It’s hard to find words to sum up Wayne Holton’s Trans Pyrenees Race. “Epic and Extraordinary” is my attempt. But really you should make your own judgement by reading the story in his own words. You won’t be disappointed.
There’s an extract below but you can find the whole account here: Beyond the Finish Line: A Para-Cyclist’s Journey Through TPR No. 6
What happens when a para-athlete takes on one of ultra-endurance cycling’s toughest challenges? Sometimes the clock wins. Sometimes the challenge wins. And sometimes, something much bigger happens.
I had known about Lost Dot and its flagship Transcontinental Race (TCR), but it was the Trans Pyrenees Race (TPR) that caught my attention. TPR No. 6 offered a roughly 1,900-kilometre, coast-to-coast-and-back challenge across the Pyrenees, with a set of mandatory parcours to complete along the way. It was an opportunity to test my ability against the mountains, the distance, the terrain and the demands of unsupported racing.
It seemed like a good idea.
That was before I fully appreciated what I had signed up for.
Lost Dot organises self-supported ultra-distance cycling events in which riders must navigate their own routes, manage their own equipment and supplies, and make their own decisions about when and where to rest. There is no conventional race infrastructure carrying you from one stage to the next. The route is yours to solve, and every decision has consequences.
For a para-athlete, that adds another dimension. Equipment is not simply a matter of comfort or performance. It can determine whether you can brake safely, change gear effectively, manage difficult terrain and continue when fatigue sets in. The right adaptations are essential, but so is the ability to maintain and use them over many days on the road.
My route-planning skills, I quickly realised, were in serious need of improvement. Thankfully, route planning could be done before the event, and I had some help preparing. Equipment choices also demanded careful thought because, once the race began, I would be solely responsible for myself and my bicycle.
And here again is the link to Wayne’s full account: Beyond the Finish Line: A Para-Cyclist’s Journey Through TPR No. 6
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