The Alps
1.900
km
44.000
m+
two-weeks cut-off time
From Vienna to Nice via legendary mountain passes and scenic roads. The Alpine Rally is an unsupported bikepacking event across the entire length of the Alps. The Rally is open to a limited number of participants with proven experience; riders are fully responsible for their own safety and logistics. The Rally is not a race—it’s a personal challenge and a collective adventure.
the Route
Start // Vienna, Austria Finish // Nice, France
The Alps // Once the weekend rush is over, you will find yourself riding empty roads through some of the most beautiful mountain passes in the world. The Alps are a well-developed destination; rescue and assistance services meet first-world standards, most people speak English, and drivers are generally respectful and considerate towards cyclists.
Route and Terrain // While featuring the most iconic mountain passes, the route also includes hidden gems untouched by the crowds, all connected by low-traffic roads and quiet cycling paths. Tarmac is generally in good condition, with just a few deteriorated sections and around 10 km of gravel. The route links one climb after another, with barely any flat sections, the main challenge is the elevation gain and occasional steep climbs.
Reccomended bike // Road or touring bike with low gearing, a light setup, and a minimum tyre width of 30 mm.
Resupply // Approx. every 50 km. Grocery stores and restaurants can be found in every village and town along the route. Only a few sections require a full day’s worth of supplies, taking into account limited opening hours, especially in the French section.
Water sources // Plenty of fountains and mountain streams along the route.
Accommodation // Approx. every 50-100 km. Bookings and late check-ins can usually be arranged at short notice. With some planning and longer stages, it’s possible to complete the route relying solely on accommodation.
Bike shops // Widely available in larger towns. Small villages may have bike rentals with a basic workshop.
bike and gear
Please check the Mandatory Equipment section in the Rules.
Bike Setup // Elevation gain is daunting, and climbs are occasionally steep. Pack wisely, keep your setup as light as possible, and choose low gearing.
1,5-litre water capacity // Enough to reach the next water source. A water filter is recommended for filtering water from mountain streams.
Clothing // Be prepared for freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Bring a mid-layer, down jacket, thermal gloves, and full waterproof gear (jacket, pants, and shoe covers).
Sleeping System // With proper stage planning, the route can be completed solely using accommodations, but a bivy setup is recommended for safety and the flexibility to nap under emergency shelters.
Tools and spares // Bike shops can be found all along the route. Bring tubes, chain lube, chain links, a tubeless repair kit, and spare brake pads.
expected weather
Landscape and weather vary considerably along the Alpine range. The northern slopes in Austria and Switzerland are generally colder and more exposed to wet weather, while the southern slopes in Italy and France tend to offer drier and milder conditions.
September is generally one of the best months for cycling in the Alps: fewer crowds, no afternoon storms, and cooler temperatures in the valleys. However, early autumn weather patterns may already affect the mountains and the event. Be prepared for freezing nights and precipitation that can turn into snow at higher altitudes. Temperatures can range from below 0°C to above 30°C.
route tracks
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Route Tracks including POIs with route highlights are available to anyone wanting to ride the route, even outside the official events—you can download the GPX files from RideWithGPS by clicking on the route sections in the map above.
Planning and scouting a cycling route requires significant effort, involving many hours of investigation, long days on the trails, and quite a few pointless hike-a-bikes. If you ride the route, or part of it, please help us keep it updated by sending feedback on trail conditions or road closures. If you create and share content, we’d appreciate it if you mention our project. If you use the route for commercial purposes or to promote products, please give us proper credit.
Ride at your own risk and responsibility // The tracks, recommendations, and information provided here are only a planning resource, a starting point to help you prepare your trip with due diligence and common sense. We will not provide any further information or assistance beyond what is already included here. Always check the weather forecast and local alerts. Be sure to respect natural park rules, traffic laws, road closures, and private land restrictions. We are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other incident that might occur while cycling or following this route.
alpine
RAllY
04-September-2027
Unsupported bikepacking event, open to a limited number of participants with proven experience, aiming to complete the route within the 14-days cut-off time.
Participants are fully responsible for their own safety, logistics, and resupply. They will be tracked in real time and must pass through staffed checkpoints to validate their ride.
Riders agree to stop for an average of at least 6 hours per day, as described in the “6-Hours-Alliance” section below.
START
Vienna
- Austria -
km-0
Cp1
Großglockner
- Austria -
Km 400 // closes at day 3
Cp2
Grosse Scheidegg
- Switzerland -
km 1.150 // closes at day 8
finish
Nice
- France -
km 1.900 // 14 days Cut-Off
Schedule and logistics
Sat 04/Sep/2027 h-18:00 to 21:00
Vienna
Accreditation and Briefing
–
Sat 04/Sep/2027 h-22:00
Vienna
Gran Depart
–
Sun 19/Sep/2027 h-22:00
Nice
Cut-Off time
The Rally starts in Vienna, Austria, a capital city with an international airport and a central railway station.
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The Rally finishes in Nice, France, a popular tourist destination with an international airport and a train station. Participants will have the option to book and collect a cardboard bike box or bike bag for their return flight or journey by train or bus.
6-hours-alliance
Riders agree to stop for an average of at least 6 hours a day. Their personal GPRS tracker will detect moving and stopping times, and the live tracking system will display the time difference needed to meet the requirement.
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At the finish line, if the stopping time falls short, we will adjust the final result by adding the time difference, with no additional penalties.
We are aware that the #6HoursAlliance may be perceived as a controversial limitation on each rider’s freedom and approach. However, we believe that over such long distances, riders would likely stop for more than six hours per day anyway. The #6HoursAlliance is an agreement among fellow riders, aimed at a more enjoyable, balanced, and relatable ultra-cycling experience.
Entry Fee
The entry fee is 340€ // The Rally is open to a maximum of 99 participants. Slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 30 slots are reserved to increase participation from women and non-binary riders. Participants can only register as SOLO, there’s no PAIR category.
Tracking System // The tracker device and tracking system are included and will be provided by followmychallenge.com.
A refundable deposit of 100€ for each rented tracker will be required, to be paid within two weeks before the start. The deposit will be refunded once the tracker is returned at the finish line. Personal GPRS, SPOT, or InReach devices will not be tracked.
Checkpoints // Participants will validate their ride by passing through staffed checkpoints. CP1 and CP3 will only be included if there is a minimum of 50 participants.
Not included // Accommodations, meals and transport.
Insurance // you must have liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses and repatriation. Insurance must be valid in the destination country for the whole duration of the event and cover mountain biking in cycling events as the main reason for the trip. Cycling Federation insurance policies and NHS cards will not be accepted. We will ask you to provide a copy of your policy.
cancellation and refund
If a participant needs to cancel
// 90 days before the start: Refund of €120
// 60 days before the start: Refund of €60
// 15 days before the start: Refund of €30
// Less than 15 days before the start: No refund
Under no circumstances can the entry be transferred to another participant or event.
If the organization needs to cancel
If the event is cancelled due to Force Majeure events, no refunds will be provided.
We are referring to unlikely events such as pandemics, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. In such cases, participants are advised to claim the entry fee through their private insurance policy, which should cover this type of cancellation.
In case of weather alerts, we may postpone the start of the event by a few days. No refund will be provided.
rules
Riders must sign and agree to the Rider Agreement and must be at least 18 years old.
Mandatory equipment
Lights: front light, head/helmet lamp, 2 tail lights
Clothing: reflective vest/backpack, waterproof kit (jacket, pants, gloves, shoe cover or waterproof socks), mid-layer or down jacket.
Emergency blanket or bivy.
Tools: 2 spare tubes (at least one in traditional butyl), spare brake pads.
Power bank and USB-to-USB-C cable for the tracker device.
Phone with a WhatsApp account to join the official group.
Leave no trace // be nice to people
Leave everything as you found it—or better. Respect Natural Park rules, do not cycle or step outside the official paths. Dispose of, remove, and recycle waste.
Be considerate of others; there is no room for racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other form of discrimination.
Rescuing any rider who is injured or in danger is a top priority.
Respect Local laws
Riders are fully responsible for knowing, observing, and complying with local laws. In the event of road interruptions or closures, riders are responsible for finding an alternate route to bypass the interruption and rejoin the official route.
Self-support
Participants are not allowed to assist, support, or resupply each other and must not receive any third-party assistance, private lodging, or resupply. Accommodations or any services can only be booked by riders, without external assistance, and only after the event starts. Private media crews can only be arranged by the organization. Drafting and group riding are permitted.
Route and Tracking
Riders should follow the official track from start to finish. If they temporarily leave the route they must return to the point they left. Riders are responsible for their tracking device.
#6HoursAlliance
Riders agree to stop for an average of at least 6 hours a day. Their personal GPRS tracker will detect moving and stopping times. the final result will be adjusted by adding the missing time, with no additional penalties.
Insurance
Participants must have liability, death, accident, and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses, and repatriation, valid for the event’s duration. We will ask for a copy of your insurance before the event.
Code of Honor
A fair and safe ride depends on fair and honourable Riders.
Non-observance of the rules will result in DNS (Did Not Start), DSQ (disqualification) or time penalties.
ENTRY from
Registrations open 16 January 2027
The event is open to a maximum of 99 participants. Slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 30 slots are reserved to increase participation from women and non-binary riders. Send us a message to join our mailing list and receive updates and reminders about our events.
