Ultra cycling is a form of endurance cycling in which participants attempt to cover long distances within a set amount of time. The history of ultra cycling is difficult to trace as the sport has evolved over time, and there is no clear consensus on when it began. However, some notable early events include the Race Across America (RAAM), which was first held in 1982, and the Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) randonnée, which has been held every four years since 1891.
In recent years, ultra cycling has gained popularity among both amateur and professional cyclists. The sport has also been recognized as a legitimate form of competitive cycling by organizations such as the International Ultra Cycling Association (IUCA) and the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA).
Ultra cycling is popular in Europe and there are many long-distance races and events held on the continent. One of the most famous and longest-running events is the Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) randonnée, which has been held every four years since 1891. The race covers a distance of 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) and riders have a time limit of 90 hours to complete the course.
Another notable event is the Transcontinental Race (TCR), which was first held in 2013 and covers a distance of 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) from Belgium to Greece. The race is non-stop and riders must navigate the course on their own, without the support of a team.
There are also many other ultra cycling events in Europe, such as the London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) and the Bordeaux-Paris, which cover distances of 1,400 and 550 kilometers respectively. Many riders also participate in self-supported races such as the Trans Europ Express (TEE) which runs from the North Cape in Norway to Tarifa in Spain.
Overall, Europe has a rich history and a strong culture of ultra cycling, with many dedicated riders and organizations promoting the sport.
Ultra cycling is less popular in Africa compared to other regions of the world, and there are fewer organized races and events on the continent. However, there are still some notable ultra cycling events and challenges in Africa.
One of the most famous ultra cycling events in Africa is the Cape Epic, which is an 8-day mountain bike stage race held in South Africa. The race covers a distance of around 700 kilometers (435 miles) and riders must navigate rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions.
Another notable event is the Tour d’Afrique, which is a 4-month long self-supported bicycle race that begins in Cairo, Egypt and ends in Cape Town, South Africa. The race covers a distance of approximately 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) and riders must navigate through challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions.
There are also many other ultra cycling events and challenges in Africa, such as the Race Across Tunisia, and the Sudan Challenge, which is a self-supported race that covers 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) across the Sudanese desert.
Overall, while ultra cycling is not as popular in Africa as it is in other regions, the continent has a growing community of ultra cyclists and the sport is gaining popularity.
