Yuki Ikeda had his sights set on an NBA career when he arrived in the US in 2003. However, his life took a thrilling turn on a college campus in Denver, Colorado. The liberating thrill of mountain biking in the foothills of the Rockies captured his spirit, leading him to trade the basketball court for wild trails.

By 2007, he had fully committed to professional mountain biking—a decision that has since earned him 43 titles worldwide. His latest triumph came this past week at the gruelling Mega event of the Breck Epic, where he claimed victory in the ‘unsupported’ category. He completed the race in 49 hours and 35 minutes, reaffirming his dominance in the sport.

“The sense of achievement is nothing short of exhilarating. It’s a profound mix of triumph and elation that makes all the hard work truly worth it,” the 44-year-old rider says in an interview with 8850media on Facebook Messenger. It was his fourth title in five appearances at the Breck Epic. He previously won the 6-Day Duo in 2013 and the 3-Day Solos in 2014 and 2017.

The Breck Epic, a six-day, multistage cross-country mountain bike competition held in Summit County, Colorado, drew 483 participants across five categories this year. However, the field was tiny in the Mega Epic category. “Only three elite riders began the inaugural Mega Epic unsupported. The route was extremely hard, making it difficult even for elite riders to finish,” Ikeda admits.

Extraordinary challenge

Setting out to compete in the newly introduced category this year, Ikeda knew it would be an extraordinary challenge. For him, this was not just another race—it was his first proper self-supported “bike-packing” race.

The Mega Epic was not just a race but also an extreme test of endurance. Spanning 375 km with a staggering 10,637 metres of elevation gain, the route pushed riders to their limits, especially as they navigated altitudes between 2,900 and 3,800 metres. The competition demanded more than physical strength—it required resolute mental resilience and meticulous preparation.

Riders in the Mega Epic were required to complete all six stages in order, with each stage having designated start and end points. They had to self-navigate and perform transfers between stages under their own steam. The race was solo, self-supported, and self-timed, with GPS tracking on TrackLeaders.com.

Ikeda underwent the most intense training of his career to prepare for the race. “My weekly training time hit 42 hours two weeks before the race, which was the longest amount of training I’ve ever done,” he says. But physical conditioning was only part of the equation. Ikeda also had to familiarise himself with the specialised gear required for bike-packing.

“I did some night riding to check the lighting system. I carried all of the calories I needed for two days—approximately 15,000 kcal! I also carried a water filter to get water from a river or creek,” says Ikeda, who represented Japan at the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships for seven consecutive years between 2011 and 2017. This attention to detail, he expected, would ensure that he was as prepared as possible for the gruelling conditions ahead.

Facing the elements

However, the race presented unexpected challenges. “There were so many moments when I was close to giving up,” Ikeda admits. One of the most harrowing experiences occurred on the first evening when a sudden storm hit while he was above the tree line. The storm pelted me with hail, and the rain continued for nearly the entire night. I was soaking wet and nearly got hypothermia, even though I had proper rainwear, rain gloves, and shoe covers.”

Riding with a fully loaded bike weighing around 23 kg—more than double the weight of his normal race bike—presented additional difficulties. The Wheeler stage, in particular, stood out as a formidable challenge. “It was extremely hard to hike-a-bike. My bike would stop when the front wheel hit rocks, even small ones, so I had to lift my bike every time,” the Topeak Ergon team rider says.

After riding for 36 hours straight, fatigue set in, and Ikeda began to hallucinate. “I started hearing strange things and losing my sense of balance, so I felt it was dangerous to keep riding,” he explains. “I decided to stop and sleep well because I still had plenty of time before the cut-off and knew I had a significant gap to second place. I felt strong again to ride the last 30 miles.”

Value of Nutrition

Ikeda’s extensive knowledge of nutrition played a crucial role in maintaining his stamina throughout the race. “It was very difficult to eat and drink in the bad weather, but you must eat to keep your body warm and moving,” says the Cornel University Plant-Based Nutrition certified athlete. Despite the challenges, he managed to consume about 90 grammes of carbohydrates per hour, a goal he had set for himself. “It felt like an eating contest at times!”

His strategy involved a mix of liquid and solid foods, relying on GU energy gels and drink mixes for the first ten hours before transitioning to more solid sustenance. “I would say my calories came from about 50% liquids and 50% solid food.”

Despite their inability to directly assist him, his wife and friends, stationed at various points along the course, provided a significant morale boost. But it was his fellow competitor, American Jesse Harodetsky, who left a lasting impression on Ikeda.

“Jesse, who came in second in the unsupported category, became my best friend through this race. We were at different paces, but we shared the extreme experience and accomplished the same goal. This is the most beautiful part of the race.”

A love affair with Nepal

Yuki may have achieved multiple first-place finishes in mountain biking events in Japan, Sri Lanka, and the US, but his latest experience at the Breck Epic evoked memories of another unforgettable race—the Yak Attack in Nepal. The Japanese rider has competed in the world’s highest cross-country mountain bike race on two occasions, finishing second in 2014 and fifth in 2015.

“My experience and memories from the Yak Attack still shine and may be the most unforgettable race of my life,” he says, reflecting on the unique challenges posed by the terrain in Nepal. The gruelling ascent over the Thorong La pass, standing at 5,416 metres, remains one of his most fulfilling moments.

Beyond the physical demands, Yak Attack offered Ikeda a rich cultural experience. “Yak Attack wasn’t only about racing,” he adds. “I also enjoyed other aspects, such as learning new cultures and lifestyles, meeting new friends, savouring Nepali food, etc. The whole experience made it so special.”

Though he has no immediate plans to return to Nepal, Ikeda’s love for the country is evident. ‘I always want to go back to Nepal. It’s such a beautiful country,” he says, noting the Himalayan nation’s emergence as a prominent trail-running destination.

Ikeda, who added trail running to his pursuits with Team Altra in 2019, has also achieved success in ultra-endurance events. “I’d like to try some of the ultra-trail running races the next time I go there.”

As Ikeda pushes the boundaries of endurance and skill, his journey inspires fellow riders and adventurers alike. His Mega Epic victory stands as a testament to his dedication, resilience and unyielding spirit, driving him to overcome the most formidable challenges both on and off the bike.