So, you’re thinking about tackling the Trek Bike Attack in Lenzerheide, Switzerland? Let’s be real, the event website might as well be in Klingon if you don’t speak German, and there’s a whole underground culture of insider knowledge that can make or break your race. I learned this the hard way, showing up clueless and almost getting left behind while everyone else was strategizing like seasoned pros. If you want to avoid that “deer in headlights” moment at the starting line, keep reading.
Riders at the top of the mountain, looking confused about the start
Imagine this: you’re standing at the summit, feeling utterly lost and unprepared, just like these riders before their first bike attack.
A buddy of a buddy from the States got me into this whole Bike Attack thing. Gareth, an English expat living in Switzerland, invited me along with his crew of UK riders. I honestly thought it was just another enduro or downhill race – no big deal, right? Wrong. I signed up, paid the fee, and figured I’d wing it.
Riders following each other down a mountain trail
Joining a group of experienced riders for the Trek Bike Attack in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, was a leap of faith and a plunge into the unknown.
If you’re anything like me and skipped German class to hit the trails, you’re probably in the dark about what the Bike Attack truly is. Picture the Megavalanche, but ditch the snow and crank up the intensity. We’re talking a mass start race plummeting 2000 meters over 18 kilometers of Swiss terrain. Lenzerheide itself is stunning, a perfect spot for a family getaway with tons to do besides biking. Think pristine lakes, cozy hotels, great food, and hiking trails galore. Perfect for downtime, because trust me, there’s plenty of that during the Bike Attack weekend.
The schedule looks straightforward:
- Friday: Registration and course practice/pre-ride.
- Saturday: Morning practice, followed by qualifying on the upper, mostly downhill section.
- Sunday: Race day – the full course, all the way down.
A rider looking overwhelmed by the challenging downhill course
Realizing the sheer scale and difficulty of the Trek Bike Attack downhill race in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
Sounds simple, right? Don’t be fooled. Rolling into this event without a clue was, in hindsight, pretty naive. Luckily, my British crew was there to share the pain, the laughs, and plenty of post-ride beers. So, what advice would have saved me from so much head-scratching? It boils down to practice, bike setup, logistics, weather, and race day intel.
A group of mountain bikers laughing together after a race
Finding camaraderie and humor in shared mistakes at the Trek Bike Attack race in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
Practice Makes Perfect: Course Reconnaissance is Key
If this is your Bike Attack baptism, you NEED to pre-ride the course. Calling it a DH or enduro race doesn’t quite cut it – it’s its own beast. Think seriously gnarly. We’re talking razor-sharp rocks, jumps that demand commitment, and consequences that can ruin your weekend in a heartbeat. The top section is lunar landscape meets rock garden from hell, ready to shred tires for breakfast. My first practice run from the peak ended with a front flat within minutes.
A very rocky and technical section of a downhill bike trail
Navigating a treacherous, rocky section of the downhill track at the Trek Bike Attack race.
The mid-section mellows out a bit, flowing through the bike park with berms and jumps. Technically easier, but fatigue and arm pump will be setting in by this point. The lower section throws in a climb right off the bat, then dives into woods riddled with roots. There are a few more climbs sprinkled in down low, and while none are Everest-worthy, come race day, they’ll feel like Tour de France mountain stages. Knowing the course layout – where to carry speed, where to conserve energy – is crucial.
Gear Up for Glory (and Survival): Bike Setup
My biggest blunder? Changing my tires before heading to Switzerland. My test bike, a Liteville 601, was already tubeless (rookie mistake for not checking!). Thinking the stock tires were too aggressive, I swapped them for lower profile ones, forgetting sealant and CO2. Big mistake. Those Swiss rocks are merciless. After two flats, I pumped my tires to rock-hard 36 psi (2.5 bars) and prayed. Luckily, the Liteville’s 190mm rear and 180mm Rockshox Lyric front travel soaked up a lot of abuse. A dropper post is non-negotiable for the climbs, and fresh brake pads are a must-have. Forget podium dreams; my goal became surviving to the bottom without mechanicals. It still took me almost 44 minutes. No matter your bike, this race is BRUTAL on equipment.
Close up of mountain bike tires on a rocky trail
Choosing the right bike setup, especially tires, is crucial for tackling the demanding terrain of the Trek Bike Attack race.
Logistics of Lenzerheide: Getting There and Back
Most races start and finish in the same ballpark… not the Bike Attack. It ends on the far side of a mountain from the start. Okay, maybe “epic journey” is a bit dramatic, but getting back to your car is a mini-adventure. You can ride back (not recommended), hitch a ride on a “gypsy shuttle” (more on that later), or arrange a friend to park a car at the finish. Normally, a lift runs back to the top, but it was out of service when I raced. I saw many weary riders slogging back uphill all weekend.
A horse trailer being used as a shuttle for mountain bikers
Creative transportation solutions, like a horse trailer shuttle, are sometimes necessary for bike logistics at events like the Trek Bike Attack.
Weather or Not: Be Prepared for Anything
The weather gods smiled on us with sunshine and blue skies. The only downside was the heat. The Brits, bless their sun-sensitive souls, had a collective sunscreen aroma going on. Apparently, UK natives spontaneously combust in direct sunlight (especially ginger-adjacent ones like Gareth). The sun baked the mountain into a dust ribbon, demanding goggles for at least the upper section. If it had rained? Nightmare fuel. My overinflated tires would have offered zero traction, and mud would have made visibility impossible without tear-offs. Cold weather? Waiting around at the start could easily turn you into a popsicle.
Scenic view of the mountain landscape at the Trek Bike Attack race
The stunning mountain backdrop of the Trek Bike Attack race in Lenzerheide, where weather conditions can significantly impact the race experience.
Race Day Strategy: More Than Just Pedal to the Metal
There are actually TWO race days. Saturday is qualification, a DH blast down the upper section to the bike park. DH bikes weren’t uncommon on Saturday, which makes sense in hindsight. Qualifying starts are staggered every 15 seconds, giving you some breathing room. No real climbs to speak of. Your qualifying time determines your starting block for Sunday’s main event. You also get a gondola time to reach your block.
Riders waiting in starting blocks at the top of a mountain before a race
Long wait times and strategic bike placement are part of the unique race day experience at the Trek Bike Attack mass start event.
Here’s where the mind games begin. Instructions said be at the gondola by 7:30 am to get to block four. So, up at 6 am, mountain-bound, prepared for a long wait until the 1 pm start. Arriving at 7:30 am, I saw racers casually riding DOWN the gondola in sweats and flip-flops. Huh? Reaching the summit an hour later (gondola queues!), I found half the bikes already lined up in the starting blocks. Turns out, these savvy racers pulled a European beach towel move: crack of dawn gondola, bikes staged at the front, then back down for breakfast while the rest of us froze. Dejected, I stuck my bike in a block near the back, with four more hours to kill.
Panoramic view from the mid-station during a long wait for a race to start
Despite the long wait, the breathtaking views from the mid-station of the Trek Bike Attack offer some consolation.
Thank goodness for my crew. Misery loves company, and we were all in the same boat. We retreated to the warmer mid-station, soaked in the views, and enjoyed the weather. Finishing the Bike Attack is an achievement in itself, regardless of position. But we’re competitive creatures, and knowing the inside scoop could have made a difference. Events like this are like childbirth – brutal, unforgettable, and somehow, women do it again. Parts of the race were exhilarating, parts terrifying, and parts made me want to curl up and die. Pedaling uphill in my granny gear, I swore “NEVER AGAIN!” But then, finish line beers with my mates washed away the pain. Suddenly, we were strategizing for next year, plotting how much faster we could be with all the secrets unlocked. There’s always next year, right?
Words & Photos: Evan Phillips
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