Transcontinental Race 2026, with spoilers

[mjr]

The checkpoints and compulsory parcourses(?) are out and it's a new challenge, from north to south, Trondheim to Kalamata.

Josh Ibbet has published a preview at

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y8c6xZxJS0


So, some early ferry choices, including whether to take a long ferry from Sweden, or shorter ones to and from Denmark. Could split up early and get very interesting if faster riders pick slower ferries, or suffer delays, and then chase.

 

[matticus]

Thanks! For me this is the most interesting route for years (at least at this stage, further facts may emerge). I love the Race-to-the-Sun* feel, and the views in Norway will be something else, together with the feeling of the sun barely setting during that 1st night ... I'm getting tingles!

It's a long one, innit? And 2,000km between Norway and Slovakia checkpoint - that alone is further than most of us have ridden in a week!

*They should have a Used-Warm-Clothing bring-n-buy at Checkpoint 2.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Larvick-Hirtshals (120km SSW of Oslo - tip of Denmark) seems the front runner to me. Simplifies the route from Flåm SE and the ride through Denmark on better roads to ride on than the coast road SSE from Oslo down to (at least) Helsingborg. Four hour trip should give the rider a 3 hour kip.
A myriad of ferry choices!
A long time ago coming south I changed ferries mid-Sognefjord, alighted at Flåm and took the train up to Myrdal, and camped. The parcours leaving Flåm follows the gravel road alongside the (mountain) railway, to the extent it can (not through tunnels aiui).
A long time ago (less two years) I (in a three) set off into the Low Tatras (bang on CP2) getting the cable car up Chopok to gain the height without slogging the 1000+m climb from Otupne with full rucsacs.

Start: 19 July in Trondheim, Norway,
Finish: Kalamata, Greece
https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/15155-lost-dot/routes?
Control Points/Parcours are:

• Start: Trondheim - first 195km Parcours
• CP1: Flåm, Norway – Approach Parcours 1a Lærdalsøsri and over towards Flåm. Riders must climb out of the fjord on the Rallarvegen Parcours 1b
• CP2: Tatra Mountains, Slovakia – Praded mountain Parcours 2a then to Chopok mountain Parcours 2b and control: Demänovská Dolina, Žilina, Slovakia
• CP3: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina – track beside the 1984 Winter Olympic bobsleigh track on Mt Trebević. Parcours 3
• CP4: Leskovik, Albania - Parcours 4 (tracks)
• Finish: Kalamata Parcours

 

[yello]

Coincidentally, I was reading only last week a report of the 2025 event written by the fittingly named vainqueur Victor Bisoni. He didnt hang about.

 

[matticus]

What is the exact wording about ferries in the rules? I'm wondering if buying/hiring your own boat is allowed ...

[I'm also wondering if there is a quick buck to be made here. alongside a few days holiday in the Baltic ... ]

/notVerySerious

 

[matticus]

Start: 19 July in Trondheim, Norway,
Finish: Kalamata, Greece
Control Points/Parcours are:

• CP1: Flåm, Norway – Riders must climb out of the fjord on the Rallarvegen
• CP2: Tatra Mountains, Slovakia – Praded mountain, then to Chopok mountain
• CP3: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina – track beside the 1984 Winter Olympic bobsleigh track on Mt Trebević.
• CP4: Leskovik, Albania - parcours on tracks

Josh's rough draft of a reasonable route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53400369

 

[13 rider]

Can you use the train to cross the Oresend bridge between Sweden and Denmark

 

[Beebo]

What is the exact wording about ferries in the rules? I'm wondering if buying/hiring your own boat is allowed ...

[I'm also wondering if there is a quick buck to be made here. alongside a few days holiday in the Baltic ... ]

/notVerySerious

They can only use pre approved ferry routes.

And the catch all Self-support clause will rule out other shenanigans.

Riders must be entirely self-sufficient, meaning no outside support, such as pre-arranged food, accommodation, or technical assistance.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Can you use the train to cross the Oresend bridge between Sweden and Denmark

Heard some blonde sort with a clapped out 911 will be doing transfers.

 

[matticus]

They can only use pre approved ferry routes.

Ah well, that probably scotches all boat-related shenanigans in my mind! Thankyou.

And the catch all Self-support clause will rule out other shenanigans.

Riders must be entirely self-sufficient, meaning no outside support, such as pre-arranged food, accommodation, or technical assistance.

Pre-arranged is the key here isn't it? You don't have to be entirely self-sufficient; you can use a hotel, buy a Michelin-starred meal, buy a new bike, pay someone to fix your bike, whatever .. which is why I WAS thinking "find local fishermen, rent his boat" might also be allowed. Just don't book him in advance, and don't pay him to NOT take other riders across!
(actually, buying his boat and dumping it on the other side of the Baltic might cross the spirit of "available to all riders" ...)

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Ah well, that probably scotches all boat-related shenanigans in my mind! Thankyou.

Pre-arranged is the key here isn't it? You don't have to be entirely self-sufficient; you can use a hotel, buy a Michelin-starred meal, buy a new bike, pay someone to fix your bike, whatever .. which is why I WAS thinking "find local fishermen, rent his boat" might also be allowed. Just don't book him in advance, and don't pay him to NOT take other riders across!
(actually, buying his boat and dumping it on the other side of the Baltic might cross the spirit of "available to all riders" ...)

I think thats the key. Is the outside assistance available to any rider, not pre arranged, and have no connection with a rider? Could any other rider hive reasonably done the same?

Maybe there is some rule, that it also needs to be a commercial offering.

 

[matticus]

Heard some blonde sort with a clapped out 911 will be doing transfers.

I couldn't believe Josh didn't mention That Program during his route preview!