High Wycombe Cycling Club » Trans Germany Race 2008

the whole trans germany week in 12 minutes

neilwragg — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:08:27 +0000

Click here for the video of our 2008 Trans Germany epic!

Neil Wragg & Paul Morrissey from Team High Wycombe CC in the 2008 Trans Germany MTB Race

The whole week in a 12 minute condensed mini vid. Go and make a cup of tea or get a beer and sit back…….

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trans germany in pictures

The Sprocket\ — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:45:06 +0000

All the photos from the trip can be viewed on the High Wycombe CC website here……..

http://thesprocket.co.uk/transgermanypics.html

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final stage thunderstorms

The Sprocket\ — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:19:04 +0000

We thought we had it in the bag, the final stage was short without too much uphill. Didn’t figure on this though……

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TG finished!

neilwragg — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:55:04 +0000

Finally got around to updating the blog after the final day.
What was expected to be (relatively speaking!) an easier day turned into an epic, with just 1600 metres of climbing and 80 kms of riding I wasn’t too worried about completing the 2008 Trans Germany and getting that rare finishers jersey.
But nothing should be taken for granted. At about 50kms we could see a storm ahead and Chippo said ‘that looks like big rain’, an under statement.
The temperature dropped and then the heavens opened with, first, freezing rain and then hailstones. I was drenched and freezing.
Then again, with just 5 miles to go a hoooge thunderstorm sacred the bejesus out of us. Massive claps of thunder right over us and lightning either side to freak us out!
As previously mentioned we will not surrender and a slippy, slidey mud caked last few miles took us to the ultimate finish line!
We hit the beers, got our jerseys and finished about 160 something out of 220 starters!
Phew.
Thanks to all our donators and supporters.

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We finished-!!!!!!

The Sprocket\ — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:59:34 +0000

Wow , its over on what had to be the strangest of days ( weather wise).
Stage 7 started off in 30c heat and as per usual a 400m climb. We the hit lots of single track and rooty knarly forest which was superb until the heavens opened. We rode through heavy rain and hailstones as big a peppermints which made the forests rather muddy slippy and horrid.
The last 20k went up ( as usual ) but we headed up into a large storm that enveloped you in lightening and thunder (the whole time we where on the climb ) it took an age to get off the mountain and it was terrifying , lightning either side if you as you went up and deep thunder that you could feel deep in you core .
On the final downhill I fell off 4 times as the tracks and grass where so slippy ( sometimes its best to just not use your brakes) no damage done we just wanted to get this stage done.
On the run into the finish we unfurled the union jack and rode over the finish line to get our medals and get interviewed, an awesome day , an awesome week. We didn’t come last neither so a rather big bonus that.
We are going back for more next year and this time we will have a bigger team.
Bring on trans germany 2009

Chippo

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P.S.

neilwragg — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:43:23 +0000

Happy Birthday to my gorgeous wife x

Neil

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TG7 – pre race

neilwragg — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:41:13 +0000

Didn’t sleep much last night, too excited plus worried about the bikes that were locked up outside. Some teams had their bikes stolen from a hotel garage so couldn’t start yesterday.
But it’s sat morning and they are still here so no excuse!
We have had a team strategy this week… I go ahead on the climbs and learn about some German culture from our new friends then go back to Chippo and take his mind off the climbing with some education…
or some singing if I have a bigger audience!
Our knees are competing with our butts to be our biggest pain but a lot of teams are quitting due to knee problems.
Last day today , and it’s all downhill. Apart from the final 9 miles, which are, of course, all up hill! Wish us luck, it’s been line to us so far. Just need enough for another 80kms, that’s all.

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TG6 – rock and roll stars

neilwragg — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:16:47 +0000

Tomorrow is the final stage and if the last week is anything to go by then tomorrow we will be rock and roll stars! The crowds have been as amazing as the scenery, especially all the kids who come out before school and give you high fives as you ride along. Today we finished in the highest point of Saxony, East Germany and there are views that in for miles. I’ve seen plenty of riders stop and take photos!
The organisation has been tops and go out of their way to look after every rider, even the back markers when they finish by giving out free beer!
Who’s up for it next year? We are taking names already!
Tomorrow’s final pasta party should rock, everyone’s already on a high for getting this far. The shuttle bus laid on to take the riders back to their hotels doesn’t start running until midnight and stops at 2am.
Rock on.

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Stage 6 completed

The Sprocket\ — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:48:45 +0000

Well , if I was a few pounds lighter we would I’m sure be sitting mid table for our category. As neil has highlighted we are not last by 6mins so we are pondering what to do ( no one remembers who came second to last ) , we shall see.
Today’s stage was full of climbs as is usual for this race but the biggest climb was the big 1200m beast that takes you up and over to the stage finish.The final climb was 24k long and dragged on and on with false flats and some very steep sections that tortured my already buggered knees.
The downhill into the finish was not easy neither very bumpy ,technical and twisty.
I had an interesting moment at the finish as within 2 minutes of me crossing the line my front tyre exploded ( a side wall tear) which was fortunate as if it had burst on the downhill I may be righting this from a hospital bed. New tyre , next stage tomorrow and the final stage.
C mon the wycombe.

Chippo

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TG6 – decisions

neilwragg — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:38:22 +0000

Finished today’s stage which went up to 1200 meters. Got a problem though, we’re now not last. Team Rotho are about 6 minutes behind us! What do we do? Where’s the glory in coming second from last?
Another load of teams quit before today’s finale. Yesterday we were 185th out 185. Today we are 170th out of 171. 220 teams started last Saturday.
Hmmm…

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