RIDER INTERVIEW – BENJAMIN SCHMETZ
We’re excited to welcome Benjamin Schmetz to the CYCLITE family. A passionate ultra-cyclist, former triathlete and thoughtful writer, Benjamin brings clarity and emotion to the way he documents his adventures. In this interview, he talks about how he got into ultra-cycling, what motivates him, how he deals with sleep deprivation, recovery, nutrition and why pizza and classical music are his most loyal companions.
Please describe yourself in a few sentences? Tell us, who are you?
I’m Benjamin, 33 years old and I’ve always been passionate with sport. That’s myself because sport has always been part of me.
How did you get into Ultra-Cycling?
During my childhood, I practiced rowing. So, I was completely emerged in a sport environment all my life. And then at 20 years old, I changed and I practiced triathlon for eight years. Then I was completely bored of triathlon and it was not interesting anymore. It was very commercial racing and I didn’t enjoy it anymore. So, I bought a gravel bike in 2019. I always say I bought a gravel before everyone bought a gravel. I really enjoy it and that was the step that brought me to ultra cycling.
What fascinates you about (Ultra-) Cycling?
Cycling has always been a really big part of my life because I’ve always been connected to cycling. When I was a child my father brought me along the side of the Liège–Bastogne–Liège road. I was only seven years old and I remember it like it was yesterday.
I really like all the aspects of cycling. It’s not only about competition. It’s about everything – material, people, training, physiology. So, I’m really interested in all these kinds of topics.
But my life is not only about sport. I also have a personal life with many friends and family. But yes, it’s a big part of me, I have to say.
What fascinates you about the races you do and how do they keep you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is the difficulty. I always want to do more difficult races and when I succeed in one race, I want to test myself on a more difficult event. That’s the way I move on. And also, I would like to know at which point my body is able to rush.
That’s something I don’t have the answer. Because in ultra cycling, you have so many things. You have sleeping strategy, material... it’s not only about physical things. It’s about your mindset also. Every year, I discover some new opportunities to improve.
I’m pretty sure the body is able to do crazy things. One day, I would like to crash on a wall and tell myself, okay, that’s the limit. You rushed it.
I’m 33 years old. I invest a lot in my projects because I want to do it now and in the next 3–4 years. Even some races and some off-projects also.
When you talk about sleep, do you train before your races to deal with the sleep lag?
I don’t think we can train that. I try to sleep as much as possible before the events. My experience helped me to discover what is working well on me.
On a multi-night event, I have a strategy to start with a good sleep and then each night I sleep less. With that strategy, I’m able to start without losing too much energy and to move on in a good way.
If I see I’m in a good position and my body is working well, then I can sleep less and go to the limit at the end of the event.
I need to sleep. Some people can do two nights without sleeping. I’m not able to do that. I prefer sleeping two hours and riding fast. I think it’s also a healthier way and it‘s working very well.
I think in the future, in longer events, all the people will sleep more than now. I think in the end, it’s more efficient.
If you have really good efficiency, you sleep three hours, then you can do 21 hours without stopping. If you only sleep one hour you are a bit slower, while riding and feeding.
How is your recovery process after a multi-day race?
I like to go back on my bike the day after. I really enjoy it. I want to see how my body is working. I take it easy. I don’t do anything special, except beers. They are important haha.
When you do long rides, do you listen to music or podcasts?
Yes, a lot. I have a special playlist that I’ve built for years now.
I have all kinds of songs. Some classical music is working very well for me. Also some French music that I can sing, like Stromae and Jacques Brel.
When I’m off-road, I turn the music off. I like listening to the forest and the animals during the night and music in the day.
I listen to podcasts only in training, but not while racing.
How do you fuel yourself? What do you eat during races?
I don‘t eat any gels or bars. I tried it. After a few hours, I could not eat anything more. I came to the finish line with 2 kilos of gels and bars that I didn’t eat.
So now I just eat normal food. I go to the supermarket. I buy everything I can and bring it on my bike. A lot of bakery snacks, salty things like pizza. Very normal food.
And a lot of juice, so I have some calories while drinking. It helps me a lot. You have to eat so much calories during these races that sometimes you do not feel hungry anymore.
But drinking some juice keeps me hydrated. I like it.
Do you have a favorite pre-race meal?
The best is a simple pizza – because it is simple. You have everything. Just a margherita. That is what I like. You are never sick. If you try some special food it can be tricky. Margherita is perfect for that.
Do you still get nervous before races?
No. I do it for myself. I do not put any pressure about the result. I don’t want to. In the past, I did that. But it‘s not working anymore.
I just look at myself. I have a full-time job. It‘s just about riding my bike. It is a pure passion.
I don‘t want to put any kind of pressure on me. I keep it funny. We have enough stress in our everyday life, you don‘t have to add any stress.
When you are in a mental low in a race, do you have a strategy to push yourself again and to get rid of the negative thoughts?
Yes. I have a mental key. I suppose like everyone. There is something very personal that pushes me.
In the past, I have always dreamed of being an athlete. I have never been able to do that. Sometimes I think about that. About myself. About people who did not believe in me in the past. That helps me to go further.
I think all people have their personal reasons to be there. A reason that helps them to ride those crazy kilometers.
Do you have a passion outside of cycling?
Writing. I wrote a lot in the past. I was a journalist in Belgium. I‘m still writing. That is why I did a blog where I tell stories of my races or great rides.
I hope the content of my blog will increase a lot the next few years!
If you could travel back in time, what would you tell your past self before your first ultra race?
I started my first ultra race with a lot of things that I brought and I didn’t use.
Now I take the minimal equipment. I know what I need to take, what is necessary, what is not.
Also my mindset. At my first ultra race I looked a lot at other people. Now it‘s only about me. Going as fast as possible. That is working very well.
Is there still a race or a region where you haven’t been yet that you would love to explore by bike?
Yes, Asia.
Asia and next year I really would like to go to Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan. This country is wonderful.
I also would like to travel to South Korea to explore the country and the culture.
I have also another thing in my mind but I don’t know if it’s possible. I would like to cross China. That project is not for next year, maybe later.
I would like to discover this country because we don’t know much about it and I’m pretty sure it’s wonderful.
Maybe it’s difficult for Europeans to go, I have to work on this project to know if it’s achievable.
But Silk Road is a goal. I really want to be there. The altitude, very wide, very few resupply points. That’s the next step for me.
But even just around home there are so many beautiful places to explore. A weekend is already enough to go bikepacking.
We always want to go to the other side of the planet but there are so many things just next to our house that we didn’t discover yet.
One thing I want to show the people is the power of sport.
For me, it’s the only thing that links everyone all around the world.
We saw it at the Olympic Games in Paris. It was crazy how the people were smiling, they were together from all around the world.
And I want to show to people that just going out for a bike ride can change your life.
I’m pretty sure it’s not just a simple sentence, it’s something really true.
If you want to follow Benjamin and read more of his stories, check out:
Instagram: @benja_gravel
Blog: justasimpleride.com/blog
