Berten De Canne shared the origin of ACT, an idea born in 2017 in Belgium, where ultracycling races were rare. With his friend Stan Mar, they mapped out a route on a map and started organizing races. “We took a map, a marker, and drew a big circle. From there, we started organizing ACT,” explains Berten. In recent years, ultracycling has gained popularity in Europe, although less than in the United States.

Ultracycling races in Europe include long-distance BRMs (Brevet Randonneurs Mondiaux) (300, 400, 500 km or more) and races like the Transcontinental, where participants must follow a GPX and reach checkpoints.

In the beginning, participants were mainly adventurers. Today, experts are looking for new challenges, and female participation is encouraged and growing. “We have participants who come back every year, some have already participated four or five times,” notes Berten. The first edition of ACT attracted 40 to 45 participants. Since then, the event has evolved, with routes adapted each year and a friendly, family atmosphere.

ACT 5, a 1200 km race with 30,000 meters of elevation gain, was very difficult. In response to requests, ACT 3, a more accessible 500 km version, was created and met with great success. “People prefer shorter and more accessible distances, especially at the beginning of the season,” he adds.

Berten shared an anecdote about a participant who took refuge in a hunting cabin in Germany and was confronted by a hunter. “The hunter fired shots into the air to scare the participant away. Fortunately, everything ended well,” he says.

He also mentioned the evolution of equipment, with an increase in titanium bikes, which are more comfortable and durable, and lighter and more efficient camping gear and clothing. “The number of titanium bikes increases every year. It’s a material that offers a lot of comfort and durability,” explains Berten.

Berten’s motivation lies in the pleasure of seeing participants overcome their difficulties and achieve their goals, as well as in their gratitude and happiness. “It’s rewarding to see people go through tough times and then succeed, and their gratitude is immense,” he says. For beginners, he advises starting with small distances, sleeping under the stars for a few nights, and participating in shorter races like ACT 2 or the Transardennaise. “Start by riding 10 km in a forest and sleeping under the stars. Then gradually increase the distances,” he advises.

The next edition of ACT will take place on May 2, 2025, with a start at 10 AM and 75 participants tracked by GPS. “We create WhatsApp groups for participants, which fosters a friendly and family atmosphere,” explains Berten.

Pour ceux qui cherchent à se lancer dans l’ultracycling, retrouvez toute l’actualité des courses ACT sur le site https://www.act5.be/acrossthechamps.