Ultra-endurance MTB Events?

[Richard G]

So I've been looking around, and I've not really found anything helpful...

...but does anyone know where I might look to find schedules for European ultra-endurance MTB events? I'm specifically looking at stuff that's too short to be classed as bikepacking / ITT but much longer than your average MTB event. I fancy mixing it up a bit next year, with the standard ITTs, as well as shorter, but potentially higher intensity stuff.

Something in the 8-20 hours range I guess (100km - 200km?). I know there are quite a few 24 hour events, but to be honest, I don't really enjoy the circuit sort of stuff. Any lap shorter than a couple of hours bores me.

Anyway, cheers. I know it's not bikepacking, but you guys are generally the best people to ask for anything like this!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Dirty Reiver and Manx 100 spring to mind or maybe the MTB Marathon series?

[GregMay]

Marathon racing is generally dying sadly.

There are some nice ones in France, Austria, Germany and oddly Corsica.

UK wise, Scott MTB Marathon series is the go to, courses tend to be really good. There tends to be some good info here: http://marathonmtb.com/ and on XCracer occasionally.

Obviously 12 and 24 hour racing are in the loop (pun intended) too. WEMBO is back in Ft. Bill next year. I'll be there again, but doubt I'll be on the podium again.

[voodoo_simon]

Rovaniemi 150 in Finland
The Fat Viking in Norway
Drenthe 200 in Netherlands

[In Reverse]

Kielder 100 in October

[voodoo_simon]

This may help
http://www.bikepacking.com/events/categ ... ing-races/

[Richard G]

Cheers for the suggestions so far.

@Voodoo. Those are all bikepacking events. A touch long to do in one shot, with the exception of the BB200, which you have to carry bikepacking gear for anyway!

[voodoo_simon]

Rich, hadn't read through the calendar but thought it may open options but guess not :-/

[Richard G]

Ha, no worries. I'd love to be able to do 300 miles in one shot, but I'm not quite that much of a monster.

[Javi]

Salzkammergutt in July in Austria. 200+ km and 7000 metres climbing. Limit 16 hours.
MB race, 140km long one, Clombloux/Megeve, France in July. More than 12 hours guaranteed, same climb as Salzkammergutt
Sellaronda Hero, June, Dolomites. Less technical, best views. Just 84 km and nearly 5000 metres climbing, around 7 hours
Manx 100 in UK? The end of July, haven't done it
Grand Raid, Switzerland. 125km and 5000+ climbing. One way. Veeery expensive, superb organized. Never done it.

[Javi]

Heard very good opinions of La Forestiere in France. 100km and winner last year in 5 hours. As a reference, 5h30min for Ben Thomas. Expect 7 hours to finish
https://www.la-forestiere.com/page-vttxcm-en.php now in September.
Have the time off to go but I'm visiting my family

[GregMay]

Grand Raid gets a thumbs up from me, friends have done it and ranted about it.

Roc D'Azure as well.

[Javi]

Ultra raid La mejie, France. This September. 112km and 5000+ climbing. Another monster. http://www.ultraraidlameije.fr/
Grand Raid Godefroy,in Belgium, soon as well/ 160km and 4000+ climbing

Found some of them here http://www.bikecalendar.eu/index.php

Edit to add a few from Spain, how can I forget!

Gigante de piedra (200km) and Pedals de Foc, 220km
http://www.gigantedepiedra.com/
https://pedalsdefoc.com/

Lots of the UCI xcm series are pretty good.

Grand Raid gets a thumbs up from me, friends have done it and ranted about it.

Roc D'Azure as well.

Heard also good things for the Roc D'Azur other than too many riders. It's a proper bike festival

[Richard G]

Lots to work with. Awesome. 2018 could be very busy!

[Alpinum]

Another one in Switzerland

https://www.bike-marathon.com/
137 km, also shorter distances. Never took part, but know the area well and... stunning.

A few more with 100 km or little beyond should be found here

http://www.swiss-cycling.ch/mtb/kalender.html

[slarge]

I think there's a few Grand Raids, but I assume the one referred to above i s the Grand Raid Cristalp - I did it in 2012 - tied it in to a holiday to see the sister in law who lived about 50km from Verbier. Twas a brilliant race - very well organised, feed and water stops everywhere, great riding - did about 10 or 11 hours. Well recommended.

[GregMay]

Friend has done the Swiss one Gian mentioned - it is brutally hard :)

[Javi]

It's not very technical but there's a brutal climb after Livigno, Chaschauna pass, 4km at 17% average...
Rode the route under 9 hours (not race). Amazing views, Livigno is stunning. Recommended

[Richard G]

I've never really cycled in Europe, so some of these look pretty cool.

(It's actually strange that I did an event in the US before I did one on the mainland)

[Asposium]

How about these?

https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/event ... ture-cross

Five events over the year

[Richard G]

I've done most of those. They were fun, but to be honest, a bit too easy for me now.

Monster miles is great.

[Richard G]

Just looked at Salzkammergutt. Holy sub standard.

[boxelder]

Grand Raid, Switzerland. 125km and 5000+ climbing. One way. Veeery expensive, superb organized. Never done it.

It's the GR Cristalp of which Javi and Greg speak. It is excellent, with a 'nice' HaB section over a pass near the end followed by a loooong wrist wrecking descent. I'd have claimed first Brit back in '99 if it wasn't't for that pesky Alan G and his mate Bruce.

[Richard G]

I've not finished looking yet, but Grand Raid, Hero Südtirol Dolomites and La Forestiere are definitely on the list so far. I quite like the look of Kielder 101, but ironically it's probably easier for me to get to most of the European rides!

I'm not entirely convinced I'm good enough to get through Salzkammergut. Depending on price I'd be half temped to sign up and see how my training had been going before deciding to give it a go or not. Going to try and put on a bit of weight (and power) over the next few months so I can handle flats / headwinds a bit better.

...and this is the right Grand Raid yes? http://www.grand-raid-bcvs.ch/page-en-1-Course.html

[Richard G]

This one looks pretty cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EotN9WxOF6E

Azores Mountain Bike Marathon