Riding ultra-endurance events or an extended bikepacking trip can be quite a bit different from a big day out that ends up back in the comforts of home. What are some of the mindset tips and mental strategies to get you through?
Since I got into bikepacking back in 2021, every year has featured one or more big adventures. They were all different, from solo to riding with a single longtime friend, to a three-day ride with two guys Iβd never met but whoβve since become close friends. Some were open-ended in daily schedule, while others were constrained by having to be at a certain place at a certain date (e.g., bikepacking to a gravel race). Some were credit card trips close to home with a bailout option, while in Iceland we brought everything and anything short of a full catastrophe was just going to have to be dealt with.
My gang of five from Iceland 2024 will be doing our version of the Tree to Sea loop at the northern tip of Vancouver Island the first week of June.
Iβm definitely no Jenny Graham, Lael Wilcox, or Mark Beaumont. But I figured itβd be useful to jot down some reminders to myself about how to mentally tackle an ultra-adventure.
It Will Get Betterβ¦and Worseβ¦
No trip took me as far out of my comfort zone as did our Iceland adventure in 2024. The scenery was as stunning as you might imagine.
The terrain and challenge was also way beyond anything any of us had experienced before. Holding your fully-laden bike down to prevent it from turning into a kite as youβre getting buffeted by 80+ kmh crosswinds on exposed ridges can be a real bummer. As can the 20th icy cold river crossing of the day. This led to some of the highest of highs, and also the lowest of lows mentally.
My favourite nature photo from Iceland.
Youβve likely heard this before, but keeping an even emotional keel is absolutely critical. It really was a case of appreciating the splendor around me but not getting overwhelmed by it. And when it became a grind, I kept telling myself that no low lasts forever, and that everything will rebound and even out again.
Having a sense of humour about things also definitely helps. Remember, you chose to do this, so embrace the great and the absurd!
How Do You Eat an Elephant?
The answer, of course, is βone bite at a time.β
The same is true with any ride thatβs longer/harder/stranger than normal. You can drive yourself mental if you start telling yourself β24 km down, 298 km to goβ or β2 climbs done, 9 to go.β Donβt do it.
The 20th icy river crossing and big uphill of the day can wear on you. Keeping count just makes it worse.
Staying in the moment is critical. Keep your focus on what you can control and the process. This includes managing your nutrition and hydration; stretching or changing positions; or just plain focusing on the scenery.
Appreciate the here and now. Donβt get too ahead of yourself.
Misery (and fun!) Loves Company
Some people thrive in the solo adventure, and thereβs certainly something to be said for the total freedom and autonomy when youβre on your own. One guy who was riding a similar route as us in Iceland solo is currently riding solo from the Yukon down to BC and then the Tour Divide.
Iain (back in black) is a solo adventure hero.
More power to him, but β while I do most of my riding at home solo and love it β Iβve learned that adventures are far more fun for me when theyβre shared with someone. Besides the mental comfort of knowing that youβre not alone in case anything goes wrong, I find that the shared experience β and shared exhaustion β brings out deeper conversations and cements friendships.
The only bit of cover before facing hours of 80+ km/h crosswinds.
And whatβs more fun that chirping your riding buddies for years afterwards about something stupid that you did together?
What Else Do You Have to Do Today?
When riding around home, thereβs always a time pressure or things that you need to get done back home. So while cycling is an escape for many of us, itβs never a true escape from real life realities. So while I enjoy my cafΓ© stops during weekend group rides, thereβs always a part of my brain saying βletβs get goingβ so that I can get home and get on with my day.
In contrast, when youβre out for an ultra or multi-day adventure, it is truly an escape because you literally have nothing else to do but get from Point A to Point B (or sometimes an improvised Point C). It takes a bit of getting used to, but itβs also quite freeing when you reorient yourself to really spending a full day doing one thing rather than thinking about all the things waiting back home.
Our biggest day in Iceland was 67 km, with about 8 h of riding time but nearly 13 h total.
Besides two long lunch stops, we also detoured to dry out in a mountain hut for a couple of hours, brewing coffee and chatting with the volunteer wardens. That was in addition to snack breaks, stops to admire the scenery, etc. Back home, that amount of stopping wouldβve driven me crazy. But here, such diversions were the entire point.
Settle in. Enjoy the time and experience.
Summary
Ultra-rides and bikepacking adventures are really a different beast physically and mentally from rides around home. If you havenβt tried it before, thereβs no better time than now!
Ride far and have fun!
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