RACE ACROSS BLOG
Welcome to our Blog: stories, advice and inspiration for living ultra-cycling to the full.
Whether you're an adventure enthusiast, a performance-oriented athlete or simply curious about the world of ultra-distance running, this blog is for you.
Here you'll find :
Participant testimonials and inspiring stories from the community.
Practical advice and motivation to help you progress and stay motivated.
Focus on essentialequipment and materials.
Articles dedicated to health and performance.
Accessible content to show that cycling is for everyone.
đ Our goal: to share with you authentic stories, useful resources and the energy that keeps the Race Across Series community alive.
Race Across Switzerland - The routes in more detail!
Race Across Switzerland is a unique event within the Race Across Series.
Here, ultra distance is not only measured in kilometers or elevation gain, but in the ability to read the mountain, manage effort, and endure in a demanding environment.
Authentic alpine routes, total immersion in the heart of the Swiss and Italian Alps, and a confident vision of self-supported ultra-cyclingâno free kilometers, no gimmicks.
Managing sleep during ultra-distance races: The sleep rule in the Race Across Series
In ultra-distance events, sleep is a key factor in safety and performance.
Often misunderstood, sometimes perceived as a constraint, it is nevertheless central to modern ultra-cycling.
In this article, we look back at the origins of the sleep rule introduced in the Race Across Series, the scientific basis behind it, how it works in practice, and its real impact on athletes' performance.
Essential insight to better understand why sleep can also be a performance lever.
âThe more women there are at the starting line, the more natural it will become and the more the virtuous circle will take hold.â
Nathalie Monnier joined GRAAALPS as a participant and is now the race coordinator, fully committed to the project. A passionate ultra-cyclist, bicycle traveler, and expert on the Alpine regions, she uses her experience to ensure safety, consistency of the routes, and the overall experience of the participants.
Through her personal journey, Nathalie shares a sensitive and committed vision of ultra-distance cycling, where adventure, preparation, and mental endurance are just as important as physical performance. She advocates for an inclusive approach to ultra-cycling, highlighting the barriers that still exist for women and the need to transform the narratives surrounding the discipline.
Representation, communication, mentoring, and more inclusive event design: Nathalie takes concrete action to make the starting line more accessible and natural for everyone. An inspiring interview at the crossroads of human commitment, alpine adventure, and a modern vision of ultra running.
GRAAALPS â the quest for the Alps, the 500 and 300 km
The 500 km and 300 km formats of the GRAAALPS offer a direct immersion into the alpine world.
Here, there are no unnecessary detours: the mountains are omnipresent, the terrain sets the pace, and each pass becomes a key moment in the journey.
Designed as loops starting from Crans-Montana, these routes offer a clear sense of adventure without ever reducing the intensity. They feature a series of iconic climbs, high-altitude gravel trails, and panoramic views of the highest peaks in the Alps.
GRAAALPS 2026 â the alpine adventure - Route details What to expect from an ultra-cycling gravel event in the Alps?
Crossing the Alps by bike is not simply a question of miles or elevation gain.
It is a total immersion in a mountain range that can never be tamed, only crossed with humility.
With GRAAALPS 2026, each route tells a different story, but they all share the same promise: riding where the mountains are still raw, wild, and vertical. From gravel trails suspended above legendary passes to secret valleys and exposed ridges, the route traces a direct line across the Alpsâthe real ones, the ones that command silence, respect, and sustained effort.
Riding alone at night on ultra-distance rides: a real fear, but one that can be overcome
Riding alone at night over ultra-long distances is one of the biggest fears for women who want to get started. Fear of isolation, the unknown, a bad encounter, or a mechanical incident: these fears are real.
In this interview, Lee Jenkins, finisher of the Race Across France 1000 km and new ambassador for the Race Across Series, shares her personal experience, her fears in the field, and the practical tools that helped her conquer the night. An authentic testimony showing that fear is not a weakness, but a starting point.
Am I ready to take on the challenge of 2,500 km across France or Quebec?
Am I strong enough to complete the 2,500 km Race Across France?
Behind this impressive figure lies a very different reality: ultra-distance running is not a matter of superhuman strength, but of strategy, organization, sleep management, and mental resilience. Semi-autonomy, base camps, drop bags, nutrition, support team... Discover why the 2,500 km race is a challenge that can be achieved by those who take it step by step.
Women in Ultra-distance Running
Women's ultra cycling is progressing at a rapid pace. Lina and Elsa break down stereotypes about ultra-distance cycling, share their experiences, talk about inclusion, sexism, performance, and explain why women have a placeâand excelâin ultra cycling.
GRAAALPS 2025: Looking back on Alain Rumpf's epic journey
GRAAALPS 2025 recounts the epic journey of Alain Rumpf, who traveled 800 km of gravel roads between Switzerland, Italy, and France. Through Alpine passes, wild trails, and moments of doubt, his adventure highlights the very essence of GRAAALPS: a raw, committed, and deeply human challenge.
RACE ACROSS BENELUX 2026 - Ultra Cycling: DETAILED ROUTES
The Race Across Series unveils for the first time a route entirely dedicated to the Benelux, an iconic region for Northern European cycling and the birthplace of strong traditions combining Ardennes hills, steep-sided valleys, long plains, and a rich brewing culture.
With four formatsâ 1,000 km, 500 km, 300 km, and 200 km (including a 200 km By Night) âRace Across Benelux is becoming one of the major new events on the ultra-distance calendar in Europe.
Race Across Paris 2026 - Les Boucles de Chantilly
This latest edition of the Race Across Paris promises to be a breathtaking adventure, transforming the City of Light into a vast adventure playground for cycling enthusiasts, offering a striking route through the iconic avenues, picturesque alleyways and green spaces for which the city is famous.
Race Across France 2026: the route in detail
Discover the official routes of the Race Across France 2026: five distances ranging from 200 to 2,500 km, from the Basque Country to the Mediterranean, through France's legendary mountain passes and iconic landscapes.
đ Ultra Talk - Valentin Van Overloop: between resilience, strategy and ultra passion
On the eve of the start of the 1000 km Race Across France, destination Mandelieu, Arnaud Manzanini welcomes Valentin Van Overloop in a new episode of the Ultra Talk podcast.
A heart-to-heart interview with an experienced cyclist and Race Across Series regular, who is about to take the start for the 7th or 8th time.
Ultra Cycling Podcast - Interview with Avril Laheurterace bib USS322) - How do you train for a 2500km race?
In this episode of the Ultra Cycling Podcast, we welcome Avril Laheurte, a rising figure on the Frenchultra-distance scene. She tells us about her inspiring journey, from her beginnings to her participation in the Race Across France, one of Europe's most demanding challenges.
Ultra-distance nutrition: how do you eat when you're training hard and riding long? - with Camille Pic
In ultra, nutrition makes or breaks a race. Camille Pic details what to eat before, during and after a race. Simple guidelines to limit digestive discomfort, maintain energy and recover better.
Give up sugar? We talk about it with Camille Pic
We're eating more and more sugar... and "light" isn't helping. Camille Pic explains how glycemic index peaks drain energy, why fructose poses a problem, and how sugar becomes a real enemy during endurance (hypoglycemia, constant snacking). Simple guidelines for reducing sugar without spreading yourself too thin.
Ultra-distance and a balanced lifestyle: advice from Camille Pic
Finding balance in ultra-distance running: objectives, organization, stress management, recovery and sleep. Camille Pic's advice on how to perform without burning out.
RACE ACROSS PARIS 2025: All you need to know about the courses
Discover the 2025 Race Across Paris routes: an ultra-cycling adventure between Paris, Chantilly and Hauts-de-France, from 300 to 1000 km, semi-autonomously.
RACE ACROSS SWITZERLAND: All about the courses
The Race Across Switzerland 2025 takes you to the heart of the Swiss Alps: mythical passes, grandiose landscapes and a semi-autonomous challenge. A unique adventure to test your limits in the midst of spectacular nature.
A long-distance bike race in the heart of Quebec in 2025
Discover the 2025 Race Across Québec routes: 1000, 500 and 300 km between Bromont, Terrebonne and Quebec's most beautiful landscapes.