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An Enigmatic Beast
Understanding ultra-cycling is often as challenging as racing it. To
be a successful ultra-cyclist a rider must have many abilities and
strengths none can be more crucial than mental fortitude. The
ever-increasing onslaught of physical and mental deterioration
presents numerous obstacles for the rider. In races like RAAM or the
newly formed Le Tour Ultime and to lesser degrees the Furnace Creek
508 and the many 24-hour Championships, "DNF's" (people that Do
Not Finish the race) often represents the majority of
starters.
It
isn't that the ultra elite come unprepared or intent on unrealistic
goals, it just simply gets harder to turn the cranks the further
down the road you go and most keep the wheels rolling until they
reach the very point that they can go no more. The mind and body of
an ultra-cyclist are more intricately intertwined; it is a necessity
of survival and success. If a rider is fortunate, physical
complications will arrive gently, not suddenly. These pains and
injuries can also pierce a rider's mental armor exposing either
unexpected or overly anxious vulnerabilities. Race leaders in
multi-day events often operate on as little as one-hour sleep per
day. To most this seems impossible and for most it is, the
commitment and training to be a competitive ultra-cyclist is an
all-consuming activity. To compete in an event like RAAM, Ultime or
the Furnace Creek 508 are life-altering experiences.
 While
it doesn't always end with a champagne drenched podium there is much
reward in the attempt. In RAAM 2005, the 2004 winner, Jure Robic
held a commanding lead late in the race, but he only had one gear;
hard, and he kept it up. In blazing heat, riding on pain and dreams,
he kept working emphatically to increase his lead. In his mind he
found some relief and solace with images of his wife and child.
Their faces calming the champion, reminding him of a softer more
loving life, they provided an oasis away from the constant abrasion
of the road. Then suddenly, he couldn't picture them anymore, he
couldn't remember his baby's smile light up as he held him in his
arms. At that moment Jure crossed over. He felt bad, really bad, the
efforts of leading the Race Across America across 7 states had taken
its toll and Jure stopped racing.
Behind him, Mike Trevino lost consciousness and tumbled over the
 bars
of his bike, destroying his shoulder and his race. He flew home.
Robic was being handled by his crew, but the last thing he wanted to
show was his softer side, so he lashed out at them, complained about
everything under the blazing sun. The crew knew Jure needed sleep
and convinced him to do so on the side of the road. An hour later
Jure returned to the saddle and rode on to his second consecutive
RAAM victory.
Most ultra riders are hard pressed to explain their motivation as
ultra-endurance cycling influences every aspect of their lives; it
is their lifeblood. To them, the question of "why" is like asking
someone why they breathe. The answer is something we all know but
are often reluctant to face. The value of ultra racing goes far
beyond athletic competition into the life of a rider. Riders speak
of enlightened senses, spirituality, an affinity with environment
and sometimes feel that they channel organic energies. With every
turn of the cranks the rider transfers his or her energy to the
road, each pedal rotation becomes a "grain of sand" more labored.
An
ultra-cyclist would rather crawl than quit, but they accept it when
it happens to them. Sometimes it isn't wise or safe to continue.
Mental alertness, dehydration and a multitude other possibilities
can be potentially lethal but every ultra-rider knowingly accepts
the risks in their quests to accomplish the impossible, something
they often make look easy, which is the last thing it will ever be.
A few prominent
ultra-races this year.
Raid Provence
Extreme, June 3rd, France
The 642 km course with a total of nearly 9,000 meters of climbing
starts and finishes in Saint Remy de Provence and travels over Le
Mont Ventoux (1910m) and Col du Pas de la Graille. The race also
passes through the beautiful Jabron Valley, Valensole Plateau, and
Grand Canyon du Verdon. Last
year's winner: Wolfgang Fasching of Austria. For more information
please visit:
velo-concepts.com
Race Across
America, June 11th, USA
The big gun on the ultra calendar "RAAM" starts in Oceanside,
California and travels all the way east to Atlantic City, New
Jersey. Despite the new rule change mandating sleep for soloists
this race promises to be highly contested. 2004/2005 winner, Jure
Robic of Slovenia, is expected to return to attempt what no one has
ever been able to do before, win three in a row. For more
information please visit:
raceacrossamerica.org
National 24 Hour
Challenge, June 17th, Michigan
Over 1 million miles have been cumulatively ridden by competitors in
this race and each new year unfolds new drama in this highly
competitive event. For more information
please visit:
n24hc.org
Race Across Oregon,
July 22nd, Oregon
RAO is a very tough race, with over 40,000 feet of climbing in 538
miles of racing. In 2005, less than 50% of solo riders made it to
the finish line. RAO is a race where many riders, cut their teeth
and look towards RAAM. For more information
please visit:
RAO
UK 24 Hour
Championship, July 22nd, UK
The English are time trial specialists and they consider this a big
chance to shine. For more information
please visit
Website
Quadzilla, July 29th,
Ithaca, New York
350 or 400 miles on a scenic route, be alert though race time 5 AM.
More details @
Website
Round the Czech
Republic Nonstop, Aug 3rd
780 miles around the country. This relatively new race is well
organized and contested. More info @
Website
Boston Montreal
Boston 1200k, Aug 17th
This 750 mile randonnée race has a 90-hour cut-off. Nothing like an
early start when you have 750 miles to pedal, riders set off at 4
AM. For more information please visit:
Website
Le Tour Ultime, Sep
1st, France
Over 145,000 feet of climbing and 4,000 kilometers of racing on the
roads of Le Tour de France, this ultra newcomer holds great promise
for the future. For more information please visit:
letourultime.com
UMCA North American
24-Hr Championship, Sep 2nd
The name says it all. For more information please visit:
Website
Furnace Creek 508,
October 7th, Death Valley
An
extremely intense event, highly contested in usually brutal
conditions. Please visit their very informative
website
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