EVENT FORMAT
‘Gravel Birds Ultracycling’ is not a race or competition. It's simultaneously a personal challenge and a collective cycling adventure. An opportunity to face your own physical and emotional limits while other adventurers are doing the same. Individually, in community. We will not provide any kind of cash or prizes and we will collect and publish riders’ results and times only for information and recreation purposes.
We aren't responsible for any interpretation that the event is a race. However, we are aware that some riders will give their best to complete the route the fastest as possible, which sparks enthusiasm within the community. We will seek for a balance event coverage. In self-supported ultracycling we admire and respect both slower and faster riders.
Self-supported ultracycling as an international basis. English is the official language of the event, namely 'simple/basic English'. We will only accept applications in English (or Portuguese). The briefing session will be in English.
ROUTE PROFILE & ELEVATION GAIN
The 'Gravel Birds Ultracycling' event has two routes: 'Gravel Birds 750' and 'L'Abetarda 270'. The second has a shorter distance and a lower degree of difficulty. Both routes start and end in Castro Verde. The 'Gravel Birds 750' route has 8,000 meters of climbing and it's 75% off-road. L’Abetarda has 3,000 meters of climbing and it's 65% off road. It was designed for a shorter bikepacking experience and it wasn't planned as an ultramarathon.
Regarding the elevation gain, the data is an average of the information provided by the route planning apps 'Komoot' and 'Ride with GPS'. Route planning apps use digital terrain models that are supported by modeling tools with an accurate level of precision. Cycling computers and GPS devices used in cycling activities have a lower level of accuracy and tend to overestimate the elevation gain data and then influencing cyclists' general perception.
Several participants recorded, through their GPS devices, climbing numbers up to 11,000 meters of elevation gain for the 'Gravel Birds 750' route. Indeed, this is a significant difference compared to the official numbers. You must adjust your expectations to your perception of elevation gain, which is normally shaped by the data estimated by your GPS device. Regardless the debate about the climbing numbers, there is something 100% certain: you will not reach high altitudes, but 'Gravel Birds Ultracycling' is not a ride in the plains. It is an authentic rollercoaster (a route profile generally underrated by cyclists) and you should be aware that past participants considered 'Gravel Birds' harder than expected.
REGISTRATION FEE & BIRDS' PACK
The value of the fee is 240€ for the 'Gravel Birds 750' route and 200€ for the 'L'Abetarda 270' route. Includes GPS tracker rental and live map service by 'Follow My Challenge', briefing session and dinner, Manual/Road-Book/GPX, event's personalized CAP, photo gallery, accidents insurance (according with the Portuguese law for amateur sport events), brevet card and free camping (with tent or appropriate vehicle) at local campsite in Castro Verde.
The value of the fee of 'L'Abetarda 270' is similar to the bigger route, because the organization has similar costs with all riders.
APPLICATIONS
There are limited spots available for 'Gravel Birds Ultracycling' 2025. The applications will open on 1 September 2024 (00:01 local time) and close on 30 September 2024 (23:59 local time). The link to the form will be available on the main page of the website. In addition to the usual personal data, the form also includes questions that will allow us to check if you are aware of the type of challenge ahead and if you know and respect the principles of self-supported ultracycling events. We will share the results on 15 October 2024.
The payment of the fee is the final step in order to complete the registration. To secure your place you will have to pay the fee until October 31st 2024. After the payment, you will receive a confirmation and welcome email from the organization.
Registration in the 'pair' category is done individually: each member of the duo must fill the form individually. Then, you can complete the registration/pay the fee for both or separately. Later, you can join together as pairs (if both are selected) or to participate individually (if only one is selected and you maintain your intention of participation).
ARRIVE TO CASTRO VERDE
The closest airports are located in Faro and Lisbon. 'Funcheira' is the closest train station to Castro Verde: just 30 kilometers away.
Faro train station is 1h30m away from 'Funcheira'. In Lisbon you will find more flight options and 'Lisboa-Oriente' train station is 2 hours away from 'Funcheira'.
Don't need to disassemble your bike in InterCity trains. In Lisbon you can also store your bike bag with our bike shop friends.
BRIEFING SESSION
Attendance at the accreditation, as well as at the entire briefing session is mandatory: Friday May 9th 2025 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm local time. In addition to the accreditation of participants and delivery of the tracker/CAP, the purpose of the session is to deepen and clarify questions about the rules and spirit of the event, as well as to share last-minute instructions about the participation, departure and route.
Furthermore, it will be the only opportunity for all participants to be together. Although it precedes the departure of the adventure, the dinner (after the briefing session) is a moment of celebration.
SELF SUPPORTED
The main differentiating characteristic of this "sport" in relation to traditional cycling. Unsupported ultracycling seeks the essence of cycling through the spirit of adventure, independence and autonomy, as well as equality of circumstances among all participants. It's about your experience and challenging your own limits. So makes no sense to receive help from your family and friends with food, accommodation or mechanical support.
Sum up, you can only use the commercial services available to the public. The services that are available to all participants. Drafting is not allowed: you cannot ride on the wheel of other participants (except your fellow pair), cyclists or vehicles, thus obtaining aerodynamic advantages.
Participants in the pair category of 'Gravel Birds 750' can help each other. In the L'Abetarda 270 route, all participants are allowed to help each other and to ride in group along the route
REFUND POLICY
A 'cancellation insurance' is available (for extra 20€) which gives you the possibility of obtaining a 100% refund of the fee (240€/200€) if you face specific circumstances that don't allow you to participate, namely a physical injury or illness, an unexpected unemployment situation, death or serious illness of a next of kin.
The fee with the cancellation insurance is 260€/220€ (240€ + 20€ = 260€ for Gravel Birds 750 / 200€ + 20€ = 220€ for L'Abetarda 270). We will not refund you if you don't have the 'cancellation insurance', neither move your registration to the next edition.
MANDATORY GEAR
Helmet, reflective vest (during the nights and poor visibility conditions), frontal and rear lights (including backup kit), emergency blanket. The organization assures personal insurance for accidents (expenses for treatment, repatriation, disability and death).
Presence at the accreditation and briefing session is mandatory for all participants on Friday evening (May 10th). This mandatory items will be checked during accreditation and we will not allow the participations of anyone who does not have all these items.
TIME LIMIT
The event will last 6 days in both routes. The finish point in Castro Verde will close at sunset on Thursday May 15th. The time limit to reach the CP across the route will be proportional to the total limit.
It's not the end of the world if you complete the route beyond the time limit and we will always find a way. However, it is important to be aware that in this scenario you will be riding outside the context of the event and the organization's insurance will no longer be valid. The insurance also won't be valid if you leave the route.
The event was designed to have a diverse type of participants. From those who will push until the limits to those who want to enjoy the experience and the territory ('slow is okay' approach).