7 international bikepacking races to help you get you started
Want to get started with this growing sport? Try one of these endeavours
Just like the rest of the adventure community, we’ve really been bitten by the bikepacking bug hard after the last few years, so we thought we’d share the 7 international bikepacking races that we’re looking at over the coming years.
With an emphasis on slow travel, sustainability, exploring remote areas, self-reliance and a break from the screen, this revitalised sport has really captured the attention of those looking to live more sustainably and still experience new places.
1. Silk road mountain race (Kyrgyzstan) - c.1900 kilometres
Quite possibly the most well-known bikepacking race taking place outside the US, the SRMR takes in remote roads in remote Kyrgyzstan, involves 37,000 metres of ascending, and is now the stuff of our adventure dreams (we’re hoping for a successful completion in 2023!). It costs £305 per rider (not including your flights) with an additional £60 for your satellite tracker rental if required. It can be completed solo or in pairs and is held in mid-August.
2. TransBalkan race (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro) - c.1350 kilometres
Cycling across former borders of Yugoslavia, this race is 82% off road with 27,000 metres of ascent (around 3 times the height of climbing to the summit of Everest from Sea level). Taking place in early June, we anticipate this would be a great race to use as beat up for the SRMR a few months later.
3. Race around Rwanda (Rwanda) - c.1000 kilometres
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful races in our list, the RAR takes in 15,000 metres of ascent (nearly double the height of Everest) and features around 40% gravel riding with the rest on smooth tarmac roads.
4. Lame Maa 1500 (Estonia) - c.1500 kilometres
A complete circumnavigation of this beautiful northern European country takes in three separate islands and allows 10 days to complete the challenge. Costing only €90 euros for entry, GPS rental, a cycling cap and post-race food and beer, the race will take you on a 90%-paved odyssey around this digitally advanced country.
A few shots from our bikepacking expeditions around Estonia in 2022
5. Atlas mountain race (Morocco) c.1300 kilometres
An 8-day race through the Moroccan Atlas Mountains (20,200m of climbing), the cost is £350 per rider and an additional £40 for tracker rental if it’s required. Furthermore, there is a £50 media license required for sponsored riders, however, please check the website’s FAQs for more details on this.
Starting in the capital city, Marrakesh, the route heads towards Agadir and onto the finish party in the port city of Essaouira on the western coast.
6. The Transatlantic way (Ireland) - 2500 kilometres
Starting in early June, this race has two routes: a 1700-kilometre version; or the full 2500 kilometres! The route starts in Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland, crosses the border into Ireland, and then follows the wild Atlantic way all the way down to Cork in the south of the island. The race can be completed solo or in pairs and lasts anywhere between 4 day for the shorter route, and 10 days for the longer one.
7. Across Andes (Chile) - 1100 kilometres
With 15,000 metres of climbing, 50/50 split of gravel and tarmac cycling, and set in the beautiful Andes region, this race looks incredible! It features live tracking, a crossing between Chile and Argentina and the potential for real South American adventure. We’re excited by it.
