The 7-day route for the Trans-Provence -- an event which will take place for the first time in late September 2009 -- is now 100% finalised. From Thursday 4th June to Wednesday 10th June inclusive, I will attempt to ride the route in full, my primary aims being the following:
1) to see how well the whole thing "hangs together" in its complete and purely point-to-point form
2) to further increase my knowledge of the route's trails and junctions, helping me compile a comprehensive navigation concept for participants
3) to verify that the .gpx route files that I've produced (using IGN's GeoRando mapping) actually work and will be usable for the event
4) to further increase my knowledge of trailhead access points, helping me compile a race logistics plan (uplifts and timing provisions)
Over the course of my route which consists predominantly of singletrack and almost no tarmac, I will be riding an average of 45km/day, ascending an average of 1200m/day, and descending somewhat more than this thanks to vehicle uplifts to an elevated trailhead at the start of each day. I will be carrying a 35-litre rucksack and although this is a solo mission, I will be fully vehicle-supported so will hopefully not go short on food, spares or moral support.
Numerous people have expressed an intererest in hearing about my first complete Trans-Provence trip. In response I've decided that the easiest way of keeping you all updated would be via a blog like this, which I will endeavour to update every day during the journey.
Please check back over the course of my week on the trails to see where I'm at and leave comments / abuse / etc :-)
Cheers for now,
Ash
