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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 20 Report

Posted May 17, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 2 Comments

Friday June 25, 2021: I was up and at em' at around 4:30am with a laser sharp singularity of focus - to get to the Trans Am Cyclery in Farmington, 95ks up the road, toute freakin' suite. I was craving the peace of mind that the...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 19 Report

Posted May 13, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 1 Comment

Thursday June 24, 2021: Yesterday had hurt on quite a few levels so I was determined to be a tad kinder to myself today. That started with ensuring that I stuck around for the hotel breakfast which started at 6am, and ended (pun intended) with my...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 18 Report

Posted May 11, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 2 Comments

Wednesday June 23, 2021: On the road at 6:47am. My starting times were starting to slip. An absolute necessity given my later finishing times over the last couple of days but starting in bright sunshine felt a little unnerving - like I was already behind schedule....

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 17 Report

Posted May 6, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 0 Comments

Tuesday June 22, 2021: Given the late finish the previous night I gave myself a little reprieve and set my alarm for the more civilised time of 5:30am. Surprisingly I answered the call with the minimum of hesitation before proceeding to hobble around the hotel room,...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 16 Report

Posted May 4, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 0 Comments

Monday June 21, 2021: Up at 3am and the lethargy hit me immediately. I felt like shit. Nothing specific outside the usual aches and tiredness but I had very obviously recovered particularly poorly. The pitter pater of rain on the tin roof outside my second floor...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 15 Report

Posted April 22, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 2 Comments

Sunday June 20, 2021 (Fathers Day): Pre Sparrow fart, aka stupid o'clock aka very early in the morning (or is 2:30am still night? - Strava thinks so) on the first day of the 3rd week of the race brought with it a determination and focus...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 14 Report

Posted April 19, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 0 Comments

Saturday June 19, 2021: Out the door just after 5am, the leftover Chinese food that I'd just inhaled for breakfast already creaking in the belly. Stay where you are Chinese food - I don't want to hear from you until the appropriate time and place...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 13 Report

Posted March 15, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 6 Comments

Friday June 18, 2021: Another 2:30am alarm, another similar reaction - where am I? What the fuck is going on?  One Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 12 Report

Posted March 3, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 0 Comments

Thursday June 17, 2021: Yet again, an early finish called for a very early start. However, on this occasion I was ready and rearing to answer the call of the 2:30am alarm. I had even pre-packed my bike and laid out neatly all the required clothing...

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2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 11 Report

Posted February 23, 2022 in 2021 Trans Am by Mark Croker 2 Comments

Wednesday June 16, 2021: Given my abbreviated day yesterday I had set my alarm for stupid o'clock. I was desperate to make up for the lost time and to also get a jump on the forecasted heat which was predicted to be north of 100...

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I AM WRITING A BOOK

Yes I blogged about my 2017 Trans Am experience but there is so much more to be said. It is taking a while but it is absolutely going to get done. Should you want to receive updates on how the book writing is going please sign up below.

About Me

Hi, my name is Mark and I am a cyclist, a MAMIL Cyclist. I ride my bike whenever and wherever I get the chance. It is the means by which I keep my recalcitrant waistline under relative control. It is my hobby. It is my passion. It is my therapy. It now feeds my creative outlet in the form of this blog.

That is the short story, the longer (much longer) story is here.

markecroker

Snaps from today (day 10) Snaps from today (day 10)
Into Kentucky and plenty of Kentucky nice already Into Kentucky and plenty of Kentucky nice already on display....Michelle's friendly face and welcome of course + plenty of locals enquiring as to my health and water requirements.....it's dam hot/humid!

(I missed this overt hospitality 4 years ago as was already freaking out about the dogs......still a coupla days of respite before the feisty fido's come out to play)

PS yep, a coupla new product additions.........ahhh that's better!
Day 26 - my race almost came to an end today. Lon Day 26 - my race almost came to an end today.

Long story short:
My rear derailleur pretty much exploded / sheered right in half, one half jammed in the spokes of the rear wheel 
I thought my race was over.
It started to rain.....hard.
Hitched a ride back to a country store I had just been to for supplies.
Rang around 'local" bike shops - the most appropriate to my needs was 50 miles away.
Scott (pictured) offered to call his wife so she could manage the store for the arvo and he would drive me to the bike shop ( at least a 2 hour round trip).
Bike shop didn't have the required parts but will be swapping out from an employee's bike on the morn.

I should be back on route tomorrow afternoon.

Southern hospitality.........wow!
My Trans Am Bike Race Day 2 write up is live.....y My Trans Am Bike Race Day 2 write up is live.....you can access it via the link in my bio or by copying and pasting this url; https://www.mamilcyclist.com/2021-trans-america-bike-race-day-2-report/  into a browser.

Enjoy!
Day 27: I can't believe I am typing this but I am Day 27: I can't believe I am typing this but I am out of the race 

Long story short there was more wrong with my bike than just the broken derailleur - all diagnosed at the bike shop this morning. Best efforts were made to fix all but 1 lingering issue with gear shifting persisted. I have electronic shifting which has been superb to date but when something goes wrong / ie when the "computer says no" a fix is a real challenge. 

I got a lift back to the route but the next 30ks was not fun / borderline unsafe. 

Endurance cycling is all about enduring, ultra endurance even moreso.

Even though I  can almost smell the sea air I simply do not have what it takes to endure riding the bike as is for another 600 odd kilometres.

I'll be writing / posting more but for now I would like to thank everyone for the support. It has been incredible, at times has brought a tear to my eye and has been a key part to getting me 95% to the finish.

Whilst I am devastated i am satisfied that I have done all I could have done. I have left it all out on the road. I have had an extraordinary experience and met some amazing people along the way.

Now I get to see my family......can't wait!
This little bloke is my hero.....only starting rid This little bloke is my hero.....only starting riding at the start of Covid last year and is now smashing 50k Fondos with his ole' man.

Actually it was a 47k Fondo but he insisted on finishing and then going back out on course to get the 50!!
Down onto the Great Plains and within sniffing dis Down onto the Great Plains and within sniffing distance of halfway...
Ohjhhh zarks I had repressed the memory of your re Ohjhhh zarks I had repressed the memory of your relentless brutality....
At the end of Day 23 allow me to regale you with s At the end of Day 23 allow me to regale you with some numbers:
5,472 km pedaled, 1,250 km still to go,
8.5 states behind me, 1.5 in front,
4 time zones traversed,
42 started the race, 20 have pulled out, 6 have finished and 16 pedal on,
My go to Macas order; 1 large big Mac meal with a coke, 1 large choc shake, 6 pack nuggets, 3 x cheeseburgers.

But the most important number is $3, 680 - the amount that  has raised to date for Sam's Place......thankyou!!!

But there is $3,120 still to be raised to achieve the goal of $6,800.

To donate and/or find out more about Sam's Place please refer; 
https://www.mamilcyclist.com/sams-place/

@aimschoolbikes

#Senditforsam
Day 22....Kentucky heat n' hospitality on full dis Day 22....Kentucky heat n' hospitality on full display...
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I AM WRITING A BOOK

Yes I blogged about my 2017 Trans Am experience but there is so much more to be said. It is taking a while but it is absolutely going to get done. Should you want to receive updates on how the book writing is going please sign up below.

Recent Posts
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 20 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 19 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 18 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 17 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 16 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 15 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 14 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 13 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 12 Report
  • 2021 Trans Am Bike Race Day 11 Report
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