The Sudety MTB Challenge has developed a reputation as a classic mountain bike marathon stage race, and has run in central Europe for 12 years. On July 23-28 2017, the 13th edition will start with two options for racers.
The Half will comprise of the prologue + 2 stages, and Classic will have a prologue and 5 stages. The Sudety MTB Challenge takes your normal mountain bike stage race, and makes it a little more rough and ready than you would imagine.
While not strictly a point-to-point race, the stage race takes in classic trails on historical routes – far away from the manicured perfection of some events, and closer to raw mountain biking. Whether that is for you is your choice. It is also one of the best value mountain bike stage races I have visited. And while you could spend more on services at the race, the option is there to stay in the ‘camp’, enter early, and make it a fun part of a longer mountain bike racing trip.
Chances are, racing the MTB Challenge will also be a completely unique experience. The areas the race runs through are unlikely to typically turn up on a tourist map. But visiting will create questions about the history of Poland and the Czech Republic – and what life was like after the turmoil in the first half of the 20th century.
MTBers in the mist. Sudety MTB Challenge
Registration starts from October 1st. The race organisers have more information about the 2017 route coming soon. Keep an eye on the MTB Challenge webpage for further details.