Atlas Mountain Race.

[jameso]

I'm quite surprised by the seemingly low numbers of mountainbikes present.

Looks like the majority is off-road, either dirt track/road or more desert-like looser stuff. I think the number of drop bar all-road bikes is just a sign of a popular bike format at the mo.

[Boab]

The Instagr$m feed for the race certainly makes it look like it's pretty much all off road. Can't imagine doing some of that on my gravel bike to be honest. Looks like it's been a pretty epic days riding.

P.S. Either some of the trackers are off, not reporting, or are out of battery, as some of the big names haven't moved in a while.

[Bearbonesnorm]

That's some lead now. The pace towards the front must be quite mental.

[pistonbroke]

An 80km lead over James Haydon after 21/2 days is crazy, let's hope it doesn't snow! Looks like Christian Meier had issues overnight causing a wait for shops to open this morning, he's back moving now, it'll be interesting to see how much ground he can catch up.

[benp1]

The pace is ridiculous

Never say never and all that, but the idea of a race doesn't do it for me. Especially given the terrain and the scenery. I'd want to take twice as long (or more) and just enjoy it

But I have a normal, everyday life with 3 kids so don't have time for that, hence I'm sticking to short trips in the lakes and wales!

I am jealous though, looks incredible

[Bearlegged]

https://twitter.com/thisisgrace/status/ ... 9880654849
"Sofiane hasn't slept yet. I repeat, Sofiane hasn't slept yet! This is not a drill! #AMR2020"

Bonkers.

[pistonbroke]

Not only hasn't he slept, according to his tracker, yesterday he was moving for 23.75 hours out of 24. The only hope for his challengers is that following French stereotypes, he goes on strike!

[PaulB2]

He did pretty much the same at the TDR didn’t he?

[whitestone]

He did pretty much the same at the TDR didn’t he?

Yes. I think it's called "block riding" or something similar. Mike Hall was an early proponent. Basically ride for 48-72hrs then have a longer kip. Repeat.

[Lazarus]

He is a phenomenon and , weather permitting, we are possibly going to see the first non stop of Highland 550

[Boab]

Looks like Christian Meier has scratched, due to saddle sores.

[gairym]

Never say never and all that, but the idea of a race doesn't do it for me. Especially given the terrain and the scenery. I'd want to take twice as long (or more) and just enjoy it

100% this ^^^

Absolutely no desire to flog myself in order to do it as fast as possible but I'd love to ride the route in my own time.

My neighbour/buddy is riding it and so I've asked him to leave the .gpx tracks on my Garmin when he gives it back and so I'll give the route a closer going over and see how doable it looks for us mere mortals.

[jameso]

Yes. I think it's called "block riding" or something similar. Mike Hall was an early proponent. Basically ride for 48-72hrs then have a longer kip. Repeat.

Would be really interesting to see how that tactic goes up against the 24hr cycle stuff, about how your body is better off staying on a rhythm linked to daylight and normal patterns etc. Average speed lower at night so may as well sleep a little while it's dark rather than when the block end 'stage post' is reached. If you took it down to 2hrs max per 24 to balance out with Mike's blocks of maybe 6hrs kip per 72hrs .. I wonder which gives you the best recovery and average speed. Different results for different riders. I think Mike's use of blocks was as much about the quality of food. sleep and kit wash etc from a lodge, vs being a trail-side dosser.

[voodoo_simon]

Looks like Christian Meier has scratched, due to saddle sores.

It’s been good have Christian in the race, I’ve seen in plenty of forums in years gone by saying that a pro (or ex pro) roadie wouldn’t be able to hack it in these sort of endurance events (citing no team support, no bottles, no bed each night, only 5 hours riding per day etc etc). Good to see the pace of him

Fair play to Sofiane, that’s blistering pace.

Have seen a couple of photos from Johnnystorm via instagram

Any heard from Shona and Rich?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Would be really interesting to see how that tactic goes up against the 24hr cycle stuff, about how your body is better off staying on a rhythm linked to daylight and normal patterns etc. Average speed lower at night so may as well sleep a little while it's dark rather than when the block end 'stage post' is reached. If you took it down to 2hrs max per 24 to balance out with Mike's blocks of maybe 6hrs kip per 72hrs .. I wonder which gives you the best recovery and average speed. Different results for different riders. I think Mike's use of blocks was as much about the quality of food. sleep and kit wash etc from a lodge, vs being a trail-side dosser.

I'd be interested in how it effects recovery after the race and in the longterm.

Any heard from Shona and Rich?

Not heard owt, so hopefully Shona hasn't knocked herself out this time

[whitestone]

Agreed James, there is the food and lodgings side to it as well - rural Americana isn't the place to go for haute cuisine

I've done an overnighter and TBH it's knackering - particularly through the early hours you think you are riding quickly but using Strava or similar you might as well be walking. Then there's the halucinations Conversely I've done the two hour (well ninety minutes) power nap and felt fine after that. Details wise: 262km/4700m in 31hrs vs 300km/6700m in 29hrs. Actual riding time was within five minutes between the two rides. So for me it's a no brainer. Whether I could do that for a second or third night I've no idea.

[gairym]

Looks like Christian Meier has scratched, due to saddle sores.

It’s been good have Christian in the race, I’ve seen in plenty of forums in years gone by saying that a pro (or ex pro) roadie wouldn’t be able to hack it in these sort of endurance events (citing no team support, no bottles, no bed each night, only 5 hours riding per day etc etc). Good to see the pace of him

Not in any way attempting to belittle the above ex-pro or his achievements BUT him riding fast for a while and then succumbing to exactly the kind of issue that some folk said ex-pros wouldn't be suited to dealing with arguably reinforces the opinions of those neh-sayers, no???

Totally likely that's not the case and that he's hard as nails, prepared properly etc... and just got unlucky but just thought your assessment didn't quite prove the point you said it did.

Thoughts on a postcard.....

[atk]

Any heard from Shona and Rich?

Not heard owt, so hopefully Shona hasn't knocked herself out this time

Sounds like she was conscious ~40 minutes ago https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rCeliFNpU/

[Escape Goat]

Stu Taylors wheel is dead - he's now scratched :(

[sean_iow]

I saw he was showing as scratched this morning, wondered why, that looks pretty terminal

[voodoo_simon]

Looks like Christian Meier has scratched, due to saddle sores.

It’s been good have Christian in the race, I’ve seen in plenty of forums in years gone by saying that a pro (or ex pro) roadie wouldn’t be able to hack it in these sort of endurance events (citing no team support, no bottles, no bed each night, only 5 hours riding per day etc etc). Good to see the pace of him

Not in any way attempting to belittle the above ex-pro or his achievements BUT him riding fast for a while and then succumbing to exactly the kind of issue that some folk said ex-pros wouldn't be suited to dealing with arguably reinforces the opinions of those neh-sayers, no???

Totally likely that's not the case and that he's hard as nails, prepared properly etc... and just got unlucky but just thought your assessment didn't quite prove the point you said it did.

Thoughts on a postcard.....

Sort of puts a flaw into my argument*


*Ill give myself some credit and say that I was thinking of it before he scratched but what the heck

[PaulB2]

I was looking so hard at the tape on the rim and wondering if that had been the cause of the issue that I failed to see the missing spokes

[FLV]

I reckon Sofiane must have to sleep tonight? His pace is insane!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Andy's going well ... hope I haven't jinxed him there.

[drjon]

fwiw - I read somewhere that Meier felt his prep was not great due to time constraints but was going to have a bash anyway....the pace of the front runners is pretty remarkable....over the last few years these bikepacking races seem to have transcended into the realm of superhuman....

its a very photogenic area from what ive seen on the 'gram, that's for sure.