Reputation: Regional Colombian event.
[01]
Course Overview
Colombian Andes mountain gravel adventure.
120 mi
Distance
15,000 ft
Elevation
Colombian Andes, Colombia
Location
Various dates, 2026
Date
~200
Field Size
$150-250
Entry Cost
Facts & History
[03]
The Course
Photo: YouTube / Far Beyond by EF Pro Cycling
Photo: YouTube / Far Beyond by EF Pro CyclingColombian Andes mountain gravel.
Signature challenge: Colombian Andes extreme mountainous terrain at altitude.
35
MILE
Early Andes
First Andes mountain sections.
60
MILE
Midpoint
Halfway through the course.
100
MILE
Late Andes
Final Andes mountain sections before finish.
RIDERS REPORT
Ride to Puerto Berrio
Described as the worst part of the race, extremely hot conditions around 3pm with temperatures reaching a thousand degrees, riders needing to find relief in rivers and creeks.
The course features steep climbs at high altitude with insane vertical gain, crossing three cordilleras through Colombian jungle terrain.
Humid conditions throughout the race with challenging terrain that tests riders physically and mentally.
[04]
From the Field
At the end of the day it's kind of a bike packing trip more so than a race even. I mean you're still riding super hard and pushing each other, but more than that you're also just completing some pretty epic pieces of road pushing through some pretty unique landscapes.
Far Beyond by EF Pro Cycling · 126.2K views
This year we went up into the Paramo. We had more high altitude riding which created its own challenges. The Paramo in Colombia is mountains that are above 3,000m and they have a very special flora and fauna. The climate is different. It's much cooler up there.
The Brick Session · 3.3K views
Two and a half hours, 3 hours into the race of day one I was like I've not seen gravel like this, I've not felt heat like this and I had my bike on my shoulder thinking holy shit I've got eight more days of this.
The Brick Session · 15.3K views
The course is insane the ride is a super challenge but then I think for a lot of us too is the just the logistics right - getting the food every day, when you start early you have to have maybe get breakfast the night before and put it in your hotel room, you have to fix everything yourself you have to clean the bike so even if you're not pedaling then you are either eating cleaning the bike getting ready for the next day and all the logistics so it's just every day is busy
Live Slow Ride Fast · 308.3K views
RACER
Racer Reviews
Raced Transcordilleras? Be the first to rate it.
[07]
Training
RIDERS REPORT
Full suspension bike with drop bars and arrow bar extensions, testing dynamo hub for self-sufficient electricity generation.
[08]
Train for Transcordilleras
RACE DEMAND PROFILE
Durability
6
Climbing
10
VO2 Power
4
Threshold
8
Technical
8
Heat
2
Altitude
8
Race Specificity
8
FREE
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[09]
Race Logistics
Airport
Bogotá (BOG) or Medellín (MDE) varies by location
Lodging
Colombian Andes has limited lodging options. Plan ahead.
Food
Limited dining options. Stock nutrition.
Packet Pickup
Day before typically
Parking
At start/finish
RIDERS REPORT
Get breakfast the night before and put it in your hotel room when starting early, fix everything yourself including cleaning the bike.
You have to be mentally and physically prepared - this race takes every single ounce of energy that you have.
Plan for extreme heat management - riders needed to find relief in rivers, creeks, and shaded areas during hot afternoon sections.
[10]
Tire Picks
45mmTECHNICAL
1
Schwalbe G-One Bite
Technical terrain dominator. Aggressive grip when the course gets rowdy.
2
Maxxis Reaver
Technical all-rounder. EXO+ casing shrugs off rocks and roots.
3
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S
Soft-terrain specialist. Open knob pattern sheds mud and grips wet rock.
NEWS
Latest Coverage
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Similar Races
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the climate like at Transcordilleras?
February brings hot, humid Colombian weather that adds serious challenge to multi-day suffering. Shifting climate zones daily from high-altitude páramos to jungle valleys means you'll cook in multiple ways. Heat and humidity don't forgive. More weather exposure than Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego.[7]
How are the logistics for Transcordilleras?
Starts in Paipa, Boyacá with minimal infrastructure support. Griffin Easter found himself rationing half a bottle through Chichamocha Canyon after losing hydration early. Race is self-supported with GPS navigation through rural Colombia where Janosch Wintermantel discovered bike shop owners "had simply never put his hand on any electronic gears before."[1]
How adventurous is Transcordilleras?
Self-supported bikepacking through three Colombian mountain ranges, colonial towns, and ever-changing landscapes from páramos to jungle. An incredible window into South American gravel with pure cultural immersion. This is adventure in its purest form.[15]
How prestigious is Transcordilleras?
This is a nobody's-heard-of-it event in Colombia's cycling heartland. No known pro riders, no race history available, no global recognition. One rider called it "one of the coolest bike-experiences of my life" but that doesn't translate to prestige points in the gravel world hierarchy.[9]
Should I race Transcordilleras?
If you have a big budget and want an extreme Colombian experience—maybe. For most riders—there are better options.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
- Other Sources 4Iiii4iiii.com/blog/griffin-easter-transcordilleras/
- Other Sources 4Iiii4iiii.com/de/blog/griffin-easter-transcordilleras/
- Other Sources 4Iiii4iiii.com/es/blog/griffin-easter-transcordilleras/
- Other Sources 4Iiii4iiii.com/fr/blog/griffin-easter-transcordilleras/
- Other Sources 4Iiii4iiii.com/nl/blog/griffin-easter-transcordilleras/
- Other Sources Bikepackingbikepacking.com/plog/transcordilleras-2023-recap/
- Other Sources Graveluniongravelunion.cc/article/transcordilleras-colombian-adventure
- Other Sources Obedbikesobedbikes.com/blogs/stories/austin-sullivans-return-to-tr...
- Other Sources Sportssports.yahoo.com/transcordilleras-crossing-andes-via-grav...
- Other Sources Ukuk.4iiii.com/blog/griffin-easter-transcordilleras/
- Other Sources Cyclingnewswww.cyclingnews.com/news/laurens-ten-dam-transcordilleras...
- Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/BikeRadar/comments/1auj0y9/laurens_ten_d...
- Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/172nong/bikepack_...
- Community lostdot.cc: The Transcontinental Race No10 Pre Race Reportwww.lostdot.cc/blog/the-transcontinental-race-no10-pre-ra...
- Community iris.cc: Colombian Gravel Adventureiris.cc/stories/colombian-gravel-adventure