iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

So gaaanz dunkel und vor Jahren... gab's da mal einen Kickstarter... ist das jetzt das Teil etwa? 🙈😅

Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Heck, that last post was only 2 sentences and it only had 4 characters left to fill... I won't look at this much longer and simply omit @bsky.app from my posting and reading and just focus on Mastodon, Threads and Instagram.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Again and again... what is a very brief post and fits nicely into one message in Mastodon or Threads with ample room to spare I have to split into two posts here on @bsky.app . Look at the previous 2 sentences and tell me how that wouldn't fit and wouldn't be better a part of a single posting...

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

So I briefly pondered going there. But since I'll be in Leuven the next weekend for a UCI Gravel race I actually will partake in, I'll skip that one, too and rather visit Mum. 😀

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

On the one hand it's "only" 6 -7 hrs one way to get to for me. But then it's a friggin 6-7 hrs to get to, same back, weekend taken, money spent... caring for myself, not over-extending and just watch you guys bring us nice photos... 🙂

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

So when I wish for aerobars developed with special consideration for ultracycling and bikepacking I should add two points: ... (see either in provided photos, on Mastodon or Threads. Or directly in my Instagram stories)

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

... preferences just follow me via Mastodon...

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

count (see what I had to do there again, dear followers and @bsky.app ) that even to convey a super short info I have to hit the "plus" button multiple times. That's just dumb. So here are just the screenshots and I recommend to follow me either on Instagram or if this collides with your...

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Instagram as stories because there are all the major players and I can address and tag most of the brands directly currently also on Mastodon, Threads and here on Bluesky. And on Mastodon and Threads you can even read them as text in the thread. But @bsky.app has such a blatantly limited character

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Aerobars tailor made for Ultracycling - a proposal. Recently learned that Swiss Side offers an Aero Cockpit solution since July. More in the following posts... nah, more only in the added Story-Screenshots themselves and respective ALT texts. See, I cross post some stuff I originally post on

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Ponderings for 2026: New super long bikepacking event, Via Race Chapter III registration started, interesting route into and through Norway, longing for a long smooth pure gravel event (do you know such?) Read the slides for details... 😃 #bikepacking #ultracycling #weitradeln

While I'm already agonizing (read enjoying the process over what bikepacking races / events to do in 2026), this ... monster? just entered left field... 5.000 kilometers, 100.000 meters of climbing, all the Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees all the way to Santiago de Compostela. I find this dangerously appealing... 🙈

On that note: yesterday the registration for ©via_race, chapter Ill started. And I'm already checking all this places in Norway which reveal themselves as basically the highlight reel of VisitNorway.de

I never was in Scandinavia (and thus Norway) yet and already from a nerdy map-lovers point of view I'd love to extend my connected rides (see that @veloviewer interview this week) all the way to the Atlantic Road. But will I be content with being "just" in Norway? (as opposed to cross many European countries in one go?) Do I want to "return" to the road? I love smooth tarmac and the elation of gliding effortlessly across the land. And yet I really don't like traffic anymore... Actually I'd want to do a race of something around 2.000 km, but on smooth gravel. Something to speed along, to feel the flow. Not to hike over goat paths. Really riding. But such a route would be very ncredibly hard to put together. Anywher in the world, I guess. In Europe? Nigh impossible. Do you know something along those lines?

I'm also pondering La Peripherie for Summer. And in autumn I'm really keen to join the inaugural @taurusmountainrace. But I'd also love to return to the AlpsDivide Ultra. And 2026 will be its last edition. 😞 Maybe I should do a "Julie Double" like she did with Badlands and AlpsDivide this year? Speaking of @badlandscc, l'd really want to re-visit that, too! 🙈

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Holy Haringshappen! 37 mm internal width! And 43 mm outer, 52 mm height. It's for beach racing, but... hmmm... Weight not given but said to be lighter than their previous 4-shore which are claimed 435 g stormsports.nl/collections/... #Rim #Wheel #Gravel #Aero #BeachRacing

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Made a Youtube Version out of my Chung Virtual Elevation Reel from a few days ago. Of course, this is way more readable and you can see way better what's going on. Also you can pause the playback readily to read those explanations and following the content.

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Reposted by Torsten Frank

VeloViewer @veloviewer.com · 02/10/2025

When ultra distance rider @torstenfrank.bsky.social revealed he was an original VeloViewer tiler, with a rare four digit Strava user number, we were keen to speak to him to find out more about his adventures. Read the latest tiling Q&A in our our blog bit.ly/4o1Y6gS #tilehunting

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Veloviewer did a nice interview with me on the topic of tile collecting or tile hunting. blog.veloviewer.com/the-view-fro... #cycling #radfahren #exploremore #tiles #kacheln #tilecollecting #veloviewer #strava #maps

blog.veloviewer.com

The View From An Original Tiler – VeloViewer

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Bonus: got a direct comparison of my own #Supergravel Exceed on the same test laps as I rode the other bikes yesterday. Did this also the last years. #cycling #radfahren #GravelGround #ZecheEwald #Ruhrgebiet

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Visited the Maxxis Gravel Ground Bike-Festival at the Zeche Ewald a second time today. This time by bike from my doorstep mostly via nice gravel and cycling routes.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Need to dive deeper into the details of it. First impression though: while I'm happy such a bike finally exists I can't help but be underwhelmed by the overall design effort of Trek. That's not a Wow bike, sadly.. (And @bsky.app needs to dive deeper in their technical limitations.)

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Trek unveiled their new CheckOUT today. The bike we saw as a prototype under Justinas at the Transbalkan Race this June. A full suspension gravel bike with 60 mm travel front and 55 mm in the rear. #cycling #bike #gravelbike #gravel but also #Supergravel?

On the one hand, it seems to check my boxes I long advocated for. I.e. at least 60 mm front travel and also full sus. On the other hand I must admit that the Wow factor of the lines and shapes is no instant win for me. I feel there could have done a way better job by Trek given their Checkpoints... But I will need to look further into the technical details. And maybe I'll be able to see one in the flesh already this weekend.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

level, much less of course for any individual. (Doesn't help that they used subjects with wildly variant background or training levels, respectively). Of course - so far nothing terribly new (i.e. trying to get individual information gains from such papers).

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Probably an interesting paper (can't access it) with some academic interest. But what does it actually show? I guess it shows: "forget anything in this regard - you can throw a dart on the wall and get better estimates". This looks as if it even is anything remotely useful even at general population

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

... new 18 MP sensor since the resolution / pixel size of the normal setting stays the same. Only for the „wide“ setting it get’s bigger but also covers a bit more field of view. Which is nice.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

The improvements between 15 Pro and 17 Pro camera are much welcome. Full resolution now also for ultra wide angle and the tele and the 100 mm full frame equivalent tele (4x) is much welcome and better than the 3x on the 15 Pro. The front facing camera unfortunately doesn’t benefit from the ...

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Wild mix yesterday. Explored Squadratinhos around Erndtebrück which resulted in quite a bit bushwhacking. Tried my new iPhone 17 Pro camera out and compared it to my 15 Pro and my Olympus OMD E-M5. And did some Tempo and Threshold work on the bike in-between.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Wrote about tile collecting a bit already last week. ... Tile collecting is a fun (in a nerdy, map lovers way) meta game motivation to explore more.   www.instagram.com/p/DOoa1NdDCv... #cycling #exploremore #explorertiles #tilehunting #Veloviewer #squadrats

instagram.com

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Yes. But they are also heavy AF 😅

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Tadaaa - iPhone 17 Pro ordered :)

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

For what it's worth - outside of Bluesky I never see/hear anyone talking/writing about Bluesky. 85.5 % of share? What kind of rigged is that? Like in - every other social media has to share the remaining 14.5%...? Or does it mean in 85.5% of a very select sample Bluesky gets mentioned, too.

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Uh oh - just signed up for my very first actual gravel race! Flanders Legacy Gravel on the 19th of October. It's even a qualifier already for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships... 🫣😎 #cycling #Gravel #Flanders #radfahren

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

On another note: Felt suspiciously amazing for a first ride after Kyrgyzstan today! Apparently l slacked so hard there that it was indeed a pure high altitude camp? 🙈😎😅 #silkroadmountainrace #SRMR2025 #cycling #backhome

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Skinny Tires Re-Calibration Ride... 😅 Lest I forget how awful rigid bikes and <50 mm tires are off-road. And to keep the confident feel of my #Supergravel by staying acquainted to 38 mm Slicks on Gravel. That said, my @conti_bicycle GP5000 AS TR are serious (Gucci) Gravel Tires! #cycling #Gravel

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Torsten Frank @torstenfrank.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

#Bikepacking Event Tip for next Summer, No 2: Via Race, Chapter III Depends where it will lead us next year. I heard it may be Scandinavia... That would be interesting. via-race.com #ultracycling #weitradeln

via-race.com

VIA Race

Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Join the best ultraracers as you follow the epic journey of Germanicus across Europe.

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