Trans Alp Challenge
Fresh from their Cape Epic adventure, Pete Turnball and Jon Stenson take on the second of their three ultra-endurance mountain bike races, the Trans Alp Challenge, and provide us with daily coverage of Europe's toughest multi-day off road event.
Stage Eight
As the riders crossed the finish line today their sense of achievement, and relief, was plain for all to see. My abiding memory of crossing the finish line was the disappointment of being alone. Jon has been desperately unlucky this week, and desperately unwell. Let's hope that he recovers in time for the Trans-Rockies in two week's time.
Stage Seven
It was a tough call to persuade Jon not to ride earlier in the week, but on his birthday I knew my words would fall on deaf ears. "It's my birthday and I'll ride if I want to." was the attitude, while the altitude would again present main problems.
Stage Six
Pete rides solo one more time in the hope that Jon can ride tomorrow - his birthday treat. How another 3000m of climbing can be seen as a treat however, is news to me.
Stage Five
According to Pete there is apparently "something masochistic about riding a climb from 500m to just short of 2,200m." Just as well he had a full 20km to enjoy that specail feeling, while the recovering Jon was dealt another hand of bad luck.
Stage Four
Another solo day in the Alps for Pete, on the toughest day of the race so far.
Stage Three
How ill is too ill to ride your bike? Jon discovers the answer on his way through a disrupted stage three.
Stage Two
Stage Two seriously tests the resolve of Pete and Jon as a bout of trailside sickness sets in.
Stage One
It's snow joke as inclement weather stops a stage of the TransAlp for the first time in eleven years.
Reflecting on the Cape Epic
Pete and Jon look back at their experiences in the South African stage race and their preparations as they hit Europe and the TransAlp.
