2019 Spring Endurance Training Camp - March 14-17
4 days of supported bikepacking & workshops
Note: This camp has been cancelled for 2019 due to extenuating circumstances. It will return for 2020!

This 4-day training camp is designed to help give both aspiring and veteran endurance and ultraendurance mountain bikers the knowledge and tools to be successful in their target events for 2019 or later. Southern Arizona's Sonoran Desert's mild winters and abundance of dirt roads, 4x4 tracks, and trails make it the perfect winter getaway for a high-volume training block. The camp will be facilitated by accomplished endurance mountain bike racer Kaitlyn Boyle and Ultra MTB coach Kurt Refsnider. Here's what we're planning for this training camp:

• A 4-day bikepacking adventure in rugged mountain and desert terrain. The majority of riding will be on dirt roads and jeep tracks with some alternate options for singletrack enthusiasts. For each day's ride, there will be a GPX file provided.
  • During the day, riders will be self-supported (including navigation, food/water resupplies at services along the way, and bike maintenance). Upon reaching camp, professionally prepared backcountry dinners and breakfasts will be provided for riders.
  • Daily route distances will be ~40-70 miles
  • Participants should be prepared to ride for 4 to 8 hours per day at elevations from 2000 to 5000' (with one potential foray up to ~7000') in temperatures that will likely range from 50 to 85 degrees.
  • What does supported bikepacking mean? If you want to carry all your own gear, go for it. If you want to carry some, we'll transport the rest. And if you prefer to ride an unloaded bike, then we'll transport all your overnight gear for you.
• Evening workshops will focus on training, preparation, gear choices, nutrition, injury prevention, and more with an focus on bikepacking events. However, the content of many of the workshops is directly applicable to 24-hour and single-day endurance events.
  
  

Training Camp cost is $950 and includes . . .

• In-town accommodations for the night prior to the official start of the camp (March 13)
• Food! Morning and evening meals at camp will be provided to meet the nutritional needs of endurance cyclists, and we will accommodate any dietary restrictions. A variety of our favorite healthy ride foods will also be available for during the day. Mid-ride resupply options will be available in towns on several days.
• Endurance racing preparation guide
• Individual discussion of appropriate training program progressions

Space will be limited to 10 participants. Reserve your spot with a $475 deposit using the PayPal button at the bottom of this page. Full payment is due by February 1. Deposits will be partially refundable until February 15. Participants are also required to have USA Cycling licenses for insurance purposes (stay tuned for details on this; the cost is ~$50 if you do not already have a license).

Contact us if you're interested, and we will let you know at the end of August when we finalize the camp dates.

Tentative Itinerary

Wednesday

• Late afternoon arrival; assemble bikes if needed
• Drinks, appetizers, introductions, and camp overview at 5:30 pm
• Dinner
• Settle into accommodations; pack bikepacking setups

Thursday

• Breakfast
• Morning workshop -  Overview of the demands of [ultra]endurance racing
• Late afternoon arrival at camp: Hydrate, refuel, stretch
• Evening workshop - Gear considerations for [ultra]endurance racing
• Dinner
• Casual conversation and consulting around the fire

Friday

• Breakfast
• Mid-afternoon arrival at camp: Hydrate, refuel, stretch
• Evening workshop - Nutrition
• Dinner
• Casual conversation and consulting around the fire

Saturday

• Breakfast
• Mid-afternoon arrival at camp: Hydrate, refuel, stretch
• Evening workshop - Training for the (ultra)endurance events
• Dinner
• Casual conversation and consulting

Sunday

• Breakfast
• Mid-afternoon arrival back to base: Hydrate, refuel, stretch
• Evening workshops - Injury prevention, race strategy/execution, common mistakes
• Dinner (optional) and camp wrap-up
  
  

Participants are responsible for transportation to and from our lodging (specific location TBD), bicycles, and personal riding gear (including repair items, sleeping bag/pad, etc.).

Ultra MTB Training Camps are fully insured as a non-competitive events under the auspices of U.S.A. Cycling. Participants must have a valid U.S.A. Cycling license or must purchase one-day licenses for each day of the camp. License purchase details will be provided to camp participants.