Transcontinental Race No.10 - Fighting a Losing Battle - DNF at Ultra Cycling Race

[@kristinlow1205]

Really enjoyed watching your journey through this Andy, and following your progress on the map. You made the right call, and it’s really inspirational for you to put yourself out there and showcase it all. Cheers and thanks 🫡

[@theroadprovides]

Thankyou :) its hard to put the fails out and expose myself but I always promised to show the good and the bad so...

[@irondistance4313]

A smart decision, to scratch, I would have pushed on like you did until I though I was in that danger of injury. I hope to see the trip home, and some pretty scenery. I hope your recovery is going well, and we can see some more adventures from Andy Ultra cycling when you are recovered. ❤

[@theroadprovides]

oh yeah Ill keep going bud, I have some changes to make now but will keep growing and learning. I'm going to show the journey back I think, it was funny in places

[@ShawnIsBatman]

Another great video despite the circumstances and the eventual outcome. Thank you for sharing this and for your brutally honest portrayal of everything that went into the preparation, execution and outcome of your journey.

[@theroadprovides]

cheers mate I appreciate it as always, Ill finish it next year, I have a few things to change next year

[@paulpearce9750]

Well done Andy it’s such a tough decision to pull out when your heart really wants to continue but your head is telling you it’s not a good idea. I think you made the right call and you will be back with stronger knees 💪

[@theroadprovides]

oh yes, learned a lesson here mate

[@bradharsant309]

The right call Andy. Good luck with the rehab. Will be looking out for the next installment

[@theroadprovides]

cheers bud, I am doing my physio and its much better already

[@LamyCND]

You are an absolute legend for even attempting this!

[@theroadprovides]

thank you my friend

[@TheLongstaffaudaxer]

Such a shame for you. You sounded so bright and within yourself- even though injured- until just before Munich. Good luck for the recovery and the build up to next year!

[@theroadprovides]

it really sucks doesn't it, I felt fine, was just getting a bit fatigued by Munich but not too bad

[@globaljobber]

Well done Andy. You weren't the only one to scratch due to knee problems, as you probably know Josh Ibbett also had the identical issue. Shame, and really frustrating. It happens, not your fault. You gave it your best. Better luck next time. Thanks for your videos. Always a good watch. Again, well done on what you managed.

[@theroadprovides]

Thankyou mate :)

[@TheMrAPRise]

I followed your journey, and you made the right decision....your efforts are always amazing, and I am sure when you have a clear recovery plan in place, you will be back out there. Thanks for sharing.

[@theroadprovides]

I will be buddy, thanks as always for watching :)

[@gregwhiteuk]

Sorry to hear you couldn’t continue on your epic journey Andy; you made the right call in pulling out you have done yourself proud a fantastic story to tell. Good luck with the recovery we’ll be following you no your next journey.

[@theroadprovides]

thanks buddy :)

[@ospringate]

I love your film of the first parcours - thanks so much for posting - this was all new to me as a TCR virgin - and I really loved the exhilarating and hallucinatory nature of this phase - a tribe of 300 ultra ridders all in a congested peloton - I had some great conversations with new friends as we went into the evening together

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks mate it was so much fun right? You will know then there were worse parts that I couldn’t film 😬

[@ospringate]

​@@theroadprovidesyeah it's a crazy emotional roller coaster - I found early mornings I was elated with anticipation of the day ahead -by mid afternoons often wondering over too slow progress and misadventures.... But again evening into night riding has it's own seductions... Looking forward to giving it another try

[@theroadprovides]

Me too, I’ll go back next year

[@LIFE_ToBeContinued]

Thanks for sharing this experience Andy (and for responding to my question on the TCR Facebook page). The race is a fascinating beast. I'm considering TCR 2026. Let's see what happens. Good luck and looking forward to the next few videos.

[@theroadprovides]

cheers buddy, maybe Ill see you on the start line then :)

[@surferjay70]

Gutted for you, All the time and effort in the build up, the disappointment at APN with the Garmin truly devastating. It’s much harder to scratch when you’ve invested so much time and effort into something and especially when your making it so public. You did the right thing there with your injury, as hard as it would’ve been at the time. But do you know what mate, lessons learned in failure are more valuable than lessons learned in success. You will succeed and thank you for being honest and genuine. Chapeau Chapeau Salisbury rider 🚴‍♂️

[@theroadprovides]

cheers buddy I really appreciate that, it is tough to put these out when they aren't the result I wanted, but its pretty liberating when everyone here gets it, you win or you learn

[@chrisburdett2460]

You’re not the only disappointed one. I was watching your dot get closer and closer to my front door, second guessing your route and then about 30-40 minutes before reaching me, you did a left turn and went to Munich. And that was that, but still a good crack and a sensible, rational decision.

[@theroadprovides]

Ah would have been good to say hi mate, you live in an ideal location by sounds of it, I loved Germany

[@veloperformance]

Brave to edit and film this, great watch, hope the knee is recovering fast.

[@theroadprovides]

It is tough for the ego mate, but trying to stick to my plan to show everything in the journey even if I make myself look like an amateur that's life eh

[@isomochyn1]

Followed your journey through this and was gutted for you when you had to DNF but surely the right decision. Knee problems seemed to be a common issue this year for many riders. Good luck for your next race.

[@theroadprovides]

yes too common really but a good wakeup call for a lot of people as it is avoidable

[@SHates]

The right decision to scratch and still a massive achievement. Been great to follow your journey.

[@theroadprovides]

Thankyou mate, can only go up from here!

[@christoph3383]

Hi Andy, it's a great pleasure to watch your videos. Despite all the disappointment, we should not forget how privileged we are to be able to invest so much time and energy in what we love. I wish you a speedy recovery and many great events in the coming year and look forward to new videos. Best regards,Christoph 🤞

[@theroadprovides]

Thankyou mate! That’s very true and similar to Mike halls words, just remember how lucky you are to be out there in your bike… take it easy mate 😁

[@adiemather]

Great video and a wise decision. Hopefully you’ll finish it in the near future. I’ll be watching that video 👍😊

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks buddy I’ll be back next year 😁

[@awanowski1]

Dear Andy don't feel bad - I had to scratch last year at NC4k in Belgium after 1000km on the 3rd day because of Achilles pain - it was so hard accept this.... to scratch is not an easy decision but an adult. It was a pleasure to watch you having breakfast in Germany - the bakeries with the fresh bread rolls here are the best 😉 hope we see us - the LEL is coming up next year...maybe I'll come back to the island - greetings Aleksander

[@hectorkidds9840]

Yes to LEL!

[@theroadprovides]

Hey buddy, Germany was a big surprise, I loved it there actually (never been before). I had achilles pain at last LEL too, its a really tough call but gotta be done, then just hard to publish it to everyone here but hopefully helps people somehow

[@p49N]

Considering the emotional load of the disappointment, your rational logic of when.....was epically sound. Rest up my friend, and hope you find joy in the break!

[@theroadprovides]

It’s a lot easier now mate thanks, almost healed I think :)

[@mikeeasey6815]

Thanks for all the great content mate, I find the whole event fascinating. Get the knees sorted and have another go!! 😊

[@theroadprovides]

Ill be back to try again mate :)

[@A_AAA232]

tough decision but the right one Andy, still really strong riding, well done, especially riding back to Pompey after beers in Munich - epic stuff - hope the knee heals up quick, cheers

[@theroadprovides]

cheers buddy appreciate it :)

[@n22pdf]

You’re a warrior Andy you’ll be back on top form soon I’m sure dude.. knee looked painful well done on what you achieved..great vid and channel mate.. Pete 🚴🏻👍

[@theroadprovides]

cheers Pete mate I appreciate it

[@Jaqaroo]

That was great Andy! Such a good video. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I thought the knee might get better and you could keep going...! Those Belgian cobbles have a lot to answer for. Hopefully you will know how to tackle them next year. A thousand kilometers is still a thousand kilometers, it was still a great ride. The TCR is a lot harder than I imagined. Get the knee healed - I look forward to the next adventure.

[@theroadprovides]

cheers matey, it did get rough, but Ill be back next year to conquer it...

[@moobaz8675]

Tough as it was for you, I found it very inspiring, such that I'm considering entering next year. Hope the recovery goes well.

[@theroadprovides]

ah cool keep me posted mate if you do plan to

[@adamk99]

Great to watch as ever really enjoyed it. Should be very interested to see your journey home too.

[@theroadprovides]

thanks mate ill get that out this week :)

[@simonwhitby6852]

Strong effort Andy! Live to fight another day!!! Rest and Recover

[@theroadprovides]

cheers buddy

[@jopa_ryds]

Ahh man, I feel for you. You'll smash it next year. It's still an inspiring video though, thanks for sharing!

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks buddy :)

[@jugaloo5873]

Great we get to see you have another bash in the future!!

[@theroadprovides]

You will indeed, 100% will be back on that start line

[@christopherhood9241]

Super set of videos you produced of your journey to and on the TCR Andy. So sorry your knee prevented you from completing the experience. Right choice made alas.

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks bud, I’ll be back :)

[@wirtzdan]

Hi Andy! I just completed my first 1000 km ultra-cycling race. Have been watching your videos and learning from them. Between the first and second checkpoint of my race, I had to climb up the "Wall of Huy" with an average gradient of 10% and a max of 18,8%. I restocked before and rode it all up with my heavy bike. Not because I wanted to show that I'm a great climber, but simply because I was focused and didn't know about this climb coming up. The physio told me that the damage mostly happens in the peak stress on the knee. Similar to you, I think this climb caused my knee to flare up, and from there I had to take it very easy with frequent breaks. In the end, I made it, but thinking back I should have thought "No shame in walking" and simply walked up the 1,2KM. Since it was "only" 1000KM I was able to crawl to the finish. It's always a learning process. Do you think walking up the climb would have prevented it? What would you change next time specifically to reduce the risk of knee pain? If I tackle anything bigger in the future, this would also be highly important for me to figure out. Wise decisions to scratch and wish you all the best!

[@theroadprovides]

Hey good work mate! Yeah I think it’s probably the same issue. Next time I’d walk maybe, but also more gym work to help supporting muscles. Those damn cobbles… congrats on the ride though sounds epic

[@constpetrov]

I wish you swift recovery. The TCR is one of the hardest things one can attempt to do on a bicycle. I wish you to finish it next time you try it!

[@theroadprovides]

Ill be back mate :)

[@LeeWright]

Hi Andy, really enjoyed watching your dot and the videos since. I think it's important to remember the huge effort you put in, you gave it a solid dig even with an injury! Im sure some of the lessons learned form this and APN will stand you in good stead for the 2025 season. It would be interesting to know how this effects the rest of the year and what that likely holds for you training/even wise. Keep your chin up mate!

[@theroadprovides]

cheers as always mate, we need to get a ride in now my trainings is going too be a. bit less rigid. I have some plans for rest of the year, especially as I have no finishes under my belt this year

[@TESTA-CC]

Fair Play Andy 🤙🤙

[@nathanoneill5757]

Hi Mate sorry to hear that you have to scratch. I was on the start line with you Cap 209 and have been watching your video to support my prep for the TCR. there were great and help a lot that I was going in the right direction in my preparation. I was out of GC, but but did in in 18 day 23 hours. would love to sing for a ride or adventure with you only the next year.

[@theroadprovides]

Good work mate I’m jealous, hopefully you had an epic trip? I can’t wait try again now

[@nathanoneill5757]

@@theroadprovides Hope that you get in next year and it goes great for you. I will be watching to see how you prep get on for the TCR No11. I have a lot of mechanical on the bike new rear wheel in Germany, new crankset and BB in Austria and have to get a new tire and front wheel trim in Greece,

[@doritos4207]

Thanks for the great vids. Hope your knee is feeling better soon.

[@martinevans1256]

Really enjoyed watching this sorry about you knee hope it heals quickly for you.

[@theroadprovides]

thanks mate

[@biking261]

I watched your dot and saw that you scratched at Munich, you were not the only person to suffer knee issues. Good luck for next year.

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks mate, I will be back next year

[@ospringate]

yeah me too - scratched in munich with knee sprain - all good learning for the next time

[@theroadprovides]

Ah well internet fist bump from me mate, we’ll both crack this next time

[@TheMadrac]

Better luck next year! You did a great distance with a bad knee, so I'm sure you would finish if you are completely fine.

[@theroadprovides]

cheers mate, I have a plan for next year :)

[@Gledii]

Good luck with your recovery!

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Just found you Andy. That DNF must be annoying but boy you couldn't of tried harder so well done. Wish I could travel by bike the distance you did in the time you had.

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks buddy appreciate that :) I’m already looking forward to going back

[@yeesenglee195]

Good Job ❤

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks 😁

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Sorry to hear of your scratch Andy and better luck next time. Sounds like you made the right decision bud. Active recovery during a ride when time isn't on your side is a very big ask. Nonetheless I hope you enjoyed the journey! If you want to do a collab on KZbin like a zoom call or anything do reach out. All the best.

[@theroadprovides]

cheers bud, was worth a go :) yeah a collar could be fun, Ive never done anything like that, have you before? may be best to chat on insta or somewhere, these replies get lost usually I find

[@gordonwalker4909]

Enjoyed your video, sorry about the injury but a wise call to scratch to prevent major physical damage. As an aside I always use the practice of marking all bolts/ joint lines with a paint pen so I can check very quickly whether anything has migrated or moved. Looking forwards to your next as I always learn something.

[@theroadprovides]

thanks mate, I will do something similar next time now

[@gordonwalker4909]

@@theroadprovides I use a 0.8-1.2mm Uni Paint marker from Hobby Craft

[@ospringate]

'Getting back from Munich ... ' :) - I hear you - start of Bavaria school holidays, start of Oympics, attacks on french rail, no bikes allowed on high speed trains. At the Munich ticket office - Me ' can I have the next train to Calais with my bike' The funny old lady selling the tickets 'no seats, you must book 6 months in advance' :)

[@theroadprovides]

Ah you had same issue? I decided to tell that story so will get a vid up tomorrow on my journey home, it was a nightmare 🤣

[@ospringate]

Well I tried to see it as a different sort of adventure - & some really nice people en route

[@lydiagould3090]

You did all the best training for this event. Its not like you weren't fit or conditioned for it. But we don't have cobbles over here and my friend who rode the Tour of Flanders sportive told me it was unbelievably hard on every bit of the body! There was no way you could give your knee the time it needed, and you did the right thing scratching. Could you have got a flight from Munich back to UK? I don't like these one way bikepacking trips as the logistics become even more time consuming, expensive, and stressful (though in my case ,thanks to Arnold Clark car hire which seems to be everywhere in Scotland) I had a nice trip back to Inverness. Hope you put your travel video up, will be fun (for us) to watch🤣

[@theroadprovides]

yeah was not ideal, I possibly could have from Munich but decided to have a nice ride back (spoiler alert it wasn't). I cocked there trip home up due to tiredness but hey ho I got home haha. and yes, cobbles are a no from me

[@CanTURKeyed]

I was in that race . regret I didnt make any video. this is ultimate challange. no matter you finish or not it cares you dare or not.

[@frazerherald7061]

lovin the video - great explantion of power zones -be helpful to potential racers/ viwers to see sum numbers ie km rode in first 12 / 24 hrs etc and getting to apreciate the parkour / sleep paterns etc 🚲

[@theroadprovides]

yeah probably true, Id have probably done more of a breakdown if Id finished haha, I usually get into the weeds more, but even though this was almost 1000km it just felt like a fail

[@press1]

Great video Andy

[@ZenEndurance]

You rode to Munich for free beer. WORTH IT.

[@theroadprovides]

I like the way you think mate!

[@ZenEndurance]

I've seen somebody get knee pain when they used to be fine because their cleat moved. Always something to check if you get knee pain when you didn't used to.

[@theroadprovides]

Hey, I checked those too, I was checking everything to try to keep moving :( so annoying

[@ZenEndurance]

@@theroadprovides My right knee started to hurt while biking (probably from running) the other day and it freaked me out. I've had BAD knee injuries and pain and there's no real cure for a lot of them except to not bike or run. Went away, but your video reminded me of how fast sh*t can go sideways and to be careful. You did the right thing.

[@WPKSC]

Andy, you rode 950k with a buggered knee, that’s a blooming big achievement, cobbles and gravel looked brutal !! That was a great watch as well, really enjoyed seeing the journey, chapeau for that again 😊👍 and look forward to the next one. Question if I may ask, Bib shorts for your long endurance types rides what are your go to option ? I know the same bibs don’t suit everyone but I’d be interested to hear what you find keeps you relatively comfy.

[@theroadprovides]

yeah that start parcours was mental, fun but pretty crazy. I started using Albion shorts, mostly as they have pockets and they're a decent brand, they were good here for the TCR

[@davidverbeeck9066]

hey Andy sorry to see the TCR didn't go to plan, i hope you're next goals will go well. but anyway you're video's inspire me to try to do some bikepacking next year, so i have some questions like how do you secure you're bike when you sleep outside? and how do you get home when you finish or dnf when you are that far away from home? wish you all the best greetings from belgium

[@theroadprovides]

hey mate thanks for watching, Ill do a vid showing the journey home as there's no really easy way to get back but ways to make it easier, Ill do that this week :) Lock wise, I carved one, but I tend to sleep late probably 1am to 5am something like that, remote places not cities, so I don't lock my bike just keep it very close, maybe so someone has to climb over me to get to it, but noones going to find you really at that time

[@sebc83]

No shame in DNFing for such a reason the TCR. Rest and recover well!

[@theroadprovides]

cheers buddy

[@chasc301]

You know your knees best Andy. Thanks again for the detail in these videos. Did you re-lube your chain during the ride? Heal quickly quickly mate👍🏽🚴🏽

[@theroadprovides]

hey, not once actually, I had a new chain with factory lube on plus wet lube and lasted the whole way, about 1500km!

[@dennisarcayena8003]

Amazing an extremes adventure by riding a bicycle

[@theroadprovides]

It was an adventure 😁

[@themoodyteam]

Andy, do you think that there’s too much emphasis on ‘gravel parcours’, in the present TCR format? If, for example, next year there were 2 general route options, either one with ’gravel parcours’ and one strictly road/tarmac, what would the uptake be? Thnx

[@theroadprovides]

Hey, no this is what the TCR is, there are a lot of road only races out there but the TCR has always had gravel. It is a crazy challenge but there's something very alluring about completing it for me. I don't see it ever changing. Maybe Lost Dot will just do other races with all road

[@themoodyteam]

5:41 Terrific footage coming up 😃

[@theroadprovides]

it was a lot of fun mate

[@chrisjoyce5539]

Sorry Andy, it's was the right choice, maybe some gym work and weights when your fit enough might help move forward to next year 😢

[@theroadprovides]

yeah I will plan to do that now, Ill explain more when I do a lessons learned on this one. I'm doing some for physio but going to join a gym too

[@chrisjoyce5539]

@@theroadprovides yeh a lot of riders do more gym work in winter mate moving forward

[@linesided]

Is it me or do so many people start this race way too fast ? I'm not sure what your experience is/was but it's a bloody long way and a bit silly to burn any matches frivolously. Anyway congrats, don't lose the faith and good luck preparing for next year :)

[@theroadprovides]

Id agree yeah, I try to let myself enjoy the chaos at the start a bit but not go too crazy. There were some fast descents and stuff but felt at the time I wasn't going crazy, I really think it is the cobbles that caused the injury

[@fpeter01]

This race is easy. You just need to cycle 300 km/day with 4000 elevation gain. And enjoy cycling in headwind/in 40 °C. :D

[@theroadprovides]

I never looked at it that way 🤔

[@fittonbikes]

Are you pushing too hard? I have been following through the year and wonder if you just push the old limbs a bit to enthusiastically out of the gate? Don’t take my advice though but maybe your body wants a little less hard push and a slower pace?

[@fittonbikes]

Are you pushing too hard? I have been following through the year and wonder if you just push the old limbs a bit to enthusiastically out of the gate? Don’t take my advice though but maybe your body wants a little less hard push and a slower pace?

[@theroadprovides]

Hey, yes and no I’d say. I haven’t had this issue in a long time and enjoy getting swept up a bit in the start. But yeah less stress on the knees up the cobbled climbs would have helped