Fashion for sports and healthy lifestyle comes up with all sorts of challenges – everything to get as many people as possible into the active rhythm. And it works! Even the laziest get up and start doing exercises or go for long distance running. If cycling is more your thing, you might be interested in exploring one of our selected cities.
How to prepare for a cycling marathon
A cycling marathon is an endurance event for professional or semi-professional riders. Such marathons are divided into several types: distance (up to 1000 km) and time (from 3 hours or more). The tracks themselves on which the racers ride may differ depending on the type of marathon: cross-country (cross-country) and road.
Before choosing one or another marathon, you need to understand the degree of your own preparedness. After all, it is impossible to drive for several hours at speed with rare stops without at least basic physical training. Therefore, if you are determined to ride a bicycle for several hours for the sake of a medal, check yourself against the list.
- Train
You need to do intense training (strength and cardio training) a couple of weeks before the marathon, and you will need both strength training and cardio. Set aside an hour 3-4 times a week and experiment with the load, speed, and road surface. The more kilometers you put in before the marathon, the better. This way you can understand at what pace you will move most effectively.
- Give up bad habits
Naturally, a few weeks before the marathon, give up alcohol and cigarettes.
- Learn the race route
Find out as much information as possible, including where intersections will be and where the path may be difficult.
- Choose the right transport
To easily complete a marathon, the bike must be light and fast. For beginners, a hybrid is a great place to start.
- And make sure he’s ready for the marathon
Check the functionality of the bicycle components: whether the speed is switched, whether the brakes work, whether the wheels are inflated, and so on.
- Prepare a list of things you will need before the marathon
It includes spare clothes, tools for transport (spare inner tubes, a set of hexagons), pump. You don’t have to take food and a large amount of water with you: there are always checkpoints along the distance where you can rest and refresh yourself. And you don’t need any extra weight on your bike.
Highland Marathon
Where: Ski complex “Freestyle” 18 km from Vologda towards the village of Dikaya
When: August 11
Participation cost: from 500 to 1100 rubles depending on the time of payment and the age of the athletes
How to register: vologdamarafon.ru
The sixth cycling marathon in Russia for athletes aged 12 years and older. Each age category has its own distance. This year the marathon has already been presented at the stage of the Russian Cycling Marathon Cup.
It’s worth coming here to test your strength both at short distances (7 km), and on long ones (56 km), and understand whether you can overcome a climb of more than 15% incline. And also drive through the hilly terrain, see chamomile and clover fields and find out why the locals call their homeland “Vologda Switzerland”. By the way, there will also be cross sections along the stream. Well, a nice bonus for those who perform the best is a cash prize. Men can win from 3,000 to 15,000 rubles, and women from 1,000 to 15,000 rubles
Europe-Asia
Where: city of Pervouralsk, tourist center “Khrustalnaya”
When: August 17
Participation fee:from 800 to 2200 rub. depending on distance
How to register: ea-marathon.com
The marathon, taking place in the most picturesque places at the junction of Europe and Asia for participants aged 6 years and older, is taking place for the second time. The cycling marathon involves a single 50 km loop of three loops, where participants can ride 14, 34 or 50 km of distance.
By the way, there will be a special 2 km track for children along the edge of the starting clearing. Parents participating in the marathon will be able to see the young athlete from anywhere.
It’s worth coming here to visit the border of two continents – Europe and Asia, take part in additional fitness training, and become Mr. or Mrs. Cycling Marathon 2019. And maybe win the race!
Lembolovsky cycling marathon
Where: Lembolovo, near the railway station
When: September 8
Participation cost: from 1000 rubles depending on age and number of laps
How to register: marathoncup.ru
One of the oldest and most popular marathons in Russia, which includes two types: full marathon – 60 km (2 laps) and half marathon – 30 km (1 lap). The route is here, according to participants’ estimates different years, one of the most interesting. For example, the climb in one circle reaches 430 meters. Suitable for athletes aged 11 years and older.
It’s worth coming to meet almost all the cyclists of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, learn to ride as a team and, perhaps, take the main Cup as a victory.
Granfondo Campagnolo Roma
Photo: facebook.com/granfondocampagnolo/
Where: Rome, Italy
When: October 13
Participation cost: 75 euros (5200 rubles)
How to register: granfondoroma.com
75 miles (120 km) cycling race for athletes over 18 years old. A real challenge even for professional racers, as they face one of the most difficult climbs of 6.2 km. The first half of the site alternates with false flat areas. And the second one goes with an average slope of 10 to 14%, which means that the riders will have to correctly distribute their forces. They will have to overcome a scenic but dangerous 1.1 km route from Rocca Di Papa, where 116 meters will have to be navigated with a gradient of 10.5% to 16%.
It’s worth coming to test your endurance and see Italy from a bird’s eye view. Indeed, in addition to the fact that the marathon will be a tough test for cyclists, it is considered one of the most picturesque. At least that’s what its organizers promise. It is assumed that the route will pass within Rome, namely Fori Imperiali, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Argentina, Corso Rinascimento, San Andrea della Valle, via Tomacelli, Largo Goldoni, Via del Corso, Piazza del Popolo, Lungo Tevere and Via di Porta San Sebastiano.
Text author: Elena Plotnikova
