Have you done most of the popular South African cycling races? Do you need a fresh challenge? Are you someone that loves long rides? Well then Ultra-endurance mountain bike or gravel races are something worth considering. Here’s a summary of what the ultra-endurance race scene is like in South Africa and some tips on what you need to tackle these long events.
First of all, let’s define Ultra-endurance. In South Africa, ultra-distance races are generally any distance over 200km. There’s a very established Ultra-endurance community in the country with a bouquet of well-organised events. They range from 200km to over 2000km and most of them take advantage of South Africa’s vast gravel roads network. They all have an overall time limit as well as intermediate cut-offs to ensure the event concludes in a reasonable time.
They all take a long time to complete, but they are generally held on gravel roads, so don’t require too much in the way of technical skill. They usually have refreshment points that are managed and stocked by the organisers with food and drinks where you can pause and replenish. Most of them include nightriding, so they make the use of lights as compulsory as wearing a helmet.
Here are some of the more well-known Ultra-endurance events and their distances:
The Munga: 1000km in 5 days https://themunga.com
Mungas Grit: About 500km/50 hours https://themunga.com/grit-north-west/
The 36ONE MTB Challenge: 361km in 36 hours https://www.the36one.co.za
TransBaviaans: 230km in 24 hours https://transbaviaans.co.za
Sani2c Nonstop: 250km in 24 hours https://nonstop.sani2c.co.za
Race Across South Africa: 2000km in 15 days https://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/rasa
Mountain bike or gravel bike? As gravel bike technology has improved, most ultra-endurance events have permitted them. Initially, their wheels and tyres were too vulnerable to puncturing which led to disappointment and logistical challenges. South African gravel roads are far harsher than those in Europe or the USA where most gravel bikes are designed.
Gravel bikes do offer an efficiency advantage over most mountain bikes at Ultra-endurance events, but they are still at higher risk of puncturing than mountain bikes. There are more robust tyres for gravel bikes which help reduce the risk of pierce-punctures. And you can get tubeless rims and tyres for gravel bikes (not all come standard with this), which also deliver increased rider confidence.
Mountain bikes, especially full suspension, not only offer reliable puncture protection with their robust tyres, but they also offer more comfort. Gravel roads generally have long sections of corrugations, which a full suspension bike simply soaks up and ensures the rider takes less of a physical beating. You don’t need much suspension travel – 100mm is enough.
Because most Ultra-endurance races include night-riding, high quality lights are compulsory. You really need one on your bike and one on your helmet to be able to have good vision and maintain control at all times. Most events also require you to have a flashing rear light because the routes aren’t closed to other traffic, which is normally very low in volume
Because you spend many hours in the saddle training for and competing in Ultra-endurance races, you need to invest in your contact points with your bike. Saddle, grips/bar tape and pedals all need to be comfortable yet efficient.
Of course, your clothing needs to be appropriate too. You can experience searingly hot and very chilly temperatures in one race! So, you need to be prepared. Your clothing, especially your bib-shorts, should fit properly and your warm gear should be easy to pull on and remove.
Lynnwood Cyclery stocks clothing, tyres, spares, lights, mountain bikes and gravel bikes, so be sure to visit if you’re keen to tackle Ultra-endurance races. See more here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za
Getting your bike set-up spot on is also critical otherwise you’ll encounter discomfort and pain and even longer-term injuries. Book a bike fitment at Lynnwood Cyclery to ensure you are properly positioned to pedal for hours. Book via this link: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/pages/retul-studio
Author, Lynnwood Cyclery