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 expanses. When they do encounter people along their journey, they are met with a warm-hearted kindness that transcends any language barrier.

 

We invite you to follow along with our Race coverage through this daily podcast, our daily race reports, and on The Accursed Instagram.

TARNo2 tracking and race reports here: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tarno2

Produced by Iain Broome

Illustration by Tom Probert

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 podcast episode recorded from the demanding route of The Accursed Race.

 

We invite you to follow along with our Race coverage through this daily podcast, our daily race reports, and on The Accursed Instagram.

TARNo2 tracking and race reports here: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tarno2

Produced by Iain Broome

Illustration by Tom Probert

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 formidable initiation ride into the Accursed Mountains. 

Hear what riders are saying about the first day on this challenging route, and what the media team are observing as they snap the first photos of riders in the wild.

 

We invite you to follow along with our Race coverage through this daily podcast, our daily race reports, and on The Accursed Instagram.

TARNo2 tracking and race reports here: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tarno2

Produced by Iain Broome

Illustration by Tom Probert

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 friends and Silk Road Mountain Race finisher Annie Dunlap (37b) tells us about her bold gearing decision.

Listen to these audible snapshots and more from before the race starts, and link up the dots with their respective stories. 

We invite you to follow along with our Race coverage through this daily podcast, our daily race reports, and on The Accursed Instagram.

TARNo2 tracking and race reports here: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tarno2

Produced by Iain Broome

Illustration by Tom Probert

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 follow along with our Race coverage through this daily podcast, our daily race reports, and on The Accursed Instagram.

TARNo2 tracking and race reports here: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tarno2

Produced by Iain Broome

Illustration by Tom Probert

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 racing.

With the 11th edition of the Transcontinental Race fast approaching, we’re aiming for 100 women and FLINTA riders on the start line this year — a huge leap from last year’s 41. Applications are open again for a short window until Sunday, April 6th, so if you’re thinking about it, now’s the time! You can apply at https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tcrno11, under the Register tab.

If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, applications are open until the end of March. We’re looking for at-home volunteers for TCR, and on-race and at-home volunteers for TPR. Click the link below, and navigate to the Register tab.

Apply to volunteer on TCR: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tcrno11 

Apply to volunteer on TPR: https://www.lostdot.cc/race/tprno5 

If you’re interested in seeing the Transcontinental Race film, head to https://bikefilmtour.eu for more information and screening dates.

Want to join our Women Who Race WhatsApp community, where we share advice, organise meetups, and support each other in preparing for ultra-distance races? Drop us an email at [email protected] for an invite.

We hope Jana’s story inspires you to take on your own big challenge — whatever that might be. Enjoy the episode!

Music by Yessica Woahneil: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1QGkIoZ2AdjTPKip4Osiim

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 cycling.

Applications for TPRNo5 close Sunday 9th February, and we hope this episode might inspire you to take to the start line yourself!

Produced by Iain Broome

Music by Yessica Woahneil: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1QGkIoZ2AdjTPKip4Osiim

Applications for Trans Pyrenees Race No4: lostdot.cc/tpr

Applications to volunteer on Transcontinental Race No11: lostdot.cc/tcr

Interested in joining our women’s/FLINTA WhatsApp community, for ultra-distance curious folk? Email us at [email protected], and we’ll share an invite.

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

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 of the Finish Parcours, as some finish off the Raid once and for all. Our Race Reporters are there to capture the sound of their arrival, when riders are finally able to switch off and call it a day, or, a little over a week in this case. Hear their reactions straight from the finish line in today’s episode of the TPR podcast.

Hosting, Production & Editing: Iain Broome

Race Reporters: Stuart Downie and Tom Probert

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 across the field begin to dry out. Hear from those at different stages in their journeys along the home stretch—even if it doesn’t feel so close yet. We end the episode with Molly Weaver (009) rolling into the Finish, hear her immediate reflections on this day 7 episode. 

Hosting, Production & Editing: Iain Broome

Race Reporters: Stuart Downie and Tom Probert