TransPortugal Garmin
2007
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This stuff feeds itself, of that there is no doubt. In 2003 I participated in the Adventure/MTB (take your pick) race La Ruta de los Conquistadores. Out of the blue I get this email from Vince (a friend that I did La Ruta with) and he mentions this TransPortugal event. Apparently the organizer for TransPortugal was at TransRockies (which Vince participated in) and they got to talking.
[several months later...]
It turns out Vince is seriously considering participating in TransPortugal! Before you know it, another pact is made and we start training. Well, some of us thought about it at least... and then I ended up purchasing plane tickets. No turning back now. :)
I have no doubt whatsoever that all my short, American road races, criteriums and track races will give me a _huge_ advantage when it's time to slog over countless hills in loose dirt on my mountain bike. With a backpack. :|
This event is unique from all the other trans[insert name of country here] races in that:
- They really try to take care of the riders well. At least I hear they do.
- You race more or less from hotel to hotel; no camping here!
- There is a mechanic there to assist you at the start and finish of each day and even sometimes along the route if you don't mind taking a time penalty.
- The organizers limit the field to 50 participants. I guess this is so that they can provide the above support...
- The event is sponsored by Garmin and you get each day's route as a track on your GPS. Then it's, "See ya...!" and hopefully you make it to the finish. Any deviation from the route by more than 100 m equals a time penalty.
- They had a 'companion' package so that Shelley could follow the race and we were able to share a hotel room every night.
What's not to like?
