Events 2024: Cyclosportives with 300 and more Kilometers
Just a few years ago, 200 kilometers was considered the magic mark to crack – now it’s 300. Whether as a marathon, on a ride with cycling buddies, or as a solo tour: rides over this distance are becoming increasingly popular: the way is the goal, they say. Alpecin Cycling presents the most beautiful 300-K competitions in Europe. These cycling marathons over 300 kilometers are worth participating in.
Mallorca 312
Date: April 27, 2024
Start–Finish: Playa de Muro/Mallorca – Spain
Route: 312 km/5050 hm
Other routes: 225 km/3973 hm, 167 km/2475 hm
The route of the Majorcan ultra-cycling marathon runs around the entire island. Those who dare to take on the distance of 312 kilometers have 14 hours to do so. Shorter, but just as scenic, are the “shorter routes” of 167 and 225 kilometers. Like the big tour, they lead over the highest pass of the island, the Puig Major at almost 900 meters of altitude, through the Tramuntana mountains and along the southwest coast. Special feature: The marathon leads over routes closed to car traffic.
Mecklenburger Seenrunde
Date: May 24 & 25, 2024
Start-Finish: Neubrandenburg/Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Germany
Route: 300 km
Other routes: 100 km (only for women)
The role-model for the Mecklenburger Seenrunde, which has been taking place since 2014, is the Swedish Vätternrundan. However, the 300-kilometer loop through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is by no means a copy. The unique route along many lakes and with quite challenging sections over cobblestones and some ramps alone makes it unique. Organizer Detlef Köpke and his team have long set standards with the event, which is also reflected in the fact that many participants from abroad travel to the 300-kilometer ride.
Vätternrundan
Date: June 14 & 15, 2024
Start-Finish: Motala/Sweden
Route: 315 km
Other routes: 150 km, 100 km
Cycling through midsummer with around 20,000 like-minded people from over 70 nations and circling the second largest lake in Sweden, Vättern, is on many racing bike enthusiasts’ personal bucket list. The 315-kilometer route runs along the lake shore – and those who start early can see the sunset and sunrise over the lake during their ride. Even though the long ride with many like-minded people is considered epic: blueberry soup and honey water are not everyone’s cup of tea.
Hærvejsløbet – L’Étape Denmark
Date: June 29, 2024
Start-Finish: Flensburg – Viborg/Denmark
Route: 300 km/2500 hm
other routes: 160 km/1600 hm, 125 km/1100 hm, 75 km/700 hm, 50 km/400 hm
Denmark’s largest cycling event Hærvejsløbet – The Viking Gran Fondo is also part of the L’Etape series. The 300-kilometer marathon leads from Flensburg in Germany to Viborg in Denmark – following the traces of the Vikings.
After the start in Flensburg, the participants cross the German-Danish border and pedal through Jutland. Those who expect flat land will be disappointed. The Ice Age has formed some hills up there, which makes the ride varied and also difficult. For example, the Mur de Refsgårde appears almost out of nowhere at halftime. It is only 550 meters long, but on average 8.2 percent steep. Such rhythm breakers often stand in the way in succession. The longest with 1175 meters and 5.6 percent average gradient is the Jennumbakken. But the surroundings distract from the strains and lead the peloton past sights such as ancient megalithic tombs and Viking villages.
Also unique is the ride to the finish on the red carpet. Without any hurry and rush, because the official time is taken just before.
Burning Roads
Date: June 22, 2024
Start-Finish: Ochtrup/Münsterland – Germany
Route: 330 km/ 3000 hm
other route: 210 km/approx. 600 hm
The Roman general Varus “burned” his legions in this area in the world-famous battles. Anyone who wants to prevent a similar fate during the 330-kilometer ride through the Teutoburg Forest of the Osnabrück region, Wiehengebirge and Tecklenburger Land should be well prepared for this extraordinary event. The organizer promises a state of emergency for one day and the ultimate endurance test.
If you burn out on the way, you can switch to the shorter, 210-kilometer route. The Burning Roads are ridden as a brevet without timekeeping. The desire is to ride in groups, guided by experienced long-distance pilots. Catering on the way is well taken care of: for example, there is pasta at lunchtime by the roadside.
Tour du Mont Blanc
Date: tbd
Start-Finish: Les Saisies/France
Route: 338 km/8500 hm
If you can’t get enough of the alpine scenery, the Tour du Mont Blanc is just right for you. As the name suggests, the highest mountain in Europe is the focus of this exceptionally demanding bike marathon. 8500 meters of altitude are climbed over 338 kilometers. The route, which leads through France, Switzerland and Italy, is not only spectacular because of its pure data. With Col de la Forclaz, Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard, Petit-Saint-Bernard and Cormet de Roselend, famous Tour de France mountains are climbed, which arouse enthusiasm among fans of the race as well as among passionate hobby mountain goats.
Große Weserrunde Date: August 24, 2024
Start-Finish: Rinteln-Weserbergland/Germany
Routes: 350 km/ 2500 hm, 300 km/2500 hm
other routes: 250 km/2050 hm, 200 km/1500 hm, 150 km/1200 hm, 80 km/400 hm
The Große Weserrunde more than lives up to its name. In addition to a 300-kilometer route, there is also a 350-kilometer round. MEGA is the name of the route and extends the ride along the Weser to Porta Westfalica, before turning around and cranking back to the start in Rinteln in the Weserbergland. Time is not a dominant issue in this marathon: those who start with lighting can take their time until midnight because the finish is open until then. In general, the organizer wants to convey the fun of long-distance cycling and therefore lets groups of 15 people start. The important thing is that the participants have fun on the route and that this day becomes an experience for them.
Istria 300
Date: September 28, 2024
Start-Finish: Porec/Croatia
Route: 300 km/5200 hm
other routes: 242 km/3800 hm, 168 km/2400 hm
In autumn, with perfect conditions, make the most of your good form at the end of the season and really let rip. Istria 300 is predestined for this. This new bike marathon in Croatia, which celebrated its successful premiere in autumn 2021, leads from Porec on the coast of Istria counterclockwise to the other side of the peninsula. After that, the route leads into the mountains and through small charming villages, for example up to the beautiful Motovun.
Once this place is reached, it goes back towards the Adriatic coast past olive groves and truffle forests. All finishers have then completed 300 kilometers and have 5400 meters of altitude in their legs. The latter do not result from a few long climbs, but from the constant up and down, which makes the route very varied on the one hand, but also challenging on the other.