PEDALMA - Ultramarathon Cycling Event
Madrid to Barcelona in an Ultramarathon Cycling Event, without support, following a 700 km asphalt track and +700 km. Pedalma presented itself as an ambitious challenge, not only for the protagonists of this adventure but also for the entire Gsport Custom team.
Ibai Fradejas, the leading figure in gravel cycling in Spain, and Fernando Márquez, CEO of Gsport, signed up for the pairs category in this first edition of Pedalma. Their goals were set from the outset: to complete the route in one go, non-stop, in less than 50 hours.
Such an achievement required cycling gear that could adapt to all the adversities that Ibai and Nando would encounter along the way. Rain, wind, darkness, heat... 4 garments for more than 50 hours on the bike where they felt comfortable and that would help them achieve their goals. A very comfortable and highly breathable base layer; a short-sleeved jersey with reflective sleeves, logos, and fluorescent seams; seamless bib shorts with a high-end chamois that would allow them to pedal comfortably for many hours; and a highly packable windbreaker to shield them from wind and rain.
In ultradistance races, every detail matters. The clothes you wear, what you choose to carry inside your travel bags, the tires, spare parts, how to plan nutrition and rests... each element plays a very important role. However, despite all the previous preparation, there are always factors that escape your control.
As the race unfolded, things didn't quite go as planned... persistent rain for hours and the first night took a toll on the cyclists' couple. Both share their experience in Pedalma and analyze how their priorities changed during the course of the race.
"For Pedalma, Fernando and I had decided on an action plan before the big night departure. After a frenetic start, the peloton of 50 riders began to spread out. As we reached the first major climb, the pace stabilized and cyclists started to find their positions. We rode very fast and arrived at the first checkpoint after 125 km in first position. It only took us a few minutes to stamp our accreditation, put on our waterproof windbreakers, and get back on our bikes. We kept riding, and before we knew it, we were in the deep darkness, pedaling under a heavy storm."
"About half of the participants decided to take refuge at the first checkpoint and find some respite from the rain. Although we were soaked, we decided to push on as planned, not stopping until the third checkpoint at 375 km. However, the temperature dropped sharply overnight, and I began to suffer a lot from the cold," Fernando explains. "Fatigue started to take over, and I could barely keep my eyes open, even with the caffeine gels. When you push yourself to the limit and push your body to overcome such conditions, you become much more vulnerable."
At the dawn of the new day, the course of the race took a radical turn. Ibai knew that, sooner or later, he would have to continue towards Barcelona alone. "Although it was clear we weren't going to win, we still wanted to compete and enjoy the views that accompanied us in the morning light. But Fernando was really struggling from the night before... the steep hills and the rising temperature, up to 44°C, didn't help. We were pushing hard, and reaching the fourth checkpoint at 473 km really tested our strength. As soon as we arrived in Mequinenza, I realized something was very wrong with Fernando. He was sick and exhausted. It didn't make sense to push on for the last 200 km. Despite his disappointment, he had no choice but to withdraw."
Even though they knew this decision meant their disqualification as a pair, Ibai decided to continue solo. For himself and for Fernando. Despite their race strategy not going as planned at all, he still wanted to finish what they had started. "After 700 tough kilometers, I finally crossed the finish line. It had been a hard journey, but in the end, I was proud to have completed the route. Perseverance is an art, and sometimes we must seek motivation through alternative sources. Although I initially wanted to win as a pair, immersing myself in the experience for the last 200 km alone and overcoming the challenges of the second night was equally rewarding."
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