WHY DOTBOOSTER
Dotbooster is a collaborative initiative designed and led by two of the most experienced specialist ultracycling coaches, Jasmijn Muller of Be The Egg Cycle Coaching and Niel Copeland of Turn Cycling.
The combined experiences of our own races and those of our coaching clients spans a wide breath of races. From the pan-flat but underestimated Race around the Netherlands to the unrelenting hills, wind and beauty of TransAtlanticWay. From the ‘sprint’ distance BikingMan races to NorthCapeTarifa, Europe’s longest ultra race. From fixed-route off-road races such as the Atlas Mountain Race to the challenge of plotting your own TransContinentalRace route. From race-winning or Top 10 results to the bitter disappointment of a DNF.
We have been there, done it, seen it. We live and breathe ultracycling and want to share our passion for this beautiful niche with both newcomers and experienced racers.
Dotbooster is a training camp for ultra cyclists which aims to:
- Boost riders' fitness, knowledge and skills for ultra cycling races.
- Signpost a development path of races, based on distance, difficulty, type and vibe.
- Reduce the scratch rate and bring more riders to the Finishers' Party !
The Dotbooster training camp is for you if:
- After enthusiastically applying for your first ultra, you are unsure how to prepare.
- After scratching from your last race, you need a boost to finish what you started.
- You want to gain a competitive edge, prepare comprehensively and race smarter.
ULTRA WORKSHOPS
Dotbooster is a unique training camp to prepare you for ultra cycling races, both on and off-road.
We offer our riders some of the very best riding in Wales, but crucially it is about so much more than miles...
A bespoke programme of multiple daily workshops, delivered by expert ultra cycling coaches and racers, will take you through all the elements of the Rubik's Cube of ultra racing performance.
Each workshop comes with a handout to take notes, check out additional background information and follow through to product and race links.
Back for 2027, after the successful launch in 2026, is a series of online workshops and recorded webinars during the months building up to the Dotbooster training camp.
MENTAL RESILIENCE
Tools and techniques to build your mental skills for ultra racing success because the longer the race, the more can go wrong
PHYSIOLOGY
Successful ultra-endurance cycling training and racing requires appreciation of the underlying physiology limiting performance, including potential impact of sex and age
INJURY PREVENTION
Physio-led pre- and post-ride exercises to avoid injuries, optimise performance and aid recovery
FUEL & HYDRATE
Some say ultra cycling races are eating competitions on two wheels, but how do you practice this and do you understand the interaction between hydration, nutrition, pacing and temperature?
BIKE FITTING
Understand the key factors that influence ultra distance bike comfort and learn to address some of the most common fitting issues
BIKE REPAIRS
What tools to carry for road-side repairs during self-supported ultra races, how to use them and other creative solutions
KIT
What to pack (and why) for ultra cycling races, including handy tried-and-tested kit list examples for different types of races and conditions
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Comparison of sleep set-ups and strategies to maximise sleep quality in all kinds of conditions as well as guided opportunities for sleeping outside for the 'bivy-curious'
ELECTRONICS
Find out about the power management strategies, tools and techniques that have allowed your coaches to successfully complete some of the longest and most remote ultra races
ROUTE PLANNING
Progress from adapting and marking up routes through to planning routes on the fly, using a mix of tools
SAFETY
During this session we discuss some of the safety expects of ultra cycling races, including safety equipment, first aid, insurance options, dealing with sleep deprivation, animals, highway and race rules
EFFICIENCY
Maximising moving time and minimising stopping time is easier said than done. During this session we discuss, develop and rehearse pacing strategies and efficiency routines for food, toilet and sleep stops
DOTBOOSTER TEAM
The core Dotbooster team consists of two experienced coaches, each with their own unique skill set, complimenting one another to deliver a unique ultra cycling training camp. There are few ultra cycling races we have not coached riders for !
FAQ
Is this suitable for me ?
Dotbooster is both for experienced racers and those thinking about doing their first ultra race.
There is no such thing as a minimum speed, but you need to be comfortable with multi-day riding and have a passion for adventure.
How long are the rides ?
The focus during Dotbooster is on the learning with typically workshops in the morning and riding in the afternoons. If you just want to do long rides, day after day, this training camp is probably not for you.
The group ride on the first day will be about 100km, with hills! After that, it is up to you how far you want to ride each day after the morning workshops, providing you are back in time for dinner. The night ride starts around 9-9:30pm, with a shorter and longer route to reach our wild camp spot either before or after midnight. The next morning Jas will wake you up bright and early for a steep ~4hr round hike up Pen y Fan and an optional refreshing wild swim in Cwm Llwych, followed by a short pub lunch spin.
Our ridewithgps route library has longer and shorter risk-, challenge-, scenery- and coffee-shop assessed rides for you to follow. And if your body needs an extra rest day, take it!
What should I bring ?
In addition to casual evening wear, you need to bring all the usual for riding: a well-serviced bike – can be road, MTB or gravel or several bikes if you like – helmet, shoes, clothes, mini pump, repair kit, as well as your laptop, bike computer and phone for route planning and navigation, along with all their chargers and cables.
In addition, you should bring relevant spares for your bike (rear mech hanger, brake pads, quick links etc) as well as any roadside tools or spares you have, but may be unsure of how to use.
We encourage you to bring (and ride with) at least partially-loaded bikepacking bags, filled with spare layers, charging tools and/or your sleep system, so you can test and compare these during the camp. If you don’t have some of these items yet, we can recommend rental options, possibly help with some loans and note that outdoor sleeping is not a must !
Do I need insurance ?
You must provide proof of third-party liability insurance for cycling. In the UK, this is included for example with membership of British Cycling or Cycling UK. Other cheaper, more flexible, but lower cover alternatives include Laka or Cycleplan. If you are coming from outside the UK, please ensure that you have travel insurance and that it covers you for taking part in cycling events.
What time does it start and finish ?
Dotbooster 2027 runs from Friday 21 May 5pm through to Friday 28 May 10am, thus giving you the opportunity to recover from the training camp or extend your cycling fun over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
Where is the training camp and how do I get there ?
Dotbooster 2027 is once again held in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The accommodation is a few kilometers outside the small town of Brecon. You will receive the exact location in the guide we send out in the final week before the training camp. The nearest train station is in Abergavenny. If coming from abroad, you can fly into Heathrow and book your bike onto the Heathrow Express to London Paddington. Or book onto the Eurostar, grab a taxi or cycle from London King’s Cross to Paddington. Then book a Great Western Railway train (secure your seperate bike booking early as only 2-4 available per train !) from London Paddington to Newport (South Wales) and change there for the Transport for Wales train (in direction Manchester) to Abergavenny (no seperate bike booking required). We can arrange to collect you from Abergavenny station for the final ~35 minutes drive. If you prefer to cycle the last leg, allow for ~90 minutes of relaxed towpath riding. Depending on your location, you may also be able to fly into Cardiff Airport, from where it is ~1.5hr taxi ride to Brecon or ~2hr bus & train journey to Abergavenny.
How much does it cost and when do I need to pay ?
Dotbooster 2027 is:
- £750 when booking a bed in a triple room or 4-person dorm
- £900 when booking a single bed in a twin room
- £1050 when booking an ensuite master bedroom or twin room as single occupancy
- If you want to book an ensuite master bedroom as a couple, you will each pay £900
Note that we try to allocate room sharing based on single sex.
This includes the pre-recorded sessions released between December and April, a full week of expert coaching, unique daily workshops with session guides during the camp, 5 days of riding, 1 night ride, an extensive route library, 7 days of delicious and plentyful half-board catering, 7 nights of traditional Manor-style accommodation, free car parking, secure bike storage, daily laundry, WiFi, goodie bag, professional photos and invaluable memories.
For not much more than twice the price of many ultra race entry fees only (!), we give you a lot more than a cap, a couple of geo coordinates and good luck wishes.
For all bookings received before 1 March 2027, you can opt to pay 50% upon booking and the remaining 50% by 31 March 2027. For all bookings made after 1 March 2027, 100% payment is required upon sign-up. We don’t give refunds, but you can transfer your ticket to a friend if needed.
I can't attend the camp, but like to attend the online ultra workshops series
If you can’t make the dates of the May training camp, but would like access to the online workshops series, you can do so for £250. The online workshops are recorded, so if you are late to the game and missed some, you can catch up. You won’t learn as much online as you would during the training camp, but will gain valuable ultra knowledge, get a flavour of what Dotbooster is about, gain access to our wider Dotbooster community, and benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience the coaches have.
Can I attend the online workshops and then decide if I want to book the training camp ?
Sure. The price for the online ultra workshops series is set at £250. But, providing we still have spaces available on the in-person training camp in Wales in May, we can deduct this charge from the training camp price if you decide to enter later.
TESTIMONIALS
From essential gear and tech to bike setup, from route planning to fuelling, from riding to post-ride rituals, Jas and Niel are covering all aspects of road and offroad ultracycling. While I found the online webinars to be already interesting and helpful in preparation of my events, the real magic happened in Wales! Jas and Niel created such a friendly, welcoming and inspiring atmosphere on-site that I enjoyed a lot, given that most of my training happens solo. I was able to connect to people with different experiences, share stories, get inspired and have a lot of laughs. Also, never having been to Wales before I was amazed by the landscape and the quiet roads that Jas and Niel picked for our everyday rides. Ah, and don't forget the accomodation in a historic and cozy place! And the delicious food!"
Dotbooster was also one of the best weeks of cycling I've ever had, and a s**t load of fun!.”
Jas and Niel are excellent coaches and they created a fun and supportive learning environment. Dotbooster can also be 100% tailored to you depending on your riding ability, style and goals.”
Don't think about it: just book it! You won't regret it."
Dotbooster gave me the confidence to very successfully compete in the 24 hour TT (Female National Champion) giving me the confidence to know that I could ride at night and more importantly keep going!"
This really is a great course for anyone thinking of starting out in ultra cycling, or looking to gain an edge from expert knowledge."
PARTNERS
