Valdresrittet 2026: How to be ready for 53 km at Vaset

With four months until Valdresrittet 2026, now is the right time to make a plan. Not because 53 km is unmanageable — it is not — but because the 932 metres of climbing and a couple of tough singletrack sections deserve a little respect. Put the work in now, and July 18 at Vaset could be one of the best days of the year.

What is Valdresrittet?

Valdresrittet is the cycling leg of Valdrestrippelen — a three-discipline sporting event at Vaset that also includes Valdresrennet (cross-country skiing) and Valdresløpet (running). The race is open to everyone, from recreational cyclists to serious club riders, and attracts participants from across the country.

The course — what to expect

The course starts from Vaset Stadion on Murkelivegen and takes you through some of the most beautiful mountain pasture areas in Valdres. The surface varies between good gravel roads and more demanding singletrack.

The four key points:

1. Km 3 — Murkeli climb: The first test. 50 metres of elevation gain over a few hundred metres. The field often splits here.
2. Km 5.8 — Sørre Trøllhøvd: The first real climb — 75 metres of elevation gain over 1.5 km. This is where you notice whether you are in the right group.
3. Km 12.8 — First singletrack (5 km): The longest off-road section. A farm track followed by some demanding singletrack through the mountain pastures — muddy in wet weather.
4. Km ~20 — Svult to Pyttingen: 6 km of "tempo section" along Midtre Syndisvatnet. Exposed to wind — find a good wheel to sit behind.

You can train on the Valdresritt course before race day — the route is available and signposted.

Preparation: 4 months is enough

With July 18 as the target, March through June gives you plenty of time to build fitness. You do not need to go professional — you need the endurance to last 3–5 hours and enough strength to handle uneven terrain.

March–April: Base fitness Focus on easy long rides, around 1.5–2.5 hours. Three rides a week and you are well on your way. Off-road terrain is an advantage, but tarmac and gravel work fine for base training.

May: Build toward the course Start riding gravel and trails. Train on climbs — find 100–150 metre ascents and repeat them. Goal: one ride per week of at least 40–50 km.

June: Specificity Ride in Valdres — Storefjell–Vaset or Vaset Familierunde make a good warm-up. Try to replicate the course intensity: fast start, climb after 5 km. Test your gear on terrain.

July (first two weeks): Taper Reduce volume, keep intensity. One shorter interval session and one longer easy ride per week. Let the body build up to race day.

Gear — what works?

Valdresrittet is a gravel/cycling race hybrid. You do not need specialist equipment, but the right bike and tyres will make the day better.

Bike: A gravel bike or MTB is ideal. A road bike works, but the singletrack section requires confidence on a tight line with looser ground underfoot. Narrow road tyres = uncomfortable on the gravel.

Tyres: Minimum 32 mm, ideally 35–40 mm for gravel and singletrack. Tubeless is recommended — you will avoid a lot of punctures.

Food and drink: 53 km takes 2.5–4.5 hours. Bring at least 2 bottles and enough energy for the whole course — do not count on feed stations along the way. Two or three energy bars and a proper lunch in your pack is a smart approach.

Tools: Puncture kit, CO₂ or pump, multitool. Not just because things can go wrong, but because you do not want to wait for help in the middle of a singletrack section.

Logistics: Getting to Vaset

From Oslo: 2.5 hours by car via E16. Turn off toward Vaset/Beitostølen from Fagernes. Vaset Stadion is well signposted.

By bus: Vy runs from Oslo Bus Terminal to Fagernes. From there, take a local bus to Vaset, or taxi/carpooling. Check vy.no for departure times.

Parking: Large car park at Vaset Stadion. Arriving the day before? Storefjell Resort Hotel and Vaset Alpinhytte have direct access to the start area.

Accommodation: Recommended to stay overnight at Vaset the evening before. The Storefjell–Vaset loop is a great warm-up ride on Friday afternoon — 12 km, easy pace, perfect for getting the legs going.

Registration

Register via valdrestrippelen.no. Check the site for registration opening dates and any capacity limits. No race licence required — you sign up as an individual.

Good to know

• The course is not tarmac the whole way — the singletrack section can be muddy after rain. Check the forecast and adjust expectations accordingly.
• Start conservatively. Murkeli climb at km 3 is tempting to attack. Do not.
• Bring more food than you think you need. Many riders underestimate energy demands when the surface is uneven.
• Enjoy it. The mountain pasture landscape around Vaset is among the most beautiful in Valdres.

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Ready to map out the course? Read more about the Valdresritt course and start planning your training weeks. Valdresrittet is not an elite race — it is a day in the mountains on a bike. That is exactly what it should be.