PUSHING LIMITS

James Hayden’s rise to the top of the world of endurance and adventure cycling world started with the famous picture of his Shermer’s neck on the TCR and, like his cycling, hasn’t stopped since then. Café du Cycliste is proud to partner with James for the Summer of 2019 and share his distance adventures.

As the winner of the past two Transcontinental Races, you are ‘Mr Ultra’ - how did that happen?

I just like riding my bike. It might be a cliché but it is the simplest and most honest answer I can give.

The path has been from falling in love with the bike whilst commuting, winning the first club TT I ever entered, getting recruited to the club’s U23 racing team and setting a goal of becoming a pro by 2012.

That didn’t happen, but before the self-imposed deadline I had already started to become attracted by other challenges. I’d known about TCR for a year or so. It was in my brain and I was intrigued. It was the natural next step for me.

How do you go faster than others?

I believe it’s because of focus. Racing unsupported is for people who are masters of all – fitness, route planning, equipment preparation are all important but, come the event, focus is key. Time management is really important during events, especially your stops, which comes with experience. My first TCR I tried to have almost no sleep, just catching 20 minute increments when I could. For my first TCR win I was sleeping for 3hrs every night. It took discipline to make myself stick to the plan.

What attracts you to long distance?

The challenge of it, the scale of it. Pushing your limits and seeing new things.

Yes, you have to focus the whole time, but there is a lot to enjoy at the same time.

The most enjoyable thing for me is the sense of fulfilment at the end.

Route planning is fundamental, right?

Yes. Before my first win on TCR I did nearly 100 hours of route planning.

It needs a good understanding of maps and to not have tunnel vision towards one route. You have to look at the bigger picture and different options, but also be aware of your strengths and weaknesses – how well you climb being an obvious factor in deciding on the shorter more mountainous route or taking the flatter longer option.

It’s also about attention to detail. I’m an engineer so that definitely helps. But you don’t have to be perfect because on the day, things never go perfectly.

And what’s your secret to kit preparation?

You prepare for everything.

I take less than I used to, but more than others. It’s a personal thing. I don’t weigh everything – obviously I don’t take the heaviest option, but I take what I need and what I know works. It is what it is – I ride with what I decide I need.

Experience refines your requirements. I’ve thought about it and tested so much in training and on events enough that I don’t even make lists anymore.

How do you deal with the weather?

I plan to ride 24h a day. The only way to do that is to carry every piece of clothing that you need.

I can’t control the weather. I’ve seen it all – day-long rain, freezing cold, extreme heat. The 2017 Lucifer heat wave is a standout memory - 55 degrees in Serbia and I remember descending from 1,000m at 3am in the morning in shorts and short sleeves. But those are the kind of moments that make this discipline so great.

You’re not riding TCR this year?

No. It’s time for a new challenge and to up the ante…

Quickfire questions :

What is long?

Long is when you see both the sunrise and the sunset

Why is long?

To see new things; to adventure and to challenge yourself

How is long?

Experience and respect for the distance, the time it takes and the conditions you encounter.

Follow James on Instagram @jamesmarkhayden or via his website - http://jamesmarkhayden.uk/