XC Racer Blog Post
Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge
Share on Facebook Share on TwitterBY: Melanie Alexander
Published: 13th May, 2016
The Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge (BeMC) has been on my to do list for a few years now so I am really excited to be racing it this weekend (13th to 15th May).
It was a last minute change of plan but after racing the Roc De Ardennes two weeks ago I was struck by the marathon racing bug – it hit me hard. Having a chat with Ben Thomas on the way home he invited me to join him and Scott Mccarron for the BeMC which sounded too good to miss.
The race is ran from a beautiful location, La Roche-en -Ardenne a small town surrounded by hills and vast country side. We had a chance to test out some of the trails today which are fairly dry at the moment (nothing like the slippy trails two weeks ago), fast and fun and there are some tough steep climbs to get over.
La Roche
At the end of a very muddy Roc De Ardennes, in Houffalize. Looks a lot dryer two weeks later ;-).
The race is ran from a beautiful location, La Roche-en -Ardenne a small town surrounded by hills and vast country side. We had a chance to test out some of the trails today which are fairly dry at the moment (nothing like the slippy trails two weeks ago), fast and fun and there are some tough steep climbs to get over.
La Roche
The BeMC is a 3 day stage race in which we will cover 260kms and 7800meters of vertical climbing in total. The race kicks of today from La Roche town centre at midday (Friday 13th). We are broken in with the shortest stage of 67km though with 2250 meters of climbing it is going to be tough one.
On Saturday the race covers 95km and 2350 vertical meters of climbing, then the last stage on Sunday which takes us on a round trip to Houffalize is 100km and more than 3000 vertical km of climbing. Similar to the amount of climbing we had on stages in the Swiss Epic so although not mountainous around here it is definitely hilly. This is going to add up to a lot of time in the saddle, I have just got to remember to look up and enjoy the scenery ;-).
There are over 5000 participants from racers to the more recreational rider all taking on the tough challenge. I am looking forward to racing and seeing how I get on in a strong international field of women. There are fast favourites of Sally Bigham, Githa Michiels, Alice Pirard and Milena Landtwing. There are also a couple of ladies I was racing closely with at the Roc De Ardenne (Stefanie Dohrn and Cemile Trommer). Plus many more including Karen Brouwer who has won Battle on the Beach twice and Charlotte Davies from the UK who is fairly new to the marathon seen and recently won a UCI Marathon Series.
There are over 5000 participants from racers to the more recreational rider all taking on the tough challenge. I am looking forward to racing and seeing how I get on in a strong international field of women. There are fast favourites of Sally Bigham, Githa Michiels, Alice Pirard and Milena Landtwing. There are also a couple of ladies I was racing closely with at the Roc De Ardenne (Stefanie Dohrn and Cemile Trommer). Plus many more including Karen Brouwer who has won Battle on the Beach twice and Charlotte Davies from the UK who is fairly new to the marathon seen and recently won a UCI Marathon Series.
At the end of a very muddy Roc De Ardennes, in Houffalize. Looks a lot dryer two weeks later ;-).
My plan is to write an update daily on XCRacer.com about my experience at the BeMC. Hopefully I won't be too tired to string some words together.
Thanks to my Sponsors: @Cyclopaediashop @Fitinnotime @OTESportsGB @LezyneUK @W_T_B and @MojoSuspension
Thanks to my Sponsors: @Cyclopaediashop @Fitinnotime @OTESportsGB @LezyneUK @W_T_B and @MojoSuspension
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Melanie Alexander
Elite XC and endurance racer. Riding for Cyclopaedia, Fit in No Time, OTE Sport, Mojo, WTB, Le Col
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