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3 events. 3 bikes. 1 big adventure

Many months ago, while doing some research on the Strathpuffer 24hr, I discovered that it was regarded as one of the toughest events in the World. That fact got me searching for the other toughest events and I discovered an event called “Ironbike” which is a stage race held in Italy. I liked the look of the event and decided to try and work a few other overseas events around it. On Friday I head to the Alps for a month of training and racing, here are some details of the events, bikes & equipment I will be using over the next few weeks which will be one brilliant adventure!

I will shortly have a website online: www.mattpagemtb.com and will have daily updates there as well as on the Wiggle Blog.

1. Event: Mega Avalanche
Date: 8-10th July
Details: The biggest and most famous “downhill endurance” event in the World! Several thousand people take part every year, many of them brits and do battle with one another and the Mountain! Every competitor needs to qualify in order to take part in the main event and the qualification is a big race in itself!

Qualification takes place on Friday 8th, with heats of 200 people racing down from a ski station high above Alpe D’Huez. Only the first 38 people in each heat will qualify for the main race with the remaining finishers racing in other events over the weekend.

The main race start early on Sunday 10th with several hundred people making their way to the top of the Pic Blanc mountain, 3300m above sea level. From here it is a mass start where everyone will race first down a glacier, then down a few ski-slops and then to more rocky trails to the finish 33km and a few thousand meters lower down at Allemond.

Bike: With such an extreme event I needed a very different style of bike. Although overall downhill most people who have previously entered the “Mega” would advice an All Mountain bike, something that can be ridden uphill and well as downhill very quickly! Total weight, including the downhill specific dual-ply tyres is 31.5 pounds, very respectible!

Spec:
Rocky Mountain Slayer, 160mm travel

Specific changes to the standard spec include:
SRAM XX rear mech & XX shifter
Shimano XTR M980 11-36 cassette
E-thirteen guide ring (36 tooth)
E-thirteen LG1+ chainguide
X-Fusion Hi-Lo remote dropper seatpost
Easton Haven tubeless wheels
Schwalbe Wicked Will downhill casing 2.35” rear and 2.5” front
Crank Brothers Mallet 2 pedals
Ergon GE1 grips
RRP Neoguard

I also need some more specific equipment including:
661 Evo Carbon Full Face Helmet
661 Sub-Gear Long Sleeve compression suit
661 Evo Knee guards
661 Raji Gloves
Shimano AM45 shoes
Howies Outsider shorts
Fox Tech MTB Long sleeve jersey
Lezyne hydration pack

Event aim: Qualify for the main race
Ultimate aim: Top 100 finish in the main race

After Mega I will have to make a very quick dash to a town called Modane for my next event!

2. Event: l’Etape du Tour – Act 1 (Translated meaning “A Stage from the Tour”)
Date: 11th July
Details: One of the biggest Sportive type road events in the world, with over 7000 participants the “Etape” (for short) changes each year and takes on one of the biggest stages in the Tour de France. This year the stage is what will be Stage 19, Modane to Alpe d’Huez. The route will tackle some of the most famous alpine climbs in a compacted 70km route. First up the Col du Telegraph which is a precursor to the formidable Col du Galibier, then after a long descent it is straight up the 21 hairpin bends that make the Alpe d’Huez famous.

Bike: I will be using my Focus Izalco for the Etape, but I will be making a few changes due to the nature of the event.

Spec:
Focus Izalco Pro 1.0
Full Dura Ace group set as standard with 53/39 chainrings and 11-25 cassette (gulp!)
Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25c tyres
Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbino Flow saddle
Time i-Clic racer pedals
Lizard Skins DSP Race bar tape
Lezyne Carbon bottle cages

Other Etape equipment:
Lezyne Smart Wallet
Lezyne Carbon 10 multi-tool
Lezyne Road Drive CFH pump
Shimano R315 shoes

Aim: Gold standard time
Ultimate aim: Top British Finisher (unlikely with a high starting number)

Following the Etape I hope to be able to get some hard training in while staying at Bikevillage, which should prove to be an excellent base for both MTB and Road riding in the area. I then move to Italy for the third and without a doubt the hardest event I have ever attempted before.

3. Event: Ironbike
Date: 23-30th July
Details: One of the hardest endurance events in the World, Ironbike is an 8-day stage race which crossing the Italian Alps with a serious amount of climbing. It is what I would describe as the “proper Trans-Alp” as the more famous race is a breeze in comparison. Climbs are long and technical, topping out well over 3000m altitude. Descents are often singletrack and technical. Riders will average over 100km and 3000m climbing per day for the duration!

Bike: I will be riding my Rocky Mountain Element RSL bike, which I rode to victory recently at the UK/European 24hr Solo Championships. The spec is mostly the same as at that event:

Spec:
Rocky Mountain RSL frame
Shimano XTR 10sp drivetrain, 42/30 chainset
Crank Brothers Candy 11 pedals
Crank Brothers Joplin remote seatpost – to be used if needed, dependant on the level of technicality
Ergon GS1 grips
Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25” Evo Snakeskin tyre
RRP Neoguard

Other Ironbike specific equipment:
Camelbak Octane LR Hydration pack
Lezyne Alloy drive mini pump
Shimano M315 shoes

I will also be using the following kit & nutrition for the duration of the trip:

Garmin Edge 800
Torq Gels – Rhubarb & Custard
Torq Energy – Pink Grapefruit & Lemon/Lime
Clif Shot Blocks
Clif Bars
Lezyne Travel Floor drive pump
howies clothing
Mobi portable presure washer
Muc Off cleaning and lubrication products

Follow my racing progress on my twitter, @mattpage24 and through the Wiggle Blog