FORMAT DETAILS
FORMAT IN BRIEF
Trans-Provence is a 7-day point-to-point rally-style mountain bike race; the winner is the rider who finishes in Monaco having accumulated the lowest total time from the 26 predominantly singletrack, predominantly descending timed "Special Stages" featured along the route. The 3 or 4 Special Stages per day are linked together by predominantly ascending untimed "Liaison Stages".
VITAL STATS
The Trans-Provence route is 320km long, has a total of 9500m on-bike height gain and 15200m height drop (we gain the remaining 5700m vertical height thanks to the minibus uplifts mentioned below). This equates to the following daily averages:
• average riding distance: 45km/day
• average on-bike height gain: 1350m/day
• average on-bike height drop: 2200m/day
SOLO-ONLY EVENT
Trans-Provence is a solo-only event, i.e. there are no teams of two or more. This is mainly due to a strong bias in opinion toward this format from people involved in the research and development phase of the event (2008-2009). General consensus is that the nature of Trans-Provence's route and terrain (a large percentage of which is technical singletrack riding) is best suited by a solo format. It is also worth noting that various aspects of other multi-day adventure races which lead to them having to be in a team format are not relevant to the Trans-Provence. Finally, because of the nature of the route (long point-to-point stages), the trails are not marshalled, but instead a sweeper system of mechanically- and first-aid-capable backmarkers is used.
MUTUAL TRAIL SUPPORT
In addition to the sweeper system, we employ a non-enforcable, in-goodwill mutual trail support rule between competitors. This is designed to get help ASAP to those that really need it (any rider finding another rider who is obviously in trouble must at least stop to check the severity of the situation and help make telephone contact with the backmarker/doctor where appropriate). The Trans-Provence is a timed event, but it is first and foremost a 7-day mountain bike ride, the primary aim being for everyone to make it to the end. We take the mutual trail support aspect very seriously and as such award a considerable prize at the end of the week to the competitor deemed to have helped his fellow competitors out more than anyone else.
UPLIFTS
Trans-Provence is at least as much about technical and exhilarating trail-riding as much as it is about lung-busting ascents. As such, we use a tried and tested uplift setup combination to give riders a half-hour-long uplift each morning to an elevated trailhead. This results in significantly more descending than ascending on most days. That said, the route is nevertheless very physical with a lot of "unassisted" ascent; see stats below.
NAVIGATION
Route finding on Trans-Provence is not complex. As such we use a minimalist approach to signposting, i.e. at key junctions throughout the various stages as appropriate. In addition to this, competitors will be provided with substantial navigational back-up via the following means:
• an evening briefing at the end of dinner each evening
• full stage-by-stage course description with map prints in the form of a personal booklet
• the option each evening to upload .gpx data to their GPS unit for the following day's stages
GROUPINGS AND DAILY SCHEDULE
Competitors are divided into two separate uplift groups prior to the event. Wave 1 and Wave 2. This grouping is roughly on your day-long speed (a judgement that we will make based on what you communicate with us about your fitness and your competitiveness at this event). Generally, faster riders will be placed in the later wave. Most days will follow the format below (note that on the two hardest/longest days, Day 2 and Day 6, proceedings will begin an hour earlier).
Wave 1 Riders:
07:00 - 07:45 Breakfast
08:00 - 08:30 Vehicle uplift to trailhead
08:45 - 09:00 Riding begins
Wave 2 Riders:
07:00 - 08:45 Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Vehicle uplift to trailhead
09:45 - 10:00 Riding begins
All riders:
15:00 - 17:00 Riding ends
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Results from today, briefing for tomorrow