Ultracycling

Ultracycling refers to long-distance cycling events that exceed standard professional road racing distances, focusing on endurance, self-sufficiency, and navigation. Rides may be single continuous efforts lasting many hours or days, or staged events across multiple days. Distances commonly begin around 200 miles (approximately 320 kilometers) and extend to thousands of miles.

Formats range from self-supported competitions, where riders provide their own food, shelter, and gear, to fully supported races with teams and support vehicles. Some events are continuous, testing endurance over 24 hours or more, while others are multi-day stage races with rest periods at checkpoints. Many ultracycling events follow brevet-style or randonnée rules, offering fixed routes of 200, 300, 400, 600, and 1000 kilometers, with riders responsible for navigation and timing.

Notable events include the Race Across America (RAAM), a transcontinental race across the United States; the Tour Divide, a roughly 2,700-mile route along the Rocky Mountains; and Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1,200-kilometer randonnée that gathers riders from around the world. The Transcontinental Race and other self-supported European events also illustrate the contemporary ultracycling scene.

Common challenges include extended sleep deprivation, caloric management, weather exposure, navigation, mechanical reliability, and safety risks. Training emphasizes endurance, nutrition, fast recovery, and strategic pacing, often with careful planning for sleep and light exposure.

The sport has roots in early long-distance cycling and randonnée traditions, with a global community of clubs, organizers, and athletes who value self-reliance, preparation, and perseverance.