News

Racing the Swiss Epic: Part 2, Chamois cream is like lip salve

19.09.2014
by

Get up early, eat, ride all day, get home, shower, eat, sleep and repeat, that has been the pattern of our lives for the last 5 days, racing in the Swiss Epic. As I write this, we have just finished the penultimate day of the six day Perskindol Swiss Epic and my body is starting to break, my knees feel like they belong to someone much older and the Alpine Five seat has become an implement of pure torture.

I refuse to indulge in the dark and somewhat illicit use of chamois cream, holding it in the same regard as lip salve and gaffer tape, once you start using it, you will be a slave to it for the rest of your life. However, despite the pain we are just loving it, each day gets better than the last, and the final descent today was hands down the finest I have ridden in the alps, ever!

From the minute the starting gun went off the elite field leapt away like startled gazelles.
From the minute the starting gun went off the elite field leapt away like startled gazelles.
Some of the climbs were brutal, early in the day it was a pushing party.
Some of the climbs were brutal, early in the day it was a pushing party.
As we climbed higher into the mountains the arena became more epic.
As we climbed higher into the mountains the arena became more epic.
The route between Verbier and Zermatt took us through some incredible scenery.
The route between Verbier and Zermatt took us through some incredible scenery.

I would be riding the event in a team with my partner Cat, and leading up to the event we were torn between riding for the experience, or trying to be a bit more competitive in the mixed pairs. However, a problem with our flights meant that we missed the prologue, taking us out of the rankings and the decision was made for us, we would be riding for fun and the experience, and we could not be happier. We were riding in the ‘flow’ category with a few less climbs and a few extra descents (reached by chairlift or van shuttles), still tough for sure but without the physical sledgehammer of the full blow ‘epic class’.

We had never raced an event that spanned such a huge geographic distance, freed from the constraints of returning to the same location we could travel up onto alpine plateaus before dropping into the next deep valley, arriving dusty and tired in time for the next evening meal. The Swiss Epic team were looking after us in every way, it was all super professional and each day our gear would be waiting for us in the next amazing hotel. The course markings were faultless and we soon began to trust the little red direction arrows like an experienced local guide, taking us from one stretch of sinuous single track to the next, two downward pointing arrows meant caution, and three downward arrows meant that things were about to get very spicy indeed

Small adjustments to the seats at the feed stops, we became very familiar with the seats!
Small adjustments to the seats at the feed stops, we became very familiar with the seats!
Almost to the summit of another epic climb.
Almost to the summit of another epic climb.
The first few days started on quite mellow trails, but there were some stings in the tail.
The first few days started on quite mellow trails, but there were some stings in the tail.
Dropping onto the roller coaster bridge.
Dropping onto the roller coaster bridge.

The Alpine Fives had been trusty company so far on our journey, at the start many looked in bewilderment at our 800mm wide bars and aggressive head angles, but we were certainly having as much fun as anyone on the downs as we rallied through dusty corners. While those on more nervous steeds pranced on foot down the technical sections, we could really open the Fives up, exploding past in a flurry of dust and noise, leaving behind the acrid stench of burning rotors. We worked as a team down the long 1000m descents, freehubs buzzing in unison, banking in synchrony from one turn to the next, this is what we came for and it was amazing overtaking and working through the field. Then as each descent ended we flipped the shocks back into climb mode, popped the seats and prepared for ‘team lycra’ to dish out some revenge, for the climbs were long, and when it came to climbing, we were shit.

On Day Three we were treated to a meal at the top in the Moosalp restaurant.
On Day Three we were treated to a meal at the top in the Moosalp restaurant.
Cheers to Endura for sending us out some great shirts.
Cheers to Endura for sending us out some great shirts.
This is what we came for, epic big mountain descents.
This is what we came for, epic big mountain descents.
Cat dropping into a near 1000m descent.
Cat dropping into a near 1000m descent.

Granted we were not on the ideal bikes for 1500m of daily climbing, we were holding our own but the days were taking their toll, today it took Cats sharp eyes to stop me eating a sachet of ‘Perskindol muscle rub’ thinking it was an energy gel. Those at the front end of the epic field were just machines. Standing as a testament to training, nutrition and mental preparation, the athletes at the front of the starting grid were beasts, able to put down immense power on the climbs while tearing up the descents on superlight bikes with seats at full mast. Each evening we watched the elite field struggle down for their evening meals after the days momentous effort, compression socks pushing the swelling from their calves as they fed, barely able to lift the food from the plate. However, next morning they would be ready to do it all over again. ‘Chapeau’ to those at the front, you are all clearly insane.

The trails were fast and smooth, you could get off the brakes and let it run.
The trails were fast and smooth, you could get off the brakes and let it run.
There was nothing to slow you down, just full speed, intoxicating fun.
There was nothing to slow you down, just full speed, intoxicating fun.
Some of the trails were more burly and far from home, they tested your nerve.
Some of the trails were more burly and far from home, they tested your nerve.
The Alpine Fives were proving ideal bikes for the rugged terrain.
The Alpine Fives were proving ideal bikes for the rugged terrain.

But far from the elite racers at the pointy end, there are many teams riding simply for the experience. Travelling from over 27 countries, from as far afield as Australia, Mexico and Rwanda. The climbs were full of banter, good natured stories and highly exaggerated tales of cartwheeling down the hill. High fives were exchanged after epic descents and gels were shared with those who needed them. If you have ever thought about riding a stage race like the Swiss Epic, but doubt your fitness, have no fear as with sensible training and planning you will see some of the finest trails in Switzerland, and share it with a great bunch of riders.

As we screamed into the lower sections the forests were lush and green.
As we screamed into the lower sections the forests were lush and green.
A big turn in the big mountains.
A big turn in the big mountains.
Dropping down into yet another town, the sense of travel was unique.
Dropping down into yet another town, the sense of travel was unique.

As the trails are aimed at the marathon crowd, they are far from the level of technicality found on a normal enduro stage race. Free from rocks and drops, you can simply get off the brakes and enjoy the addictive, riotous fun that going really, really fast brings. Over the last two days we have ridden some of the fastest, flowiest trails we have ever seen, thin ribbons of ‘racetrack smooth’ single track darting through trees, above steep edges, and over alpine ridges. In four days we had traveled so far and seen so much, the start line in Verbier seemed like weeks ago. We had ridden under the shadow of the mighty Augstbordhorn, the Daubenhorn and the Festihorn. We had toiled and pushed to exposed ridges, and ridden trails that came dangerously close to ‘the perfect trail’. Working as a team we had shared the experience all the more, and with one day left to go, we cannot wait to see what is in-store as we drop into Zermatt.

As we neared the finish locations there was a chance to play with the bikes more, the Fives happily obliged.
As we neared the finish locations there was a chance to play with the bikes more, the Fives happily obliged.
All the village locals were real friendly.
All the village locals were real friendly.
Another night in another amazing Hotel.
Another night in another amazing Hotel.
A sign of a good day, brakes cooked and pads abused.
A sign of a good day, brakes cooked and pads abused.

Tune in for part three where we look at what goes on behind the scenes and what we really thought of the Orange Alpine Fives

For more information about the Perskindol Swiss Epic, check out the website

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

You may also like