That was my exact thought. Sure go back to where you stopped by any means, but then 80km on top at this point is nothing.
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Matt into CP4
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I think Sowler is still moving, at least seemed to be a hour ago when I last looked
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and 1900m of climb as well. Ride 90k and 1900m of climb just to get back to the āstartā Thatās a good Sunday club run for many cyclists 
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The person currently just ahead of Sowler in the pairs comp, 324a Carlo, is from the Swindon area, so a bit of localish competition for him. I gather his partner dropped out after 700km but heās carried on solo.
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You make it sound like heās about to expire 
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Double tap to the chest to put him out his misery?
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Spoons has headed south from CP4 back to the town where he got a cab. Presumably then headed east to the Aegean before heading north. Watching the current dots it does seem a popular route.
Did Sowler and partner pull a night shift? Theyāre closing in on CP4 30km or so away
Oh fuck just seen this on Sowlerās insta story
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The sowler team are in Trikala so presumably got a cab? Thatās really sad if theyāve scratched.
MS insta update says itās going to be a scorcher so he opted for the flat road by the sea, aiming to get to the start of the final parcours tonight.
Expecting the final 100km to take 10 hours tomorrow
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thatās a bummer
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I think so with Sowler, will check his Insta throughout the day to see if he updates.
Just watched Mattās daily update - Iām going to miss these. Iāve been sitting back with a coffee each day hearing the highs and lows. His hair seems to be permanently shaped by his helmet - interesting point re patches not setting in the heat, what a nightmare for those riding tubes
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Sowlers tracker says DNF 
.
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Do they usually have such rough tracks in the mandated sections? Given that itās a road bike event, they are wishing problems upon the riders.
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They did, last year, but I donāt know if they have always been a part of TCR.
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Yeah i thought that. Thereās making it hard and then thereās just coming up with stupid Parcours. Matt was saying that last one is supposedly 30km of walking. Not sure I get that.
Gutted for @Sowler just saw the update as well. Will keep my eyes open on insta to find out what happened.
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Iāve not been following their progress as closely as Matt, in part because they seemed to be making all the right decisions and landing in good places each night, most notably being able to do parcours 3 early in the day.
I suppose some of that is by chance but also setting and executing achievable plans.
I thought they would stop in the village after 4a last night and do the hike this morning, getting to CP4 tonight. Iām sure weāll get the story soon enough.
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Iām just guessing but gravel riding is a relativley new phenomina with tubless tyres being a game changer, 5 or so years ago I doubt the equipment was available to be able to cope with that kind of terrain over those distances.
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Christoph Strasserās 8day, 16hr finish is the fastest from the last 6 TCās I checked & the 4000km is up there in distance so it seems difficulty is at least relative.
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John said on his message to me that him and Sarah loved long stops and lie ins. But they were, a bit like Matt, going for the fast moving average, but plenty of sensible recovery/stops type strategy.
I think that would make it more enjoyable. I know itās a race, but itās also an adventure and Iād want to at least remember some of it! 
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Yeah same, Iād almost treat it like a backpacking holiday with time limits
Matt tbf seems to have stayed in hotels all the way with no ditch or bus stop sleeping in a bivvy
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