Building and maintaining a diesel engine for ultra bikepacking?

[flanagaj]

I was bitten by the bikepacking bug last year and did my longest days of mountain biking since I started cycling 30 years ago.  Previously, my rides were of 2-3 hour duration and at a hard intensity.

I must admit that even though I had built up to back to back 6 hour rides on the road bike, I found the 2 long days on the mountain bike physically knackering.  Even so, that when I woke up on day 2 I knew I had done 9 hours the previous day.

The reason for my post is that I still find it staggering that people can ride for 16+ hours day after day and I want to understand whether mere mortals who have come from a more anaerobic cycling background can build the required diesel engine that is required for bikepacking.

If you can retrain the body for back to back long days in the saddle will the body always be ready for such adventures or will it require annual conditioning to enable you to take on such rides?

I have a friend who does triathlons now, but in the past has raced the Cape Epic multi day mountain bike race, and he tells me that he just naturally has a diesel engine and so long as he keeps putting food in he says he can just keep chugging along for hours on end.

[trebor]

Mental toughness is at least, and maybe more, important in my opinion that physical toughness. If you feel tired and that makes you feel like you are defeated and keeps you from getting on the bike - well, your goose is already cooked and you haven't even turned the pedals over that day.

A certain amount of "base" fitness is needed. You just can't get off the couch and ride for days. But if you've cycled for 30-years, you likely have a really good fitness level. You may just need to trick your brain to come along with the body. 16 hours of riding isn't that hard when you're mind is in the right place.

Just my opinion.

[wahday]

I would also emphasize GOOD nutrition on the ride – frequently and of high quality. Once you start to bonk – or even get close – your mind starts to do funny things and it is easy to convince yourself that you are defeated, unable to go on, etc. Or worse, you can get confused and make a bad decision. My best and longest bikecamping experiences have seen me snacking adequately and often. It was still a tough slog, but as mentioned, with the right attitude, you can accomplish some amazing things.

I am not a racer but a recreational bikepacker. I feel getting out at all is an “epic” adventure with plenty of taxing challenges. 9 hours in the saddle is still plenty impressive (though I have made bad decisions that made my days much longer…) and nothing to be ashamed of!