Trans Catalunya

[Blackhound]

Not seen this event mentioned here before, I may consider it for 2016. Was tipped off by one of the Rovaniemi riders, Joel Martinez who is a local:

http://cat700.com/es

Info suggests it is more of a gravel race with no hike-a-bike. 680km / 13,000m elevation, 5 day limit from 26th June.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I like the look of that but I don't think I could run to £270 for the entry when there's flights, etc to pay for.

[pistonbroke]

Ooh this looks very interesting, the map's a bit vague but it seems to finish about 20km from where we're going to live. Just got back from a week in the area, measuring up, sorting out local solicitor etc. Managed to get a few rides in, it was 20 degrees and clear blue sky on Friday. This year is a bit soon for us as we don't move until August but 2016 would be a goer. I'd be happy to co-ordinate getting to the start from ours, Vielha is 3.5 hours from the finish by car and flights to Reus/Tarragona can be had for £25 from Manchester / Doncaster etc at that time of year. If anyone fancies it, drop me an e mail.

[pistonbroke]

The event website has been updated quite a bit over the last week. There's now a 400km/4 day option as well now. The entry fee includes transfer from the finish to the start and pasta party on the evening before. This makes sense as there are far more flight options to Reus, Barcelona or even Valencia and train links to within 10 miles of the finish. The route looks stunning, taking in long sections of gravel roads and mountain trails. I've contacted the organiser and it is planned to be an annual event. My offer of help in getting to the event next year stands.

[Chew]

I like the look of that but I don't think I could run to £270 for the entry when there's flights, etc to pay for.

Same here.
Like the idea of the route, but not the paying for stuff i wouldnt want (Showers, bike wash.....)

Keep posting Duncan and maybe an ITT at some point?

[pistonbroke]

Fair comment re the cost but bear in mind it could be expensive to get to the start, there's no train link into the Pyrenees from the Spanish side. Yes, there are a couple of manned points on the route which may or may not coincide with needing to eat or sleep but it also needs pointing out that finding food and drink in rural Spain is much harder than over here. It's likely to be very warm so getting water could be the biggest challenge.

[Ian]

No hike-a-bike and £270 entry fee?!

[pistonbroke]

Call me picky but I rather like the idea of a route that actually exists on the ground and I know it's splitting hairs but the entry fee is currently £240 for the next week. I'm sure I'll be doing a bit of pushing just to get value for money you understand

The cost questioning that is going on here does actually throw up some debatable issues.
Bikepacking as a sport/pastime/obsession (delete as appropriate) has imo reached an interesting crossroads. Do we see it as off road, long distance sportives with organised "races" including all the trappings and costs that these events attract, or rather as similar to Audaxes where the course is fixed but it's more about the taking part than the winning. I'm guessing on this site, the latter view is held. But is there also a moral imperative to at least reimburse the organiser's time and effort in putting on the former type of event and not just nick the GPX of the event and ride it anyway? Maybe a topic for another thread??

[AdMan]

Yet another race i'd love to do that requires you to be 18 to enter

[Blackhound]

When I first put this thread up I had not seen the entry fee as I had not clicked on the 'entry' tab as 2015 is not going to happen for me. Even after Stu mentioned it I was not completely put off as it does include GPS tracking by the looks of things and even free events charge for that. Not really bothered about goody bags and gifts for finishing and would rather save the money.

Duncan has raised some interesting points and about organisers getting something back for putting these things on and I don't really have a problem with it. A bit like the sportive -v- audax arguments. The former has feed stops, goody bags, some route marking and high entry fees. Audax is cheap and you buy your food along the way or take it with you. I prefer the latter.

If next year I had the choice of Catalunya or Tuscany trails and one had an entry fee and one didn't I might prefer the free one when you factor in travel costs if time and cash were a factor. For now I will continue to think about it, If Joel M. is doing it and dates suit me I might just go for it.

[Ian]

Call me picky but I rather like the idea of a route that actually exists on the ground and I know it's splitting hairs but the entry fee is currently £240 for the next week. I'm sure I'll be doing a bit of pushing just to get value for money you understand

Yeah, tongue was planted properly in cheek on that last comment

[Ben98]

Over 18's only, AGAIN