How to go Long

Endurance is about resilience. It's conquering 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 push further 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. But with greater efforts comes the rewards.This handy guide breaks down exactly what you need to break through some distance barriers and start loving your extra time on two wheels.

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 any longer distance.

Whether it’s base miles your biggest goal of the season or joining an Equinox ride, when it comes to endurance, you get out what you put in. The more you work, the deeper you go, the richer the experience.

When it comes to endurance riding, you can make it much easier for yourself by knowing what you are doing. We asked some of our long-distance riders for their insights into how exactly you can make going longer a reality. 

Drinking and eating right makes a huge difference.

MAAP athlete Boru McCullagh has plenty of long distance experience, racked up as he rode around the world on an epic fundraiser expedition to support the mental health charity Mind.

“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 fueling 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.”

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 millimetres 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.

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.

For the best endurance riding, you must be mentally tough and understand how to break down a challenge. 

MAAP athlete Millie Gibbons has raced the Alps Divide over 1,000km, having already been the first woman to finish the gruelling 2,000km mountain ultra, the Trans Pyrenees. 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.

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 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.

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, sweat free 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:

· Tubeless repair kit (if you run tubeless)
· Two spare tubes (handy even 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. 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+ ride.

The right route can make or break your endurance rides, and the devil is in the details. 

MAAP athlete Steve Willis took on the tough, southern-Spanish Badlands race (800km with +16,000m of climbing), 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.

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. 

Aeon is our new purpose built system for endurance riding. Featuring a thoughtfully engineered materials package: soft-touch warp-knit bib shorts with a second-skin friction-free feel, and lightweight jerseys that incorporate Polartec® Delta™ cooling technology, expertly manage heat and moisture to keep you cool and composed over the long haul. 

Advanced fabric architecture and precision-tuned 4-way stretch ensure exceptional fit, long-lasting comfort, and an ultra sleek profile. The bibs also benefit from our higher density chamois, making it a much more comfortable experience during those extra hours in the saddle. Launching soon, sign up to our newsletter to discover this new collection.

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.

Ultra-versatile and lightweight, Flow Jackets are 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. 

For those 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 sensible. 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. See you out there!