Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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!
...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
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Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Dirty Reiver and Manx 100 spring to mind or maybe the MTB Marathon series?
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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.
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
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Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Rovaniemi 150 in Finland
The Fat Viking in Norway
Drenthe 200 in Netherlands
The Fat Viking in Norway
Drenthe 200 in Netherlands
- In Reverse
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Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Kielder 100 in October
- voodoo_simon
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Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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. 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
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Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Rich, hadn't read through the calendar but thought it may open options but guess not :-/
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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.
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.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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
https://www.la-forestiere.com/page-vttxcm-en.php now in September.
Have the time off to go but I'm visiting my family
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Grand Raid gets a thumbs up from me, friends have done it and ranted about it.
Roc D'Azure as well.
Roc D'Azure as well.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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 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.
Heard also good things for the Roc D'Azur other than too many riders. It's a proper bike festivalGregMay wrote:Grand Raid gets a thumbs up from me, friends have done it and ranted about it.
Roc D'Azure as well.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Lots to work with. Awesome. 2018 could be very busy!
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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
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
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Friend has done the Swiss one Gian mentioned - it is brutally hard :)
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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
Rode the route under 9 hours (not race). Amazing views, Livigno is stunning. Recommended
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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)
(It's actually strange that I did an event in the US before I did one on the mainland)
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
I've done most of those. They were fun, but to be honest, a bit too easy for me now.
Monster miles is great.
Monster miles is great.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
Just looked at Salzkammergutt. Holy sub standard.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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.Grand Raid, Switzerland. 125km and 5000+ climbing. One way. Veeery expensive, superb organized. Never done it.
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
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
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
Re: Ultra-endurance MTB Events?
This one looks pretty cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EotN9WxOF6E
Azores Mountain Bike Marathon
Azores Mountain Bike Marathon