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 Tough. We invite you to follow along with our race coverage through this daily podcast, our daily race r...
Aug 05, 2025•29 min
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 dell'Assietta. This year's podcast host is the legendary, Jenny Tough. We invite you to follow along w...
Aug 04, 2025•28 min
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 year's podcast host is the legendary, Jenny Tough. We invite you to follow along with our race coverag...
Aug 03, 2025•28 min
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 rise, we explore how riders are coping with the heat and how cool heads and quick thinking continue to...
Aug 02, 2025•33 min
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 with racers facing all shades of the TCR experience — some chasing warmth and croissants, others si...
Aug 01, 2025•27 min
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 shaping the race. We check in with bursary rider Lis, now riding solo with quiet strength, and hear f...
Jul 31, 2025•32 min
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—they're not just racing hard, they're proud to be racing hard with each other. Listen in as the rac...
Jul 30, 2025•28 min
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 morale high. As the top-ten riders reach Control Point 1, the media team is there to capture the soun...
Jul 29, 2025•22 min
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 only a finish. In this Race Day episode, Race Reporters Sophie and Jake are roaming around registrat...
Jul 28, 2025•22 min
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 only a finish. In this Pre-Race episode, Race Director Andrew Philips talks us through the race rout...
Jul 26, 2025•38 min
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 this episode, Cynthia opens up about the ups and downs of her journey back to the start line for TCRNo1...
Jul 03, 2025•36 min
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 Francois Bruyere (18), leaving just 27 minutes to spare. Tune in for the concluding episode of this year’...
May 24, 2025•24 min
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, and mega-bonking unfold in the final sections before the road to the finish. Listen to the latest soun...
May 23, 2025•20 min
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 were there for yourself. Listen to the stories, victories, and fumbles of the day in this latest podca...
May 22, 2025•25 min
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 to continue, but most persevere towards a race finish. At the remaining front of the race, we see Pi...
May 21, 2025•26 min
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 Rumpf (08) describes apocalyptic scenes, broken roads, and haunting burnt trees; a setting that left...
May 20, 2025•23 min
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 up of tight groups of riders racing amongst themselves and enjoying the healthy competition and cama...
May 19, 2025•18 min
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 exhausted Justinas after yet another gruelling section of off-road riding. Riders further back flock t...
May 18, 2025•31 min
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 descending from snowy peaks. Pairs Hannah Vet (37a) and Annie Dunlap (37b) reflect on their ride an...
May 17, 2025•39 min
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 riders experience the beauty of various national parks in the area, they also experience their sparse exp...
May 16, 2025•26 min
Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. After day two we are already full of stories to tell. Our media team gets the scoop, interviewing riders and hearing about their strategies, mistakes, and triumphs as the race continues to develop. There is a strong competitive spirit in the air, with resupply points serving as great opportunities to catch up with the personalities of the race. Hear what riders have to say for yourself, in our latest podc...
May 15, 2025•32 min
Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. The energy at the start line yesterday was equal parts bubbling excitement and full-body nervousness (for some). In the minutes before race organisers said go, anticipation swelled and was then released onto the bustling streets of Shkodër. No more time for umming and ahing over setups, comparing bike choices, or making last minute kit decisions. The task at hand for all was the tough ride out to Theth; a...
May 14, 2025•28 min
Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Race reporters capture the ambience at registration day in this podcast episode, while riders talk through their bike setups and what they are anticipating to come from the race ahead. Christophe Dijkmans (014) is riding his first Lost Dot race, and his first in the Balkans, though is no stranger to riding his bike hard and far. Returning rider Oliver Neumann (31) is here as a result of the kindness of fr...
May 13, 2025•32 min
Welcome to The Accursed Race. Lost Dot's no-fly, off-road, fixed route race in the Balkans. Join us for a TARNo2 huddle, and get the lay of the land ahead of tomorrow’s start in Shkodër. The Lost Dot team give insight into the race, its raucous route, and its no-fly policy and the ethos behind it. Meanwhile, the Accursed Express bus, filled with riders, volunteers, and media team members, grows closer to the Albanian Alps, as race reporter Tom Probert interviews its passengers. We invite you to ...
May 13, 2025•30 min
In this episode of Women Who Race , we sit down with ultra-distance cyclist Jana Kesenheimer to talk about her journey from her first race at the Three Peaks Bike Race in 2020 to becoming the fastest woman at TCRNo10, finishing an incredible 13th overall. We reflected on her path into ultra-cycling, and how she knew she was ready to take on TCR. We also discuss the balance between racing and everyday life, her work as a psychology researcher, and what it means to her to inspire others through ra...
Mar 27, 2025•48 min
A special series spotlighting the women in Lost Dot races. Join Taylor as she sits down with Fiona Kolbinger, who made history in 2019 with her overall victory at TCRNo7. We dive headlong into racing strategy, and Fiona shares advice for preparing for a race like the Trans Pyrenees Race, where she finished in 7th place and was first woman across the line. We also delve into how Fiona got into ultra-racing in the first place, and hear her philosophy on the narrowing gender gap in ultra-distance c...
Feb 08, 2025•42 min
Follow the fourth edition of the Trans Pyrenees Race (TPR) – a 2000KM self-supported race through some of the most beautifully remote scenery and iconic mountain passes in the Pyrenean Mountains, from Girona to the Bay of Biscay and back again with the TPRNo4 Podcast from Lost Dot. Day 9 Hosting, Production & Editing: Iain Broome Race Reporters: Stuart Downie and Tom Probert
Oct 06, 2024•21 min
Follow the fourth edition of the Trans Pyrenees Race (TPR) – a 2000KM self-supported race through some of the most beautifully remote scenery and iconic mountain passes in the Pyrenean Mountains, from Girona to the Bay of Biscay and back again with the TPRNo4 Podcast from Lost Dot. This episode captures the emotions, victories, and reflections of riders on the day before the much anticipated Finishers’ Party. Pedals turn faster, if possible, under the promise of a sunny Girona waiting at the end...
Oct 05, 2024•23 min
Follow the fourth edition of the Trans Pyrenees Race (TPR) – a 2000KM self-supported race through some of the most beautifully remote scenery and iconic mountain passes in the Pyrenean Mountains, from Girona to the Bay of Biscay and back again with the TPRNo4 Podcast from Lost Dot. TPRNo4 fastest woman, Fiona Kolbinger (004), has made it back to Girona after a gruelling battle through the rain overnight. Day seven dawns and the weather seems to smarten up, as the dampened spirits of riders acros...
Oct 04, 2024•25 min
Follow the fourth edition of the Trans Pyrenees Race (TPR) – a 2000KM self-supported race through some of the most beautifully remote scenery and iconic mountain passes in the Pyrenean Mountains, from Girona to the Bay of Biscay and back again with the TPRNo4 Podcast from Lost Dot. Hear the soundtrack to Robin Gemperle's (001) and Anatole Naimi's (004) finishes in Girona, as they are greeted by a small team of volunteers and members of the Race team. The crowd greeting finishers will only become...
Oct 03, 2024•26 min
