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5 Minutes With...

Learn more about the riders behind the dots. We talk to community heroes, industry insiders and champion races to find out more about bikepacking racing.

Race Reports

Follow along your old and new favourite races beyond just chasing dots. Our community of experts provide in depth commentary.

Roundtables

Prominent members of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

Bikes of...

Ever wonder what your favourite rider takes along for the trip?

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Roundtable: Night Starts

Starting a race in the dark is undeniably a spectacle. However, with concerns about riders' safety on the roads and the effect of a first sleepless night on a longer race, we put it to those with varying perspectives as to whether night starts have a place in our sport or not.

Roundtable: Mandatory Kit Requirements

In this roundtable we discuss the topic of mandatory kit for ultra distance races. With no governing body for the sport, race organisers have differing ideas about what kit is deemed essential for the particular conditions of their race. Read on for more on this important topic.

By: Nicky Shaw

Five Minutes With... The Trans Pyrenees Race

Ahead of this year's fourth edition of the Trans Pyrenees Race, we sat down with the team at Lost Dot to explore how this year's TPR sticks to the Race's heritage of a double traverse of the Pyrenees but with a few twists along the way.

By: Beccy Waters

Five Minutes With Samuel Thompson

We sat down with Samuel Thompson, ultra-racer and coach who has founding his ultra-cycling consulting company Acier.cc. Samuel has competed in ultra-races and audaxes for almost 10 years, make sure you learn from his wisdom.

Bikes of Tour Te Waipounamu 2024

A compilation of the riders' chosen bikes and equipment for the third edition of the race. With most opting for hardtails, there are a few anomolies and a wide spectrum of the amount of equipment for this 1,330km Kiwi epic.

Bikes Of... GranGuanche Audax Road 2024

The third edition of the Granguanche Audax Road: a paved route across the Canary Islands which goes by the most iconic roads and climbs of the archipelago. Road or touring bikes with low gearing and minimum 25mm tyres will be required.

DotWatcher Dozen 2024

The DotWatcher Dozen, a 2024 race season preview including 7 established classics and 6 inaugural races with exciting new formats. Making it a baker's dozen, the thirteenth race we highlight is one that has been on hiatus, but this year we see it return to the racing calendar.

By: Kitty Dennis

By: Beccy Waters

By: Nicky Shaw

Planning an FKT Attempt

In this guide, we'll delve into the practicalities of preparing for your FKT journey using the Ride With GPS platform. It’s everything you need to know, from the initial scrutinising of trails to heading out on your attempt day.

By: Ride With GPS

By: Kitty Dennis

2023 DotWatcher Awards

Our annual awards nominated by you, the bikepacking race community, to celebrate the finest achievements of 2023 in the sport. Read the feature to learn who received this year’s awards for their endeavours on and off the bike.

By: Nicky Shaw

By: Beccy Waters

By: Kitty Dennis

Winter Watching 2023

Once again, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite films from bikepacking races this year to keep those in the Northern Hemisphere entertained as we settle in for some short days and long evenings.

By: Beccy Waters

By: Kitty Dennis

By: Nicky Shaw

Five Minutes With... Kevin Francis

The Great British Divide has become an iconic off-road route, taking in 2000km across the length of the UK. Kevin Francis is the man behind the race; with a strong background in corporate and sporting events it's not hard to see why the race has received such success.

By: Nicky Shaw

DotWatcher 2023 Roundup

A roundup of some of the most exciting races in 2023, with a spread of events across the globe. Take a look at what went down at some of the biggest races of the year.

By: Beccy Waters

By: Nicky Shaw

By: Kitty Dennis

Bikes Of... GranGuanche Audax Trail 2023

The third edition of the Granguanche Audax Trail: an unpaved route across the Canary Islands with considerable elevation gain. With a rich variety of terrain to contend with, the route calls for hardtail MTBs, or monster-cross gravel bikes with low gearing.

Bikes of Across Andes 2023

Riders will be riding further south than ever before to take in some of Chilean Patagonia’s most iconic gravel roads. A bleak forecast has forced many riders to reasses their kit lists and add extra jackets, warm layers and gloves.

Roundtable: Scratching from Ultra Distance Races Part 2

Scratching is a part of ultra distance races that most racers will have to deal with at some point. This two part roundtable aims to open up the dialogue on scratching, and debunk the negative stigma that it sometimes carries.

By: Nicky Shaw

Lost Dot 2024: The Year of Transcontinental No10

Lost Dot, organisers of the Transcontinental Race, Trans Pyrenees Race and now the Accursed Race, have shared some insight with DotWatcher on their 2024 plans. Learn about the route for TCRNo10 and how they're tackling climate change at the Accursed.

By: Beccy Waters

Roundtable: Scratching from Ultra Distance Races - Part 1

Scratching is a part of ultra distance races that most racers will have to deal with at some point. This two part roundtable aims to open up the dialogue on scratching, and debunk the negative stigma that it sometimes carries.

By: Nicky Shaw

Nerve Damage During Races: What causes it? Can it be prevented? And, what to do if it strikes.

A physical phenomenon many ultra cyclists are familiar with is mild to severe nerve damage at the contact points, but it need not be this way. We asked Gail Brown to share her knowledge on why nerve damage happens, how to prevent it and what to do if it strikes mid-race.

By: Gail Brown

What is an FKT?

The highly sought after FKT, what does it mean and why is it important? What's the difference between a race win and an FKT?

By: Kitty Dennis

Bikes of GBDURO23

What would you pack for 1,880km of mixed terrain riding as well as stationary time spent at outdoor checkpoints? Pack light to go fast but spend longer waiting at CPs. Expect more robust sleep setups, pyjamas, sandals and other home comforts.

Five Minutes With... Meaghan Hackinen

Meaghan Hackinen is a regular rider in the ultra-cycling world, particularly in her native Canada. She's conquered many races with overall wins in different disciplines. However, she's well known for her writing, authoring books on her adventures.

Bikes of Istra Land 2023

Istra Land has been crafted to unveil the secrets of the three colors of the landscapes of Istria County, but what bike will riders take into this 420km tricolour adventure?

Bikes of Trans Pyrenees Race 2023

On this weekend's Pyrenean odyssey menu is ~1,700km of tarmac and gravel traversing the Spanish, Andorran and French Pyrenees from west to east, and back. Have a browse of rider's chosen rigs and equipment lists to tackle this free route with a healthy dose of climbing.

Bikes of The Southern Divide - Autumn Edition 2023

This Southern Divide route uses ancient byways, mining trails, coastal downs, forests, military gravel roads, and a bit of single-track, all sewn together with a few bits of tarmac. Bikes of the divide will need to be able to cope with anything the route throws at them.

Bikes of Bohemian Border Bash Race 2023

The third edition of the Bohemian Border Bash Race follows the ancient borderlands of Bohemia via the remnants of centuries-old road networks that still exist to this day. Bike choice has to be able to stand up to the rough terrain that awaits.

Discover More

5 Minutes With...

Learn more about the riders behind the dots. We talk to community heroes, industry insiders and champion races to find out more about bikepacking racing.

Race Reports

Follow along your old and new favourite races beyond just chasing dots. Our community of experts provide in depth commentary.

Roundtables

Prominent members of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

Bikes of...

Ever wonder what your favourite rider takes along for the trip?

View all

Discover More

5 Minutes With...

Learn more about the riders behind the dots. We talk to community heroes, industry insiders and champion races to find out more about bikepacking racing.

Race Reports

Follow along your old and new favourite races beyond just chasing dots. Our community of experts provide in depth commentary.

Roundtables

Prominent members of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

Bikes of...

Ever wonder what your favourite rider takes along for the trip?

View all