Dear cycling fans,

this is my first entry in the Specialized – Blog and from now on I will update you more recently about what I am doing and about my way to the Race Across America, the longest and toughest bicycle race in the world covering more than 3000 miles/4800 kilometres.

If you do not know me yet, I will tell you about Ultracycling and what’s it all about!

Ultracycling means going the very long distance on a bike, riding for 24 hours straight or even more. For me it is most fascinating discipline of cycling, it is unbelievable to experience what your body is able to do if your mind is strong. Cycling non-stop day and night at the rules of Time Trial – Ultracycling is also an adventure not only a road race.

My list of successes is quite long, also I don’t like to boast about them. I won the Ultra Marathon World Championship twice (1011 kilometres with 16000 metres of climbing in 36:19 hours), I did 950 kilometres in a 24h road race (drafting was permitted there) and won several 24h road races. In more than 27 ultra races I just had two DNFs, that is quite good I think.

My actual plan is to set a new record across Austria West to East. I want to do the 705 kilometres faster than 24 hours, which means I have to ride with an average of 30 kph, which is very fast on the hilly sections.

But this year I trained so much that I am sure I can do this. My support crew is very small this time, consisting of three people. My trainer and coach Dr. Hochgatterer and sports photographer Lex Karelly will support me. The official UMCA referee will take care about the rules and keep the minutes. The UMCA is the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association, which is the headoffice of all ultraraces.

The highlight of this years season is the upcoming Race Around Austria. Riders have to ride for 2160 kilometres at a maximum time of 6 days. That will really get tough, but I am positive to do it below 4 days.

The record is just the preparation for this big goal, but the ultimate goal is to finish the Race Across America 2011 in a top-3 position. Last year I was already there, doing a great race, but some miles before the halfway point I had to quit because of pneumonia and illness. Ultracycling means a lot of experiences, a lot of fun but also pain sometimes. We have to find our physical and emotional limits, and then go a little further…

I’ll keep you up to date,

Yours Christoph