It's trendy, that's undeniable. Stage mountain bike races have grown in number and popularity in recent years. And it's no wonder: those of us who enjoy mountain bikes know that these experiences go far beyond competition. That's why I find it interesting to share my experience with Bikineros, focusing the story on what I experienced in the following races.
While it's true that some require a considerable outlay, the fact is that many cycling enthusiasts—whether mountain or road—see them as a kind of vacation: once or twice a year, we treat ourselves to an adventure on two wheels, alone, with friends, or with family.
Moreover, more and more these races consider all attendees. Not only is the participant cared for, but also those who accompany them: parallel activities are organized so that the little ones can also enjoy the event. In my case, over the past year I have participated in four stage marathon races with my mountain bike, and each one has been unique:
- Vuelta a León 2018 (3 stages)
- Catalunya Biker Race 2018 (3 stages)
- Caballero Negro Epic Race 2019 (4 stages)
- Costa Atlántica MTB Tour 2019 (3 stages)
How do you prepare to face a race of this kind? What should you take into account to make the leap from short 1-day rides and routes to the long days of a marathon?
These are my recommendations if you're considering including this type of race in your competition calendar:
Supercompensation training
The first thing is to be sure you can face a race of these characteristics. These are demanding stages. Many cyclists focus only on the numbers: distance and accumulated elevation. But beyond the kilometers covered and meters climbed, marathon races hide technical sections that are not always at the level of all participants. That's why it's necessary to know yourself and have trained under the right conditions. Knowing that you can handle several days of great effort is basic, and for this reason I recommend consulting with training professionals so you can face the race with a guarantee of fun. That is, without suffering more than desired, and being able to finish each stage with a smile. A highly recommended training is supercompensation. It consists of doing routes each day longer and harder, always pushing yourself on the climbs, sustaining the effort for longer each session. Your legs may hurt (I confirm they do), but if you do this kind of training for a few weeks before the race, you're sure to enjoy it even more. In any case, it's a good idea to contact a cycling training professional who can advise you.
Necessary equipment for a marathon
We shouldn't just have a bike and strong legs. Spare parts are also needed. You have to try to be self-sufficient in case of mechanical issues. A couple of tubes, one or two spare derailleur hangers, a chain, one or two tires in case we tear the ones on the bike, appropriate clothing for possible weather changes, etc. Anything can happen over three or four days, from a sudden heat wave, as happened to us in the Caballero Negro Epic Race, to two days of rain and mud that we endured (but also enjoyed) on the Costa Atlántica MTB Tour. As for clothing, in my experience two complete kits are enough. It's advisable to add a vest, arm warmers, a rain jacket, and two pairs of gloves. We can always wash one kit and let it dry during the following day.
Nutrition in a stage race
Both my partner Eduardo and I follow 100% the advice of the professionals at Crown Sport Nutrition in order to avoid cramps, bonking, or other problems that may arise. Their recommendation for stages longer than 3 hours is:
- Bottle with isotonic drink for the first hour.
- From then on, another bottle with water every hour at minimum.
- Salts: one salt tablet every 45 minutes.
- Gels and bars: after the first hour, start with half a bar and then alternate bar and gel every 45 minutes.
- Recovery: upon finishing, a carbohydrate and protein shake as soon as possible.
This formula works perfectly for us. No soreness, and no problems in carrera. It's worth noting that we don't follow this plan to the letter. It's simply a general idea, since each route is different, and sometimes you can't eat a bar at the scheduled time due to the difficulty of the terrain.
Travel and accommodation
A multi-stage mountain biking race is a tourist attraction. For example, if you live outside Galicia, a trip to the Costa Atlántica MTB Tour is a great excuse to visit the Rias Baixas. In any case, and beyond whether we plan to extend the trip, we will always need two extra days, one before the event for the outbound journey, and another for the return. It's never necessary to rush the trip there, since you can always pick up your bib and race bag on the morning of stage 1, before the start. In any case, I recommend doing it the day before to avoid last-minute surprises and be able to relax. Everyone gets nervous before a race start, right? Accommodation is something very personal, and from my experience I would say that camping It is something that you really have to experience, but only in ideal weather conditions. With rain and low temperatures it can become a real hell. That's why it might be worth investing a little more money and staying in a hotel or guesthouse, or even an apartment with some friends, where you can wash your clothes, do any repairs and cleaning needed on the bike, cook, and rest comfortably. Keep in mind that after a stage of 3 to 6 hours it is normal to be quite tired and everything that comes later in the evening can feel very overwhelming. After all, it's a vacation, so let's try to enjoy it as much as our budget allows.
In carrera
In these races, the level of the participants is usually very high, with many local and even international teams competing for victory. This means the peloton speeds up early. While it is true that in one-day races you can push yourself harder and go above your limit for a while, trying to keep up with the lead pace in stage races is a big mistake. If your level matches the 130th place overall, don't fight for 90th from the first stage, because your body will make you pay for it the next day. We have to find our place in the race and give our best, but always keeping in mind what lies ahead. In this case, we're not just talking about kilometers, but days. It can feel very long if we don't adjust our effort to the demands of the stages.
More cycling, fewer festivals
I always say the same thing: years ago I used to spend 500€ going to music festivals, weekends with friends at the beach, or similar plans. Now, I spend it on stage cycling races. And I'm just as happy. As you get older, your interests change. Let's enjoy these events, but always keeping some basic principles in mind and without getting too carried away. In the end, we are fans of a sport as beautiful as it is tough. The goal is to enjoy, not to suffer. So let's focus on preparing well to enjoy the event to the fullest.