When is The Traka 2026?

The Traka traditionally runs on a Friday–Sunday weekend in late April or the first weekend of May. Confirm the exact 2026 dates, category start times and cutoffs on traka.cc — Klassmark publishes the definitive calendar and Athletes' Manual 4–6 months out.

How difficult is The Traka compared to other gravel events?

The 200 km and 360 km rank among Europe's hardest amateur gravel events. The 200 km typically takes 8–12 hours; the 360 km commonly runs 14–20+ hours. Comparable in difficulty to Unbound Gravel 200 (USA) or SBT GRVL Black (USA) at 200 km, with the 360 km sitting closer to an all-day ultra-endurance event.

What distances does The Traka offer?

The flagship distances are 100 km, 200 km and 360 km, with a 560 km ultra added in recent editions. Klassmark can change category structure year to year — confirm the current-year distances and elevation on traka.cc.

How much climbing is there?

Roughly 1,500 m on the 100 km, 3,000 m on the 200 km, 5,500 m on the 360 km, and 8,000+ m on the 560 km — all spread across constant rolling terrain rather than a few big climbs.

How difficult is the terrain?

The Traka runs on Catalan farm gravel, cork-oak forest tracks, punchy climbs and paved connectors. Technically it is easier than Michigan (Marji Gesick) or Kansas (Unbound) — smooth-to-moderate gravel with occasional rocky sections. Fitness and heat tolerance decide the day, not handling.

How many aid stations are there?

Typically 3–4 official aid points on the 200 km spaced 50–70 km apart, and 5–7 on the 360 km with a mandatory drop-bag point. The 100 km usually has 2 aid stops. Confirm the current-year aid layout in the Athletes' Manual.

How much should I drink at The Traka?

500–1,000 ml/hr as a baseline, biased higher in Catalan spring heat once the afternoon warms up. Total intake over the 200 km typically runs 6–10 L; the 360 km commonly reaches 12–18 L. Personalize with a sweat test in similar heat.

How much sodium do I need?

500–1,000 mg per litre of fluid, tuned to sweat sodium concentration and the day's temperature. Salty sweaters and warm afternoons push the top of that range. Cumulative sodium deficit is the classic cause of late-race cramping at The Traka.

How many carbs per hour should I target?

60–90 g/hr of mixed-source carbohydrate for most riders on the 200 km; trained guts can push to 100–120 g/hr. On the 360 km and 560 km, bias slightly lower (50–80 g/hr) with more real food to protect gut sustainability over 15+ hours.

What should I eat before the race?

1–4 g/kg carbohydrate 2–4 hours pre-start, from familiar low-fibre, low-fat foods. Girona hotels typically open breakfast at 6:00–6:30 AM — confirm your start time and pre-order a portable option (bread + jam + banana + coffee) if you need to leave earlier.

What bike and tyre setup work best for The Traka?

A gravel bike with 40–45 mm tubeless tyres and a fast-rolling file or moderate tread is the mainstream setup. Reinforced casing (Vittoria TerraSpeed, Panaracer GravelKing SK, René Herse Standard) protects against occasional shale sections. Most terrain is smooth-to-moderate — do not over-tyre for imagined rough sections.

What tyre pressure should I run?

As a starting point for a 70–80 kg rider on 24–25 mm internal rims: 26–30 psi front, 28–32 psi rear. Slightly higher than technical gravel elsewhere because most Traka terrain rewards low rolling resistance. Adjust for heat — hot rims add 2–4 psi over the day.

How do I prepare for Girona spring heat?

Run 8–12 heat-acclimatization sessions (sauna 20–30 min post-easy-ride, or indoor trainer in a warm room 45–60 min at moderate effort) in the 4–6 weeks pre-race. Practice full-race hydration and sodium on training rides of 4+ hours in warm conditions. If you live in a cool spring climate, plan a training block somewhere ≥20 °C in the 3 weeks before the race.

How does The Traka registration work?

Registration for The Traka opens on the Klassmark platform (traka.cc / klassmark.com) typically in November–December for the following April edition. The 200 km and 360 km sell out fast; the 100 km sells more slowly. There is no lottery — first-come, first-served — but Klassmark reserves an elite category with UCI-qualifying seeds. Confirm the current-year registration window and category caps on traka.cc.

How much does The Traka cost to enter?

Recent editions have run approximately 120–250 EUR depending on distance and how early you register — the 100 km sits at the lower end, the 560 km at the higher end. The entry includes GPX release, aid stations, timing, finish-line services and a rider goodie bag. Total trip cost including flights to Barcelona/Girona, bike travel and race-week lodging typically runs 800–2,000 EUR for European riders.

Where should I fly to for The Traka?

Barcelona (BCN) is the main international airport, 90 min by car or train to Girona. Girona-Costa Brava (GRO) is closer (30–45 min) but has fewer international connections — mostly Ryanair and Vueling from European hubs. Both work; BCN typically offers cheaper bike-travel fees and more flight options.

Where should I stay for The Traka?

Girona Old Town (Barri Vell) is the classic base — walkable, packed with bike-friendly cafés and bike shops, and a 30–40 min drive to the traditional Sant Feliu de Guíxols start. Sant Feliu itself has hotels and Airbnbs within walking distance of the start line — ideal for the earliest categories. Costa Brava beach towns (Palamós, Platja d'Aro) offer post-race recovery within 15–30 min of the finish.

Do I need to speak Spanish or Catalan for The Traka?

You can finish without either — English is widely spoken in Girona bike cafés and by Klassmark staff. Basic Spanish helps at village bars mid-race ('dos bocadillos por favor', 'una Coca-Cola'). Catalan is not required but is appreciated in the Empordà villages.

How should I structure carb loading before The Traka?

For 2–3 days pre-race, target 8–10 g/kg body mass per day of carbohydrate from familiar low-fibre sources (rice, pasta, potato, bread, sports drinks). Reduce fibre and fat, keep protein moderate, hydrate steadily with sodium. Race morning: 1–4 g/kg CHO 2–4 hours before the gun from rehearsed foods.

How should I pace the first 60 minutes?

Ride 10–15 % below the effort you feel capable of. Cap at ~80 % of your target FTP or high zone-2 heart rate. The neutral rollout hides how hard everyone is going — riders who chase groups in the first hour pay the price on the afternoon climbs.

How do I handle GI issues on gravel?

Prevention beats treatment: train the gut to 60–90 g/hr on rides over 3 hours, rotate carb sources (gel + drink-mix + real food), and cap total intake in extreme heat. If GI symptoms arrive: switch to real food, drop sports products for 4–6 hours, add ginger tea or a Coca-Cola with salt, and accept a slower pace until the gut resets. Do not push through vomiting.

Can I use my own personal support during The Traka?

Klassmark's rules generally prohibit unofficial personal support outside designated aid stations — check the current-year Athletes' Manual for the exact rule. Feeds from designated aid stations and the mandatory drop-bag point are permitted. Third-party support outside official checkpoints can result in disqualification.

Is there a shorter Traka option for first-timers?

Yes. The 100 km distance is the classic first-Traka option — same course quality and race atmosphere, half the fueling complexity. Klassmark also runs a shorter warm-up event in the days before the main weekend (schedule varies year to year — confirm on traka.cc).

The Traka Nutrition Basics — Pre-Race, Race Day & Recovery

Nutrition basics for The Traka

Three windows shape every endurance result: what you eat in the hours before the start, what you take in on the bike, and how you recover once you cross the line.

Pre-race breakfast

1–4 g/kg carbohydrate 2–4 hours pre-start, from familiar low-fibre, low-fat foods. Girona hotels typically start breakfast at 6:00–6:30 AM — confirm and pre-order a portable option (bread + jam + banana + coffee) if your start is earlier.

During-race execution

Fuel by the clock, not by feel. Rolling terrain distorts effort perception; a 15- or 20-minute alarm on the head unit keeps intake consistent through the constant surges. Log intake every hour to catch drift before it becomes deficit.

Recovery

1.0–1.2 g/kg carbohydrate plus 0.3 g/kg protein within 60 minutes, and 150 % fluid replacement. Sant Feliu and Girona both offer strong post-race meal options — real food beats another gel.

Race-day morning timeline

T-4 h (≈ 3:00 AM for a 7:00 AM start)	Wake, coffee, first breakfast (1–2 g/kg CHO): oatmeal + honey + banana, or bread + jam + coffee. Hydrate 17 fl oz with sodium.
T-2 h (≈ 5:00 AM)	Second small feed (~50 g CHO) — bagel, jam, sports drink. Chamois cream, sunscreen, kit on.
T-90 min	Bike check — tyre pressure, brakes, computer, bottles filled and iced. Layer up for a 46–54 °F start you can peel off after 60 min.
T-45 min	Ride to corral or short spin. Sip 7–10 fl oz of sports drink. Restroom.
T-20 min	In corral. First caffeine dose (100–200 mg gel or gum). Final layering call — arm warmers only if it is genuinely cold.
T-5 min	Half a gel. Breathe. Confirm HR/power start plan with yourself. Set the head unit alarm for 20-minute fueling reminders.
T+0	Gun. Neutral rollout — ride patiently through Sant Feliu / Girona. Do not touch a gel until km 25.

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A practical race-week checklist: carbs, hydration, sodium, caffeine and race-day supplies — print it or keep it on your phone.

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The Traka — Nutrition Basics