Quixoticgeekand by the magic of veloviewer. A nice little infographic on my recent ride...
Re previous toot. Just to be clear. When I entered this race I knew I would be last. Same for every race I've ever entered (6 started, 2 finished). I know I'm not quick, but I can just keep going when I need to. I also often get less sleep, in return for more time spent moving. I don't enter these races to win. I do it to see if I can.
Also out of spite. I was told I was too fat to race and I should give up my space for someone more deserving... But that's a different story.
My official position in the race? Last.
Sean (cap 84) technically came in behind me on the short course, but because he started on the long version, then changed, he's classed as a finisher, but with no time. Leaving me in the position of Lantern Rouge.
I'm nothing if not consistent. In 2019 I finished the road version of the race in last place doing the 1930km in 199 hours 50 minutes. I also came second...
Less than 30km to go. Which means I've passed the 1200km mark. Am very sore, very hot, and really want to just finish. Unfortunately I have very little energy so am just plodding along as fast as I can. Hopefully less than 2 hours to go.
There are a couple of hills on the last part of the course. Nothing major, biggest is 40m. But right now a speed bump feels insurmountable. I fully expect to walk up all of them.
Stopped off for second lunch. Looks like about 45km to go. Unfortunately most of it is into the wind. On the plus side, it should also mostly be in the woods where it's cooler, and the wind has less effect. I'm measuring temps of 32°C. A lot of the route has been out on the open with no shade.
When I leave here I'm hoping it's about 3 hours plus stops to the finish. Hopefully this is the last big stop.
It's fucking hot.
Found a kebab shop for first lunch. Everywhere else in this town seems to not serve food before noon.
The Dutch don't really seem to do breakfast as a meal to eat out. Which can make mornings on races like this really hard.
Three dotwatchers cheering and clapping as I approached. Apparently it was a guy who'd been dotwatching all week, and his parents had just arrived, so he brought them out to cheer too. They were really friendly.