Pre-orders of the official Transcontinental book are now being shipped!
It's not too late to pick up a copy for yourself (worldwide shipping available).
The book gathers together the best stories from the first 10 editions of the race, from Kristof Allegaert, the first winner, and Juliana Buhring, the first woman to finish the race, through to the achievements of Fiona Kolbinger, the first woman to win the race outright, and to Christoph Strasser, the current man to beat, via a thousand tales of determination, digging deep and pushing limits from the pointy end of the race to the lantern rouge.
The book brings together stunning images from the photographers who have documented the race over the years, behind-the-scenes stories to give a true taste of the race from the inside, and in-depth essays from those who have been at the forefront.
Full of triumph and tragedy, the book is also a tribute to TCR founder Mike Hall, who died in 2017 while racing in Australia, and to his founding principles of integrity, autonomy, community, history and technology.
Specs:
- Softcover book
- 270 x 210mm (portrait)
- 256 pages including an essay section
- More than 200 images and 60,000 words, with maps
Chapter Breakdown:
01 Origins - Stephan Amato
Era 01 documents the earliest days of the sport, from the rise of mountain bike culture in the 1970s to the first Great Divide Race in 2004, which would go on to become the Tour Divide of today. Meanwhile, in the UK Mike Hall was getting interested in bikes and adventure, and it was only a matter of time until the Tour Divide would come calling…
Race Reporter Jake Thorpe provides a race round-up of each edition, with essays by Mike Hall, Jack Thurston, Anna Haslock, and memories from Kristof Allegaert, Nelson Trees, and Pat Hall.
02 Autonomy: The Pioneers of TCRNo1 - Stefan Amato
In 2013, 30 hardy souls gathered on Westminster Bridge beneath the shadow of Big Ben, and watched the hands of the great clock tick to 08:00 and TCRNo1 had begun.
The very first Transcontinental Race was an experiment, and Mike and the team were learning on the job… Firsthand accounts and never-before-seen photography tell the story!
03 Community: the race grows - Jenny Tough and Jake Thorpe
Era 03 tells the story of the fast growing race through TCRNos 2-5, and its early domination by Kristof ‘Special K’ Allegaert, the rise of social media and the early days of Twitter alongside the race, the tragic death of Mike Hall in the run up to TCRNo5, and finally the community gathering together to ensure the survival of the Transcontinental Race.
Photography from James Robertson, Kristian Pletten, Matthias Wjst, George Marshall, Giovanni Pizzato, and Lian van Lieuwen
04 Diversity and Culture - Jesko von Werthern
TCRNos 6 and 7 saw the creation of Lost Dot in the absence of Mike Hall, to continue the race in his legacy. Jesko charts the rise of bikepacking race culture, the promotion of diversity in racing, and the phenomenal win of Fiona Kolbinger at TCRNo7.
Photography from James Robertson and Angus Sung brings the chapter to life.
05 Integrity: the race in a changing world - Andrew Phillips
Era 05 guides the race into the post-pandemic era, examining the challenges that the new Lost Dot team would face through TCRNos 8-10; rules, climate change, and the professionalisation of the sport. Finally, Andrew looks at romance in the Transcontinental Race, and the lure of the Lanterne Rouge.
Photography from Tomas Montes, Liz Seabrook, James Robertson, Tom Gibbs, Mike Drummond, Matt Grayson, Sam Dugon, Beatrice Berlanda, Neža Peterca, and Chiara Redaschi
Links are below to buy your copy.
Please note, the book is dispatched from the UK. Orders to countries outside of the UK may incur customs charges.
