Ultracycling can be considered the pinnacle of endurance sports. It is a test of grit, self-reliance, and the will to keep going when the body, and above all the mind, wants to stop. These are the events that span continents, last for days, and carry with them a mystique that can be as intimidating as it is alluring. However, since last year, an event has emerged, making ultracycling more accessible, strategic, and, in many ways, more human.

We are talking about Transibérica’s 24H Ultracycling, whose format condenses the essence of ultra-distance riding into a single day, in a local context, and just as punishing.

A day of looping

Inspired by the Backyard Ultra concept popularized in running, the 24H Ultracycling event replaces epic routes and remote checkpoints with something deceptively simple: a loop ridden every hour on the hour for 24 hours straight.

On this occasion, the 30 participants of the 2025 edition had to cover a paved 21 km loop with 430 meters of elevation, meaning that at the end of the challenge, they accumulated 504 km and over 10,000 meters of elevation.

Lemoiz, north of Spain, was the base camp. In front of the city hall, participants had a reserved spot to store the tools, food, and extra clothing they needed. The challenge started on May 24th at noon, and participants completed as many laps as they could within that time frame. They could choose between pushing hard and enjoying some extra rest before the start of the next loop, or take it easier and arrive at Lemoiz with just enough time to refill.

An invitation to the curious

What makes this event particularly special is how accessible it is compared to traditional ultracycling. In long-distance races, riders must contend with complex navigation, unpredictable weather, sleep deprivation, and minimal support, all while carrying everything they might need. By contrast, the 24h Ultracycling format removes many of those barriers. With a fixed loop that always brings riders back to the same location, participants remain close to food, tools, spare gear, and if needed, moral support from friends and family.

Logistics are simpler, making it possible for first-timers to dip their toes into the ultra world without needing extensive bikepacking experience. In many ways, it’s a distilled version of ultracycling: the mental and physical challenges remain, but they’re delivered in a format that invites more people to the start line.

Consistency over power

Unlike mass-start races that reward explosive efforts and early surges in power, success in the 24H Ultracycling format depends almost entirely on consistency. Riders who push too hard early on may struggle later in the night, when fatigue and darkness set in. Others choose to ride conservatively, completing each loop with time to spare for eating, stretching, or even a quick nap.

For 24 hours, riders go through the same ride, recover, repeat cycle. Some riders find their flow and treat each hour like a time trial. Others use the in-between moments to socialize, repair their bikes, or reflect. Strategy becomes as important as physical strength.

It’s during the night hours that the mental side of the sport comes into full view, with every loop completed after midnight becoming a small victory. And yet, there’s something strangely comforting about the shared struggle. While ultracycling is often portrayed as a solitary pursuit, events like this foster a real sense of community. Riders chatted during the laps, cheered each other on, and built a kind of quiet camaraderie that will last far beyond the final lap.

On May 25th at noon, nine of the original participants reached Lemoiz for the 24th time. “After 24 laps, it’s when the riders decide to ride the extra lap to get into the final classification. Then is when the event turns into a race”, the event rules state. Iñaki Guinea and Aritz Segurola completed that extra lap in 38 minutes, with the rest of the finishers closely behind.

The first brick of the wall

You don’t need to be a hardened ultra veteran to enter. Many participants are everyday cyclists, with a little curiosity and a lot of determination. The key is preparation: not just physical training, but dialing in your bike fit, figuring out which food your stomach can tolerate, and getting used to the stop-start rhythm.

The event format is an invitation to push boundaries in a way that feels challenging but not crushing, competitive but not cutthroat. For many, the 24H Ultracycling by Transibérica is a chance to test the waters before diving into longer, more remote adventures. For others, it’s a satisfying challenge in its own right, with just enough hardship to feel proud of, and just enough comfort to make you want to come back.

If you’ve ever wondered whether ultracycling is for you, this might be the place to find out.