Ammerland professional cyclist overcomes 4,800 kilometers in 18 days!

Ammerland professional cyclist overcomes 4,800 kilometers in 18 days!

They say that life is like a bike ride - it goes up and down and sometimes you need to be patient. Frank Pippel from Bad Zwischenahn can tell you a thing or two about it. The 59-year-old embarked on a true adventure as part of the Transcontinental Race (TCR), which took him over 4,800 kilometers from northwest Spain to Romania to the Black Sea. He completed the route in an impressive 18 days and 52 minutes. He reached place 141 out of 450 participants who took on this challenge, as nwzonline reports.

The race started in Santiago de Compostela, a historic place that is a destination for many pilgrims. Frank first drove a loop to the Atlantic and then fought his way through the Picos de Europa. The weather was anything but friendly at the beginning - constant rain accompanied it for the first 36 hours. But the Rhinelander has a good character and didn't let himself get down. The weather improved over time and he stayed in hotels and guesthouses, where he washed his cycling clothing every day to get fit for the next stage.

A race of extremes

The TCR is notorious for its self-organization and the enormous challenge that each participant must overcome. The route led over well-known mountains such as the Tourmalet and the Strada Bianci in Tuscany. The cyclists also had to get their own groceries from supermarkets, gas stations and bakeries. The continuously running time and fixed checkpoints with strict time limits make this race particularly tough, as lostdot explains.

One part of the route is particularly treacherous, marking the transition from asphalt to the rough, unpaved roads of the Balkans. These routes require not only physical fitness from drivers, but also thorough preparation. An example is the Qafe Shtame climb, which climbs picturesquely through the Kruje valley before ending near the abandoned silos of Noje. There, cyclists have the opportunity to refresh themselves with friendly hosts.

Technology and support

Frank Pippel was well equipped during his trip. He had a total of 16 kilos of equipment with him, including his 9.3 kilo racing bike. To charge his devices, he used a hub dynamo, which provided power to his cell phone and power banks. Frank not only received support from his family, but his son also acted as a mental coach to motivate him in tough times.

The cyclist mastered the last part of his adventure with flying colors and drove home to Ammerland in a relaxed manner after the race. Frank is already planning further challenges in the future: a 300-kilometer race in Istria and the Hamburg-Dresden-Hamburg certification over 1,200 kilometers are on his agenda. And no matter how steep the topics may be, one thing is clear: Frank's unshakable will makes him a role model for all cycling enthusiasts.

The Transcontinental Race is not only a test of physical endurance, but also of the mind. For more information on these exciting events, visit the Ride Far website, which was originally created to provide information about the TCR and has now evolved into a comprehensive bikepacking platform.