RACZ25 THROUGH A LENS OF HONZA MRÁKOTA - 2ND PART
Today we would like to share Honza Mrak´s photos from RP1 in Rakovník and few shots from the morning along Elbe river

RACZ25 THROUGH THE LENS OF HONZA MRÁKOTA
For the third year in a row, Honza "Mrak" Mrákota has been shooting with us as a photographer, and we have deliberately saved his pieces until the time when all participants will be safely home and will be happy to refresh their memories.
...
In the first batch of photos, let's reminisce about the pre-start atmosphere in the Stein resort and the initial kilometers to the iconic Schiller lookout tower.

HOW WAS RACZ25?
... AND WHAT WILL ITS PARTICIPANTS REMEMBER MOST?
One of the novelties of this year's RACZ was also the "Banner of Lamentations", on which its finishers could write a short evaluation at the finish line on Girová, or recall which sections or experiences they ...will remember the most.

The range of messages is really varied and a few participants even added some drawings :-D

So, take a look at it ;-)

BEST FINISH LINE EVER!
While all RACZ25 riders are safe at home, we would like to remind you again some moments from this year´s edition finish line, awesome refuge Girová above Hrčava village.

From the first moment we entered its interier last July, we felt its strong vibe and ...knew that it is really a special place, definitely worth to manage here our finish.

Except its beautiful and old architecture and breathtaking landscape, we found here superhelpful staff. Providers Marie and Petr fulfilled our every wish, from delicious cabbage soups for night finishers, through lending us party tent, to transporting rider´s package in Petr ´s monsterous 4x4 terrain car.

All staff also showed big interest about our event and about rider´s experience ... so we agreed to repeat Gírová as a finish line for racz27 (as we still owe you to ride through Dolní Vítkovice area and easternmost point of CZ :-D).

BIG BIG THANKS guys, and we are looking forward to come again.

If you want spend nice time here, take a look at:
chatagirova.com

LAST DAY AT GIROVÁ, LAST FINISHERS
After rather hot 5 days, in the late Sunday evening came pretty strong rainfalls to whole Silesia, and also Girová stayed almost whole days hidden in clouds and fog.

Very wet finish will for a long time remember mainly Piotr Chachaj and Szymon ...Szerewicz (shared 32th place), who finished slightly before 1am, and then Dan and Jarka Hansedls (shared 36th place), whose arrival was accompanied by ropes of rain at 4pm.

Pavel Provázek and Radek Pospíšil (34th) enjoyed mutual finish in much more comfortable conditions and togehter celebrated Pavel´s birthday. Pavel is now one of few 3-times RACZ finishers.

After 7pm we welcomed here last three riders who reached finish line in a limit - Martin Zábranský, Robert Michal and Morten Kjaersgaard fought with rain and cold for most of Monday, but the stronger was their happiness and emotions. And few minutes before they come, bikepacking God showed merci, stopped the water and cleared sky above.

As we left Girová we met Elke climbing up to the refuge, but out of order because she withdraw in a morning and came to pick her luggage and feels the atmosphere there. She was deserved for this decision by magnificient sunset

So, RACZ25 is over and have 40 brave finishers on our list, from 77 riders, who stood ať start in Cheb.

Congrats to all of them, but also thank to every participants who joined us, and enjoyed their time on The Route.

Kýčovka při opouštění Gìrové ❤️

DAY 4+5 THROUGH LENS OF PETR JANÍČEK
During forth and fifth days of RACZ25 riders were passing through RestPoint3 and behind Šternberk hit wild- but picturesque - area of Oderské vrchy a Nízký Jeseník.

From here, it was still over 200km to Girová, mostly on flat land until ...Jablunkov.

LENGTHY LIST OF FINISHERS
After 110 hours from the start, 31 finishers have arrived at the Giro, where they are together absorbing impressions and enjoying the pleasant emotions caused by completing the demanding 1180km route.

At the finish line, we already have the second woman, ...Julianne Andre, who - like her partner Jirka Turk - was crushed by the Wednesday heat, and this nice couple finally completed the end of RACZ25 together in "tourist mode".

We are excited about the positive connection and enjoy listening to all these experiences.

At the same time, we are saddened by the increasing number of scratches. There are only 16 ultrabikers left on the route, so we will not be able to welcome more than 50 starters to the finish line this year either.

This unfavorable ratio proves once again that the title of "RACZ finisher" does not come for free, but has to be worked hard.

Big redspect desrves Honza Jurena, who even added 2,5km extra detour to easternmost point of Czechia, which we had to withdrew due to closed forests around Hrčava...

Good luck to everyone who is still on the route, not only tonight, when strong storms are expected to arrive in Silesia.

Second taste of Honza Syrovy' s materials. Fotogenic panel road near village Nečas, on a way to Bohemian Paradise.