VELOMANIA'S TIPS FOR THE ACROSS SWITZERLAND RACE
Before the start of the Race Across Switzerland by Velomania, participants carry out equipment checks and preparation, an essential step in ultracycling.
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 make a success of this adventure in complete safety and enjoy the magnificent roads that await you, meticulous preparation is essential.
In partnership with Vélomania, we've put together a comprehensive guide with essential tips and a selection of must-have accessories to accompany you on this unique adventure.
1. Secure your bike from the very first break
In long-distance cycling, every stop - to eat, admire the scenery or refuel - is an opportunity for thieves. A good anti-theft device is therefore an indispensable ally for travelling with a clear conscience.
🔒 How to choose the right anti-theft device?
Type of anti-theft device: Choose a sturdy model such as a U-shaped or folding anti-theft device, offering a good compromise between security and portability.
Ease of use: Make sure the anti-theft device you choose is easy to use, to encourage 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: Antivol Vélomania and Antivol Combiflex Travelguard.
2. Check your lights before dark
When fatigue sets in, your vigilance drops... but so does that of other motorists. Being seen is vital, day and night. For peace of mind, get the right equipment.
🔦 The essentials for staying visible :
High-visibility clothing: bright colors and reflective textiles for instant recognition.
Powerful lights: Front and rear, with flashing modes to grab attention.
Reflective accessories: Add reflectors to your bike and panniers to maximize your visibility.
👉 Velomania recommendations for staying visible: Macro Drive Light, Micro Drive Pro, Strip Drive Pro, Cross Belt Vest, Endurance Safety Vest.
3. Anticipate your nutrition
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.
Inner tubes and patches: Bring several inner tubes adapted to 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, 0.63L canister, GP 5000 tires, Valve adapter, Self-adhesive patches, Tubolito patch kit.
4. Tubeless: enhanced 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.
Improved 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 the 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 at 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.
5.maximizing 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 makes it possible 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-clearance bottle-holder options to suit your needs, visit the following links: Right-hand bottle cage and Left-hand bottle cage.
6. The right bikepacking panniers: get ready for anything
Bike-packing panniers are indispensable in ultra-cycling for carrying 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 clothes, camping gear, food and other essential supplies.
Balanced weight distribution: By distributing the 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 such as sleeping bags behind the cockpit.
Durable materials: Choose lightweight yet robust panniers that resist water and abrasion, protecting your equipment from 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: Sacoche Racing Pack 7L, Sacoche Racing Pack 24L, Sacoche Racing Pack 4L, Sacoche Racing 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 stance: By extending your position on the bike, the extenders enable you to adopt a more aerodynamic stance, 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 settings: Choose extenders with adjustment options to suit your size and riding style for optimum positioning throughout your ride.
Explore extension options tailored to your needs at Velomania: Missile S-Bend Clip-On extensions.
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: Opt for 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 that offer 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.
