Top 10 Mountain Biking Events

Are you into riding off road with strangers for hours at a time? Do you like hardcore, legendary mountain biking in rocky, high-altitude locations? Or are you on the lookout for the latest, most challenging MTB marathon of the year? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then keep on reading to find out about the most exotic, unique stage races out there. Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced rider, here are the top 10 mountain biking events you should know about.

Top 10 Mountain Biking Events

Top 10 Mountain Biking Events
Top 10 Mountain Biking Events

10. Trans Pyrenees

Trans Pyrenees
Trans Pyrenees

Starting out in San Sebastian and finishing in Roses, this mountain biking event takes place in Spain, between 30th June and 7th July. Available for teams of 2 or 3, the race covers 950 km over the course of 8 consecutive days. Adding up to a daily average of 2500 m of climbing, you get to cross the grandiose Pyrenees, well-known by all cycling fanatics, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic! The journey ends with a traditional dip in the Atlantic Ocean in the breathtaking coastal town of Hendaye.

9. Katy Trail


At 240 miles, this is America's longest Rails-to-Trails and begins at Machens on the Missouri river. Passing through Jefferson City and Columbia, the trail finishes in Clinton and is one of the most exciting, scenic ride on the nation's most extensively developed and popular rail. Taking place between 22nd and 26th of June, biking through the rustic Missouri is an enriching adventure that every cyclist should experience at least once.

8. Salzkammergut Trophy

Salzkammergut Trophy
Salzkammergut Trophy

If marathons are more your thing, this event is the front runner when it comes to difficulty and endurance. Widely-known in Europe as the most demanding mountain biking race in terms of stamina, this competition takes place in Austria, on the 9th of July and has 7000 m of elevation gain. If you decide to compete, you'll have 16 hours to finish a 210 km course through the Alps. This excruciating trek is known to bring even the strongest competitors down to their knees long before they've passed the finish line. If this sounds too exhausting for you, then you might want to check out one of the shorter options that takes place on the same day.

7. Cape Epic


Known as the Tour de France of mountain biking, this grueling competition is regarded as a standard stage race, covering around 700 km of South Africa. A veritable challenge for both amateurs and veteran contestants, Cape Epic typically lasts for 8 days and is redesigned annually, to ensure a refreshing, unpredictable expedition every year.

6. La Ruta

La Ruta
La Ruta

This renowned mountain biking event cuts across Costa Rice from the Pacific to the east coast on the Caribbean. While the length is not very impressive - covering a little over 150 miles during the course of 3 days - what makes this race truly challenging is the total elevation gain of over 20000 feet. Traversing everything from small villages to forests and active volcanos, this event will drain you out with its hot-cold discrepancy and exotic, wild setting.

5. Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez

This event has gained more or less of a celebrity status in the biking community over the years. Compiling rocky single tracks, forest roads and tricky descends over glaciers, this race is not so big on free ride features, but rather focuses on physically challenging lines. With over 2500 meters of altitude drop, this trail covers everything from rocky climbs to sandy berms.

4. Iron Bike

Taking place between 23rd and 30th of July in Italy, this is one of the most demanding races when it comes to both physical persistence and agility. The race includes untimed linking stages and several timed "special stages". You'll need great stamina to compete in this race, as you might have to ride up to 12 hours a day on high altitude camps.

3. BC Bike Race


This remarkable mountain biking event is widely-recognized as a record-holder when it comes to single tracks. Do you think you could ride single tracks for 7 days straight? If you want to compete in this race, you have to! Integrated with a multitude of hand-built British Columbia trails, BC Bike Race has the most single track worldwide and makes for a highly-demanding and exhausting trial.

2. Trans Portugal


This is a fierce and laborious race that you should not get into lightly. Encompassing over 1100 km of off-road, rife with sand tracks and forest roads, Trans Portugal is an 8-day mountain bike stage race that usually takes place in May. The reason why this particular event stands out from all the rest is that it has a limited number of riders. Only 75 competitors can participate in this race. Moreover, if you choose to sign up for this, your lodgings and in-between stages meals are already taken care of by the organizers. You'll be competing as part of a team that will receive CTS support from a coach. You'll also be provided with high-tech equipment and you'll have professional mechanics constantly re-checking and working on your bike during and between stages.

1. Trans Alp


With over 1000 participants from 40 countries every year, Trans Alp is one of the most
well-known, spectacular stage races across Europe. Featuring a 897 km track, over 19000 meters altitude and 22 magnificent mountain passes, this mountain biking event is an indispensable experience for any dedicated cycling enthusiast. The MTB race takes place between 13th and 20th July, starting in Mittenwald and ending at the beautiful Lake Garda. If you decide to participate, you'll be competing as part of a team of 2 and have over 25000 spectators watch and cheer for you in different locations.

So grab your bike and experiment with some of the most thrilling and challenging mountain bike racing events of the year! Whether you're a new-comer looking to learn and gain experience, or an old-timer ready to put your endurance and mental strength to the test, take the time to go on a journey of self-discovery and exhilaration on your mountain bike!

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