Ultra races are never the same for two people. The stories and memories you create during a race are unique and if you ever have the fortune to listen to other riders’ stories at the finish line you will leave with a smile on your face.
The amount of creativity and grit people find in order to finish a race is astonishing. Hearing how people approach different situations in an unsupported bikepacking race is mind blowing.
Seeing the wild mix of characters that show up is unbelievable in itself. From the serious (Ex-)Pro Cyclist all the way to the “free spirit” that travelled all over the world and has the craziest stories to tell. Ultras always provide emotional and captivating stories.
In part 2 of the "Perspectives of the Atlas Mountain Race" you will hear from Zoe McIntosh and myself Max Riese.
In case you missed part 1 you can find it here.
Zoe McIntosh
Moments of challenge & joy
What was the hardest part of the race, and what was the most enjoyable or rewarding moment?
The hardest part, and what still remains, was leaving the race. Or perhaps, leaving it behind. Scratching was never on the cards for me.
I’ve always had the kind of personality that wades through the toughest things, and while I knew my fitness could take me to the end, I chose to step away to look after my body for what I have coming up next this season.
The Atlas Mountain Race was and is my biggest race of the year, and while finishing would have been an incredible feat, what mattered more personally was learning that it’s okay to listen to your body and understand what it means to scratch. I’m still confused by those feelings, but I’m young and I know I have a lot to learn, so I’m glad I’m facing those hurdles early.
Now, onto joy - of which there was a lot. I wouldn’t sign up for these events if I didn’t know there would be other stories to tell and lessons to take from the experience, and it’s the people who make them.
Of course I love riding my bike, and even more so in these wonderful landscapes, but the people in the race and beyond it - the spectacle it must seem - truly define my racing experience. Fond faces appearing out of the dark, huddled around a fire. A day passed in silence, and the sound of a freehub or a distant light helping you muster your courage again. Lying down beside someone who’s gone through the pains and troubles of the day, knowing you’re together in the experience and in those feelings. It’s the people.
I urge more people to participate for this reason, maybe even this reason alone, because in this scene you never truly feel alone.
Pacing and strategy
Did you follow a strict pacing plan, or just go with the flow?
I’m still new to this. As much as I’d like to say I had a plan going into these races, I definitely did not. I’m still working out how I feel and how my body and mind react to this.
I’m beginning to form a plan for future races, but for now I’ve been leaning into the experience and learning from it. Fortunately, I have a coach who is incredibly supportive. He sees what I’m capable of far more than I see it in myself, and I know it’s time to translate what I’ve learned so far into something that pushes me even further into the field for what’s next.
How did that work out?
I scratched at 780km. In no way could I have called that, but I stopped, slept, ate, detached my headspace from where my body was at, and decided it was right. I cried - a lot. All I wanted was to carry on.
I can’t quite describe the feeling of saying goodbye to those you’ve raced alongside while you make the decision to find a seven-hour taxi to the end, but it’s a hard one. And actually, all I needed in that moment - which is strange for someone who isn’t usually a fan of this - was a hug. Thank you, Myles.
At that exact point, I needed a human to remind me that I am human.
Race overview
Overall, how did it go, and did AMR match your expectations?
I was about to say the race matched my expectations, which it did - but only after that first night. I know it wasn’t the same for everyone, but by God, that first night made me feel alive and also so small in the grand scheme of our world. It’s human to be hit by unexpected changes in climate - and there were many that night.
Local discoveries
What amazed or surprised you about Morocco along the route — the people, the landscape, the food?
I bikepacked the route last year at the same time the race was on, so I knew what I was getting myself in for, and even then I learned about the kindness within the culture. I’m forever blown away by the commitment to the country’s growth, the way roads are developed and maintained, and the beauty of small communities deep in the mountains.
Funny or memorable story
Any moments from the race that made you laugh, shake your head, or remember forever?
There’s so much I could say. I’m forever thankful to my friends Sam and Myles Merckel for shaping my experience of this race.
A lot of the memories I made started in Beni Mellal. It’s not often you get to share a flat for a week with two strangers and feel completely comfortable, but that’s what ultras do to a person.
On a similar vein, that first night I descended into Imilchil, I was met by the kindness of locals who saw I was looking for warmth and ushered me into a police box with a heater at my legs.
I was soon met by Mario, who was also racing and had arrived sodden and freezing. We shared a room together at 4am for a few hours of rest, and from then onward realised our pace was similar.
Throughout the race we were greeted by brief catch-ups before drifting back into our own mindful worlds.
Bike & gear
What bike and equipment did you bring, and why? Any surprises about its performance?
I used a Cannondale Scalpel HT 3. It’s an XC bike, and it’s light- light. It was set up with a RockShox SID 110mm suspension fork and Shimano Deore XT. We won’t talk about my what-was-meant-to-be 34T chainring that became maybe 32.5 in transit… and then a 52 at the back. I’ll be going down to a 30T at the front for my next race.
I was fully clad with my Restrap custom full frame pack, long top tube bag, 6L saddle pack and two stem pouches. I wore a Restrap hydration backpack, which allowed me, with two bottles, to carry four litres of water in total. I ran 2.4 Continental Dubnitals - I have these on both my MTB and my gravel bike, so that says something.
Takeaways & advice
What did you learn about yourself, the race, and ultra bikepacking? Any tips for someone attempting something similar for the first time?
I say it again and again: sign up. That’s your biggest step. We’re all in it for our own stories to tell.
Max Riese
Moments of challenge & joy
What was the hardest part of the race, and what was the most enjoyable or rewarding moment?
I came in with high goals and surely put pressure on myself, as I wanted to finish on the podium. Reality struck me hard as I underestimated the cold the first night and nearly ended in Hypothermia. I found an Auberge in Imilchil which had lights on and was kindly allowed to warm up in front of the oven.
To be honest I should have stayed there for longer, but I decided to head out again out of fear to loose the front of the race.
Freezing through the night paired with wasting a lot of energy through shivering and the extreme headwinds the next two days sort of ended my podium aspirations.
It was hard for me to stay positive and perform to the best of my abilities. I never thought of scratching because of my goal to ride all 4 races. The brain is a funny construct.
The moments of joy were all the little things. Seeing friends again at the startline and during the race, making new friends along the way.
Funny and friendly interactions with locals, interesting food and learning small snippets of Arabic and using it. Rediscovering amazing places like the Old Colonial Road™ or smiling because what used to be a hike-a-bike was now completely rideable for me.
Nelson’s races have a special place in my heart and returning to AMR after 6 years felt absolutely amazing. Seeing how the race has progressed and grown was very emotional for me as well.
Pacing and strategy
Did you follow a strict pacing plan, or just go with the flow?
I am very structured and scientific with my pacing. I really like to use powermeters as a sort of security for my brain. Kind of knowing I am doing just the right amount of power but never too much.
I like to feel in control.
That being said this time I did my POI research and preparation of the route files on the Bus to Beni Mellal, which was surely not ideal.
In general I was very stressed before the race and couldn’t really relax and turn my brain off before getting to the startline.
How did that work out?
It was not ideal. It sort of took me 2 days to properly get my head into the race. It’s the difference of that tunnel view focus where you feel you can achieve anything and where there are no distractions and feeling insecure, having your head elsewhere all the time.
It can make or break your race and I have to admit I made a few small mistakes and I didn’t manage to come with the right mindset and preparation to live up to my own expectations.
That being said, I generally rode a good race. I did not make any huge mistakes and my power numbers were certainly on a very good level.
This tells you how crazy the level has progressed in just a few years. I’m fairly confident that my performance would have won most races just a few years back.
Race overview
Overall, how did it go, and did AMR match your expectations?
I sort of knew what I signed up for as I already participated in the inaugural edition in 2020. My whole setup reflected a lot of the learnings from back then and my excitement to come back was completely verified by all the memories I made.
While the extreme conditions were hard and made for unfortunate route changes I feel that those memories and circumstances write the stories we will never forget in our lives. This race once again delivered everything that made me fall in love with the sport in the first place and I am happy with my performance when I reflect on it a few weeks later.
7th place in a field as strong as this is a respectable result.
Local discoveries
What amazed or surprised you about Morocco along the route — the people, the landscape, the food?
People in Morocco are extremely friendly and will be very flexible to help you in any way (obviously while wanting to make money). It always amazes me how we don’t even use the same alphabet but we somehow always manage to communicate with each other with hands and feet.
The Omelettes, the M’Semmen and Amlou, all the small Moroccan snacks are something I already crave again and can’t wait to come back.
The glow in the eyes of a local if you greet him in a few words of Arabic you try to express with your tired brain. It is a country with great culture, friendly people and amazing cuisine. Shukran Morocco!
Funny or memorable story
Any moments from the race that made you laugh, shake your head, or remember forever?
Actually after the race we were behind a guy on a motor scooter who had a giant flat screen on his lap. He could barely see over the screen and I have no idea how he operated the bike or braked etc.
In Morocco everything is possible and in an environment so chaotic, everyone looks out in a way you are safer in traffic than in Europe!
Bike & gear
What bike and equipment did you bring, and why? Any surprises about its performance?
I decided to bring a full suspension XC Mountainbike this time. A Cervélo ZFS-5. However I converted it to use drop bars. A Cervélo HB16, which I love, with the proprietary extension mounts and ZIPP Vuka aero bars.
I also changed the geometry of the bike by using a little seat post clamp tool from Fair Bicycle to get my Posedla Joyseat saddle further forwards and get in front of the Bottom Bracket. It looks super wild but honestly it feels like the best position I ever had on a bike.
I used a full Tailfin setup with the Tailfin Speedpack. I never used the sleeping setup I carried in there though. I always managed to sleep inside. 🤷♂️
The dynamo setup from SON and KLITE was an amazing choice. His new KLITE ULTRA Race light is so bright and has the best light distribution for trails. The rear light was always on and I never worried about it. I didn’t use the charging as I had good opportunities to charge inside at night.
For the clothing… when in doubt… couldn’t be more happy I brought my full 7mesh Guardian rain gear! Invaluable for the first night. The Freeflow Jacket was a game changer as always. Insane how warm that small jacket can be!
Oh and my MVP in my toolkit were the Silca Gear Wipes! I brought 3 single wipe packages and used two to clean my drivetrain during the race and applied ULTIMATE drip wax to re-lube the chain. My drivetrain was smooth and clean start to finish and I was passing riders with chains that were begging for mercy, squeaking loudly!
Takeaways & advice
What did you learn about yourself, the race, and ultra bikepacking? Any tips for someone attempting something similar for the first time?
You will never achieve a perfect race. There will always be something you could’ve done better. Getting to the startline and pushing through when things don’t go your way is a huge part of the romanticism of those events.
You will never know what happens a few hours later and even better just by having lined up at the startline you have stories to tell!
