2023-10-27 14:00:39
Always longer, ever further, ever more engaging, ultradistance events are attracting more and more cyclists, attracted by new challenges.
With routes of several hundred, even thousands of kilometersthese new kind of events combine sporting challenge, surpassing oneself and real human adventure.
Enough to appeal to many amateur and experienced athletes.
What are the prerequisites for attempting ultradistance? How to equip yourself? What are the unmissable events? Sport Equipements tells you everything regarding this new trendy practice.
Ultradistance in cycling: the 4 reasons for growing success
#1 A logical continuation of ultrarail
The beginning of the 2010s was marked by the advent of a new sporting practice: ultratrail.
Little by little, the dozens of events organized around the world have helped to create real competition around long distance.
Symbol of this craze in France, the legendary UTMB (171 km, 10,042 m D+) attracts several thousand participants each year.
Without necessarily wanting to, the ultrarail has therefore opened the way to other extended horizons, both on foot and by bike.
#2 An evolution of equipment
Advances in equipment have made the application of ultradistance cycling possible, including:
New all-purpose bikes marked by the sensational arrival of gravel, as comfortable on asphalt as on paths. Completely redesigned, ergonomic and lightweight luggage.
The GPS revolution for traveling long distances without getting lost.
#3 A star discipline on social networks
On social networks, sporting challenges and surpassing oneself sell well, even very well.
Instagram, Facebook and TikTok have thus been great relays for highlighting these extreme athletes, logging thousands of kilometers behind the handlebars of their machine.
Enough to motivate more than one person behind their screen to leave the sofa to go cycling.
#4 A philosophy in tune with the times
Finally, the impact of the pandemic should not be underestimated in this recent craze for ultradistance.
Marked by confinement, the young generation overflowing with desire to live experiences facing an uncertain future.
Psychological barriers are broken down and doors open to new horizons, personal, professional and sporting.
In this context, the values of surpassing oneself, adventure, freedom and conviviality at the heart of ultra-distance have everything to seduce.
Read also: Bikepacking: why is everyone talking regarding it? The new race that pushes the limits to the extreme thanks to gravel
Typical profile: are you made for ultra-distance cycling?
In case you missed them
There does not exist no typical profile of the ultradistance cyclist.
On the contrary, the discipline aims to be open to all.
On the starting line, there are both competitors and amateur cyclists who have come to test their abilities.
Access is notably facilitated by a reassuring and friendly environment. On the reference courses, safety is ensured throughout the event and the connection with the staff is permanent.
Likewise, logistics organization (supplies, accommodation, etc.) allows you to confront a sporting challenge in a favorable and peaceful context.
A good sporting condition is essential
Although the practice of ultradistance is accessible to the greatest number of people, it still requires good physical and mental preparation.
To cover several hundred or even several thousand kilometers in a row, you will need to have acquired good physical and mental condition through a variety of sports activities: running, swimming, football for example.
At the same time, acquiring or maintaining good cycling skills is essential.
Finally, displaying good endurance, adaptation, sleep and fatigue management skills will ensure you perform while having fun.
6 characteristics of a good endurance bike
The endurance bike has been evolving over the past ten years, with models increasingly focused on versatility and comfort.
Symbol of this revolution, the gravel bike continues to gain fans. It has established itself today as one of the best ultradistance machines.
Generally speaking, an endurance bike offers the following characteristics:
Comfortable geometry with a raised head tube to line up the kilometers without suffering; A frame that is both rigid, responsive and dynamic to gain speed; A weight of around 8 kg for high-end models; 40 mm rims and tires larger than 30 mm capable of tackling all terrains; A mechanical transmission preferably, easier to repair than its electronic version. A carbon or aluminum frame.
Depending on your basic equipment, it may be interesting to transform your bike for ultradistance by changing a few peripherals.
Buying a new machine is not a necessary step, especially if you are new to the practice.
Performance evaluation of an ultradistance bike
5/5: nervousness, comfort, cyclosport, ultradistance, cycle touring 4/5: mountainous and hilly terrain 3/5: competition (requires switching to models designed for performance) 2/5: flat
3 reference bikes in ultradistance
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3L (3 600 € environ)
Canyon Endurace CF SL8 Aero (4 800 € environ)
BMC Roadmachine X One (6 500 € environ)
Read also: Cycling: 7 great deals not to be missed to ride like the pros!
Other equipment to provide for ultra-distance
Equipment for cycling:
Lightweight and ergonomic bags; A repair kit; A lighting system; A GPS counter;
Equipment for the cyclist:
Clothing adapted to the weather conditions, with a change of clothes depending on the distance covered: shorts, light and breathable jersey, shoes, socks, etc. Warmer clothing for the night as well as a raincoat and windbreaker are also essential. A helmet ; Glasses suitable for cycling; Sunscreen Enough to eat and hydrate accordingly.
Adopt cycling throughout the year; Gradually increase the distance of your cycling sessions; Join a group of cyclists to motivate yourself to go out more and test yourself once morest the physical abilities of others; Exchange with more experienced practitioners; Test your resistance in different conditions: cold, hot, night, rain, following a short night, etc. ; Equip yourself correctly; Vary your workouts (durations, distances, elevation changes, intensity); Participate in cycling events throughout the year.
The major ultradistance cycling events in France
The Race Across France: the benchmark for ultra-distance cycling
The Race Across France has established itself as the unmissable ultradistance event.
The race offers four distances: 300 km, 500 km, 1,000 km and 2,500 km to be covered alone, in a duo or in a team. On the program in particular: 65 official passes and no less than 21 departments crossed.
The next edition will take place from June 20 to 30, 2024. Ready to take on the challenge?
The Paris-Brest-Paris randonneur: a legendary race
The Paris-Brest-Paris randonneur is an ultradistance race created in the 1890s.
It is held every four years and brings together no less than 8,000 cyclists who come to compete on the 1,230 km course and 10,500 altitude difference.
The next edition will take place from August 20 to 24, 2023. Perhaps just a little to prepare yourself. See you in 2027?
BikingMan races: the essentials of ultradistance
Created in 2018 under the leadership of Axel Carion, the BikingMan-labeled races offer a 1,000 km course, to be completed in total autonomy and in less than 120 hours.
Several events are organized, notably in Corsica, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Pyrenees.
Depending on the routes, the altitude differences vary between 15,000 and 25,000 meters.
These meetings are very popular with ultradistance runners and renowned for their conviviality.
The first finishers have a tradition of waiting and celebrating the last participants just behind the finish line.
The calendar of ultradistance events (August/September 2023)
Try the adventure of ultradistance? Here are four events not to be missed at the end of 2023.
The BikingMan Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Dates: Monday 7 to Saturday 12 August 2023 Departure: Beaumont-lès-Valence (Drôme) Distance: 1,000 km (19,500 m D+) Registration price: €279
The Mercan’Tour Ultra Bonette
Date: Sunday August 20, 2023 Departure: Valberg (Alpes-Maritimes) Distance: 212 km (5,600 m D+) Registration price: from €70 Contact: [email protected]
More information : www.granfondomercantour.com
The Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur
Dates: from Sunday 20 to Thursday 24 August Departure: Rambouillet (Yvelines) Distance: 1,200 km (10,000 m D+)
More information : www.paris-brest-paris.org
Le BikingMan Euskadi
Dates: from Monday 4 to Saturday 9 September Departure: Anglet (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) Distance: 1,000 km (23,000 m D+) Registration price: €279
Updated by Manon on: 10/27/2023
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