Our Features

Bikes of Race around Rwanda 2023

One thousand kilometres in the Land of a Thousand Hills on varying road surfaces can quickly take its toll on riders and their equipment, especially brake pads. Check out the riders' selection of equipment for their loop of Rwanda.

A Rookie's Guide To Bikepacking

Sandra Padilla made her first foray into ultra-cycling at the Wild West Country. The race covered 800km and 14,000m of climbing in the South West of the UKl. Sandra reflects on her experience with DotWatcher.

By:Sandra Padilla

2022 End of Season Wrap

After a bumper season of racing, we've put together a synopsis of many of the races we covered from the tarmac of Europe, to the tracks of Kyrgyzstan, and the trails of the USA. Have a read of some of the finest racing and riding stories from another stellar year of dotwatching.

2022 DotWatcher Awards

To celebrate a second-to-none year, we're proud to present the eight recipients of the 2022 DotWatcher Awards. These standout individuals celebrate ultra-cycling in their own unique way, creating a picture of this incredible community as a whole.

By:Kitty Dennis

Sleeping During a Bikepacking Race

Sleeping on an ultra-distance race is often a mystery to the uninitiated. Images of sleeping in bus stops and behind bushes pass through the mind as you think of someone grabbing 40 winks at the Transcontinental.

By:Kitty Dennis

Roundtable: Shermer's Neck - Part 2

Shermer’s Neck is a condition where the neck muscles fail from fatigue and can no longer support the weight of the head. In Part 2 of this feature we discuss how it should be dealt with appropriately on social media, actions to raise awareness and preventative measures.

By:Nicky Shaw

Winter Watching 2022 - Bikepacking and Endurance Cycling Films

The nights are getting longer and we've got the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Our collective of 2022 ultra-films should be the perfect way to reflect on the year.

By:Kitty Dennis

Five Minutes With... Seb Breuer

Not content with wins at the German and European cross country marathon championships, Seb has spent the past two years turning his hand to bikepacking. His racing pedigree combined with his meticulous attention to detail and good humour have dealt him a good bikepacking hand.

By:Beccy Waters

Bikes of Across Andes

Across Andes is an off road adventure across the Andes in Chile. A balance of weight and off-road potential is key for race success.

Roundtable: Shermer's Neck - Part 1

Shermer’s Neck is a condition where the neck muscles fail from fatigue and can no longer support the weight of the head. In part 1 of this feature we aim to shed some light upon the condition, with a collective discussion concerning responsibilities and appropriate action.

By:Nicky Shaw

What is a bikepacking race?

Despite DotWatcher being the home of self supported, ultra-distance cycling, it is often a question we get asked to which we don’t have a cut and dried answer. What counts as self-supported ultracycling?

By:Kitty Dennis

Five Minutes With... Markus Stitz

Markus Stitz is a staple of the ultra-distance scene in the UK. Not only a racer, Markus is a photographer and documentary filmmaker as well as the author of Great British Gravel Rides.

By:Kitty Dennis

Demystifying the Tracker!

Have you signed up for a race where you need your own tracker and have no clue where to start? Here’s a handy how-to guide for sourcing, registering and racing with your tracker.

By:Kitty Dennis

Five Minutes With... Ana Orenz

Ana Orenz: Global citizen, Mother, Triple Everester, slightly obsessed with goats and mountains. Since her Ultra Debut in 2017 with the formidable TransAtlantic Way Race, Ana has won the women's category in virtually every race she has done since. *Cover Photo: Charlotte Gamus*

By:Nicky Shaw

Five Minutes With The Ultra Distance Scholarship

The Ultra Distance Scholarship started in 2021 and has supported six riders in tackling the Pan Celtic Race and GBDURO. The initiative elevates riders of colour/BAME riders throughout the UK to get to the startline of an ultra-cycling race.

By:Kitty Dennis

Bikes of Two Volcano Sprint

A selection of the riders' chosen weapons for the roads between Italy's Mount Vesuvio and Etna. With plenty of climbing and weather that's caught riders out in the past, those who have successfully balanced lightweight and well-equipped will prevail.

Five Minutes With... Ashley Carelock

Lover of all things on two wheels, Ashley Carelock spends her time split between riding her fleet of bikes and running her farm in southwestern Colorado. She lines up at the Atlas Mountain Race this weekend as one to watch given her experience and success on similar terrain.

By:Beccy Waters

Bikes Of Poco Loco

Poco Loco, a race with three versions, will have all the goodies! Gravel bikes, shorter endurance road bikes and those long haul road munching machines.

Bikes of Further Perseverance

Curating a kit list for a race with plentiful hike a bike, terrain ranging from tarmac to rock gardens, gradients steep enough to evoke vertigo and storms forecast is no small order. Racers have designed their kit list to be the ultimate compromise between weight and comfort.

Five Minutes With... Mark Beaumont

Mark Beaumont is a staple in the endurance cycling world. His impressive around the world in 80 days attempt gave the world an idea of what endurance was but last year he entered the world of ultra-racing at GBDURO21.

By:Kitty Dennis

Bikes of GBDURO22

GBDURO poses one of the greatest kit-list conundrums for riders; a 2,000km mixed-terrain route with three checkpoints where many riders will be waiting outdoors for a day or more. Riders equip themselves for both the riding and the resting, not to mention the British weather.

Bikes of Bentang Jawa

This mostly road adventure down Indonesia requires the perfect balance between a robust steed and lightweight racing. What will our racers prioritise?

Five Minutes With... Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson may not be a name you're familiar with in the ultracycling world, however, you'll see him on the start line for this year's edition of Basajaun.

By:Kitty Dennis

Bikes Of The Capitals by PedAlma

PEDALMA The Capitals is an ultra route connecting the Capitals of Catalonia. With plenty of climbing and some gravelly paths a light and versatile setup is key.

Bikes of Great British Divide

A length of Great Britain in August demands riders come prepared for all eventualities. Have a browse of what each intrepid rider thinks they'll need for this ride.

Bikes of Trans Pyrenees Race

On this weekend's Pyrenean odyssey menu is 1,500km of tarmac and gravel traversing the Spanish, Andorran and French Pyrenees from west to east, and back. Have a browse of rider's chosen rigs and equipment lists to tackle this free route with plenty of climbing.

Bikes of Three Peaks Bike Race

Striking the balance between keeping weight down and being equipped for Alpine weather is one of the ultimate challenges for European racing and no more is it evident than the TPBR kit lists.

Bikes of Pan Celtic Race

A 2,530km race starting and ending in Wales with a lap of Ireland takes in some of the most unpredictable weather regions of the UK. No edition of the Pan Celtic Race has ever been spared bad weather; biblical rain in Cornwall and the storms in Scotland are in PCR Clan legend.

Bikes of Transpyrenees

Take a look at rider's chosen bikes and equipment lists for this year's Transpyrenees: a 1,080km road route with 25,000m of elevation and ticking off 33 Pyrenean cols. Certainly a race for the grimpeurs!

Bikes of HOPE 1000

A 1,000km point to point of the Swiss Alps can throw all weather forms at the riders; known to change from baking summer heat to mountain storms within hours, the Alps pose a challenging enviroment to equip for.

Bikes of Taunus Bikepacking No. 5

Taunus Bikepacking No. 5 throws all kinds of surfaces from smooth asphalt to rocky trails at the riders, making the bike choice for this 1,000 kilometer ride as individual as interesting. Many steep climbs and unpredictable weather will test the bikes, riders and equipment.

By:Jesko von Werthern

Bikes of Trans Balkan Race

The inaugural edition of any race demands riders to pack for the unknown. With a speculative idea of the terrain and conditions in they will face in Slovenia and Montenegro, riders must pick a bike for the race they expect to face with no previous kit lists to follow.

Bikes of Highland Trail 550

A race that's defined by its challenges; the terrain, weather and ground conditions all play a part in the hurdles riders will face. With one eye on the weather forecast, each rider chooses their own balance of preparedness and weight in the hope they've packed all they need.

Five Minutes With... Emma Bateup

Emma Bateup was a relatively unknown entity in the ultra-distance world until she jumped onto all our radars by winning the women's Tour Te Waipounamu this year. We spent 5 minutes with her to find out more about this phenomenal rider.

By:Kitty Dennis

Bikes of Kromvojoj

Heading into a hilly inaugural race calls for riders to balance preparedness and minimal kit!

Bikes of Heading SouthWest

This inaugural edition of the ultra-distance site Finesterra's Heading Southwest will kick off this weekend. With plenty of new and established riders hitting the road take a look at what they've packed and how they're planning to tackle the Portuguese heat!

Bikes of Race Through Poland

Race Through Poland has moved back to its summer edition after heading out in September last year. Take a look at the bikes of... and enjoy finding out what our intrepid riders take along for the journey.

Five Minutes With... Badlands

Badlands is renowned for its diversity and opened our eyes to the variety of landscapes and terrains Andalucia has to offer. Keep reading to learn more about this year’s race and Badlands Rewild: the race’s new initiative to combat social and environmental problems in Andalucia.

By:Beccy Waters

We're looking for a new race coordinator!

Are you an avid DotWatcher, curious about how it all works? We're looking for a new race coordinator here at DotWatcher! Find out more...

Bikes of Seven Serpents

Into the unknown: riders take on this seven-checkpoint gravel race covering 800km from Slovenia through Croatia and its islands into Trieste, Italy via gravel and secondary roads.

Bikes of Wild West Country

The Wild West Country is the UK's new sub 1000km ultra from the creators of the Perfidious Albion, don't let the length fool you. Riders will be finding their way around the hilly Quantocks!

Bikes of Race around the Netherlands

What bike would you take for possibly the flattest utra race on the calendar? Find out how riders balance comfort and speed when elevation isn't a consideration but wind and potential wet weather are.

Bikes of Dales Divide

Cast an eye over the bikes and kit lists of the riders lining up at this 400km or 600km off-road loop from the West coast of England through the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors to the East coast and back again.

Bikes of GranGuanche Audax Gravel

The inaugural edition of GranGuanche's Gravel route sent riders into the unknown on an island little ridden by bikepackers. Heading to five of the Canary Islands to tackle its vast network of gravel roads and secondary paved roads all sewn together with four ferry journeys.

2022 Season Preview

Another year, another season of dotwatching delight! With old favourites and plenty of new races on the calendar, we look ahead to 2022 with some sneak peaks at routes and rider start lists.

By:Beccy Waters

Five Minutes With... India Landy

India Landy is no stranger to ultra-distance, blasting onto the scene in 2019. This March, with a week's notice, she headed out to Rwanda for the 1000km Race Around Rwanda.

By:Kitty Dennis

What's your favourite dotwatching moment?

There is so much more to dotwatching than watching the dots; that's why we need you! Tell us your favourite dotwatching moments.

Winter Layering Q&A With Graeme Raeburn

In conditions that can reach -40C/-40F exposure is a real risk on the Iditarod Trail Invitational. To give us an idea of how to prepare for such climates Graeme Raeburn, Albion’s lead product designer is here to answer some questions.

By:Kitty Dennis

Bikes of Race Around Rwanda

A race through the Land of a Thousand Hills demands a light and minimalist set up that will hold up against the weather curve balls the riders could face, with some unpaved roads thrown in to shake up the riding.

Five Minutes With... RJ Sauer

RJ Sauer is an adventurer at heart, documenting his intrepid explorations with words, pictures and films you may know him from a variety of different places. We spoke to him about his adventures, family and the upcoming Iditarod Trail Invitational.

By:Kitty Dennis