The 2017 Indian Pacific Wheel Race IPWR or Indy-Pac was a self-supported, ultra-distance bikepacking race across Australia. It has been held in subsequent years as a Ride instead of a Race. The fixed route is about 5,500 km long and goes from the shore of the Indian Ocean near Perth to the Pacific Ocean in Sydney. The race attracted a lot of attention partly due to the big names in the sport all racing against each other, but ended with the tragic death of Mike Hall.
Read more ...
The Trans Am Bike Race is a self-supported, ultra-distance bikepacking race across the USA. The fixed route is about 4,300 miles (6,900 km) long and goes from Oregon to Virginia. This article includes reports of the first 3 editions of the race in 2014, ’15 and ’16, including details of how Lael Wilcox became the first woman to win it overall in 2016.
Read more ...
The history of modern bikepacking races is quite short, having started with some off-road races in the USA in the early 2000s. Road-based bikepacking races started with the World Cycle Race in 2012, then the first Transcontinental Race in Europe in 2013 brought much more attention. Near the origins of cycle sport in the late 1800s, there were many people recording times for riding ultra-distances solo and self-supported.
Read more ...
Mike Hall won various bikepacking races, founded the Transcontinental Race and inspired people all over the world to ride farther than they thought possible.
Read more ...
Cyclists are occasionally chased or attacked by dogs, bears and other animals. A variety of strategies are described for how to deal with this.
Read more ...
Using a navigation device that has the desired functions and is reliable can save a lot of time in bikepacking races and when doing long-distance cycling.
Read more ...
Advice on which tools and spare parts to carry when doing self-supported bikepacking races, touring and long-distance cycling.
Read more ...
Cyclists must find their own supplies in bikepacking races. A variety of strategies on where to find food and how to stay well-fueled are described.
Read more ...
Time efficiency when off the bike is at least as important as cycling speed in bikepacking and ultra-distance cycling races in which the clock never stops.
Read more ...
Cycling efficiently is essential for long-distance cycling. Pedaling technique, gear ratios, bike handling, and descending skills are covered.
Read more ...
The variety of equipment used in bikepacking races means that the range of equipment costs is large, but estimates for reasonable options are given.
Read more ...
Analysis of all editions the Transcontinental Race, including combined results, the likelihood of finishing/scratching, finish times, and distances ridden.
Read more ...
Route overview, results highlights and details of the race organization and tragedies that surrounded the 2017 Transcontinental Race No5.
Read more ...
Route overview, race summary, full results, links to media coverage and rider reports from the 4th edition of the Transconinental Race in 2016.
Read more ...
Route overview, race summary, brief results, links to media coverage and rider reports from the 2nd edition of the Transconinental Race in 2014.
Read more ...
