More than twice from sea level on Mount Everest. In 2016, Slim Gamh-Drid set the unofficial altitude record on a mountain bike: 18304 metres in 24 hours. On 19/20 June 2019, long-distance ace Kai Saaler will launch an attack on the record - officially, including Guinness Book entry. His specially developed uphill bike weighs in at an insane 6.1 kilos. The record attempt will take place at the Werra dam, and a barbecue with live music will be organised for spectators. Saaler also wants to use the event to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis, which is why all proceeds will be donated to the AMSEL Foundation e.V. donated. We spoke to 24-hour race expert Kai Saaler ahead of the record attempt on Lake Garda:
BIKE: To set a new record, you would have to ride at least 18,305 metres of altitude in 24 hours. How sure are you that you can do that?
Kai Saaler: Not at all! But I met up with the current record holder in May at Lake Garda over a pizza to discuss possible improvements with him. It's really great in the ultra scene that people help each other everywhere. The course actually has too many bends that don't allow for maximum speed, especially downhill. Another aspect is the surface. Slim had a forest track for his 24-hour world record, which was already very well rutted. On my route, there are still larger stones and some gravel. All not perfect conditions. Unlike Slim's world record, we now also have approval from the Guinness Book of Records for the very first official MTB world record. However, this presents us with further major challenges. The route has to be measured to the nearest centimetre by the surveying office, a complete record has to be drawn up by various people in several shifts and the world record has to be recorded in full by picture or video. The regulations are very strict. But the forestry office provides us with wildlife cameras with self-timer and night vision function for this purpose.
What was the most metres in altitude you have ridden in one day?
Well, I don't usually record anything like that. I only actually work with values such as kilometres, ascent percentages or watts for the world record attempt. Of course, it's sometimes funny to see that in the first few hours of a 24-hour race, for example, I always pedalled over 300 watts on the flat and 650 watts on the ramps. But I never really look at things like that. I'm also not the type to do a 200-kilometre tour and then ride around the block twice after 190 kilometres just so that the 200 is full. I'd rather train for myself, ride a great tour and not do it to show off to people. Besides, you usually have to put up with funny comments and many people expect you to justify yourself. If I ride my bike around Lake Garda in 4.5 hours in the morning on an empty stomach, eat spaghetti carbonara afterwards and then do another proper 5.5-hour tour in the mountains, most people think I'm crazy anyway. But I rode the most metres in altitude last year when I won the 24-hour race in Finale Ligure, at least I think so. I did lose my Garmin in a crash, but based on the laps and the altitude metres, that was 14,000 metres. Many people said to me after the race that the world record was easily achievable for me if you ride 14,000 metres of altitude on the very technical route in Finale. But you have to ride 4305 metres of altitude first. That's no walk in the park. After all, the world record is more or less the race in Finale and also up Mont Blanc. You don't just climb Mount Everest twice in one day. The more I think about it, the crazier the plan sounds.
How did you prepare?
Firstly, I think I have a certain talent for such ultra-distances. I really enjoyed this kind of thing as a child and teenager and rode my first 300-kilometre tour over the Alps in two days when I was 14. The most important thing is that you feel good about what you're doing. I also really enjoy testing my own limits and experiencing the progress my body makes during training. I always take a month off after the racing season, where I don't train at all. Then you almost start all over again.
I usually reach my maximum weight around Christmas, which is sometimes 10-13 kilograms higher than in the summer. That works quite well for me. Running is my second great passion and that's actually my winter training too. I start with shorter running sessions in November and increase them over the course of a few months. I work full-time and have to integrate my training into my everyday life. From January onwards, the running sessions are about four hours long. From then on, I usually train twice a day. From February, I run 20 kilometres to work twice a week in the morning and back home again in the evening. From March onwards, I usually do my first cycling sessions. But then only on the road bike, easy and on the flat. But my training is always super varied. Running, cycling, strength, stability exercises, stair training: I always alternate long endurance sessions with intensive ones. Of course, this also includes intervals to increase my VO2max. Over the last few years, I've developed a concept that works for me and is tailored to the requirements of 24-hour races. I actually only ride around 10,000 kilometres a year. That's really not a lot compared to the top riders in the scene. Some riders in the ultra scene already ride 400 kilometres in March, while I'm still on foot. But I always try to set new standards.
I did more VO2max training this year for the world record attempt and have now also bought a watt measurement system so that I can also do better sessions on the bike. It remains to be seen whether the change in training will work for the world record attempt.
How did you come up with the idea of the record attempt?
For more than two years, I have been campaigning for the nerve disease multiple sclerosis. Although donations have been collected at several fundraising events in which I have taken part, the topic has always been overlooked by the public. I was talking about it at an event with an MS sufferer friend of mine. He used to be in a wheelchair himself, learnt to walk again through targeted training and cycling has helped him to lead an almost normal life again. Cycling is actually the best sport for people with MS, as the strain on the joints is not too high and the moderate exercise can help to manage the symptoms. My friend Andreas Schmelzer then read a race report online about one of my races in Finale and set his mind on riding a 24-hour race himself. He is now one of the biggest bike freaks I know. Last year, we discussed together how we could publicise the topic of MS and cycling. We wanted to show that cycling can help people with MS.
Andreas then had the idea that I could simply set a 24-hour world record. He then looked up Slim Gam Drid's altitude world record and was of the opinion that I could also manage the 18,305 metres of altitude in 24 hours. Because I didn't want to disappoint him, I naturally agreed straight away. A few days later, however, I thought it was more of a crazy idea, but Andreas just wouldn't let up. I had already ridden 24-hour races with Slim and then went on a tour at his home last year. I explained the situation to him and what I was planning to do. He was also enthusiastic about the project.
Further information on Kai Saaler's attempt to break the altitude record can be found here at Facebook event.
