speed was lower than planned meaning a late finish coming into Sofia…

Day 1 – The Test !
304km, 19 hours, 3,900 alt Day 1 has been my bogey man from the outset, and if I am honest I have been petrified of this stage from January. I know my training has not been up to scratch with most rider and my propensity to cramp on day 1 of an event is almost…

Checked, tracked and good to go ππ
After all the months of hard work and preparation, today was the day it all came together as TCR races from all over the world congregated on the Pantheon of Fallen Antifascists monument on the Burgas esplanade. First a document check (insurance and medical). Then a bike check to ensure we have all the necessary…

Surprise – new bike day π
So latest update on the bike box drama….. As late yesterday afternoon there was no indication from the airline that they had even located my baby, yet alone started routing it my way. This combined with the fact that the race office got back to me and rightly said that I have to make the…

First curve ball – lost bike π
So arrived in Sofia and alas no bike box, and no idea where it is – thanks allot Qatar, on my toes from day -2 Ok plan B: have now booked myself onto same flight from Sofia to Burgas tomorrow at 5pm, hoping to get bike here on Doha 1pm flight tomorrow. But will also…

En route and grateful
Finally the day has come to head off to Burgas, Bulgaria. The race Facebook group has been awash with riders arriving and getting bikes sorted. I am routing on Qatar Airways via Doha, on to Sofia, then a short internal hope via Air Bulgaria. The biggest stress is the safety of my Niner in her…

Family sacrifices
Ultra racing is as selfish a pursuit as you will find. It is long, it is remote, and it involves an element of risk. For family and loved ones this equation is a very unfair one – knowing that its makes us ‘tick’ and is deeply engrained in who we are, but sacrificing time /…