Is this a bucket list?

These races are known for their challenging terrain, harsh weather conditions, and the incredible endurance required to complete them. Each race has its own unique features, but they all push participants to their physical and mental limits. Here is a list of ten ultra endurance bike races in the world, complete with a video where possible. Enjoy!

RAAM

Race Across America (RAAM): A 3,000-mile non-stop race from the west to the east coast of the United States.

The Race Across America (RAAM) is an ultra-distance cycling race that spans over 3000 miles (4800 km) from the west coast to the east coast of the United States. The race is considered one of the most grueling endurance events in the world and is only open to solo racers, as well as relay teams.

The route of the race changes slightly each year, but it typically starts in Oceanside, California and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland. The race must be completed within a time limit of 12 days, with racers typically cycling for 20-22 hours a day to cover the distance.

RAAM is known for its extreme physical and mental demands on the racers, who must deal with sleep deprivation, extreme temperatures, and the physical toll of continuous cycling. The terrain of the race includes mountains, deserts, and plains, and racers must adapt to changing conditions as they cross the country.

The first Race Across America was held in 1982, and it has been held every year since then. The event has grown in popularity over the years and has attracted participants from around the world. The race has also raised millions of dollars for charitable causes, with many racers using the event as an opportunity to raise awareness for causes close to their hearts.

Winning the RAAM is considered a significant accomplishment in the world of endurance sports. The record for the fastest solo ride is held by Christoph Strasser of Austria, who completed the race in just over 7 days in 2014.

Tour Divide

Tour Divide: A 2,750-mile self-supported race from Banff, Canada to the Mexican border.

The Tour Divide is an annual self-supported mountain bike race that follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff, Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA. The race covers approximately 2,745 miles (4,418 km) and involves over 200,000 feet (60,960 meters) of elevation gain along the way.

Unlike traditional road races, the Tour Divide is a self-supported race, which means that participants must carry all of their own gear, food, and supplies with them throughout the race. Racers are not allowed to receive any outside support, such as food or mechanical assistance, and must rely on themselves to make repairs and navigate the route.

The route of the Tour Divide is largely off-road, and includes a mix of gravel roads, jeep tracks, and singletrack trails. Racers must deal with a variety of challenging terrain and weather conditions, including high mountain passes, rocky descents, and unpredictable weather.

The Tour Divide was first held in 1999 and has grown in popularity over the years, with participants from around the world competing in the event. The race typically takes between two and four weeks to complete, with racers averaging around 100 miles (160 km) per day.

One of the unique aspects of the Tour Divide is the sense of community that develops among the participants, who often share stories and experiences along the way. Despite the intense physical and mental demands of the race, many racers describe the Tour Divide as a life-changing experience that pushes them to their limits and teaches them important lessons about perseverance and self-reliance.

TCR

Transcontinental Race (TCR): A 2,500-mile self-supported race across Europe.

The Transcontinental Race (TCR) is an annual self-supported ultra-distance cycling race that spans over 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) across Europe. The race was first held in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular and challenging endurance events in the world of cycling.

The route of the TCR changes each year, but it typically starts in a city in Western Europe and finishes in Eastern Europe. The exact route is kept secret until just before the race begins, and racers must navigate their way through multiple checkpoints along the way. Racers are required to carry all of their own gear, including food, clothing, and sleeping equipment, and they are not allowed to receive any outside support during the race.

Why do I love the TCR? The TCR is known for its extreme physical and mental demands on the racers, who must deal with sleep deprivation, unpredictable weather conditions, and the physical toll of continuous cycling. The race includes a mix of terrain, including flat and hilly sections, as well as mountain passes and rough terrain.

The TCR is open to solo racers, as well as pairs. Racers are required to carry a GPS tracker, which allows race organizers and fans to follow the progress of the race online in real-time.

Winning the TCR is considered a significant achievement in the world of ultra-distance cycling. The race has gained a reputation for being both physically and mentally challenging, and many racers describe it as a life-changing experience.

IPWR

Indian Pacific Wheel Race: A 5,500-kilometer self-supported race across Australia.

The Indian Pacific Wheel Race (IPWR) was a self-supported ultra-distance cycling race that covered approximately 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) across Australia, from Fremantle in Western Australia to Sydney in New South Wales. The race was first held in 2017 and was intended to be an annual event, but was cancelled after the first edition due to safety concerns.

The IPWR was an unsupported race, meaning that racers were required to carry all of their own gear, including food, clothing, and sleeping equipment, and were not allowed to receive any outside support during the race. The route of the race followed the Indian Pacific railway line, which crosses the Nullarbor Plain, a vast, flat, and remote area in the middle of Australia.

The IPWR was known for its extreme physical and mental demands on the racers, who had to deal with sleep deprivation, extreme temperatures, and the physical toll of continuous cycling. The race included a mix of terrain, including flat sections, as well as mountain passes and rough terrain.

What are the ties between TCR and IPWR? The first edition of the IPWR in 2017 attracted a diverse group of participants, including professional cyclists and amateur riders from around the world. The race was won by Belgian cyclist Kristof Allegaert, who completed the race in just over 12 days.

Unfortunately, the race saw the death of British rider Mike Hall, who was struck by a car during the race. Despite this, the IPWR remains an iconic event in the world of ultra-distance cycling, and many cyclists continue to be inspired by the challenge of cycling across the vast and remote landscape of Australia.

Trans-Am

Trans Am Bike Race: A 4,300-mile self-supported race across the United States.

The Trans Am Bike Race is an annual self-supported ultra-distance cycling race that spans over 6,800 kilometers (4,233 miles) across the United States, from the west coast in Astoria, Oregon, to the east coast in Yorktown, Virginia. The race was first held in 2014 and has since become one of the most popular and challenging endurance events in the world of cycling.

The route of the Trans Am Bike Race follows the historic TransAmerica Trail, a route that was first established by Adventure Cycling Association in 1976. Racers are required to carry all of their own gear, including food, clothing, and sleeping equipment, and they are not allowed to receive any outside support during the race.

The Trans Am Bike Race is known for its extreme physical and mental demands on the racers, who must deal with sleep deprivation, unpredictable weather conditions, and the physical toll of continuous cycling. The race includes a mix of terrain, including flat and hilly sections, as well as mountain passes and rough terrain.

One of the unique aspects of the Trans Am Bike Race is that it is not a traditional stage race, but rather a single-stage race, meaning that the clock never stops until the racer reaches the finish line. This means that racers must manage their time and energy effectively to ensure that they can cover the distance within the time limit.

The Trans Am Bike Race is open to solo racers, as well as pairs and teams of four. Racers are required to carry a GPS tracker, which allows race organizers and fans to follow the progress of the race online in real-time.

Highland Trail

Highland Trail 550: A 550-mile self-supported race in the Scottish Highlands (with a great summary on bikepacking.com/)

The Highland Trail 550 is a self-supported ultra-distance mountain bike race that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. The route of the race spans over 890 kilometers (553 miles) and includes over 16,000 meters (52,500 feet) of climbing. It is open to solo racers and pairs, and the race is typically completed in 4-10 days, depending on the individual rider’s pace and fitness level.

The Highland Trail 550 was first held in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular and challenging endurance events in the world of mountain biking. Racers are required to carry all of their own gear, including food, clothing, and sleeping equipment, and they are not allowed to receive any outside support during the race.

The route of the Highland Trail 550 follows a mix of terrain, including singletrack, doubletrack, gravel roads, and remote trails. The route passes through some of the most scenic and remote parts of the Scottish Highlands, including rugged mountains, dense forests, and remote moors.

The Highland Trail 550 is known for its extreme physical and mental demands on the racers, who must deal with sleep deprivation, unpredictable weather conditions, and the physical toll of continuous mountain biking. The race includes a mix of technical and challenging terrain, including steep climbs, technical descents, and river crossings.

One of the unique aspects of the Highland Trail 550 is that racers must navigate the route themselves, using a combination of GPS navigation and map reading. The race is not marked, and racers must find their own way along the route, which adds an extra layer of challenge and adventure.

SRMR

Silk Road Mountain Race: A 1,700-kilometer self-supported race through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

The Silk Road Mountain Race is an annual self-supported ultra-distance mountain bike race that takes place in the Kyrgyzstan mountains. The route of the race spans over 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) and includes over 27,000 meters (88,000 feet) of climbing.

The Silk Road Mountain Race was first held in 2018 and has since become one of the most challenging and prestigious endurance events in the world of mountain biking. The race is known for its rugged and remote terrain, which includes high-altitude mountain passes, steep climbs and descents, river crossings, and rough singletrack.

Racers in the Silk Road Mountain Race are required to carry all of their own gear, including food, clothing, and sleeping equipment, and they are not allowed to receive any outside support during the race. The race follows a combination of marked and unmarked routes, and racers must navigate using a combination of GPS navigation and map reading.

What sets SRMR apart? One of the unique aspects of the Silk Road Mountain Race is that it takes place in a very remote and sparsely populated part of the world, and racers are often immersed in the local culture and customs of the region. The race passes through traditional Kyrgyz settlements, yurt camps, and nomadic pastures, providing a unique opportunity for racers to experience the rich and vibrant culture of the region.

The race includes a mix of technical and challenging terrain, and racers must be prepared for everything from high-altitude mountain passes to rough, rocky singletrack.

The Silk Road Mountain Race is open to solo racers and pairs, and the race is typically completed in 10-14 days, depending on the individual rider’s pace and fitness level.

Odyssey

Japan Odyssey: A 2,600-kilometer self-supported race across Japan.

The Japan Odyssey is an annual self-supported ultra-distance cycling event that takes place in Japan. The event was first held in 2018, and it covers over 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) of road, with over 30,000 meters (98,000 feet) of elevation gain.

The route of the Japan Odyssey takes riders on a challenging journey through the Japanese countryside, with riders starting and finishing in Tokyo. The course is designed to showcase the natural beauty of Japan, with riders passing through rural villages, mountain ranges, and along the coast.

As a self-supported event, riders must carry all their own gear and supplies, including food, water, and shelter. Unlike other ultra-distance events, the Japan Odyssey also requires riders to bring a tent and sleeping gear, which allows riders to stay in remote areas and connect with the natural beauty of Japan.

One of the unique aspects of the Japan Odyssey is that riders are given the freedom to create their own route, allowing them to explore the culture and scenery of Japan on their own terms. While there are some checkpoints and mandatory rest stops along the way, riders are given the freedom to design their own routes, which can make the event more challenging and adventurous.

The Japan Odyssey is open to a wide range of riders, from experienced ultra-distance cyclists to those who are simply looking for an epic cycling adventure. The event is non-competitive, with riders encouraged to support and help each other along the way.

Overall, the Japan Odyssey is a unique and challenging ultra-distance cycling event that offers riders the opportunity to explore the natural beauty and culture of Japan while pushing their physical and mental limits.

Swiss Epic

Swiss Epic: A five-day, 350-kilometer mountain bike race through the Swiss Alps. Is the Swiss Epic harder then the Cape Epic?

Both the Swiss Epic and the Cape Epic are challenging multi-stage mountain bike races, but it is difficult to say which one is harder as it largely depends on individual factors such as fitness, skill level, and terrain preferences.

The Swiss Epic is a five-day race that covers approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) with over 12,000 meters (39,000 feet) of climbing. The race takes place in the Swiss Alps, and riders must contend with steep climbs, technical descents, and high altitude.

The Cape Epic, on the other hand, is an eight-day race that covers approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) with over 16,000 meters (52,000 feet) of climbing. The race takes place in South Africa, and riders must contend with rugged terrain, extreme heat, and challenging climbs.

While the Cape Epic covers a greater distance and has more climbing overall, the Swiss Epic features steeper climbs and higher altitudes. Additionally, weather conditions can play a significant role in the difficulty of both races. There is extreme heat in the Cape Epic and unpredictable weather in the Swiss Epic.

Conclusion: both races are known for their difficulty and are considered among the most challenging multi-stage mountain bike races in the world. Riders who take on these races must be prepared for long days in the saddle, challenging terrain, and extreme physical and mental demands.

AMR

Atlas Mountain Race: A 1,200-kilometer self-supported race through the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

The Atlas Mountain Race is a self-supported ultra-endurance bikepacking race that takes place in Morocco. The race covers approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) with over 25,000 meters (82,000 feet) of climbing.

The race takes riders on a challenging and beautiful journey through the Atlas Mountains. Both the start and finish is in Marrakesh. The route is a mix of singletrack, gravel, and tarmac. Riders must also contend with steep climbs, fast descents, and varied terrain.

As a self-supported event, riders must carry all their own gear and supplies, including food, water, and shelter. Unlike other ultra-endurance events, the Atlas Mountain Race does not have any checkpoints or rest stops. This means riders must plan their own routes and resupply points.

One of the unique aspects of the Atlas Mountain Race is the cultural experience it provides. Riders pass through remote Berber villages, meet local people, and experience the beauty and hospitality of Moroccan culture.

The Atlas Mountain Race is a challenging event that requires a high level of fitness, technical skill, and mental fortitude. Riders must be prepared for long days in the saddle, challenging climbs, and remote and unpredictable terrain. Riding through the beautiful Atlas Mountains and experiencing the culture of Morocco is a truly unique and unforgettable event.