Multi-day MTB races are usually hard to come by. In Germany, you won't actually find any, and in Belgium this year, without the BeMC, they're pretty scarce as well. What many people don’t know is that a hidden gem of a multi-day MTB event takes place in the fall. That honor goes to the Ultra Raid des 3 Vallées (URD3V). This year marks its 5th edition, and as always, it kicks off from the Miavoye sports complex. Ella was there on behalf of CycloWorld.
The area may be familiar to you from the Hard'n MTB Marathon, which is part of the BAMS. I also attended that event earlier this year and was already impressed by the environment and the organization. At URD3V, all three stages depart from the same starting point. For those who wish to stay on-site, RV and tent accommodations are available, and registration includes well-catered meals. The event is sponsored by Chimay, so beer flows freely throughout the weekend. Of course, there’s also some serious mountain biking! There are three distances to choose from, with the Ultra 6000 being the longest—spanning 272 km with 6148 meters of elevation gain. Quite a feat! And perhaps the most surprising aspect of the weekend was the weather: finally, a dry and sunny weekend in the Ardennes, except for a few of the usual mud puddles.
Each distance kicks off on Friday night with a 41 km night stage, featuring 800 m+ of elevation. This is quite the experience. The route planners don't shy away from sending riders down singletracks in the dark, making it a unique adventure to traverse the Ardennes with limited visibility. Another highlight of this stage is the refreshments along the way. Participants are treated to tartiflette with a glass of white wine, pancakes paired with local gin, and abbey cheese served with Chimay beer. A delightful experience, but remember—drink in moderation! The weekend is just beginning.
Saturday marks the queen stage: a daunting 146 km with 3200 m+ of elevation gain. For many, this is quite a challenge, and we also opted for the shorter Ultra 4000 (80 km/1800 m+).
After a hearty breakfast in the sports hall, we were at the start line by 8:30. Today's route takes us east, where we first encounter the Lesse Valley. From here, we can see the majestic Walzin Castle, perched on a rocky outcrop above the river, overlooking the participants. Naturally, the surrounding hills are climbed and descended multiple times. Singletracks alternate with smooth gravel and asphalt sections, allowing for a bit of speed. After the final feed stations, a long climb through towering trees leads to the highest point of the stage. Awaiting us here is the weekend's trail highlight: the Cascatellespad. During the Hard'n event, this trail had to be climbed, but today, we were able to descend the rocky singletrack, complete with its famous drop at the bottom. Tired but satisfied, we crossed the finish line. After a bike wash, the bikes were safely stored in the guarded bike park, and we enjoyed a well-earned recovery meal to gear up for the final day!
On Sunday, the peloton heads north, taking in the scenic Molignée Valley. Some sections are familiar from the night stage two days ago, but we also face the “impossible climb” from the Raid Bocq held two weeks earlier. Fortunately, thanks to the good weather, the track isn't as slippery, and some participants manage to cycle all the way up. The stones of an old Roman road may be a bit mossy, but the key is to maintain traction and keep the wheels from slipping. And yes, those eternal mud puddles I mentioned earlier? I couldn’t avoid a slide there... Upon reaching the finish, one thing stood out: whether you finish first or last, the speakers greet every rider with the same enthusiasm. Félicitations à tous!
This event is all about camaraderie, and the participant field reflects that—ranging from serious racers (particularly in the Ultra 6000) to enthusiastic riders who simply enjoy tackling the hilly terrain, either with friends or just for the fun of it. The latter group includes many E-MTB riders, too. Their presence posed no issues; on the trails, everyone showed respect while overtaking. Thankfully, this was a far better experience than what I encountered last year at BIKE Transalp, for example.
On Saturday evening, the organization had another surprise in store. Next June, a similar event will be held in the Vosges Mountains, starting from Gérardmer! With this, the Ultra Raid Series is born, offering prizes for those who stand on the highest podium after both events. Registration opens on November 15, and you can find more information here.
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In my opinion, both events are highly recommended for your calendar next year. The all-inclusive package takes the stress out of the weekend, allowing you to fully enjoy the cozy atmosphere with just the right amount of competition. It’s a refreshing change from the BAMS series, where competition often takes center stage. While these races typically attract a mix of nationalities, the URD3V mainly sees French and Belgian participants. It's time to change that, as these events are definitely worth attending, even for the less fanatical marathon rider!
The full results of the URD3V can be found here.
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