With such a heavy July now behind us, we aren’t clear of a hectic Marathon and Stage Racing episode just yet. August is also huge. That said, those in the Southern Hemisphere may have felt it was more of a time to ‘go to ground’ and build up for the August and September races. Perhaps. But maybe there are opportunities for racing abroad in 2012? These races are for everyone, and are a rewarding travel, social and sporting experience. So here’s a rundown on what MarathonMTB.com feel are some of the best races coming up. Maybe you have entered some of them, or know people racing them. Maybe you should put them on your 2012 agenda.
Ischgl Iron Bike – 6th August.
A one day marathon race out of Ischgl, Austria, with 20 000 Euro’s on offer. There are three distances available, but the hard one takes in the the unforgiving Idjoch climb, a huge singletrack and farm trail descent to Samnaun (SUI), plus a painful climb back out. This is a typical Austrian Marathon, having a City Cross the evening before, long climbs, tunnels on descents, beer tents, cool finisher ‘prizes’, a pasta party and live band. And of course, the racing is hard and fast. 3 big climbs, 3 big descents.
Flight Centre Cycle Epic 6th August
For years the Flight Centre Cycle Epic has been one of the toughest Marathons in Australia. The traditional course of Toowoomba to Hidden Vale is no longer possible, due to the devastating floods that tore through the region earlier this year. So now we have a 75km loop race, guaranteed to break riders, we hear. Big money is on, with $AUS5000 on offer to the race winner. This race helped start the Marathon scene in Australia, and despite clashing with the Husky 100 in NSW, it deserves to be well attended.
The Husky 100ker – 7th August
Now in its second year, the Husky has a popular following. As well it should. It has fast trails, fast riders, and is close enough to Sydney and Canberra to make for easy enough transport for the weekend. Although now twice postponed due to inclement weather, this is a good thing for racers. It is in the name of trail preservation, and shows responsibility on the behalf of the race organisers. Communities who have their trails torn up in the wet by a race are less likely to have the event back in the following year. The Husky is also the third round of the Real Insurance XCM Series, providing important points for the overall point score.
Trans Rockies Stage Race August 7th-13th
Racing your bike day after day in a big mountain environment is an easy way to get through summer. Racing from Fernie to Canmore is an ideal way to fill your need for quality trails, great competition, and a holiday. Stage racing offers one thing a Marathon can’t: efficiency for travel. For the time taken to get to a big event, you may as well end up with 30 hours of racing. Not to mention new friends and experiences. If a week is too long, there are shorter options to keep you rolling in a less fatigued state. Stephen Davies (Think Global) will be keeping MarathonMTB.com readers up to date with the happenings through the race.
Leadville 100 August 13th
This race is attracted an early cult status, but has really exploded in the last five years. Although it is deemed to not be a technical course, the speeds that it is raced at, the altitude and the exposure add up to make for a grueling event. Starting in the mining town of Leadville, racers take on an out and back course, punctuated by the Powerlines climb. Lance has won it. Levi has won it. Dave Weins has won it many times. But this year Bart Brentjens (Milka Trek) will be attending, and it looks like Lance just qualified again. You can’t just rock up for this one, you have to qualify or have got a place via the lottery.
Eigerbike Challenge 14th August
Typically European, this Swiss classic involves more climbing than many can endure, but has three distance options so you can choose your poison. Beware, you are racing in the region of Marathon World Champion Christophe Sauser – also a previous winner of the long course. The race starts and finishes in Grindelwald, in the shadow of the Eiger. The climbs seem never ending, the cowbells echo on the ski slope climbs, and a few of the descents will conspire to overheat your brake pads. It’s yet another model of Swiss efficiency with a great pasta party and feed zones well stocked by Sponsor sports nutrition.
Breck Epic 14th-19th August
Available in 3 or 6 day versions, this is a Mountain Bike Stage race set in a back country Mountain Biking wonderland. It runs a clover leaf format, making logistics easier for racers, and accommodation probably a little more comfortable. The mountain biking is tough, and previous editions show that it may not be the place for your lightest equipment. You will be racing up high too, and if you’re not used to altitude, this will take it’s toll. MarathonMTB.com will have Werner van der Merwe there reporting from the event. This would be one of the few big Mountain Bike Stage races that Werner hasn’t ticked, so you know his reports will be based on sound experience.
Brighton Big Dog 20th August
This race instantly became one of the UK’s must do events, not only for the great course, the great prize fund but because of top after party in the seaside town of Brighton, where the proceeds of the race are put behind the bar. FREE booze for all, but be quick the racers drink like fish, and the race always sells out. The Big Dog organisers are always full of innovative ideas, such as the Wonder dog and Retro bike categories. The racing has bite at the sharp end of the 6 hour category and fun is had by all – plenty of beer and cake on offer.
Grand Raid Cristalp 20-21st August (weather dependent)
This race is infamous, and seems to be one of the few European Marathons that attracts a British contingent. It has morphed a little over the years, but there is a huge range of distances available, and last years full distance riders will be happy to know that the 139km has dropped back to 125km, but still with over 5000m of climbing. With stunning organisation, the Grand Raid has full shuttle services available for the point to point races, and great tech service provided by Shimano and Motorex. Bikes must be deemed in working order for the Grand Raid, and the technical control is a sight to behold. This is a common sense approach by the organisers, hats off to them for making it all run so smoothly. Entries are still available. There’s nothing like climbing in the red zone to the sound of alpenhorns as the sun rises.
National Park Bike Marathon 27th August
This Marathon has it all. This year it also doubles as the Swiss National Marathon Championships. It will be profi’s galore in the start chute outside the Co-op supermarket. The start and finish of the full distance (138km, 4010m climbing) race is in Scuol, in the Graubunden region of eastern Switzerland. For those who are more about speed, not distance, there are shorter options, all with Post Bus transport links. As the name suggests, you go through the Swiss National Park and into Italy (Livigno, specifically), before climbing out via the Pass de Chaschauna. Bring the little ring, or your toe spikes. For the non-climbers, you can search for revenge on the run back to Scuol. Undulating, with some shorter climbs, you climb through the UNESCO Heritage listed Guarda, and past many old fortifications before bombing through Scuol and to the finish.
There are many more races going on in August, including some great 6, 8 and 12 hour events. There are other 100 mile events in the USA, and great Marathons across Europe. If you think an event needs better props, get in touch and we will check it out.