84.7km race! HELP!

[Qazzaz]

I am 16 and ive been biking for quite a while, but never before has a race like this been put infront of me, because of where i live there isnt much terrain.

However, on the 2nd & 3rd of March i have the wadi bih race, its mostly for a specific type of relay team (runners). However a seperate catagory has been set up for mtb riders.

The trail is 84.7km long running through extreemly mountainous terrain (boulders, scree, drop offs, long tracks, huge uphill climbs over summits etc...).
The average temerature is estimated at around 43*C for that particular week which is a mighty temperature. This meaning that there is absolutly no naturally occuring water within 100miles....and i mean that. Just dry dry dry dry land!
The mountain range lacks any civilisation untill you reach the finish in Dibba, so there are no stop offs, there is a water checkpoint every 10k on average.

If ANYONE out there has ever done anything like this race before, please post some tips. If anyone knows any specific things I may need on this journey then please post up here.
ANY help is appreciated.

Thanx
Qazzaz

[apclassic9]

WOW! Sounds like a real challenge, and a lot of fun!

All I can suggest is to start hydrating a few days prior to the race!

[david.l.k]

Take your body weight in pounds. Divide that number by 2. Drink that number (in fluid ounces) of water a day.

[JagdNeun]

We had another guy posting here stationed in the UAE, maybe he will chime in with some advice. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on how your training is going and of course the details on the race as the start date gets closer.