MountainPilgrimage Mont Ventoux

MountainPilgrimage takes ultra-distance bikepacking into a more reflective direction, combining extreme mountain riding with the idea of a pilgrimage on two wheels. The inaugural edition takes place in 2027, with three routes starting from Vienna and, for the longest course, travelling all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Riders can choose between 950 km, 2,600 km and 5,000 km.

The shortest Vienna–Bolzano route covers 950 km with approximately 24,500 m of elevation gain and a 96-hour time limit. The Mont Ventoux–Santiago de Compostela route stretches 2,600 km with 54,000 m of climbing and a 360-hour limit, while the flagship Vienna–Santiago de Compostela journey reaches around 5,000 km and 116,000 m of elevation gain. The routes cross numerous Alpine and Pyrenean passes as well as lesser-known mountain ranges.

All three courses are fully paved, making this a road-focused bikepacking challenge despite the enormous amount of climbing. Riders must follow the supplied GPX track from start to finish and are completely self-supported, with no drafting permitted. A particularly distinctive rule is that participants are not allowed to book accommodation in advance, leaving decisions about food, rest and sleep to be made along the way.

MountainPilgrimage deliberately puts the racing aspect in the background. There is still a finishing order and a time limit on the shorter routes, but the event encourages riders to embrace the uncertainty, solitude and simplicity that emerge during very long self-supported journeys. With mountains, weather, fatigue and constantly changing conditions forming part of the experience, it is as much an exercise in resilience and adaptation as it is a test of cycling endurance.