Epic Dirt

If you’re looking for a new off-road endurance test, a mountain bike stage race might be just the thing. Over the past few years, mountain bike stage racing has exploded and the 2008 race calendar is seeing several new stage races pop up around the globe, with announcements of more exciting races to come in 2009.  

Organizers of many of these inaugural races have been inspired by their travels to well-known multi-day events such as the TransAlp in the Alps and La Ruta De Los Conquistadores in Costa Rica. Thanks to some ambitious race organizers, there soon will be options closer to home in both Colorado and Utah.

Mountain bike stages races are unique, each one varying in the number of stages and distance. However, one thing these events all have in common is that they’ll challenge the inspired amateur rider or seasoned pro. What makes these races epic is a combination of varied terrain, unimaginable vertical gain, distance and the overall race experience both on and off the course.   

Most stage races are competitions between teams of two, which must stay together throughout the journey. Only a handful of races are open to solo riders. Nearly all races are a point-to-point with a tent village and expo set-up at each host community along the way. 

The Races

The longest-running and perhaps toughest known stage race is La Ruta in Costa Rica.  Set for November 12-15, this event is a model for many other stage races. With a rich 15-year history, this solo test crosses the volcanic terrain of Costa Rica from coast to coast. The steep volcano climbs and extreme climate changes are why this race is said to be one of the most rigorous. Your bike will never be the same after four days, 385 miles and 65,000 feet of climbing through the mud of the tropical rain forest and volcanic rock of the desert.

Interested in a traverse across the Alps in July? The Transalp is the gold standard in stage races as it climbs and descends mountain passes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. While La Ruta is for solo racers, Transalp is 550 teams of two winding their way to the finish across 365 miles and 65,000 feet of climbing over eight days. This year’s race will be past at press time, but check the website for next year’s dates.

Grand in size and length and similar to the Transalp is the Absa Cape Epic in South Africa. Next year’s race is set for March 20-28, 2009, when 600 teams of two will once again pedal nearly 600 miles over the course of nine days. If you have the guts and stamina and want to ride alongside some of the world’s best, this is the ultimate way to adventure through South Africa. 

The popularity of stage racing in Europe is apparent as the Trans Germany stage race returned for a second run this June. Over 500 two-person teams crossed Germany from west to east in this beauty. The route, which kicks off in St. Wendel in western Germany and finishes in Oberwiesenthal on the Czech border, boasts nearly 500 miles of riding with 17,893 meters of total climbing. Be sure to check the website for announcements for next year’s event.

New in 2008 is the MTB Trans Wales, a weeklong stage race across 344 miles of Welsh countryside from August 18-23. Capped at 300 participants, this race promises to be special with the lucky inaugural competitors climbing over 50,000 feet. Trans Wales is different in that it will offer both timed and untimed linkage stages that allow competitors the opportunity to enjoy the scenery on some stages and battle it out for time in others.  

Exciting news on the epic racing scene for 2009, the Trans Andes Challenge is set for February 3-8. The seven-day race will begin in Pucon and trek through Patagonia.  Riders will actually traverse six volcanoes as the route winds through both Chile and Argentina. Also set for ‘09 is the Intermontane Challenge, July 27-31, hosted by our neighbors to the north. It will be British Columbia’s third off-road stage race, joining the BC Bike Race (June) and TransRockies (August 10-16). The Intermontane Challenge is unique in that it will start and finish each stage in the host town of Kamploos, and will offer both team and individual competition.    

Closer to home and new this year is the American Mountain Classic, August 21-24 in Brian Head, Utah. This four-day race will cover 170 miles through some of Utah’s most scenic terrain. The AMC will be an individual competition and offer a cash purse for elites and prizes for several amateur categories.    

So when will the high passes and world-class singletrack of Colorado be featured in an epic multi-day race?  The opportunity to race in our own backyard is in the planning stages for 2009.  Race organizer Mike McCormack of Bigfoot Productions is hard at work nailing down the route and host communities that will best showcase what Colorado has to offer. McCormack’s goal is to put on a quality low-impact and highly competitive race with both solo and team divisions. Registration information will be posted on Racemsc.com when plans are finalized.

Got the stage race itch? Do some research and sign up early. It’s very common for these races to sell out shortly after registration opens. Signing up nearly a year in advance is a commitment, but motivation for you and your partner to prepare together. 

Race Websites

La Ruta. Adventurerace.com/eng/english.htm

Jeantex Bike Transalp. Bike-transalp.de/englisch

Absa Cape Epic. Cape-epic.com/

Trans Germany. Bike-transgermany.de/englisch/index.html

MTB TransWales. Mtbtransuk.co.uk/wales

Trans Andes Challenge. Transandeschallenge.com

Intermontane Challenge. Intermontanechallenge.com

BC Bike Race. Bcbikerace.com

TransRockies. Transrockies.com

American Mountain Classic. Americanmountainclassic.com