NEW YEAR, SAME LTD

It's a question I get a lot these days: what are your plans for this year? Are you going to do an ultra and if so, which one(s)?
 
The year 2025 has ended and January has kicked us in the butt with severe winter conditions. I have started training for real. More hours on the bike, more hours in the snow and wind, more commuting from and to Amsterdam. These legs won't train themselves. I have set a couple of clear challenges for myself, and therefore, my team. Most of these decisions have already been made this summer, I just haven't shared them yet. Time to let you all in on my personal goals for this year. 

Colombia Una Chimba

After my participation in Transcordilleras 2023 and 2024, I decided I needed a little break from Colombia. Not because I didn't like it there, on the contrary; if it were up to me, I would go back every year to meet up with my Colombian friends. But the timing of the event didn't match other Live Slow Ride Fast plans. End of February 2026, I am returning to the Andes range, ready for more high altitude climbing in the deep jungle and enjoying the warmth of the welcoming people. No non-stop rally for me this time, but a good old eight-stages-race. A great way of prepping myself for the other plans I have for the new year.

Out of office for Transcordilleras, Colombia: February 22 - March 1st 2026

Italy Divide - Classic Route 

I was introduced to this adventure bike-packing race in Italy at the end 2025. I was looking for an alternative for my yearly Unbound adventure, that would always take place around the same time, early June. I freaking love Unbound, but in 2026 this event was going to be too close to another spot on my visioned ultra program. A conflict of interest, if you want to put it like that. Instead, Italy showed up as the perfect chance to test out the new bike, gear and set-up. And Italy has my heart, as you might know. I can't wait to experience it as the decor of an ultra endurance. Will I still have time to enjoy their cuisine on the 1250 kilometer race? Anyways, a new and exciting race for me coming up starting in Naples, the first of May.

Out of office for Italy Divide Classic Route: May 1st - around May 6 2026

Back at it - Tour Divide


Yes. I know. After my finish at the border with Mexico in Antelope Wells, I could not imagine myself doing this event ever again. The suffering had been too much, the time to recover endless. By the time I had finished covering the Tour de France and on my way to the States for a family vacation, I still hadn't recovered fully. We are talking more than six weeks after my finish. I was grumpy, edgy, could sleep for hours and needed power-naps every three hours. It was by far the most exciting race I had ever done, but I wasn't enjoying it yet. Slowly but steady, the memories came. Good memories about how impressive nature had been. The next year, I closely followed the race of 2025 and a renewed admiration took a hold of me. After finishing Tour Divide '24, I had never felt particularly proud of myself. Yes, finishing third was a fine performance, but I could have definitely done better in other circumstances. I thought about all the snow and the detour I had to make to get my bike fixed. But following the '25 edition, in retrospective, a feeling of proud submerged. End of that summer, I carefully told my wife I was considering a second participation. As for the why? I can't explain it really well. The feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, being on these beautiful trails, the ultimate preparation combined with the ultimate dedication to continue your route, no matter the circumstances or set-backs. Every year is a different race, with changing weather. One year there are thunderstorms, the next year more snow than ever, the other year you get 'lucky' with moderate conditions but there is heavy competition. Facing al these challenges is what attracts me most. Note to myself? Read the article I wrote after finishing my first edition. Five thing I would do differently, if I would do Tour Divide again. Preparation is everything. 

Out of office for Tour Divide, USA: June 12 - around June 25 2026