Tomorrow, Sunday the 23rd of July at 10 PM CET, a few hundred of the gnarliest cyclists on Earth embark on the 9th edition of the Transcontinental Race, and we're here to make sure you're in on the action. This iconic event, organized by the visionary organization Lost Dot, celebrates the audacious spirit of adventure and the art of self-supported bikepacking. Committed to creating iconic self-supported ultracycling races, Lost Dot's ethos of inclusivity, ethics, sustainability, and diversity (not to mention grit) aligns perfectly with Peak Design's values, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the team this year as a media sponsor.
To truly tell the story of the TCR, you've gotta start with Mike Hall. A revered legend of endurance cycling, Mike played a pivotal role in shaping the beloved race, and the culture around ultracycling as a whole.
Mike tragically passed on the 31st of March 2017 after being struck by a car during the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race across Australia, leaving an indelible mark on the cycling community. His memory lives on through the TCR and all those who take part, reminding us of the importance of cherishing every moment and embracing the adventure that lies ahead.
The TCR is a completely self-supported ultra-distance bikepacking race spanning 4000+ kilometers across Europe with over 40,000 meters of elevation gain, making it one of the most difficult bike races in existence. It takes the average racer about 12 days to complete and the course changes each year, so even veterans are in for a new experience.
Like any other competition, there are some rules; at their heart is the "Spirit of the Race," an ethos of fairplay developed by Mike Hall himself. The official rules themselves are few but strictly enforced, and all center around integrity, safety, and equality.
Strategically placed throughout the 4000+ kilometer course are Control Points (CPs), guiding riders on their journey. These CPs have brutal time limits, requiring each rider to meticulously plan their route and budget their supplies. All of this preparation leads to some jaw-dropping setups, fit to make any bikepacking lover drool.
This is where we come in: we're thrilled to be the TCR 2023 Media Sponsor, providing gear to all the Lost Dot photographers — Saskia Martin, Tomás Montes López, Tom Gibbs, Charlotte Gamus, and Liz Seabrook — so they can document the action to their fullest abilities. We'll be sharing their shots throughout the race, but we encourage you to follow them and the official race account so you don't miss a thing.
We'll also be hosting a stunning photo exhibition featuring the work of TCR veteran photographer James Robertson at the Flandrien Hotel from the15th of July to the 5th of August. His work showcases the extraordinary moments, emotions, and landscapes captured during the race and celebrates the racers, their passion, and their pursuit of adventure.
Finally, you can follow the race in real time via Dotwatcher, a live interactive map displaying riders; tracking data throughout the race (last year's map shown below). It's gripping to watch each dot battle across Europe; if you're fortunate enough to live near a Control Point, swing by with a cowbell or vuvuzela and show the riders some love.
The race kicks off tomorrow, July 23rd. (Assuming you're reading this right after we post it, which we're sure you are.) Don't miss it.
© 2026 Peak Design
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