NRW23 – 8th of June NorthRaceWestphalia – 1000km/10.000hm [edit: did not finish]

[edit – update from after the race (did not want to write an entire new post about it): I did not finish this race (DNF). Abandoned it after 1 day & 1 night, ca. 380km/2800m (Strava activity). No dramatic reasons: some minor physical issues, nothing that by itself would have stopped me; but combined with a lack of motivation/determination and mental stamina. I couldn’t stop my brain from thinking about my balcony, hammock, ice-cream and good music. Changed course for Essen, my hometown where I arrived around 6am at my parents’ to have a shower & good sleep. It was the absolute best and right decision; I did not feel I needed to prove anything to myself or anyone. It was my first DNF so far. Only two regrets: a) that I did not live up to the privilege of gaining a race entry, and b) that I contributed to the DNF rate. : )
Thanks so much to the great team of Northrace Westphalia! A fantastic event conducted with a lot of love and good vibes, I highly recommend it! And met many lovely new people and fellow riders.]

---

In this brief post:
– Introduction, how to follow live
– Facts and figures about the race
– Briefly: my approach & gear

Hi there! My only race and bigger cycling event this year starts tomorrow and lasts only a few days: NorthRace Westphalia is a self-supported free-route event – essentially the same conditions as in the Transcontinental Race, just that here you’re explicitly allow to share a coke with fellow riders (but not more; if you know you know). Ca. 1000km and 10.00m of climbing all over my home county Nordrhein Westfalen (and a bit beyond).

Here you find the official information about the race: NorthRaceWestphalia

You can follow me on this map: Follow My Challenge / NRW
I’m Cap 50, Malte Cyclingtourist
…and on Instagram of course: @maltecyclingtourist

Two of my fellow club mates of RTC DSD e.V. are racing, too: Cap 41, Hokki (Michael Hokkeler) & Cap 55, Fabian Wurm

Any support, be it private messages or public shoutouts, or you just joining in spirit is highly appreciated!

A few facts & figures about NorthRaceWestphalia

• Start: 8.6.2023, 11:00 am
• Start & Finish location: Bad Honnef, Germany
• free-route (all riders plan their own route from Checkpoint to Checkpoint)
• single stage (the clock runs through)
• self-supported (no planned outside assistance or cooperation among riders)
• ca. 1000km and 10.000m of climbing
• 10 checkpoints to be completed in order
• 75 participants of all genders. several duos, three teams of three. All other: solo-riders
• On the following map you see all CPs. The route starts in Bad Honnef heading West towards Aachen (click here to open in new tab):

My approach to NorthRaceWestphalia

How will I approach it? This race will be a new experience to me because it is much shorter than my past 4 ultra-races. That means I’ll have to pursue a very different rhythm and strategy. E.g. sleep will impact the finish time much more than on a longer race like TCR. On TCR (4000km) in the first nights I can easily sleep, knowing that in the long run I wouldn’t be able to sustain a big sleep deficit anyway. But on NRW (1000km) any sleep in the two or three nights will be a considerable proportion of the total time; and the finish line being closer it’ll be temping to delay some of that sleep. I can only guarantee you and myself: I will stay safe. I know my limits. I have horribly experienced the effects of sleep deprivation while cycling, and I will not allow this to happen again – and be the consequence that I will not be as fast as I wish.

What is “as fast as I wish”? Well, the finisher party is after 3,5 days on Sunday night. I want to arrive considerably before that.

What gear do I bring? Essentially the same setup as on my Transcontinental Race in 2022. However: In the back I’ll carry just a small 4 liter Ortlieb seat pack (instead of my Tailfin rack) that holds an emergency bivy, silk liner and matress. I’ll carry a GoPro for the first time, who knows maybe there’ll be some nice shots. And I have a new lighting setup that I’ll introduce in more depth some other time: Supernova M99 DY Pro. Amazing!
Total bike weight is 14,3 kg without water and food but all other luggage.

Everything else is just legs, stomach and mind. : )