The Race Across Switzerland is much more than just a race: it's a demanding event that combines endurance, discovery of the Swiss countryside and total autonomy. To succeed in this adventure in complete safety and take full advantage of the magnificent roads that await you, meticulous preparation is essential. In partnership with Vélomania, we have put together a complete guide with essential advice and a selection of essential accessories to accompany you on this unique adventure.
1 An anti-theft device before you start.
The Crucial Importance of Anti-Theft for Long Distance Cycling
Bikepacking involves many stops along the way, whether to rest, refuel or simply admire the scenery. A reliable bike lock is therefore essential to secure your bike at every stop, minimizing the risk of theft and giving you essential peace of mind.
Tips for Choosing the Right Anti-Theft Device :
Type of lock : Opt for a sturdy model such as a U-shaped or folding lock, offering a good compromise between security and portability.
Ease of use: Make sure the lock you choose is easy to use, encouraging regular use.
Compatibility: Check that the lock can effectively secure your bike, including wheels and additional accessories such as panniers.
Discover our Velomania recommendations for the ideal lock: Velomania Antitheft and Combiflex Travelguard Antitheft.
https://www.velomania.ch/fr/20525-71692-atv-cbl-cod-sportflex-2504-90-22.html
https://www.velomania.ch/fr/22407-80553-atv-cbl-cod-combiflex-travelguard-23.html
2. Stay Visible: Safety First
Visibility is crucial to your safety on the road, especially over long distances where fatigue can play a role. Make sure you're seen at all times by using reflective equipment and accessories, day and night.
Tips for staying visible :
High Visibility clothing: Opt for bright colors and reflective materials to be easily spotted by motorists.
Powerful lights: Use front and rear lights, with flashing modes to attract attention.
Reflectors and Accessories: Install reflectors on your bike and accessories for increased visibility.
Discover our Velomania choices for staying visible: Macro Drive light, Micro Drive Pro, Strip Drive Pro, Cross Belt Vest, Endurance Safety Vest.
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https://www.velomania.ch/fr/24354-84743-ecav-micro-drive-pro-800xl-24.html
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3. The right tools: prepare for any eventuality
Field Repair Essentials
In ultra-cycling, reliability and the ability to carry out minor repairs are crucial. Make sure you have a complete repair kit, spare tubes and specialized tools to handle the unexpected without compromising your progress. Key items to bring :
Complete Repair Kit: Includes heavy-duty pump, tire levers and chain tools.
Tubes and patches: Bring several tubes to fit your tires, as well as patches for temporary repairs.
Lubricants and maintenance products : Keep your bike in good condition with the right lubricants and cleaning products.
Discover our Vélomania choices for the right tools : Out MT Tradesman, Omni Toolcard, Can 0.63LGP 5000 tires, Valve adapter, Self-adhesive patches, Tubolito Patch Kit.
https://www.velomania.ch/fr/1528-5075-out-mt-tradesman-21.html
https://www.velomania.ch/fr/18008-60302-out-omni-toolcard-21.html
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4. Tubeless: Increased performance and reliability
In ultra-cycling, where every technical decision can make the difference between victory and defeat, tire choice is crucial. Opting for a tubeless system often represents an undeniable advantage. Here's why:
Reduced risk of punctures: The tubeless system eliminates the need for traditional inner tubes by hermetically sealing the tire to the rim. This technology drastically reduces the risk of punctures, offering invaluable peace of mind during your ultra-distance races.
Better comfort and performance: Tubeless tires allow you to ride at lower pressures without the risk of tube pinching. This improves comfort on different types of surface, while offering better traction and increased grip, particularly beneficial on varied terrain and in changing weather conditions.
Reduced weight: Compared with traditional configurations, tubeless tires are generally lighter. This lightness can significantly optimize performance on climbs and technical sections of the course, where every gram counts.
Simplified maintenance: Although initial installation requires special attention to ensure a perfect seal, tubeless tires generally require less maintenance than their tube counterparts. This means less time spent on repairs and more time on the road.
Recommended accessories: For optimum preparation, make sure you have a reliable hand pump or CO2 cartridges on hand. These tools will enable you to quickly reinflate your tires in case of urgent need, minimizing downtime.
By opting for tubeless in your ultra-cycling competitions, you're investing in a technology that not only improves performance and comfort, but also reduces unscheduled stops, allowing you to concentrate fully on your course objective as efficiently as possible.
For more information and to explore high-performance tubeless tire options, you can visit the following link: Velomania tubeless tires.
https://www.velomania.ch/fr/24534-85130-pn-gp-5000-700×30-24.html
5. Maximize space: Choose a side-clearance bottle cage
In ultra-cycling, space on your bike is precious. Choose a bottle cage with side clearance to maximize efficiency and comfort:
Aerodynamic efficiency: A side-clearance bottle cage allows easy insertion and removal of the bottle without disturbing your aerodynamic position. This is crucial for maintaining optimum speed over long distances, minimizing drag and preserving your energy for the most demanding sections of the course.
Easy, safe access: Side access allows you to quickly remove and replace your bottle without distracting you from the road. This is particularly useful when refueling on the move or in intense race conditions.
Optimizing Usable Space: By freeing up space on the frame, a side-clearance bottle cage allows you to install other essential accessories such as additional frame panniers for storing nutrition, tools or navigation devices.
Lightweight and sturdy design: Choose a bottle cage that's both lightweight to minimize the weight added to your bike and sturdy to hold your bottle firmly, even on rough terrain.
By integrating a side-clearance bottle cage into your ultra-distance race gear, you not only improve comfort and efficiency, but also maximize the space available to carry essential equipment while maintaining optimum performance over long distances.
To discover side release bottle cage options to suit your needs, visit the following links: Right-hand bottle cage and Left-hand bottle cage.
6. The Right Bike-Packing Bags: Prepare Yourself For Everything
Bike-packing panniers are essential for ultra-cycling to carry everything you need over long distances:
Extra storage space: Designed to maximize available space while maintaining an aerodynamic profile, bike-packing panniers are ideal for carrying clothing, camping gear, food and other essential supplies.
Balanced weight distribution: By distributing weight between the front and rear panniers, you maintain optimum stability and reduce muscle fatigue, ensuring precise control even on varied terrain.
Aerodynamic design: Load your bike to minimize wind resistance, placing bulky items like sleeping bags behind the cockpit.
Durable materials: Opt for lightweight yet robust panniers that resist water and abrasion, ensuring your equipment is protected against the variable conditions encountered in ultra-cycling.
By integrating the right bike-packing panniers into your gear for ultra-cycling races, you maximize your ability to carry the essentials while optimizing your comfort, efficiency and safety over long distances.
Discover a selection of panniers adapted to your needs on Velomania : Racing Pack 7L, Racing Pack 24L, Bag Racing Pack 4L, Racing Bag Long Toptube Pack 2L.
7. Extenders: For optimum aerodynamic position
Handlebar extenders are essential ultra-cycling accessories, offering several advantages for efficiency and comfort:
Aerodynamic position: By extending your position on the bike, extenders allow you to adopt a more aerodynamic posture, reducing air resistance and promoting high speed on straight sections.
Position variation: Alternate between different driving positions to relieve pressure on back, shoulders and hands, ensuring greater comfort and reducing muscle fatigue over long distances.
Storage space: Some extenders offer additional mounting options for attaching panniers, allowing you to carry supplies, tools or navigation devices.
Customized adjustment: Choose extenders with adjustment options to suit your size and riding style for optimum positioning throughout your run.
Explore extension options tailored to your needs at Velomania : Missile S-Bend Clip-On extenders.
8. Protect yourself: Stay Safe in the Sun
In ultra-cycling, where there are many hours of exposure to the sun, protection is essential for your health and comfort:
Sun Protection Accessories : Choose caps or headbands with visors to protect your face and eyes from the sun's direct rays, using breathable materials for optimum comfort.
Broad Spectrum Sun Cream: Regularly apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF to exposed areas of your skin to prevent sun damage.
UV Protective Clothing: Wear light but covering clothing made from technical fabrics offering protection against harmful UV rays while promoting air circulation to prevent overheating.
Sunglasses : Protect your eyes with sunglasses featuring polarized lenses offering adequate UV protection to improve visibility and reduce glare.
Adequate Hydration: Drink regularly to avoid dehydration, carrying enough water and electrolyte drinks to maintain your hydration levels throughout your journey.
Incorporate these sun protection tips into your ultra-cycling routine to minimize the risks associated with prolonged sun exposure and maximize your comfort and performance on the road.
Discover sun protection accessories on Velomania : Pinstripe UV, Light Skins UPF 50, Openrun Audio Headphones.
In brief
By equipping yourself wisely with the right accessories and equipment, you can optimize your preparation for ultra-cycling races, maximizing your comfort, efficiency and performance over long distances.
VELOMANIA has been our retail partner for the Race Across SWITZERLAND since the first edition.
"Cycling is our shared passion and the heart of our business. Its culture drives our community every day! Our 14 stores and e-shops bring together all the different worlds and practices. We want to make cycling accessible to everyone, whatever your age, fitness level or needs! Come and share your cycling project with us, and we'll advise you with enthusiasm and good humor!"
https://www.velomania.ch/
