TCRNo8: 4300km over 13 countries*

After the Tour de France finishes at the Champs-Élysées in Paris this Sunday 24th July 2022, around 300 riders will start at 10pm on the cobbles of Geraardsbergen, on a self-supported bicycle race across the continent. 

We start from Belgium and travel through the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania and end in Bulgaria. Each rider determines his own route, and depending on which path you take between the 4 mandatory control points, the number of countries you visit may differ.

50,000 meters of climbing

And we get to climb! Over 5x the height of Mt Everest, to be exact. Each of those 4 magical control points along the route are situated at an iconic climb, mountain pass or landmark. Some are on-road and others off-road, and this time round we get to do the following:

• Start: Muur-Kapelmuur, Geraardsbergen, Belgium.
• Control Point 1: Krupka, Czechia (Czech Republic)
• Control Point 2: Passo di Gavia, Italian Alps
• Control Point 3: Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
• Control Point 4: Drumul Strategic, Transalpina, Romania
• Finish: Sarafovo, Burgas, Bulgaria

And Stelvio pass! Yes, this bucket list climb is on the cards this year, as we approach CP2, just before the Gavia pass in Italy. Stelvio is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps (2757m above sea level), and the second highest in the Alps (7m below the Col de l’Iseran in France). I’m more interested in the 48 hairpins and the views to the top and hope to be able to do this during daylight…

Live tracking 

Live tracking is available Sunday 24th July 10pm, and you can follow all our dots on followmychallenge.com/live/tcrno8/. My tracker is once again kindly provided by Shana and the team at Sat4Rent, who will courier it to your door and even help with the setup.

LIVE TRACKING

*A person is a person, no matter how small — Dr Seuss.

If you find this remotely entertaining or inspiring, kindly consider a donation towards NIKA Capital, a cause I am passionate about. Any amount (big or small) will go a long way for underprivileged schools in need. Plus you will get a s18A certificate for a 100% income tax deduction. PS, you’ll see the Munga banners on the donations page, as we are doing this again in December.

DONATIONS

Closed till 7 August

#bicyclecouriers will be closed from now until 7 August, but I have arranged with Andrew & Dianne & Susanne at Triptych to assist with your bicycle transport needs during this period. Leave your details here and they will contact you 🙂