Vitosha100: Tips and Discounts for Participants in the Vitosha Tour

We can all ride 20 - 30 kilometers with relative ease, but what happens when we want to ride 100 km, for example, like in the Vitosha Tour, known as Vitosha100.

For those of you who have decided to participate in the Vitosha Tour, besides useful tips, we have prepared a special 20% discount for the categories Components, Accessories, Equipment, and Service during the period from 13.06 to 24.06.2022. You can take advantage of the special discount by showing your race number in our store or by proving that you are a registered participant. When ordering online, please provide your race number as a comment to the order, and the discount will be applied during order processing by our colleague, only if the name on the order matches the name on the race number.

Here are some tips to make your ride more enjoyable:

1. Eat “smart”

Eat well before the race! Eat the food you are used to, as you won’t want to risk an upset stomach. Stick to foods that are easy to digest. Have a good meal the night before, but don’t overdo it. Don’t overindulge in beer and get a good night’s sleep. Breakfast is an important part of your daily routine, and despite the early start, try to eat at least something small: a slice of bread with jam, for example. If you get up quite early anyway (2 hours before the start), you can fuel up with complex carbohydrates: muesli, oatmeal, or pasta.

2. Stay hydrated!

When you ride, your body uses a lot of fluids. Drink enough water to stay fresh and feel good during the ride. This is the only way. Try to ride at a steady pace, so you will be more enduring throughout the ride. During the race: drink water in small sips regularly. Don’t let race adrenaline override common sense and think you can complete even the short distance “in one breath.” The race should not be underestimated, and that’s why it’s important to drink water during the event.

A smart choice for even better hydration are the Isostar Powertabs tablets with a rich vitamin content, which you can easily dissolve in your bottle at any time.

Fuel yourself during the race! Eating during long rides is often underestimated, but it is exactly what gives us the energy to endure throughout the day. It is necessary to take in nutrients constantly and in small doses so that the body receives the energy it needs.

A great solution for convenient and instant energy boost are the Isostar gels, which provide fast-absorbing carbohydrates through the exceptional Carbo Pump® complex.

3.Equip yourself well!

Dress well. Check the weather forecast. Take appropriate clothes with you, considering the weather forecast and the fact that in the mountains the weather is more unstable and colder, especially in the early hours of the starts.

Bring clothes for cold and wet weather – pack a compact lightweight windbreaker in your backpack, take a spare t-shirt to change after riding. Wear comfortable gloves and choose comfortable clothes, do not wear cotton fabrics – choose a jersey-type t-shirt made of breathable material and underwear with padding – pedaling all day, your backside will get stiff and chafed. Do not wear other underwear if you have padding.

Some of our suggestions:

Waterproof jacket IXS Flow

The Flow Windbreaker jacket is lightweight and packs into its own pocket. The lightweight All-Weather collection comes with a helmet-compatible hood, 5,000 mm water column, breathability of 5,000 g/m2/24 hours, and DWR coating for windy and wet days when you ride your bike. Reflective prints also make the jacket visible in dusk and rainy weather.

DWR coating WP 5K;
Breathable MVP 10K;
Adjustable hem;
Reflective prints.

Endura Bike Boxer Underwear

Great everyday cycling underwear that contains a hidden pad that protects without slowing you down.

Material: 60% polyester, 35% cotton, 5% elastane. Quick-drying cotton fabric for comfort. Soft jacquard waistband.

Giro Fixture Bicycle Helmet

The Giro Fixture helmet combines a pronounced mountain style and excellent ventilation with a compact design, suitable for almost any riding style.

Drag Terra Touch Full Finger Gloves

Cycling gloves with full fingers, touchscreen compatible, providing excellent grip and ventilation.

4. Prepare your bike before riding!

Your bike must be in good condition before undertaking a long ride. Maintenance is not difficult. Adjust gears, check brakes, lubricate the chain and other parts. If you cannot perform the maintenance yourself, visit our service center, where a mechanic colleague will professionally perform a full bike diagnostic, gear and brake adjustment, and chain lubrication.

5. Think about bike maintenance

Don’t forget your tools: Everyone wants to ride as lightly as possible with as little luggage as possible, but it’s better to have tools to be prepared for any situation. Stock up on spare tires, a repair kit or at least tire patches, and tire levers. Make sure your multi-tool has all the necessary hex keys for all the bolts on your bike.

6. Useful tips for long rides

• Periodically change the position of your hands on the handlebars.
• To relieve your neck and shoulders, move them for 5 to 10 seconds.
• On a straight section of the route, stretch one hand over your shoulders for a few seconds, then switch hands.
• If your calf muscles cramp – release one pedal so your leg is straight. Let your heel drop below the pedal. Hold for 20 seconds, then switch legs.