VIA Race 2024 - A Rookie’s Account
In May 2024, I heard about the VIA Race and was immediately interested. After an amazing experience in my first Ultra in October 2023 of 790km I had been looking for a longer race for 2024 to make the next step up. I had applied for a 2,400 km race that was running in the same month as VIA but my heart was telling me VIA was the right next step for me. The race’s values, the route, and community all strongly appealed to me. The race was 4,000km and had a ton of climbing which seemed a big stretch for me so I decided to approach it with the goal of reaching Refuge 1, in France, which was about 1,800km away. Anything beyond this would be an added bonus.
The VIA Race Chapter I followed began in Cartagena, Spain and traced Hannibal’s route over the Pyrenees and Alps down to Giovinazzo, Italy. This was a free routing race, requiring riders to plan their route, navigating though mandatory Gates and Refuge locations.
Pre-Event
My final decision to participate was only a few weeks before the start. This meant my preparation was quite rushed and my route planning was very last-minute. Being inexperienced with route planning this was not ideal, but I did my best and hoped there were no major errors. It turned out I had a lot to learn!
My kit choice was also an experiment, I was worried I was over packing but knowing I wanted to avoid struggling with the cold and have the option to sleep outside, I accepted my decision to not focus too much on being ultra-lightweight. As a rookie, I was lucky enough to be given some lightweight and very practical bags by Cyclite. The 2l bladder was incredibly useful! I have often found I don’t drink nearly enough, but having the bladder really helped me stay hydrated. It was easy to fill and probably saved me from dehydration in the Spanish heat wave in the first few days! The frame and top-tube bags were also great. And my tailfin Aeropack allowed me to carry my extensive kit. Being Autistic I tend to overpack on any occasion! I really like knowing I have what I need for any potential situation. Even with my efforts to slim down, my kit still felt quite large compared to others’.
Attending registration the afternoon before made things start to feel very real. There was also a pre-event briefing and meal. Anxious about this, I arrived a bit late and kept to myself at the back. But everyone was very friendly, and I was soon put at ease by a few other riders and organisers. It was lovely to be part of.
Day 1
Setting off at 9 a.m., we were all escorted out of the city gates of Cartagena by the local police. I felt so nervous, struggling to comprehend the journey ahead of me. I was overwhelmed by nerves and worried about my kit list—wondering if I had forgotten anything.
As soon as the police escorts pulled away and we were all off on our own respective journeys, I turned left to follow my route, and realised that everyone else , except for one other rider, had continued straight. That was the start of my series of poor route choices! It turned out I had planned the scenic route rather than a more direct, probably flatter route—my first lesson! Route planning is so important!
I had tried to do some heat acclimatization in preparation for the race, using hot baths, and then had been lucky enough to be in Spain for the week before the event, But that didn’t prepare me for the heat wave of the first few days, and the first afternoon was especially tough. The temperature was well over 40 degrees, and I had never experienced heat like it on the bike. I had to stop for a few hours outside a supermarket with a bag of ice on my lap. I had started to feel really unwell and needed to take time out to recover. About 5pm I set off again feeling a bit better and taking it easy. I soon found my route had merged back with that of most of the other riders, and on discovering a petrol station a little further up the road to get water and cool down again, I was able to have a few brief hellos. Reaching the town of Hellin, I diverted to a Burger King to eat my first of many Burger King meals over the next two weeks. Here I found two other riders re-fuelling after the hard first day.
I didn’t really have a plan for that first night, I didn’t want to ride through the night and thought I could find somewhere to catch a few hours sleep. It was so warm I knew that the temperature wouldn’t be an issue, but my inexperience with sleeping with a bivvy was causing me to be very anxious. As I set off into the night I was keeping my eyes out a bit for appropriate places, although not sure what this would look like, just hoping something would jump out at me. About 2a.m I finally found somewhere I felt safe, a bench in a small town. In hindsight probably not the best spot, I wasn’t very hidden! But I set out my mat and tried to get a bit of sleep.
DISTANCE: 247km
ELEVATION: 2,305m
Day 2
After a restless few hours and almost no sleep I packed up my kit and set off. The rest of the day proved to be a struggle; the effects of the heat the day before and lack of sleep caught up with me and my body and mind struggled.
I also started to suffer with the glare from the sun. I had only packed photochromic sunglasses, and I am already quite sensitive to light, the bright Spanish sun was causing real pain in my eyes as my glasses just didn’t go dark enough.
I wasn’t able to cover much distance and self-doubt really kicked in. I started to think I’d taken on too much, that this challenge was beyond my ability, I was ready to scratch already, but I didn’t want to. I decided to try getting some sleep before making a decision. I found a hotel nearby, but then faced my next issue: actually going in and asking for a room. I struggle with anxiety and talking to people, especially when there might be language barriers. Already upset, it took me over half an hour to compose myself enough to enter the hotel and ask about a room.
Once inside I made use of the shower, did my first kit wash, and set my alarm for just over four hours later , hoping I’d feel better and could continue. In the end, I overslept and woke up about 11:30pm, rushing to get ready and make it to the bar for food and water before they closed. The extra sleep was probably good for me, as I felt able to carry on.
I set off into the dark.
DISTANCE: 154km
ELEVATION: 1,094m
Day 3
Through the night, I started to feel quite isolated. I knew I had gone off on a tangent route-wise. Most people had chosen a route that went straight through Madrid—more direct and likely less hilly than my route! From a quick check on the tracker I knew there was one other person on a similar route but he was quite far up the road at this point!
Being inexperienced with night riding, I liked the thought of having other riders nearby in case something went wrong. But I knew that wouldn’t be the case that night. My imagination went into overdrive, and every small animal rustling in the bushes turned into a circus lion or a vicious wolf. I tried to rationalize and distract myself, making good progress, but as always, I was incredibly grateful to see the beginnings of sunrise.
That day, I managed to cover much more distance and with greater ease. Learning as I went, I realized that my first night’s mistake—only getting one or two hours of sleep—wouldn’t work. From now on, I set four hours as my minimum target. There was still a long way to go! I managed to find a hostel that night and booked online, which made things so much easier than walking into a hotel unannounced. I continued doing this for the rest of the ride.
DISTANCE: 277km
ELEVATION: 3,258m
Day 4
I felt I was starting to settle into a better routine. I also realized that I needed to approach things in my own way and was beginning to figure out what that was. I tried to let my body rest when it needed to. Even after a solid four hours of sleep, I started to feel sleepy again as the sun was rising. My eyes were trying to close, and my energy was nonexistent. Instead of panicking or worrying about the time, I found a field and took a nap. It turned out to be a very comfortable field, and I enjoyed a lovely nap—so much so that I spent the rest of the trip longingly eyeing freshly mown hay fields!
Despite triple-checking my kit before the race, I realized a few days in that I had forgotten one crucial charging cable. I had been unsuccessfully looking for one at gas stations but now really needed it. I had no choice but to wait an hour for a large supermarket to open. I used the time to eat and apply sunscreen.
Afterward, my route rejoined the one most riders were following. I bumped into a few along the way, and it was nice to say hello. I was grateful to feel back amongst the pack.
That afternoon, I aimed to make it over the first Gate. It was going to be a long day, but I hoped to reach the top of the climb and descend into a town where I could rest before tackling another long climb the next morning.
There were a few riders I would bump into now, and it was nice to see a couple at the top of the first Gate, Presa de Riaño. I even met a fellow mascot, Pippi. My little companion, Minicorn, would sit securely by my handlebars the whole trip. He comes with me on all my biking adventures now. After the first gate there was more climbing than I had thought, and my mind was really starting to look forward to finding a bed for the night. I had tried to book ahead but had been unable to secure a booking. The days where I would have to “wing it” were stressful. Reaching the top of the final climb of the day, it was a lovely, long descent to the town I was hoping to find some accommodation. After a bit of a stressful few moments trying to find some accommodation that would store my bike too I settled into a hotel. Faffing about with accommodation I had missed opening time for the grocery shops, heading down the road I managed to find a quiet restaurant to stock up on food.
DISTANCE: 309km
ELEVATION: 2,337m
Day 5
I set off hours before sunrise and started my ascent, making it to the top the sun had now risen and was greeted by some amazing views. It was a peaceful and gentle climb, and the views at the top were spectacular.
I ended up stopping earlier on in the day than I probably would have liked. There was a national park coming up, and Miranda de Ebro was going to be the last big town where I could get accommodation and food supplies. After getting two meals from Burger King, one for then and one for the night, then finding a supermarket, I found my hotel I had booked a few hours earlier, wanting to avoid last night’s panic!
I was starting to get into my routine now, knew what I was doing as soon as I got into the hotel room.
DISTANCE: 210km
ELEVATION: 2,287m
Day 6
An early start, I checked out with the bemused receptionist who had only checked me in earlier that evening.
I was a bit disappointed I would be riding the next 100km in the dark. I had heard it was a beautiful national park, and I think that’s the downside of an ultra. There are so many places you pass, you know they would be stunning in the day, but you sneak past them in the dead of night with only the area lit up by your torch to focus on. That night I had some wild boars run out in front of me!
My plan for the day was simple. Get over the Pyrenees! I was really excited about today. I had been hoping so much I would make it this far. Today I would be riding the roads my Dad had ridden 50 years earlier. I regret I only took up cycling recently and therefore missed my opportunity to cycle with him, but having the chance now to ride the same roads was at least something. Cycling meant so much to him, and I know he loves watching my adventures, tracking my Dot online. In the other direction he had crossed the same pass I would be riding, through the town of Jaca, his direction towards Santander. I had a picture of him at the top of Col du Pourtalet, and I wanted to make it there in daylight, but I knew that might be a tough ask.
As I was riding alongside the stunning Yesa Reservoir I started to get messages from my Dad saying I was now riding the roads he had, it gave me that extra motivation to get to the pass before nightfall. The roads were quite busy, and not the best quality, the heat getting more intense. As I reached Jaca I was starting to suffer from the heat and needed some time to cool down before attempting the climb. Finding a McDonalds, and then a petrol station I restocked before setting off. I wasn’t sure exactly how long it would take me to climb, but I was hopeful I would now make it in daylight…and I did! Unfortunately a bit more cloudy than in my Dad’s picture but I was so happy to have made it.
Crossing over into France I started my descent and was looking out for somewhere to stop for the night, luckily I quickly came across a hotel with some dormitories that were free.
DISTANCE: 313km
ELEVATION: 3,879m
Day 7
The weather was a lot different than the day before, making my way through the small French towns I ended up with all my layers on, a light rain making me quite cold. My pace was slowing and my morale diminishing rapidly from the high of the evening before. I found a sheltered bus stop where I managed to lie down in for half an hour, before making myself move to warm up.
But as the weather improved, so did my mood. I was accompanied by a lot of other cyclists now, and when I got to the top of the Col d’Aspin there weren’t just cyclists, but a lot of cows! As I stood there I starting to film a cow coming in my direction, and managed to capture on film this cow headbutting another cyclist over! I couldn’t believe either what I’d just seen, or that I had managed to capture the episode on camera! The cyclist was OK and I shared the video with him, but it had me laughing the whole way down the climb!
The day would see another climb, which was quite steep in parts, and with my tired legs, resulted in very low cadence and a slog to the top.
My aim for the day was to get to the first Refuge, Le Bezy, where I knew I would get warm food and be able to get a good night’s sleep. I got there a bit later than I was hoping for but with hours to spare before the cut-off. Le Bezy was an amazing place, with a really warm welcome, hot food made for me, clothes washed, and a bed for the night, I took the opportunity to make the most of it and get a few more hours of sleep that night!
DISTANCE: 289km
ELEVATION: 3,765m
Day 8
I left Le Bezy on such a high, I was so happy to have achieved my primary goal, and I was starting to really think I could make it the whole way.
I had routed through Toulouse, which was slow, and I realised my route was not optimal, I had to navigate using google maps through the city itself, but more worryingly, I had started to get quite bad knee pain which wasn’t easing. I would stop where I could to ice it and rest but the day was very slow, with a lot of stopping when I met any incline and was needed to put more power through my knee, I was getting very concerned. I had gottn really despondent with my lack of progress and how quickly things had gone from hoping to finish to worrying about just the next day.
I managed to make it to a hotel in Capdenac, and was hoping just a few hours sleep and rest would reset my knee and I could make some time up tomorrow.
DISTANCE: 215km
ELEVATION: 1,242m
Day 9
I set off just before 5 a.m., hoping my knee would feel better and I could get back on track. But I quickly realized I was still going to have problems. Climbing was a struggle, and I spent a frustrating morning walking up several inclines. My thoughts turned to the possibility of not being able to continue.
After a few hours, I stopped to rest and messaged the race organizer to say I might have to scratch. I decided to push to a nearby town to rest, get food, and reassess. Cycling means so much to me, and my main concern was avoiding long-term damage that might take me off the bike for months. After getting advice on managing my knee and taking some time to ice and rest, I decided to try again the next morning.
DISTANCE: 58km
ELEVATION: 1,111m
Day 10
Feeling rested, but now with all small hopes of making it to Refuge 2 in time gone, I attempted to continue my journey. Focusing now on enjoying the rest of the ride and trying not to worry about when I would reach the finish.
The day was going relatively smoothly, I’d managed to strap my knee, and this along with the rest the previous day seemed to be helping. But soon after lunch, whilst on a small climb, I realised my back wheel was deflating. This was my first, and luckily only, bike issue! It did, however, take a while to sort. In the end I needed to find some pliers to unscrew my valve to put in an inner tube. I set off walking my bike back down the climb towards the nearest town. After about 15mins I came across a group of cycling tourists that were ascending and stopped to ask if I was ok, and quite to my amazement had some pliers I could borrow! Problem fixed, and very relieved, if not frustrated with another delay, I set off back up the climb.
My plan towards the end of the day was to make it to the town of Yssingeaux, where there was food and accommodation. I had been unable to secure any accommodation online before arriving though, and upon arriving it soon became apparent I wouldn’t be able to find anything. I had been hoping to avoid another night in the bivvy, but that was now my only option. I decided to head slightly out of town, but it took me a long while to make a decision and find somewhere. I was still anxious about sleeping out and my inexperience showed with a poor spot where I ended up very wet and cold!
DISTANCE: 217km
ELEVATION: 3,584m
Day 11
After a hard night with little sleep, I set off towards the Alps. I was hoping to make it to as close as possible to the Italian border before stopping for the night. It was a hard beginning to the day, but as so often it does, my mood lifted as the sun rose and night became day. The day was relatively flat, until I started ascending over the Alps and there was a relentless headwind. The heat had also started picking up, and on busy roads with little shade, it was hard going in parts.
It was on sections like this that I wished I had TT bars! I have never used these before, but having the ability to get in more of an aero position on these flat, windy roads would have been very helpful! This is something I took from the race and hoping to be able to use next year!
DISTANCE: 228km
ELEVATION: 2,489m
Day 12
In the morning I managed to make it across to Italy in time for a second breakfast, I was really happy to have made it over the Alps and now finally in Italy!
For the rest of the day I decided to aim for Refuge 2 and face the climb I had feared throughout the entire ride. The Colle del Nivolet would be the highest point on the route. I had seen pictures from other riders, and if I could reach it in daylight, it promised stunning views.
Being further back in the race, I noticed a divide in how riders approached this section. While there was only one road to the summit, a hike-a-bike option also existed. I never even considered taking that route. Though it clearly saved time for others, I knew it wouldn’t have been safe or practical for me. I lacked the strength and stability to carry myself and my fully loaded bike up a steep 5km hike-a-bike section. The alternative—a challenging 80km climb—was my only option.
After arriving at Refuge 2, I began my ascent around 4 p.m. Initially, the gradient was manageable, but the last 40km became significantly steeper. A long stretch through a tunnel was particularly tough (descending through it later would also feel surreal).
As daylight faded, I found myself racing the clock. It became clear I wouldn’t make it to the summit before dark. Despondency set in; I was tearful, tired, and struggling with the isolation of the moment. About 5km from the top, I stopped, seriously considering descending and withdrawing from the race altogether. In the dark, exhausted and overwhelmed, I questioned whether I had the strength to continue. Then, out of nowhere, I saw a light descending the mountain. It was another rider. As they approached, I called out, “Hello?” and started sobbing. The sight of another person gave me an emotional release—and the push I needed to keep going.
Eventually, I reached the summit, but without the breathtaking views I’d hoped for. The darkness and exhaustion left little time to take it in. I turned around and began the 45km descent to the accommodation I had booked earlier that afternoon. It was now around 11 p.m.
As I started descending, flashes of light illuminated the sky, followed by the sound of thunder and a downpour of rain. The descent became a surreal race against the storm. Flying down the mountain in the dark, with deserted roads and empty towns, I felt entirely alone except for the weather chasing me. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I showered quickly, set my clothes to dry as best as possible, grabbed a bite to eat, and set my alarm for just four hours later.
DISTANCE: 286km
ELEVATION: 4,306m
Day 13
The hotel owner, kind enough to wake up early, prepared a hearty breakfast for me before I left. Feeling proud of myself for pushing through the previous night’s challenges, I set off with a renewed sense of accomplishment.
I had overcome the hardest climb of my life and experienced an unforgettable descent. The morning began with a continuation of that descent, a thrilling way to start the day. My spirits lifted as the sun rose, though the heat soon demanded frequent water stops.
The roads gradually became busier, and deteriorating surfaces required more focus. Despite the challenges, I was determined to make the most of the day.
DISTANCE: 242km
ELEVATION: 3,795m
Day 14
The overwhelming feelings that had been creeping in became more frequent. Nerve pain was worsening, and my mental state was fragile. I struggled to continue without frequent breaks.
After taking a couple of hours to reflect, I decided this was the end of the road for me. I no longer had the mental focus to continue safely. Instead, I resolved to reach the finish by alternative means and attend the finishers’ party—a goal that wouldn’t have been possible if I kept riding.
I spent time talking through my decision with those closest to me. They reminded me how far I’d come, far beyond my original goals. With their support, I accepted my decision and began to feel a sense of pride in what I had achieved, rather than focusing on what I hadn’t.
DISTANCE: 65km
ELEVATION: 183m
Reflections
Although I achieved and surpassed my original goals, I couldn’t help but wonder about the “what-ifs” for a while after finishing. I knew I had made mistakes—panic-induced stops had cost me time, as had my unplanned rest day midway through.
But with the support and advice of others, I came to see this for what it was: an extraordinary achievement. Nine months earlier, I wouldn’t have dreamed of embarking on an adventure like this. It was a priceless learning experience and a significant leap forward for me.
I was nervous about attending the finish and finishers’ party, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. Meeting other riders, hearing their stories, and feeling the shared understanding of our journeys was truly special.
I realised I faced challenges that some others didn’t. I get easily overwhelmed, struggle with cafes and hotels, and am very particular about food. Despite these hurdles, I found ways to manage. I gave myself space during meltdowns, leaned on McDonald’s and Burger King for meals I knew I could eat, and made it work. It wasn’t the healthiest option, but it eased my anxieties and kept me fueled.
For anyone considering stepping into the ultra-racing world, I say: give it a go! It’s by no means easy, but with good preparation, it’s an incredible journey.
One of the key lessons I’ll take from VIA is the importance of enjoying the journey. The end goal isn’t the most significant thing—it’s about progressing, learning, and celebrating your achievements along the way.
Since finishing, I’ve stepped back and stopped comparing myself to others in the race. Instead, I’ve compared myself to who I was before this journey began. The VIA team’s celebration of every rider’s achievement—whether they’re winners, top-10 finishers, or those whose journey ended before Giovinazzo—is what makes this race truly special.
Kit
When I started, I worried I had completely overpacked. My bags seemed larger than everyone else’s. But I’ve always been an over-packer. I also get cold easily, so I knew I needed enough layers to stay comfortable through the mountains and chilly nights.
In the end, I used everything I packed. For future events, I’d plan for hotels every night, which might allow me to leave behind the sleeping mat and take only an emergency system (and hope for some hay bales as backup!). But every layer I packed proved essential, and even then, I was still cold at times.
