el limite week

If the tres mil sounds a bit too easy for you, then you're in the right place. Welcome to El Limite Week.

This holiday exists solely to guide you through the Sierra Nevada El Límite race, quite possibly the most gruelling challange in xc mountain biking in Europe. It's 100km distance might sound like a breeze to all you enduro riders out there, but put in 3600m of ascent and it starts to get a little bit scarier. That's 40% of the way up Everest, should you be interested.

Karl raced El Límite this year and it's fair to say it became a little bit of an obsession. It's not pretty, and it's not pleasant, but anyone who gets to the finish line deserves more than a pat on the back or two.

Here at ride-tribe we're uniquely placed to support you in completing El Límite. Karl has completed the race, and is a qualified Triathlon Scotland coach to boot. So if you want to prepare for the pain of endurance racing, and the specifics of El Límite, he's your man. On the logisitics side of things Nikki was Race Director for a number of Triathlon Scotland Grand Prix races, so sorting out you lot is a walk in the park!

So, if you think you're up to the challenge, then this is the holiday for you.

What's Involved

Simply put, ride-tribe will take care of the whole lot for you.

First and foremost, as soon as you've made the decision to enter, Coach Karl will send off a training plan for you to help you prepare for the race. Of course, many of you may be a seasoned endurance athlete, so feel free to bypass this if you want!

Next we'll prepare the paperwork, deal with the Spanish race organisers and get your entry in and registered. To complete your preparation we'll make sure we have a full supply of energy drink, gels, jelly beans and anything else you prefer to get you through the race.

We'll collect you from Málaga or Granada Airport on the Thursday then transfer you and your bike to Pradollano, home of the race. We'll be the first to admit there 'aint much there, but it gives you a chance to scope out the route, build your bikes, and get used to the altitude. Our mobile workshop will be in attendance to help with your bike builds and any last minute problems.

Then comes race day. We'll get you down to the start line, lined up and ready to go. We'll be out on the course cheering like banshees and offering words of support, and as you come into the finish chute we guarantee we'll be making the most noise! Congratulatory hugs, back slapping and a few tears will ensue, then the greatest feeling of cameraderie you can imagine as your fellow ride-tribers come over the line.

With the last finisher home, it's time to pack up and head off to Bubión for the holiday to start. We take Sunday off riding, and instead have a big barbecue in the afternoon so you can relive the finer details of the race. Then from Monday to Wednesday it pans out as a ride-tribe classic, albeit on more xc friendly trails.

But all good things come to an end, and on Thursday it's back to the aiport and time to go home. Not to worry though, as you'll have so much glory to bask in it'll almost be worth going back to the office!

Riding

Death by climbing and farily straightforward descending - the lightweight hardtail is king here. Karl raced on his pimped up Trek hardtail and survived to tell the tale. Others rode on slightly heavier full-suss xc rigs, but you wouldn't want to go much further than, say, a Santa Cruz Blur XC.

Accommodation

Arrive Thursday, spend Thursday & Friday night in an apartment in Praollano to prepare for the race.

Race Day on Saturday, then back down the hill and round to our base in Bubión. Here you'll check into a village house for the rest of your stay.

Catering

As with all our holidays breakfast and lunch is included each day. The night before Race Day dinner will be provided, to ensure you get an appropriate meal. Same goes for the Sunday barbecue, to make sure you get an appropriate celebration! For the rest of the holiday evening meals are not included in the price and are taken out in the village.

Cost

€720 for the week.

2009 Dates

Provisionally 21st - 28th May (Thursday - Thursday)