Our Features

Dales Divide 2025: Rookie Reflections

Amanda Wishart, DotWatcher’s Web Editor, is new to ultra-distance racing. Having never competed in a solo ultra-distance race before, she headed into Yorkshire for the 2025 edition of the Dales Divide, where she finished as second woman.

By: Amanda Wishart

Gravel Del Fuego 2025

"Gravel del Fuego is more than a race — it’s a story waiting to be told. It weaves together emotion, the vast landscapes of Patagonia, and the deep, inner journey that any ultra-distance challenge brings." Carola Fresno shares with us her recent race experience.

By: Carola Fresno

Bikes of Dales Divide 2025

Cast an eye over the bikes and kit lists of the riders lining up at this 400km / 600km off-road double traverse of Northern England. Over moor and mountain, the Dales Divide takes in some of the UK's most exposed off road riding.

Who To Watch in 2025

Summer is right around the corner, and with it brings a plethora of ultra distance races and bikepacking events. It goes without saying that 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for racers and dot watchers alike. Read on for an overview of which dots to watch this year.

By: Nicky Shaw

Bikes of The Unknown Race 2025

For the third edition of the Unknown Race little more is known than previous editions! Riders will need to be equipped for varying spring weather in the mountains. This is made even more of an art given they don't know where they will be going, meaning flexibility is key.

Bikes of Norfolk 360 2025

The bikes riders will be using to tackle the 360, a race aimed at introducing riders into the ultra-sphere.

Bikes of Doom 2025

Ranging from hardpack gravel, abandoned 4x4 roads to remote, rugged singletrack, riders won't want to be underbiked. There's plenty of hardtail MTBs on the startline, which often means custom frame bags! Take a look at this eccentric collection of bikes for Doom 2025.

Dot Comms Episode 003: Media Coverage

Media coverage of ultra-distance events with Meaghan Hackinen, Rob Gardiner and James Robertson.

Five Minutes With... Peta McSharry

Peta McSharry has been riding bikes since before bikepacking was a thing and over the course of the past 30 years has learnt a thing or two about racing bikes far and fast. We asked questions about her background's influence on her work and unique perspective on bikepacking.

By: Beccy Waters

By: Peta McSharry

Bikes of GranGuanche Audax Gravel 2025

The fourth edition of GranGuanche's Gravel audax takes in five of the Canary Islands with four ferry journeys. In true audax spirit, riders must be self-supported but are allowed to ride together and draft. Informed by past editions, how will the rigs fare this year?

The UK Triple Crown

The UK has a long and rich history of bikepacking despite the small bounds of the nation. The gauntlet has been picked up by three megaliths of the UK scene who have come together to create the ultimate challenge.

By: Kitty Dennis

Five Minutes With Simon Epperlein

Simon Epperlein became an ultra-cyclist after riding in Dresden's blossoming long-distance scene. After tackling some audax type events he started his first race in 2024 performing incredibly well, going on to win the Perfidious Albion 2024.

By: Kitty Dennis

Dot Comms Episode 002

In this second episode the Roundtable is focussed on promoting diversity through positive action with Seun Alaba, Taylor Doyle and Athlyn Cathcart-Keays.

Five Minutes With Ted King

Having just finished 1st at Race Around Rwanda 2025, we were delighted to catch up with Ted King during his long journey back to Vermont.

By: Amanda Wishart

Five Minutes With... Lee Endres

Lee Endres is co-host of the DotComms Podcast and a Sheffield based bike fitter specialising in ultra-cycling at Peak Bikefitting.

By: Amanda Wishart

Bikes of Race Around Rwanda 2025

A race around a country dubbed the land of a thousand hills, with multiple off-road sectors and varying climates demands unique preparation. Read on to find out how riders will equip themselves for this 1,000km lap of Rwanda.

Dot Comms Episode 001: Winter Ultra-Distance Cycling

The first episode of Dot Comms: The audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, brought to you by DotWatcher. This month Lee and Samuel explore the month ahead and winter ultra-cycling with Miron Golfman, Nina Gassler and Graeme Raeburn.

Bikes Of GranGuanche Audax Road 2025

The fourth 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 2024 Roundup

A roundup of some of the most exciting races in 2024, 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

2024 DotWatcher Awards

2024 has been a busy year, the Triple Crown Challenge record has fallen, we've dotwatched over 50% more races than last year, and we've seen some exciting new talent emerge. Take a look to see the People's Choice, Best DotWatcher, Best Race Documentation and more.

By: Amanda Wishart

By: Kitty Dennis

Winter Watching 2024

A selection of race films and athlete endeavours from 2024, perfect for the longer nights in the Northern Hemisphere or on your turbo trainer.

By: Kitty Dennis

The Triple Crown Challenge

The Bikepacking Triple Crown is comprised of three routes: the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Arizona Trail, and the Colorado Trail. Completing all three in a lifetime earns a rider a place on the Triple Crown Finisher list. The Challenge, does this all in one season.

By: Beccy Waters

By: Kitty Dennis

Bikes Of GranGuanche Audax Trail 2024

The fourth 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: Patagonia Verde 2024

Into the depths of Chilean Patagonia they go! The gravel roads of this forested and beautiful corner of Chile call. Riders will pass through the fjords and forests of Patagonia Verde on this 950km route.

Travelling With A Bike

A detailed guide for packing your bikepacking bike into a cardboard box for travel by aeroplane or train, and then advice on how to get it home safely at the other end.