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Road to Hell

An otherworldly gravel bike adventure

Take on one of the world’s most extraordinary gravel cycling adventures in remote Turkmenistan. This epic desert bikepacking expedition journeys deep into the Karakum Desert across rugged gravel roads and remote off-road tracks to the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, the infamous “Gates of Hell.” Burning continuously since the 1970s, this surreal flaming crater creates one of the most dramatic finish lines on Earth for adventurous cyclists seeking a truly unique endurance challenge. 

Enter

Dates

14 - 20 October 2027

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Distance

125 miles (200km)

Event Type

Bucket List Adventures

Highlights

Crater in ground on fire

Cycle to the Gates of Hell

The Darvaza Gas Crater was formed in the 1970s after Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into an underground gas pocket, the vast crater was deliberately ignited to burn off the gas – and it has been burning continuously ever since.

Map of Turkmenistan with pin in

Visit one of the least visited countries in the world

Turkmenistan is consistently ranked among the world's least-visited countries, with approximately 15,000 to 114,000 tourists visiting annually.

Grand building in white and gold

Explore the city of Ashgabat

This epic cycling journey is paired with sightseeing in the astonishing capital city of Ashgabat, famed for its gleaming white-marble palaces, vast monuments and surreal, almost futuristic atmosphere

Participants gathered round and yurts in background

Camp under the stars

Celebrate your adventure with a BBQ feast, drinks under the stars, and a cosy night together in our yurts, deep in the heart of the desert.

Itinerary

Grand stone building in desert landscape

Day One: Thursday

Arrive into Ashgabat International Airport, where our team will meet you and transfer you to a comfortable 4-star city-centre hotel. With your Turkmenistan invitation letter arranged in advance through our trusted local partners, arrival formalities are straightforward, and you’ll be able to check in and get some well-earned rest.

Later, there’ll be time to build and test your bike, followed by essential event briefings before we head into the city for a traditional welcome meal to officially begin your Turkmenistan gravel adventure.

Grand building in white and gold

Day Two: Friday

Ashgabat is unlike anywhere else on Earth, a surreal, marble-clad capital that has to be seen to be believed. Guided by our expert local hosts, we’ll explore key sights across this fascinating and little-visited city, gaining a unique insight into life in Turkmenistan, with time for local food, coffee and a little shopping along the way.

But this is just the beginning. Beyond the city lies the vast desert and our next destination, the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, better known as the Gates of Hell.

Rocky terrain and blue sky above

Day Three: Saturday

The journey to the Gates of Hell begins as we leave the surreal marble city of Ashgabat behind and ride into the vast emptiness of the Karakum Desert. The 140km route heads north through an extraordinary landscape of Soviet relics, remote villages, wandering camels and endless desert horizons, following a challenging mix of tarmac and rough, pothole-scarred roads.

By day’s end, we reach our remote wild desert camp, deep in the heart of the Karakum, the perfect setting for true edge-of-the-map adventure.

Crater in ground on fire

Day Four: Sunday

Today we ride 40km deeper into the Karakum Desert on our long-awaited approach to the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater. After passing smaller surreal craters along the way, we leave the road behind for a remote desert trail finale, riding across sandy terrain towards one of the world’s strangest sights.

As the heat builds and the glow appears on the horizon, you’ll arrive at the infamous Gates of Hell, an unforgettable moment in this extraordinary adventure. After soaking it all in by daylight, we settle into our nearby traditional desert yurt camp before returning after dark, when the crater burns at its most dramatic. Expect a magical evening of desert BBQ, drinks under the stars, and a night deep in the heart of the desert.

Crater in ground on fire

Day Five: Monday

After a hearty, locally-prepared camp breakfast, we’ll break camp, load our bikes, and begin the return journey to Ashgabat. The ride back along the desert roads will take approximately 6–8 hours, giving you plenty of time to reflect on the surreal landscapes you’ve just explored. Once back in the city, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can follow our recommendations for local eateries, or simply relax at the hotel’s excellent and reasonably-priced restaurant. It’s a perfect chance to unwind, soak up the city, and prepare for your final day in Turkmenistan.

Colourful, traditional food

Day Six: Tuesday

With late international flights from Ashgabat, you’ll have the day free to explore this extraordinary city at your own pace, from local markets and famous Turkmen carpets to neighbourhood cafés and Ashgabat’s surreal marble landmarks.

In the evening, we’ll come together for a final farewell feast with our Turkmen hosts before transferring to the airport for your onward flight home, bringing an unforgettable desert cycling adventure to a close.

Crater in ground on fire
Man climbing up snowy slope

Your Adventure Leader

Tom

Tom thrives in remote, extreme and challenging environments, from dense jungle and scorching deserts to sub-zero wilderness and high-altitude terrain. With experience designing and leading expeditions in over 30 countries across 6 continents, he brings serious adventure expertise to every project. Tom is qualified as a Mountain Leader, Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and HEAT-trained expedition professional, with additional certifications across climbing, mountain biking, paddle sports and off-road driving.

Crater in ground on fireChildren-with-Cancer-UK-logo-white

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FAQs

Is the route likely to change?

The very nature of adventure means that the unexpected can sometimes become part of the journey and that is all part of the experience. While we will always strive to deliver “Plan A”, there may be occasions where operational, safety, weather or environmental factors require us to adapt plans and implement contingency routes or alternative arrangements.

As with all Rat Race adventures, participant safety and overall event delivery remain our highest priorities. We therefore reserve the right to amend routes, itineraries or logistics where necessary, using the experience and judgement of our expedition team to make the best decisions on your behalf in changing conditions. Wherever possible, we will communicate any changes in advance. More often than not, these unexpected moments become part of the adventure itself adding to the stories, memories and unique character of the experience.

How do I enter?

Click 'Enter' and sign into your Rat Race account and follow the sign up procedure. If you need any assistance please drop the customer service team an email on events@ratrace.com

How old do I need to be?

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.

Can I transfer my entry?

If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice. Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed. Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit vouchers are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 

Can I fundraise for charity?

You are very welcome to fundraise for any charity close to your heart while taking part in the event. Please note, however, that our Charity Refund Offer applies exclusively to participants fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.

Can I volunteer?

You can view our current volunteer positions here

Can I go at my own pace?

Yes, there are cut-offs on the event, but these are based purely around the available daylight hours each day. Our aim is to help everyone complete the adventure, so if you fall behind the required pace and are unlikely to reach the end before nightfall, our crew will transport you forward by car. You are then welcome to restart again the following day. This is not an event where missing a cut-off means your adventure is over.

What is Refund Protect?

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.

To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry. 

Do I need insurance?

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for this event and must cover both general travel and participation in the outdoor endurance activities included within the itinerary. You will also require Evacuation Insurance, which covers emergency extraction and onward medical transport by helicopter or similar should urgent assistance be required in this remote environment.

We strongly recommend arranging your insurance as soon as you enter the event and booking flexible flight options where possible to allow for any unexpected changes. Please ensure your chosen policy specifically covers the activities you will be undertaking during the expedition. There are a number of specialist adventure travel insurers available, including Mann Broadbent.

What kit do I need?

Kit List 

This is our planned kit list for this adventure, additional items may be added but these will be communicated to you in our EEI document (3 months prior to the event). 

General 

  • Gaffa tape 

  • Ear plugs 

  • Watch 

  • Snacks/treats – enough to augment the pit stops  

  • Sunglasses – Cat 3 or better 

  • Power pack 

  • Water carrying capacity of 2 litres minimum 

  • Duffel for all luggage – no hard cases 

  • Sleeping bag liner 

  • Sleeping bag 

  • Personal First aid kit (See more details below) 

  • Sun cream 

  • Trainers or boots for the evenings 

  • Flipflops or sandals – to air your feet 

  • Sunhat 

Cycling 

  • Bike 

  • Bike box 

  • Cycling helmet 

  • GPS device with handle bar mount 

  • Cycling gloves x 2 (long and short) 

  • Cycling bibs/shorts   

  • Cycling jerseys 

  • Neck buff 

  • Spare batteries for lights 

  • High visibility vest or clothing item for tunnels etc 

  • Chamois cream 

  • Hydration bladder with backpack (optional) 

  • Bike shoes 

  • Socks  

  • Bar end Lights 

  • Head torch and spare batteries 

Bike spares - MANDATORY

(our minimum spec for mandatory spare bike kit ) 

  • 4 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre  (carry 2 with you at all times when riding)  

  • Change of tyres – for the off-road section on day 2  

  • Tyre levers  

  • 1 x puncture repair kit  (if running a tubeless set up, have a slime spare and repair kit)  

  • Peddle spanner  

  • Bike multitool  

  • Chain link remover  

  • Chain links x 2 – ensure they are for your specific bike chain 

  • Small pump  

  • 1 x gear cable  

  • 1 x brake cable  

  • Cable ties  

  • Rear Hanger suitable for your own bike  

  • Small bottle of oil  

  • An old rag and toothbrush for bike cleaning  

  • Bike lock 

  • Spare torch 

  • Front light 

  • Rear light 

Personal Med kit - MANDATORY (Our minimum spec for mandatory medical kit (to be always carried)  

  • 1 x crepe roll bandage  

  • Gauze or similar absorbent dressing   

  • Small set of scissors  

  • Pain Killers (paracetamol)  

  • Steri-Strips   

  • Antiseptic (spray or cream)   

  • Assorted plasters   

  • Rubber gloves   

  • Prescribed medication   

  • Zinc oxide tape   

  • Compeed – various sizes   

  • Lube stick  (silicone-based) 

  • Sudacrem    

What kind of bike do I need?

You do not need a full mountain bike for this route – a gravel bike will do the job with wide tyres (30mm+) is reccomended.

Can I rent a bike?

We regret that we have no available local rental options for this event. We will store bike boxes in Ashgabat for you while you are away on your adventure and transport of your bike boxes to/ from the airport is included in the event price.

Pricing

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We’ve created a flexible, interest-free* instalment plan so you can choose how many months to spread the cost of your adventure. Choose to pay in full or in equal monthly instalments up to 3 months before your event date.

​* Once you sign up, Rat Race will set up a recurring monthly payment via Stripe. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund or transfer eligibility.

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2027

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