Endurance is about resilience. It's fighting the road, conditions, and quite often yourself. It involves having the stubbornness to continue through tough situations, the ability to problem-solve on the go, and the fight to finish as fatigue sets in.
Endurance riding isn’t just a short bike ride multiplied. It’s harder. There's much more to think about than speed and elevation.
Why Start Endurance Riding?
The joy of endurance is in the doing. The moment by moment progression through the kilometres. The palpable feeling of achievement. The distance both metaphorical and physical from the routine of the rest of our lives. At its apex, endurance can become ultra – staggering daily distances stacked one after another, gruelling crossings of continents, fastest known times – but it doesn’t have to. There are endurance rides that take a handful of hours or more, or the better part of a day or several days or weeks. There is enduring joy in what’s done.
Whether it’s base miles or your biggest goal of the season, when it comes to endurance, you get out what you put in. The more you work, the deeper you go, the richer the experience.
Looking for a little extra impetus to start going longer? Join us and the global MAAP community for Equinox, the perfect platform from which to launch your next endurance ambition. On 22 September the northern and southern hemispheres will align in a way that happens just twice each year. We’ll all experience 12 hours of daylight.
This celebration of the Equinox is all about chasing the light. A brief instant where we get to enjoy a balance between the hemispheres.
Rolling out from dawn, all over the world. You can join Equinox and ride solo or find a group ride out of a MAAP Lab, or a participating MAAP partner ride. We’ll also be partnering with Strava for a challenge, letting anyone tap into the project, wherever they are. Whether you use the whole 12 hours and cover some massive distance, or simply embrace the Equinox as a starting point on your endurance journey, we want you with us.
Tips and Tricks for Endurance Riding
When it comes to endurance riding, you can make it much easier for yourself by knowing what you are doing.
Understand Your Nutrition
Drinking and eating right makes a huge difference.
MAAP athlete Boru McCullagh has plenty of long distance experience, racked up as he rides around the world on his Mind Mapping fundraiser expedition.
“At the core of ultra cycling for me lies what I refer to as the ‘art of eating squashed food’. It’s easy to worry about nutrition in an ultra, but in theory your body can keep on doing whatever you ask it to do as long as it has fuel, so eat. It’s nigh on impossible to over-fuel on the bike but you do need to find what works for you. Nutrition brands will tell you to eat 60-90 grams of carbs per hour in the form of expensive products, but you’re not racing in the Tour and I believe fuelling for ultras is a lot more simple than that. In my experience, I’ve learnt that my body likes all its grounds covered with fats like milk and yoghurt drinks to be able to keep going at low intensities and carbs to have some spring in my step with some protein later on if it’s multi day. If you listen to your body and eat before you get hungry then nutrition shouldn’t be a worry. There’s incredible research and science behind this topic but in essence: Being nourished is cool, so fear the bonk and keep topped up.”
Dial your setup
If you want to ride far, staying comfortable and injury-free is vital. Having a good bike fit goes a very long way to achieving this. You can invest with a professional to really get that position dialled in, but if you are just getting started and feel uncomfortable shelling out a large sum, it’s also possible to do a basic one yourself on a home trainer with any number of free or paid smartphone apps.
You will also get more over long distances from a bike with relaxed geometry, wider tyres to increase comfort, and high durability with the capacity to carry bags to ensure you have everything you need.
As you build up your distance, pay attention to the signs your body is giving you. A small tweak in your knee over 50km will become magnified over 100 or 200km. Even millimeters make a difference, so don’t be afraid to tweak your saddle height just a small amount to see if it has an impact on how your pedalling feels.
Training
When training for endurance, it’s important to focus on slowly building the distances over time, reflecting on each training session, and learning how to pace yourself properly. It’s not always as simple as jumping on the bike and going as far as possible. In fact, that’s absolutely a bad idea unless you have historical experience with long-distance riding and know your body and base fitness – but even still, not recommended!
A lot of it comes with experience, but being conscious about what you are doing and building up correctly ensures the most enjoyment and reduces the risk of injuries over the time you are riding.
Mental Toughness
For the best endurance riding, you must be mentally tough and understand how to break down a challenge.
MAAP athlete Millie Gibbons is lining up to race the Alps Divide later this year, having already been the first woman to finish the gruelling mountain ultra, the Trans Pyrenees, last year. She shared some of her mental magic for breaking down big distances and overcoming obstacles.
“Every pedal is a pedal closer to the destination. so you just got to keep pedalling. Nothing lasts forever, either. Whether it’s rain, a low-morale moment, the lack of food or a really long climb. I’d say it’s more of an adventure when things don’t go to plan, so find the funny side while you find the solution.”
While McCullough also adds a reminder to check your privilege once in a while.
“I don’t think ultra cycling ever becomes the ‘type 2 fun’ people revert to describing it as, where they say you only enjoy the effort afterwards but not during. Your ability to enjoy your ride and the factors that contribute to that can be and are yours to define; the clearer you are with yourself about that, the easier it is to enjoy the ride and meet the bar you set for yourself. Remember that it’s a privilege to choose to physically suffer in the way ultra cycling demands - honest reflection on that always helps me appreciate the moment and fend off the negative thoughts when the going gets tough.”
When times get tough, there’s not much a good coffee and a 10-minute micro-nap fails to fix. Remember you’re there to make memories and enjoy the process.
Learn Bike Maintenance
Riding long miles adds a lot of wear to your bike, and knowing how to fix issues can help. Repairing a puncture, truing a spoke, adjusting gears, replacing a hanger, and working on brakes can go a very long way.
MAAP athlete, Ella Bloor, rode all the way across Australia from Perth to Sydney in August 2024, covering almost 4,000km in 14 days. She cites mechanical self-reliance (as well as plenty of calories), as one of the key factors in making big rides like that a success.
“Fuelling and preparedness in equipment is everything,” she told us. “You can pretty much make it anywhere with enough calories and the right hydration! Being prepared for all kinds of weather, accidents and mechanicals is also something not to be underestimated.”
Definitely don’t be afraid to ask for help, either. You can learn a lot more from working alongside an expert than you can with YouTube videos on your phone and a busted bike in your workstand. Earlier this year we ran a Send Help event at the MAAP LaB in Amsterdam, where Wheelrunner’s Bas Rotgans shared his expertise on keeping your Alt_Road™ adventure on the rails. Look out for more activities like this hosted by MAAP at your nearest LaB, and follow us on Strava for updates.
The Right Kit
Having gear that works and is perfected for purpose makes a world of difference.
This includes the capacity to carry extra spares and tools, clothing that can keep you warm and comfortable, and even a sleeping kit for those lonely nights out if it's a long trip. For a single-day ride of four or more hours, we recommend:
- Two spare tubes
- Tubeless repair kit (if you run tubeless)
- Tyre boot (for major tears)
- A pump or CO2 inflater with canister
- Enough food to keep you moving between refuel spots
- A windproof or waterproof jacket, dependent on the conditions
- Tyre levers
- Multi-tool
We partnered with Apidura to create a collection of bikepacking bags, intended to extend your capability when going longer. With excellent waterproof ability, ample space, and performance-proven design, nothing will stop you from pursuing that next horizon. The 4L Frame Pack sits beneath the top tube and is there for your easy-access equipment and snacks. There’s a full-zip closure on the drive side, with a mesh outside pocket on the other side for putting wrappers and smaller flat items you wanna keep out of the way. A smaller 1L Frame Pack trims the capacity down, while still providing that easy-access storage. If you’re looking for more capacity, the range also includes a 7L Saddle Pack and 9L Handlebar Pack. If you’re going multi-day, these are essential, but they can also give you a bit of extra peace-of-mind on a single-day six hour+ epic.
Routing Like a Pro
The right route can make or break your endurance rides, and the devil is in the details.
MAAP athlete Steve Willis is taking on the tough, southern-Spanish Badlands race starting 1 September, but before he left for Andalusia he gave a few tips into routing.
“I would say route planning is key – pick roads you love or new ones that excite you, makes the KMs a breeze when you’re out for a big day. Plan the loop with stops for food & water, where possible rule of thumb for me is somewhere every 80 -100kms. Even if you do not use them all, it’s nice to have the security.”
If you're not yet confident in your local knowledge, or riding somewhere entirely new, apps like Komoot can greatly help, and you can find lots of inspiration from them. Always remember that the bigger the climb, the better the view. Don’t be shy of a few challenges along the way. It’s character-building.
Have Fun With It
It’s easy to make everything a challenge when riding endurance, but it doesn’t have to be. It should be enjoyable, and although tough, having fun with it is important. Don’t forget you're out there for self-fulfilment, not self-flagellation.
MAAP Products to Help You go Further
Having the right gear goes a long way in endurance riding. MAAP can help. Here are some of our new products that can help you ride further, faster, and have more fun!
Atmos
The Atmos Jacket is our lightest, most stashable protection from the rain. Lightweight, 2-way stretch Pertex® Shield fabric is breathable and has a 20k waterproof rating. It's for trips where unpredictable weather conditions seek to get the better of you, and when you’re going long every gram counts.
Flow
Coming September 3rd: Ultra-versatile and lightweight, Flow Jacket and Vest is made for changeable conditions. It’s laser cut, super lightweight, has mechanical stretch, and is optimised for on-bike fit. It is also packable and easy to stow away.
The Flow Insulated is a thicker version, slightly increased in weight, that uses Teijin insulation strategically positioned on the front, sleeves, and shoulders. It is still packable and easy to use, great for going a little further into tougher conditions.
Both Flow and Flow Insulated are offered in a vest silhouette as well as a long-sleeve jacket.
Alt_Road™️ collection
You might be chasing the sunrise or riding into a sunset. Whatever adventure you are on, Alt_Road™️ has you covered.
When it comes to endurance riding, a durable Alt_Road™️ Wind Jacket or Alt_Road™️ Lightweight Anorak keeps you protected from the elements. For those longer trips, the soon-to-be-released all-new Alt_Road™️ Insulated Jacket helps you go even further. Featuring lightweight active Teijin insulated lining, it’s another level of comfort and an ideal companion for your next adventure. Sign up to the MAAP newsletter to be notified when the Alt_Road™️ Jacket will soon be available.
Team Bib Evo Cargo Tights
For colder trips where you need to focus more on staying warm and covering your body, the Team Bib Evo Cargo Tights offer the warmth and comfort you require. Lightweight materials combined with adventure technology cargo pockets for extra storage make these the perfect choice for the long-distance thrill seeker. Team Bib Evo Thermal Cargo Tights are dropping this September, extending you capability in the cold.
Alt_Road™ Cargo Bib 2.0
Coming September 3rd: Totally re-designed, the Alt_Road Cargo Bib 2.0 brings heightened functionality and an even-more-comfortable fit. The construction combines knitted and woven fabrics, creating a silky next-to-skin feeling and fluid movement. There are two cargo pockets, one on each side, with increased capacity over the 1.0 version, plus more space in the central rear pocket that sits on your lower back. A pair of bibs to keep you comfortable for far longer as you explore fresh frontiers.
Base Layers and Accessories
Many cyclists underestimate the importance of accessories. Those base layers, arm warmers, gloves, and caps are not just to make you look good but serve a purpose. When riding endurance, it’s good to have these, as they will make you much more comfortable.
Thermal and Long Sleeve Jerseys
Who can forget MAAP's extensive range of jerseys? Not just air-cutting racing jerseys but others made for adventure. The wide range of long sleeve jerseys and thermal options means nothing is going to keep you away from adventure no matter the time of year.
How to Ride Long: a Final Note
It might be a long day out on the bike or a bikepacking adventure, but riding far offers something else. You get to see things others will never know, deepen your bonds with the bike, your buddies and yourself.
The key to great endurance riding isn’t just going far but being safe. Letting people know where you are and where you are going, taking everything you need – like a fully charged phone – will ensure you not only have a great time but stay safe.
Lastly, don’t forget to join us for Equinox. There are a bunch of rides out of MAAP Labs, as well as some of our partner locations around the globe.