Starting this thread in case anyone else is doing the 2025 Swiss Epic.
We just registered for 2025 (with accommodation). There are 6 of us going and we are looking for any information, guidance or advice people are wiling to impart about the event. Logistics, equipment, tires, trail network, weather, insider tips, it is all welcome. I am comfortable with my training program and have done some stage races before (BCBR x 2, ST6 x 1), but always curious what other people recommend and/or are doing.
My current info:
• Age: 53
• Category: Grandmaster (can’t believe I’m a grandmaster. When did that happen?)
• XC Bike: 2024 Epic
• XC Tires: 2.4 Aspens. Not sure if this is the right choice over there.
• Chain ring: 34. Thinking a 32 or 30 a better choice given my w/kg.
• Riding area: Vancouver Island, Squamish, Whistler – i.e. BCBR style trails.
• Skillset: much better going down then I am going up.
• FTP: 280 – 290 today? Expect this will go up a bit more by next year. Maybe 300? Note: Haven’t tested for a while. Been building up longer SS efforts this month in prep for another event (e.g. 3 x 40m@255 watts/w 10s bursts every 5 min type stuff).
• Weight: 86 kg and 17% based on last Dexa. I might be able to get down to 84 kg/15%, but not much more.
• W/kg – 3.3 today? Maybe I get to 3.5 or 3.6?
• Goal: finish with my buddy and enjoy it. We are not racing, but the climbs will be challenging enough.
I’ve watched several of the 2024 stages and the terrain looks fantastic, so I am already excited. 346 days to go!
Thanks, and hope to see some people on the start line!
Hey I’m also signed up for the Swiss Epic 2025 and I’m also a Canadian ( Western Newfoundland). I’ve been a avid Zwift users for years, it’s how I did most of my winter training. I was told I should make the jump to trainerroad if I want better results. I’m having a hard time with the programs. I couldn’t find one that lined up with the swiss epic event. right now I’m doing the “high Volume, Rolling Road Race” training plan till late January. I would love some insight on a better trainerroad plan for the epic and any other tips.
Super easy, get the 30 chainring. I got one for my partner for 2023 Swiss Epic, she was a bit above 3 W/Kg and it was without a doubt the right choice.
A lot of the climbing in Switzerland is steep and you will spend a lot of time close to or above 2000m. On the first day in 2023 most people around us spend about half the second main climb on the first day (to piz scalottas) walking up. It is also steep and long everywhere: St. Moritz, Davos, Lenzerheide, Laax, … . On the flatter or downhill parts we were never limited by the 30 tooth chainring.
For Tires take the Aspens if you don’t mind riding them in the mud, If you don’t want to ride them in the mud get something else. There is a reason Switzerland is not “Golden” like California but very green.
Some free additional advice. We had the extra nights pre and post race. Not worth the money, Food was poor quality and not the default restaurant one and the price was the same anyway as just booking a hotel over there.
Also do not behave like the USAC junior team did ignoring all “No bikes in the apartments signs” and leaving tire marks in the stairways. Switzerland is safe so just use the provided bike parking from Swiss Epic or the hotel. The only issue you can have during swiss epic is that you cannot find your S-works epic between all the other ones.
ha! Awesome advice, thanks so much! Did you enjoy it the race/event? It’s been on my bucket list for quite some time, mainly because I want to ride some above alpine stuff in Switzerland!
The event is absolutely amazing. The people designing the courses are doing such a great job. We live in Zurich and in summer we spend quite a bit of time in that region. I just look for old Swiss Epic routes for my training rides when we are there.
Depending on where the race takes place, if you have a couple of extra days try to visit a couple other locations too:
Lenzerheide: World Cup XC track is open all year + Dark Side of the Moon → Alpliseetrail to arosa, take the lift (or ride back up) and then back down to Lenzerheide,
Laax/Flims: Runca Trail is by far the best built flow trail I have encountered. Nagens is more rocky and rooty and good fun. Ustria Startgels at the start of the Runca Trail has amazing Schnitzel.
St. Moritz: Just the best nature views and great flow trails.
Davos: Best natural trails and the alps epic trail is great if you love some more technical climbing too.
