More Opportunities for Adventure
I found a few more races to add to the list:
- Arizona Trail 300 - A new self supported race in April.
- El Desafio Extremo - A 2-day race in Argentina in December that covers 400+ km
- Guanaride - A 4-day race in Costa Rica in July. Unlike La Ruta, this one runs North to South along the Pacific Coast.
- Iron Biker Brazil - A 2-day race in Brazil in October.
- Vuelta a Osona - A 2-day race in Spain covering 220 km with 7100+ vertical meters of climbing. Definitely one for the climbers.
- Vuelta Internacional a Valladolid de BTT - A 4-day race in Spain in March with short stages that XC racers will love. A brief description of the stages and a report of this years race.
I've listed all the races I've found to date into two main categories below. So far I have not heard about or found a 2-person self supported race. Maybe it defeats the spirit of those types of races. It would be interesting to see what races have been done on a single speed, a 29er and a tandem.
As far as I know, La Ruta as been completed by 2 persons on a SS; Lee Heckman ('02 & '03) & Rich Dillen ('04). Rich is the first person to finish the Transrockies on a SS ('05). I believe the Alaska Ultra Sport race had been completed on a SS. The GDR will be attempeted on a fixie ('06). Tandem teams have done La Ruta as well as the Croc Trophy. I don't know anyone doing any multi-day on a 29. Maybe Dave Harris will be the first.
Update: Gary Fisher rode a 29 in the 2002 Transalp.
Solo
Supported
El Desafino Extremo
Guanaride
Ironbike
Ironbiker
La Ruta de los Conqistadores
MTB Himachal
Super Travessia - semi-suported
Temple to Temple
Tour dAfrique
Vuelta a Osona
Vuelta Internacional a Valladolid de BTT
Self supported
Alaska Ultra Sport
Arizona Trail 300
The Grand Loop
The Great Divide Race
TransIowa
2-Person Team
Supported
Alpen Tour
Bike Challenge
Cape Epic
Transalp
Transcreta
Transrockies
Transwales
Self supported
None
Solo/Team
Crocodile Trophy (supported)
posted by mp3 @ 18:58
2 comments
2 Comments:
Did I hear my name???
My choice of bikes for '06 are between a Fuel and a Dos Niner. The Dos is a softie, but much, much stiffer riding than the Fuel, and based on my testing I think it climbs slower. Plus, I'm sponsored by Trek/GF but not Salsa, which presents yet another conundrum...it's looking like it'll be the Fuel.
Now...as for the budding hardman self-support no you can't even stash water type of races - I think it'd be fine to do a 2 person team for one of those. I mean, it isn't an organized event where you pay and receive support/aid, its just a long ride in the boonies. The rules are on your honor. So if someone was inclined to do the 2 person thing, just doing it, following all rules except where teamates helped each other, that'd be the way to go.
It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, as the saying goes.
With a 2-person self supported it gets a little more complicated. Towing or no towing. I suppose drafting would be allowed between the teammates. A tandem would be an interesting choice.
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