Lost Dot Podcast: The Transcontinental, Trans Pyrenees, and Accursed Race.

It’s day 13 of the Transcontinental Race. Our Race Reporters catch up with riders in Constanța, who are enjoying the beach bar at the finish line, reflecting on the race, and what their first thoughts or cravings were after finishing their long journeys. Race Director Andrew explains a diversion on the final parcours. The remaining riders pedal through CP4 before its closure at midnight, and we he...

It’s Day 12 of the Transcontinental Race and all eyes are on the race for the fastest woman to finish. Race Coordinator Hannah has been tracking Jana Kesenheimer (001) and Cynthia Carson (137), and we catch up with those already at the finish line. Race Reporter Sophie finds out what’s keeping some riders pedalling on, from Italy to the Balkans, and summarizes the current field.  This year's podca...

Day 11 of the Transcontinental Race brings the first two riders to the Finish in Constanța, Romania, securing their podium spots. The bulk of the race separates on two distinct routes —  north through Romania, or south through the mountains of Bulgaria. Control Team 2 catches up with riders climbing the mountains, and Race Reporter Sophie catches up with the fastest three women in the race, who st...

It’s Day 10 of the Transcontinental Race, and our race reporters are now both on the eastern side of the Adriatic. Sophie talks us through the women’s field, and it's reset after the fastest three women all boarded the same ferry, and catches up with riders passing through CP5. Jake provides an update on the front of the race — after a decision over the safety of a bridge crossing, the race for th...

Day 09 is a busy day on the Transcontinental Race: CP3 closed at 09:00CEST, some riders received their stamps before doubling back to tackle the parcours, and we hear from riders chasing CP cut-off times. The race for the ferry is ever present, with the fastest 3 women racing towards Bari. In the Balkans, CP5 is open, and more riders are coming through. Race Director Andrew chats with Victor to ga...

Day 08 of the Transcontinental Race, and now that riders have been on the road for over a week, Race Reporter Sophie asks where they would be on a Monday morning, if they weren’t racing. Race Coordinator Hannah provides a birds eye view update on the race, we catch up with some pairs riders, and the front of the Women’s race passes through CP4.  This year's podcast host is the legendary, Jenny Tou...

It’s day 07 of the Transcontinental Race, and the four leading riders are in a close race to the ferry, a strategic bottleneck in this year’s race. Control Team 1 waits at the ferry port in Bari to see who will make the night’s crossing. We also hear from Sophie on her brompton, who catches up with the fastest women, and from CP3, where riders are warming up after a very cold ride on the Strada de...

It’s Day 06 and the Transcontinental Race is picking up with some exciting movements from the leading riders. The race for the lead and podium is tight, with four riders in close proximity, but there’s all to play for with a sparse ferry timetable. Race Reporter Jake talks us through the Strade Bianche, while Sophie tracks down the top three pairs riders to find out how they’re getting on.  This y...

Day 05 of the Transcontinental Race brings a sweeping view of the field, with riders now stretched across three countries: from the final climbs of Spain, through the sun-drenched roads of France, and into the towering passes of Italy. Reporter Jack Thorpe checks in with Race Director Andrew Phillips for a rundown on the current race leaders and emerging strategies at the front. As temperatures ri...

It’s Day 04 of the Transcontinental Race and many riders are now deep into France, collecting their second stamps at CP2 and making the most of local boulangeries. With the pack stretching further across the map, both control cars were busy tracking down riders to hear how they’re holding up. From damp, sleep-deprived mornings spent huddled in cafés to moments of joy on familiar roads, we check in...

Welcome to the Transcontinental Race; the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe. It’s Day 03 and CP1 officially closed this morning after a final wave of late-night and early-morning arrivals. Race Reporters were on the ground, speaking to riders still digging deep to earn that stamp. In this episode, Jake and Andrew unpack the demands of Parcours 2 and the strategic route choices s...

It’s Day 02 of the Transcontinental Race and the mid-pack is steadily rolling through Control Point 1. Jake and Sophie catch stories of resilience, determination, and riders tackling adversity with a positive mental attitude — spirits are high and the community vibe is unmistakable. Up front, the women’s race is exciting, with the leading riders riding through CP1. There’s genuine stoke in the air...

It’s Day 01, and Race Reporters Sophie and Jake are out on the road—Sophie pedalling her Brompton, Jake jogging alongside riders—capturing voices from the early race. Riders share stories from their first night out: from sleeping under the stars for the very first time, to spending the night in a graveyard toilet. A TCR birthday is celebrated, and Spain’s rich supply of food and drink is keeping m...

Welcome to the Transcontinental Race; the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe. At the sharp end it is a beautifully hard bicycle race, simple in design but complex in execution. Factors of self reliance, logistics, navigation and judgement burden racers’ minds as well as their physiques. The strongest excel and redefine what we think possible, while many experienced riders target...

Welcome to the Transcontinental Race; the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe. At the sharp end it is a beautifully hard bicycle race, simple in design but complex in execution. Factors of self reliance, logistics, navigation and judgement burden racers’ minds as well as their physiques. The strongest excel and redefine what we think possible, while many experienced riders target...

Cynthia Carson (@watt_wagon) made her entry into the ultra-racing scene back in 2022, and in just a few years she’s made a real impact – collecting an impressive series of titles, with wins at Unbound XL, Badlands, Transcordilleras, and Atlas Mountain Race. She was all set to take on the Transcontinental Race No10 when a collision just two weeks before the start put an end to her ambitions. In thi...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. As the curtains close on the second edition of The Accursed Race, riders continue to arrive in Shokdër at Traveler Hostel throughout the final day. They are greeted by welcoming cheers of congratulations, and this merriment transitions nicely into the finisher’s party. The last arrival of the night is Franc...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Day ten sees a final rush to Peshkopi before the CP closure, as the media team wait to see who makes it. Thorsten Brönner (35) is the last to arrive before the time-cut, now gathering all remaining strength to get himself to Shkodër on time. Stories of gear failures, safety checks, begging for brakepads, an...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Small flurries of ardent applause punctuated the day at Traveler Hostel, as three more riders completed their races. At CP2, riders continue to battle against the protests of mind and body before the CP closing. Hear their struggles and the first-hand race recordings, capturing the authenticity as if you we...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Riders are having to rally against the mounting mental and physical demands of the race, enduring tough and wet conditions as a cluster of arrivals reach CP2 yesterday. After eight days of the rough stuff, it’s no wonder that riders are feeling the effects of this challenge. Many question their willingness...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Starting the day in Kosovo and heading for Peshkopi, Control Team 1 race ahead of riders to get set up for the best shots. Later at CP2, some are turning up unmotivated while others are on a high, and starting to believe that they will see the finish. We see the top-ten riders arrive in Peshkopi, and Alain...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Join us for the adventures of day six. This episode brings us the sounds of victory, as Justinas Leveika (02) closes in on the finish, racing a storm. Further back, riders continue to arrive at CP1 in Berane before the CP closes, contrasting the vastly different timelines in this race. The mid pack is made...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Listen to the latest stories from day 5 of The Accursed Race. Data analysis, prom night, and the ebbs and flows of rider confidence. Listen to the day five adventures of the race. Though Justinas is maintaining his strong lead, he is still undertaking a significant challenge. Our media team interviews an ex...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Listen to the tales and soundtracks of the race as the weather turns, adding a new layer of difficulty (and snow) to an already challenging course. As snow fell in the high mountains, it was a rainy and cold morning for the media team lower down, generally speaking to riders once they were de-frosting after...

Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Tune in for covert rider and wildlife spotting with the media team, as they double down on their commitment to staying out of sight. At various resupply points, we are treated to storytime, with riders describing differing sleeping strategies and locations, the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable. As rider...