TOP 10: The World's Best Mountain Bike Stage Races

Hereby my selection of the top 10 Mountain bike stage races of the world, in reverse order, which should be on the bucket list of every Mountain Biker. So far I have only done the two stage races in South Africa, but the others are on my list for sure. Doing races like these is a great way to see the world!!!!

image: Cape-epic.com

This is my top 10 in reverse order. On the top spot has to be the Cape Epic in South Africa.

10 - Brazil - Brasil Ride
9 - Switzerland - The Swiss Epic
8 - USA - Breck Epic
7 - Sri Lanka - Rumble in the Jungle
6 - Italy - Iron bike
5 - Mongolia - The Mongolia Bike Challenge
4 - New Zealand - The Pioneer
3 - Nepal - Yak Attack
2 - South Africa - JoBerg2C
1 - South Africa - Absa Cape Epic

Position 10: Brasil Ride

Where? Brazil, Southern Bahia
No. Days? 7
Long? 600 km
Climbing? 13,000 m
When? October
Anything else? teams of 2

From 15-21 October , Southern Bahia will host the Brasil Ride, the biggest mountain bike challenge in the Americas! Bikers will start from the coast region, known as the Discovery Coast, place where the Portuguese first arrived in Brazil in 1500, and will continue towards the countryside, covering the mountains which divides the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais, and will return to the coast to receive the desired finisher flag. It will be seven days in a perfect setting and the greatest experience of your life! The Brasil Ride is always tackled in Teams, Brasil Ride will open in categories: Open, Mixed, Ladies, Master (none athlete less than 40 years old), Grand Master (none athlete less than 50 years old), Nelore (above 90 kilos eatch rider) and Corporate Category (3 members, none athlete less than 35 years old). http://www.brasilride.com.br/

Position 9: The Swiss Epic

Where? Switzerland
No. Days? 5
Long? 322 km
Climbing? 12,300 m
When? September
Anything else? teams of 2

The Perskindol Swiss Epic is a demanding yet rewarding 5-day stage race. With a fresh new route each year, it’s a unique test of endurance, resolve and skill with the staggering beauty of the snow-capped, jagged skyline set as the perfect antidote to the physical and mental demands of off-road racing. Two-person teams, top professionals and ambitious amateurs alike, explore the seemingly endless, magical trails, staying overnight in Bettmeralp, Grächen and Zermatt – an unforgettable Alpine experience! http://www.swiss-epic.com/

Position 8: Breck Epic

Where? USA, Colorado
No. Days? 6
Long? 390 km
Climbing? 12,000 m
When? August
Anything else? starting and finishing in the same place!

The Breck Epic is a 6-day mountain bike race held in and around the backcountry surrounding Breckenridge, CO. Each stage begins and ends in town, allowing racers to stay in one place for the entire event. In general, the Breck Epic is 240 miles long and ‘features’ roughly 40,000′ feet of vertical gain (and loss!). The Epic is composed of 6 BIG backcountry loops (3 loops for the 3-day Epic-curious events), each between 35 and 50 miles long. https://breckepic.com/

Position 7: Rumble in the Jungle

Where? Sri Lanka
No. Days? 5
Long? 330 km
Climbing? 7,000 m
When? June
Anything else? solo

Rumble in the Jungle takes riders from hot and humid jungles, through mountain hugging tea plantations and across the islands highest plateau. Along the way riders will need to wade across rivers, ride through dense jungle, which is home to wild elephants, leopards and snakes, tackle 1000+m climbs and negotiate bone clattering rocky descents. Via a network of rarely traveled off road trails,Rumble in the Jungle takes riders through the diverse terrain and climate unique to Sri Lanka. Intense humidity, leeches, baking sun, torrential rain, mud, sand, rock and over 7000m of ascent combine to make this mountain bike race the adventure of a lifetime, on one of the World’s most idyllic islands. https://www.mtb-worldwide.com/rumble-in-the-jungle/

Position 6: Iron Bike

Where? Italy, Italian Alps
No. Days? 8
Long? 700 km
Climbing? for sure: 26,000 m!
When? July
Anything else? solo or teams of 2, this is a toughie!

The Iron Bike offers a hardcore week of mountain bike racing in the glorious surroundings of the Italian Alps. Over seven stages and eight days you’ll cover 700km in distance and 22km of climbs and will be spending up 12 hours a day on your bike. With only 50% of riders surving the week it’s fair to say this isn’t the first stage race you should enter. Although it is in summer, weather conditions range from very warm to very cold. http://ironbike.it/en/

Position 5: The Mongolia Bike Challenge

Where? Mongolia
No. Days? 6
Long? 620 km
Climbing? 9,200 m
When? August
Anything else? solo or teams of 3, sleep in traditional tents!

The MBC runs over 6 days, 600 km and 10,000 meters of climbing in the exotic country of Mongolia. The Mongolia Bike Challenge was first held in 2010 and spanned 10 days and over 1400km, the race has since been shortened to 6 stages to cater for a larger start list and create a more exciting racing dynamic. The race starts and finishes close to the capital of Mongolia Ulaanbaatar traversing some of wild steppe country that typifies the country’s landscape, at an average of 1500m above sea level. Each night of this race is spent in a traditional Mongolian tented camp. http://www.mongoliabikechallenge.com/

Position 4: The Pioneer

Where? New Zealand, Southern Alps
No. Days? 6
Long? 420 km
Climbing? quite a bit, 15,500 m
When? end of November
Anything else? teams of 2

The Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race is organised in NZ’s Southern Alps, and promises to deliver stunning scenery through New Zealand’s pristine high country. The race is ridden in teams of two, and starts and finishes in the adventure capital of the world – Queenstown, New Zealand. In-between is six incredible days of racing which link together the best back country riding in the South Island. Expect big scenery and big climbs as you ascend tussock covered hills, traverse mountain ranges and secluded valleys. Each stage is between 49km - 103km, with between 1,900 - 2,800m of climbing.

Position 3: Yak Attack

Where? Nepal
No. Days? 5
Long? well, it's more about the climbing - just under 200 km
Climbing? of course, it's Nepal: 8,500 m
When? November
Anything else? prepare for the cold!, solo

The Yak Attack is the highest mountain bike race on Earth. You will climb up to 5,416 m above sea level, with 5 riding days to travel between Besi Sahar and Tatopani (normally a 20 day trek). There is single tracks, altitude, temperature extremes, harsh conditions and a very tough terrain, that make Yak Attack one of the hardest mountain bike races around. https://www.mtb-worldwide.com/the-yak-attack/

Position 2: JoBerg2C

Where? South Africa, from Johannesburg to Durban
No. Days? 9
Long? yes, 900 km
Climbing? 12,000 m
When? end of April
Anything else? solo or teams of 2

The joBerg2c is the longest mountain biking stage race in South Africa, taking place over nine days and covering approximately 900 kilometres, from Johannesburg to the Sea, close to Durban. The event is fully serviced – each rider (team of two or solo) is allocated a tent and three meals per day at the eight overnight stops or race villages. Additional services such as massage therapists and bike mechanics are also available. The Old Mutual joBerg2c is a GPS navigated event and riders traverse a variety of agricultural holdings including game, dairy and cattle country, maize lands, rose and stud farms, sugarcane fields and pine plantations. The race can be ridden either as solo or a team of two. http://joberg2c.co.za/

Position 1: Cape Epic

Where? South Africa, Cape Town area
No. Days? 8
Long? yes, 800 km
Climbing? 15,000 m
When? around March
Anything else? teams of 2

The "Tour de France" of MTB has to be in first position; this legendary event happens annually in March. For eight days cyclists brave the varied and harsh landscapes of the Western Cape. In teams of two they conquer 800km, and 15,000m of accumulated climbing. They face gravel roads, rocky climbs and river crossings while also passing through the historic and beautiful small towns of the Western Cape. It is a full-service race that means that all cyclists need to worry about is themselves and their bikes; everything else from food to medical attention is taken care of. This is your chance to ride with the cream of the crop of Mountain biking! http://www.cape-epic.com

Let me know your thoughts or if you want to add any other MTB stage races!!!!

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