In ultracycling, there is still a large male majority in the races, and there are few women who practice it, something that Transibérica wants to change. However, taking the body and mind to such high levels of demand requires starting with a first step.
"These are complex tests, where we believe there is a very marked male bias, and that makes them perhaps more inaccessible to women, especially when it comes to preparing, sharing the experience or simply taking the plunge into the adventure," says Carlos Mazón. However, he also makes it clear that "it is more than proven that women have more resistance both physically and mentally, so once the physical barrier is overcome, the scales are quite equal, even after hours they become favorites."
Carlos Mazón, together with his team, responsible for events such as Basajaun and Transibérica, are betting on female ultracycling with their Women Cycling Camps. The idea is to encourage the participation of women in this modality, but without the pressure of competing. The camp offers a collaborative space in which each cyclist can advance at their own pace and discover how far they can go, always keeping the physical aspect at a high level, preserving the "ultra" character.
Mazón stresses that "feeling comfortable with the pace and the material and, above all, surrounding yourself with experienced participants who encourage you to develop the innate abilities you have for this type of test" is essential.
It is a good place to gain confidence, both physically and mentally, and take that first step towards self-sufficiency tests. In addition, workshops on mechanics, navigation, nutrition and endurance techniques are offered, where participants can delve deeper into key aspects of ultracycling.
This year, two weekend camps were organised. The first, in Potes, was held entirely on asphalt, while the second, in Vitoria, could be described as a “light” version of the Basajaun. In 2025, both events will be repeated, so we encourage you to participate.
To learn more about the experience, we spoke with Lieke Geraedts, one of the most outstanding participants of the event in Vitoria. With a long career in cycling, her experience includes a year and a half trip through Asia.
Lieke tells us that she used the experience as an opportunity to test herself. “The best thing was to have this goal in mind, something to train for,” she says. “I did almost the two days on my own because I wanted to prove my strength,” she says, although she also enjoyed the good atmosphere among her teammates.
We asked Lieke about the barriers women face in ultracycling, and she explained that “the biggest obstacle is mental. Cycling is still a boy’s world, and that can be intimidating.” However, she points out that once those obstacles are overcome, the rewards are huge. To this end, Lieke highlights the importance of giving visibility to these types of events: “Social media can be a very important tool.”
The Women Cycling Camp has created a space where you can explore your limits, learn and, perhaps, move on to other competitions in the future. With this initiative, an inclusive ultracycling community is being built. “Hopefully they will get a taste for self-sufficiency and will be encouraged to participate in one of the events we organize next year,” explains Mazón.