Signing up for the Transcontinental Race felt like pure excitement at first – followed almost immediately by the realization that I might have taken on a little more than I should have. Sensible? Hmm… not so sure.
But when I saw the outline of TCR 2026 — from Trondheim, Norway to Kalamata, Greece — I knew: this is where I want to go… or maybe even need to go.
To be fair, Hermann planted that idea in my head just a little.
And once again, when I submitted my application, I told myself they probably wouldn’t accept me anyway.
Turns out I was wrong.
So here it is — TCR:
The Transcontinental Race (TCR) is one of the most demanding ultra-distance cycling races in the world. The route spans several thousand kilometers across Europe — non-stop, unsupported, and without a fixed route between a small number of mandatory checkpoints and required sections.
Outside support is not allowed. Navigation, food, sleep, repairs, and mental resilience are entirely the responsibility of each rider. The race is ridden around the clock and, this year, will likely cover more than 5,000 kilometers, crossing multiple countries, climate zones, and landscapes.
TCR is more than a bike race. It is an extreme endurance and adventure project where strategy, self-reliance, and mental strength are just as important as physical fitness.
Early research at the end of 2025 on the route revealed at least 5,000 kilometers and over 50,000 meters of elevation gain.
I’m not allowed to reveal anything about my current planning, which is still not finished as of June, but here is some information about the mandatory sections.
And the END at the BEGINNING:
In the end lies the hope of actually completing these 5,000+ kilometers from Trondheim to Kalamata. A route that crosses entire countries, mountain ranges, and climate zones – and that feels almost impossible to grasp in its entirety when standing at the start.
And yet, that is exactly the goal: to arrive within 20 days. Not to plan everything perfectly, not to know every decision in advance, but to keep riding day by day and turn the route itself into the result.
And now, join me on the journey… still only in my head for now…
In July you’ll be able to follow me live and send me all the available good vibes!!!
Parcours 1: From Trondheim to Røros
The start signal is given in the evening in Trondheim. After the excitement of the final preparations and the shared countdown, the route immediately leads out into the Norwegian landscape. The first kilometers are mostly on asphalt roads heading south, interrupted by some gravel sections that already require focus and good line choice early on.
With around 200 kilometers and about 3,000 meters of elevation gain, this first section is anything but a relaxed warm-up. The route runs through the vast, often isolated landscapes of central Norway, immediately conveying the sense of freedom and adventure that defines the Transcontinental Race.
Since the start takes place in the evening, many riders will spend a large part of the first night on the bike. Those who manage their sleep well and find their rhythm early can already set important foundations for the days ahead.
The finish of the first parcours is in Røros, a historic mining town and UNESCO World Heritage site. After the first 200 kilometers, it is not only the first checkpoint waiting there, but also the feeling of truly having arrived in the race.
I’ve already been here once: Lærdalsøyri
Parcours 2: Gravel in the Norwegian mountains
How I get there? That remains a secret. One possibility is through Norway’s impressive mountain region via the Jotunheimvegen, one of the country’s most legendary gravel roads. The route passes through a vast high-mountain landscape with stunning views of lakes, mountains, and endless plateaus.
Fact is, I have to reach the start of the mandatory section: a roughly seven-kilometer gravel stretch along Lake Vinstri.
The surface is generally technically easy to ride, but still demands attention and adapted speed. Wind, weather, and altitude can make this section more challenging.
CP1: Flåm
The first checkpoint is located in the small town of Flåm at the end of the Aurlandsfjord. Nestled between steep mountain slopes and the deep fjord, the place feels almost surreal in its calm compared to the kilometers before.
For riders, Flåm marks not only CP1 but also the first real sense of arrival in the race. After intense hours and the first major elevation gains, it offers a moment to breathe, check equipment, and mentally prepare for the next sections.
However, it already becomes clear that the next challenges will be no less demanding – especially the infamous Rallarvegen, which as part of the following parcours can become a real test even for a racing bike.
Parcours 1b: Rallarvegen to Finse
The Rallarvegen is one of the most famous and at the same time most demanding gravel roads in Scandinavia. Originally built as a supply route for the construction of the Bergen Railway, it runs through a harsh high-mountain landscape between Flåm and Finse.
In the race, this section is more than just a scenic highlight – it is a real test for both rider and equipment. The surface consists of coarse gravel, loose stones, and can vary significantly depending on weather conditions. After rain or in colder periods, the route becomes particularly demanding.
With a steady climb, the road leads into higher alpine regions, passing barren rocks, snowfields, and isolated train stations. The remoteness and often harsh climate reinforce the feeling of being far away from civilization.
Toward Wiesenberg – 1,500 kilometers of planning freedom
After Finse begins one of the most open and perhaps most exciting parts of the entire route: around 1,500 kilometers that must be completely self-planned. The big question for many participants arises here: how do you get to Wiesenberg in the Czech Republic as efficiently – and sensibly – as possible?
Even the first step is far from obvious. Do you leave the Norwegian mountains again via the Rallarvegen toward Geilo, or do you choose an earlier descent on asphalt to gain speed? And what comes next – via Oslo and well-developed roads through Sweden, or a more direct and possibly rougher route?
Further options open up afterward: a long stretch through Sweden with the option of a fast transit south, or a turn toward the Baltic Sea, maybe even involving ferries and some “island hopping”? There are many alternatives, but each comes with trade-offs between elevation, navigation, road quality, and recovery.
This phase defines the character of the race: no fixed line, no “right” or “wrong”, just constant weighing of speed, risk, and personal strategy.
In the end, only one thing matters: making a decision and continuing to ride. And perhaps later it will turn out that exactly that choice was the right one.
Parcours 2a: Wiesenberg and the climb to Praděd
After a long self-planned route through Poland and into the Czech Republic, another key section begins from Wiesenberg (Loučná nad Desnou), leading deep into the Jeseníky Mountains. Compared to the Norwegian wilderness, the region feels denser, more forested, and less open – but no less demanding.
The route steadily climbs toward Praděd, the highest peak of the range. At 1,492 meters, it is not only a geographical landmark but also a mental milestone. The climb passes through dense forests, long switchbacks, and sections where the road seems endless.
Technically the section is rideable, but the constant incline demands a steady pace and good energy management. Especially after the previous long stages, it can weigh heavily on the legs.
At the summit area the landscape becomes rougher and more open before reaching Praděd – a key point in the heart of the Jeseníky Mountains and another important section on the way through Central Europe.
Parcours 2b & CP2: Slovakia – Demänovská Dolina
The next section leads into Slovakia to Demänovská Dolina, one of the best-known valleys in the Low Tatras. Dense forests, karst landscapes, and constantly changing terrain prevent any steady rhythm.
Before that, however, there is another fully self-planned transition from Praděd to here – a long Central European segment where every route decision is open.
The valley is part of a major tourist and ski region: at Chopok lies Jasná, one of Slovakia’s most important ski resorts. Lifts, slopes, and infrastructure meet wild mountain landscapes here, creating a strong contrast between nature and alpine development.
CP2 is located in Demänovská Dolina and marks an important waypoint through Central Europe.
Toward Sarajevo – Balkan route with many unknowns
From Slovakia begins one of the most complex sections of the entire route: the way toward Sarajevo. While the distance is roughly defined, the exact routing remains open – heavily influenced by “banned routes” that exclude many direct connections.
This quickly shifts the focus away from the shortest line toward a mix of legal navigation, road choice, and rideability. Many possible routes involve extra elevation, longer detours, and constant trade-offs between direct progress and usable roads.
To avoid busy main roads, riders often need to take smaller side roads, whose surfaces can vary widely from good asphalt to rough tracks.
Between Slovakia and Sarajevo, there is no clear track, but a strategic puzzle of elevation, road quality, and traffic conditions. This makes it one of the most mentally demanding parts of the entire race.
And already during planning it is clear: the ride through the Balkans – many options, but nothing easy. This mix of freedom and uncertainty makes it one of the most exciting yet challenging planning tasks.
Parcours 3: Sarajevo – the start over the bobsleigh track
Parcours 3 begins with a real highlight – and one of the most unusual sections of the entire race: a steep, dizzying descent over the bobsleigh track!
The question remains: how do I even control a fully loaded bike down this narrow, steep, and technically demanding structure?
The track is a relic of the 1984 Winter Olympics and one of the most famous historical sports sites in the region. Once built for Olympic bobsleigh competition, it winds down the hillside in precise curves.
Today it is abandoned and partly damaged by war and time, but its shape is still clearly visible. The concrete curves and steep walls make it a striking piece of sports history embedded in the landscape.
For the race, this place becomes symbolic: a link between sporting present and Olympic past. Where athletes once fought for seconds on ice, cyclists now ride through a structure that embodies both history and decay.
It is a short section – but one with strong symbolic meaning.
Parcours 4: Kolesjan to Peshkopi – through the western Balkans
Parcours 4 starts in Kolesjan and leads deep into the western Balkans. But first comes the question: how do I plan a sensible route through Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania? A section shaped by road choice, elevation, and the avoidance of impassable or restricted routes.
From Sarajevo onward, border crossings become a surprisingly influential factor – not because of a single border, but due to their number, differing rules, and the fragmented geography of the region.
With the Albanian section I hopefully reach Peshkopi. The town marks a transition into a new landscape and cultural region and another waypoint through the Balkans.
The area lies near the border with North Macedonia in the valley of a tributary of the Drin and is surrounded by mountainous terrain.
From Peshkopi to CP4 – toward Leskovik
From Peshkopi begins another fully self-planned section to the checkpoint in Leskovik. The direction is clear, but the exact routing through Albania and along the North Macedonian borders remains a mix of strategy and many open decisions.
A key mental landmark is Lake Ohrid. Depending on the route, it can be passed on either the western or eastern side, with very different characteristics: more elevation in the mountains or more direct but busier roads.
In Albania, road choice is also strongly influenced by infrastructure and traffic. Side roads are quieter but often rougher and more demanding.
Another factor comes to mind: stray dogs in the Balkans. In rural areas they are common and react differently to cyclists – from curious following to short chases.
From Leskovik to the finisher parcours – through Albania, Greece, and the end of the journey
From Leskovik begins the final major transition toward the finisher parcours. The route first leaves Albania and enters Greece – an area where border procedures can vary.
After the crossing, the route continues south toward Antirio. The bridge is closed to cyclists, so a ferry must be used instead.
South of that begins the final strategic decision: coast or inland. Both have costs – either traffic or effort and time.
The final section leads to Olympia, the start of the finisher parcours. After Sarajevo as a place of Olympic heritage, the circle closes here: in Olympia, the origin of the Olympic Games.
Finisher parcours – around 180 km to Kalamata
From Olympia begins the final section of the journey.
The route remains demanding until the end. It constantly goes up and down, with many short climbs and very few flat sections. The rhythm is irregular, passing through villages, hills, and remote landscapes.
In summer, heat can be a major factor. Shade is rare, and hydration becomes crucial.
At the end in Kalamata stands a special symbol: Poseidon’s Dolphin. The dolphin, animal of the sea god Poseidon, marks the end of the race and the journey across Europe.
After thousands of kilometers through mountains, borders, and cities, the dolphin becomes the final sign on the route – a quiet but powerful symbol of arrival, the sea, and the end of the journey.