Hey all,

Does anyone know if there is a website that lists events that are classed as endurance? Im looking at a year of endurance riding this year after 4 years of short xc races like southern xc etc.

I know of the big ones like brighton big dog, torq 12, bonty 24/12 but there must be more?

They dont have to be races either, sportives are good too.

Im doing the bhf south downs 100 this year after doing it a number of times but over over 2 days.

Thanks for any input!

Manx 100 on the IOM.

100 miles and 16,000ft ascent.

The Bucks Off Road Sportive is usually a good day out.

http://www.bucksoffroadsportive.co.uk/

I’ve done the Keswick one a couple of times, good fun and a decent route.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/adventure-cross

http://marathonmtb.com/marathonmtb-calendar/

Failing that, look on XC Racer…

Brilliant guys thanks! That bucks one is a definite!

Any more? Uk is preferred…

I know of a 4 day race, entries still available weather looking good you might make it if you pack quick 😉
http://wildsidemtb.com/

National marathon camps in Selkirk in may. Part of a series.

K101 might be back on.

Do they still do the race on the Mary Townley loop?

If you live in the South, there are lots in Belgium which usually work out easier to get to, cheaper, better and a lot bigger in terms of atmosphere/numbers. Roc Ardennes being one (Houffalize) but there are others.

https://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/

Red Kite do some pretty long events!

Oh and No Fuss, Tour de BN is ace.

Have a look on http://selfsupporteduk.net/ – no entry fees just turn up when you want and ride.

I did my first event, the peak pioneer, last year and loved it. More planned for this year!

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the Bucks off road sportive looks pretty good. Has anyone done it before? it says GPS maps will be available, i don’t have GPS so will it be well signed ?

I forgot about the Bucks Off Road Sportive, very likely I’ll be signing up for that!

K101 might be back on.

Entry already open!

If you live in the South, there are lots in Belgium which usually work out easier to get to, cheaper, better and a lot bigger in terms of atmosphere/numbers. Roc Ardennes being one (Houffalize) but there are others.

Gee – how tough is the Roc’Ardennes?

Look at http://www.pedalplanner.co.uk it covers all mtb events in the uk.

Great question OP

@whitestone – that’s a gem of a website…cheers

Sweet! Loads to go on so far and already a bunch of events added to the calender!

Keep them coming 🙂

Bucks Off Road Sportive is excellent. I’ve done it 5 times.

It really needs a GPS. The map quality isn’t quite so good now (they no longer issue OS maps) and the signs can be hard to spot when you’re tired plus they sometimes get moved.

Alas it’s ‘only’ 125k this year

Gaz – not particularly tough, it’s hilly like the North Downs rather than the Alps. Thr course is quite “euro bombing” as in fire roads with the occasional bit of singletrack, nothing mental. The XC on the Friday afternoon uses the World Cup XC loop which is bonkers – have a look on YouTube – but the 80km enduroing course is a lot more tame. Houffalize is a great little town, Chouffe brewery is just up the road and there is some good history around and about too. Fun little road trip and not too far.

If you want mental do the MB Race in Combloux. 140km, 7000m+ climbing, insane descents. Easily the hardest race I have ever done and the most ruined I have ever been.

Did the 150k Bucks Off road last yr, a fair chunk of road in it but great event well organised with well stocked pit stops & plenty of friendly faces. Yeah defo a GPS event too.

The rat race crossing? It’s what I’m trying to build up to but it looks pretty tough.

Highland 550?

Out of interest,any tips fot thses kind of events,like bike set up,training etc.
thanks

I’d say make sure you can do a solid repeatable 8 hours in the saddle solo.. That will teach you whether your bike set up and clothing is suitable.

Also when to stop for a rest, what sort of food and drink you need, too little and you won’t finish, too much and you’ll be hauling more weight which adds to fatigue.. Taking into account feed stations where you can replenish liquid and food.

And lots of hill climbing practice!

And the obvious.. Ensure your drive chain is running nice and smooth, gears shifting nicely and brakes are working well with plenty of pad life left.

I tend to struggle to eat properly, as in by the time I feel like eating I’m too far gone in terms of I’ve got no energy left so I have to sit down for 20 mins, force some food down and wait for it to start reaching my muscles lol!

^ comfort over WW, comfortable position, good nutrition practiced on long rides, bottles over camelback, conservative gearing, practice at rationing your effort, flexible clothing to cover a wide range of weather,knowledge of your mental weaknesses and how you can overcome them.

All of the above require long rides to perfect.

As for training – as much Z2 zone 2 as you can manage plus a weekly Z3 session building from an hour to 2 hours

Above works for me. Getting excited at the thought of rides to come.

I love the rat race crossing idea but the cost is unreal.

As far as training for a big ride, you just have to build up to it, gradually increasing distance and climbing. Also helps to have a few hard fast short rides in there i find.

I do the same as above, i eat too late. So thats something to get into your habits. Not just gels and bars either.. real food has masses of energy in it. Ginsters sausage rolls or slices.. nom nom nom pedal pedal pedal!

Another plug for a site I work on: Meet4Rides – select the UK, and MTB, and you will see a number of events listed as “Off-road – Endurance”

We at bikingandalucia.com often enter clients in events here in Andalucia, southern Spain, the events are usually shown on http://andaluciaciclismo.com and http://bikingandalucia.com/bike-and-duathlon-competitions-and-event/. These events, have proved a huge success, with fantastic scenery, weather, trails organisation and ambience. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on david@bikingandalucia.com.

For the guys who say they have done the Bucks off road sportive and mention GPS…. any suggestions which device to get on a budget?

http://www.epiccymru.com/

Did this last year, a great event.

If you want mental do the MB Race in Combloux. 140km, 7000m+ climbing, insane descents. Easily the hardest race I have ever done and the most ruined I have ever been.

Ooo god no….you’ve seen me ride, I’d kill myself 😆

@cocker – biggest thing I learnt when I did my first MTB marathon was that I hadn’t been eating the right levels of carbs… throughout training I’d got used to my pace and routes and thought i was OK, but when went at the events pace/route I came unstuck a bit.

I looked into how much I should be eating for my level of training and I’d been way off the target of carbs I should have been eating…I use fitness pal now to track it..when I eat the right ratios of food for my training, my perfomrnace is noticeably better…and I mean eating the right food throughout the week irrespective of a riding day or not…i used Anita Beans sports nutrition book to work it all out…very good imo…

We did a few Polaris Mountain Marathons, starting in 1991 (still got the T shirt).

Now re-branded as OMM Bike: https://www.theomm.com/omm-bike-peak-district-2016/

How about the BB200 in Oct’?

BB200

Im so excited about the coming year now. Loads of events to enter.

Thinking about doing london to brighton off road which i did last year too. Lots of training to get in though.

Any more events are welcome!

Selkirk MTB Marathon – 50km + 75km courses. Sun 1st May.

http://www.bordersbikefestival.com

(Disclaimer: I’m the organiser)

North Pennines MTB is likely to be on again this year.

Paul McG helped with the last one 😉