Lost Dot 101

When riding an ultra-race, it sometimes happens that the most unlikely of solutions is the most appropriate at the time. Marianne Machner (125) explains. Photo: @lizseabrook With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Successive long days of riding require focus, but inevitably the mind wanders. Emily Bei Cheng (045) reveals where hers can be found. Photo: @saskiadugon With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Riders fly by La Serena Reservoir as they near Córdoba and the finish. They pass by the Magic Mountain; a temporary island that appears when the water levels are high. Riders take the unique circular road surrounding it, and today, continue pedalling under direct sunlight in the wide open landscape. Pretty reservoirs are always an aesthetic conundrum, with their inherent environmental impact and drain on surrounding habitats and wildlife, dams are a leading cause of freshwater biodiversity loss. From here, riders have 180KM to go until the finish. Not all will make it to Córdoba before tonight’s cut-off, but many are endeavouring to try. This morning, we spotted Tabea Harras (062) and Katharina Zerlauth (073) making their way under the big blue sky. Currently, they are both still pedaling onwards, with Katharina just 5KM away from the start of the 42KM Finish Parcours, and Tabea about an hour behind her. Both riders stand a good chance of making it before the 23:59CEST cut-off, leading a cluster of riders who may be cutting it fine. Photos: @saskiadugon With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Day 5 Race Report // Every Day’s a School Day From improvisation hacks, emotional finish-line reunions and lessons learned across 1,200KM of racing. By the fifth day of the Lost Dot 101, its all coming to a head. As riders continue to roll into Córdoba, the finish line has transformed into a community built on shared struggle, resilience, and very little sleep. This report is full of the moments that make these races unforgettable — emergency blanket socks, camera-based navigation, “tough holidays”, and riders discovering they’re capable of far more than they imagined. Read the full race report via the link in bio. Words by Athlyn Cathcart-Keays Photo: @lizseabrook With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Despite all the hardships and setbacks riders face, there are always moments that make it feel worthwhile. Jessica Notzing (064) hits her peak. Photo: @saskiadugon With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Lost Dot 101 Podcast // Day 4: Where Is My Mind Day 4 in Córdoba and the podium is complete. Amrei Kuhne (034) rolls in second after surviving on “sweet and disgusting stuff”, while Elise Sauvinet (128) clinches third thanks to a heavy dose of tracker-checking. Also in this episode, riders endure punctures, soaked roads (again), and solving saddle sores with supermarket sponges. Jessica Notzing (064) recounts the best morning ride of her life, while Emily Bei Cheng (045) reflects on where her mind wanders while riding. Plus, Lost Dot’s Rider Communications Manager Andy Dodd explains the investigation process behind two rider disqualifications following illegal road infringements. Hear the scoop for yourself in our latest episode. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Link in bio. Hosted and produced by @n_i_kuu Photo: @lizaseabrook With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Join us in applauding the riders who reached the finish overnight and into this morning. With more Lost Dot 101 riders arriving in town, the finish at @revelociona cycling co-operative and bike shop has become a hub for reminiscing, swapping stories, and gathering to cheer others home. Early this morning, we spotted Emily bei Cheng (045) and Katie Moss (029) flying along the rolling Finish Parcours towards Córdoba. They’ve got plenty of time to eat, sleep, and eat some more before heading to the party later this evening. Mila Eland (041) - 5 days, 3 hours, 25 minutes Paula Soler (080) - 5 days, 4 hours, 10 minutes Rose Osborne (132) - 5 days, 5 hours, 12 minutes Laura Villiger (054) - 5 days, 5 hours, 56 minutes Franziska Schöni (028) - 5 days, 10 hours, 23 minutes Fiona Burckhardt (090) - 5 days, 11 hours, 13 minutes Emily bei Cheng (045) - 5 days, 14 hours, 31 minutes Katie Moss (029) - 5 days, 14 hours, 54 minutes Congratulations, all! Photos: @lizseabrook With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Riders continued to pedal and push their way up the steep gradients of Pico Villuercas on Parcours D into yesterday evening’s sunset. Before long, the sun was casting a warm orange glow over the rocky outcrops and surrounding greenery, putting on a show. With no cut-off at CP3 below, riders have just one target ahead of them: tonight’s finishers’ party, and the final race cut-off at 23:59CEST. Track cyclist Tahys Janssen (058) was pushing her bike up the 15% gradients, running a classic road ratio with heavy legs. Accustomed to big gears and hard efforts, even she found the combination of fatigue and the unforgiving climb enough to warrant a short hike. Taking a moment to catch her breath, Tabea Harras (062) was already immensely proud of herself. “I didn’t know that I was that strong and that I could push that hard,” she told Race Reporter Sophie. Since day one, she had already ridden more elevation in a single effort than ever before, and was looking forward to celebrating in Córdoba. Photos: @saskiadugon With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

And that’s our top-20, with Leo Barnato (075) capping things off in 20th place, finishing right as Spanish restaurants start opening for dinner. Bursary Rider Em Wilson crossed the line just before, having taken on the Lost Dot 101 riding their cargo bike — an inspiring ride from start to finish. Rosa ter Kuile (101) - 4 days, 23 hours, 58 minutes Barbara Humann (110) - 5 days, 0 hours, 5 minutes Ida Bircher (120) - 5 days, 1 hour, 10 minutes Em Wilson (072) - 5 days, 1 hour, 40 minutes Leo Barnato (075) - 5 days, 2 hours, 22 minutes Chapeau! Photos: @lizseabrook With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Many riders arriving at today’s finish line surpassed their own expectations, securing top-20 finishes with a full day still to spare before the cut-off. For some, this race has revealed strengths they didn’t know they had. For others, it’s simply been a huge relief to finally roll into Córdoba. Jetske van den Berg (051) - 4 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes Stefanie Maurer (063) - 4 days, 22 hours, 5 minutes Marianne Machner (125) - 4 days, 22 hours, 49 minutes Chris Murray (081) - 4 days, 23 hours, 31 minutes Susann Heidecke (115) - 4 days, 23 hours, 43 minutes Congratulations to this afternoon's finishers! Photos: @lizseabrook With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Lost Dot 101 // PAIRS Johanna Drolshagen (146a) and Jonne Van Bommel (146b) were the leading pair at CP2, followed by Geraldine Nassieu-Maupas (148a) and Martha Parkinson (148b). Riding as a pair has its own pros and cons, requiring balance, communication, and compromise. A good sense of humour can’t hurt either. Johanna and Jonne are now the last intact pair still racing, and looking on track to make it to the finishers’ party. Video: @roxannagbaz With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike

Parcours D // Pico Villuercas One of the highest road climbs in Extremadura, Pico Villuercas is a quiet and ruthlessly steep dead-end ascent. At the top lies an old military base and sweeping 360-degree views across the surrounding peaks and countryside. From the summit, riders face a ~1000M descent to Guadalupe and CP3 for a brevet card stamp. We spotted Jessica Notzing (064) making her way up and, despite possible food poisoning, she was in remarkably good spirits. She spoke about her grandad, who used to love dot-watching her races well into his 90s, and how she was carrying his cheerleading spirit with her to fuel her self-belief. Emily bei Cheng (045) was climbing at an impressive pace, motivated by the pull of CP3 and the finish line ahead. Fiona Burckhardt (090), meanwhile, admitted she’d panic-bought too much food at resupplies and was somehow still hauling provisions from Germany up the climb. Exuding positivity, Christina Holst (124) was grateful for the gifts of the day: warm sun, stretches of tailwind, vulture sightings, and a newfound flow. Photos: @saskiadugon With special thanks to our race partners: @albion.cycling @ridewithgps #LostDot101 #BeMoreMike