A sneak peek into Trans Africa Coast to Coast our biggest cycling challenge yet
Are you looking to add something incredible to your Bucket List? Hot on the heels of our exceptionally popular Trans Andean Coast to...
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AN INCREDIBLE COAST TO COAST CYCLE JOURNEY ACROSS THE ENTIRE CONTINENT OF SOUTH AMERICA FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC.
Our 1000-mile, fully supported, bespoke coast to coast cycle route climbs from sea level and traverses the high passes of the dramatic Andes mountain range, lifting you nearly 4km skyward before descending all the way down the other side as you speed towards Buenos Aires on this 10-day, all-inclusive adventure.
$387.93
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*price per month, depending on departure day click here for more info on pricing
19 - 31 JAN / 2025 FULL
5 - 17 FEB / 2025
18 -30 JAN / 2026
EVENT DATES:
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DISTANCE:
1060 MILES (1700 KM) ON BIKE
SLEEP STYLE:
HOTEL, HOSTEL, REFUGE AND B&B
LOCATION:
CHILE/ARGENTINA, SOUTH AMERICA
DURATION:
13 DAYS /
12 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
You should be a confident cyclist with experience of back to back days in the saddle.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
ROUTE CROSSES THE ANDES MOUNTAIN RANGE, ASCENDING FROM SEA LEVEL TO 3832M METRES OVER 2 DAYS. 2 DAYS OF DOWNHILL INTO ARGENTINA, WITH STUNNING VIEWS OF ACONCAGUA, THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN THE AMERICAS, PLUS THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN HEMISPHERES.
EXPERIENCE THE EXCITING ‘OVER THE TOP’ SECTION ON DIRT & GRAVEL ROAD THAT CROSSES THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER BETWEEN CHILE AND ARGENTINA.
TRAVERSE THE WINE-GROWING REGIONS OF CHILE (CENTRAL VALLEY) AND ARGENTINA (MENDOZA REGION) WITH AMAZING FOOD AND WINE – PARTICULARLY STEAK AND MALBEC, WHICH THE REGION IS FAMOUS FOR.
EXPERIENCE THE VASTNESS OF THE ARGENTINIAN PAMPAS AND PERHAPS MEET SOME OF ITS FAMOUS GAUCHOS
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
ACCOMMODATION
12 nights accommodation (hotel, hostel, refuge, B&B)
GUIDES AND SUPPORT
Professional road support vehicles, safety staff, medical, mechanical and welfare
ALL MEALS
All meals included as standard, at hotels *see itinerary for further details
TRANSFER POLICY
Flexible transfer policy up to 12 weeks before your departure date.
SAFETY
Professional local and UK safety staff, medics, drivers, route safety staff and Rat Race experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
TRANSFERS
Group airport transfers at specified time (see itinerary)
EXTRAS
High quality medal, rat rag and premium t-shirt for all participants.
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MORE INFORMATION:
Our coast to coast cycle route starts in the UNESCO world heritage-listed Valparaiso and crosses the Andes mountain range, ascending from sea level to a lung-busting 3832m metres over 2 days. Participants can expect incredible mountain passes and a 2 day downhill into Argentina from Chile, with stunning views of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, plus the southern and western hemispheres. Experience the vastness of the Argentinian steppe and perhaps meet some of its famous gauchos as you traverse one of the continent's main wine growing regions. This coast to coast cycle route has been crafted to provide an extraordinary adventure for anyone who has ever dreamed of crossing a continent on their bike.
DAY FOUR: OVER THE TOP
Start Point: Rio Blanco
End Point: Los Penitenties
Distance: 72.7km
Ascent: 2502m
Descent: 1319m
Gravel / Road: 14% / 86%
Steepest Gradient: 11%
Don’t be fooled by the distance, as this is a really challenging day: But it will be worth all the effort. The night before, we’ll spend some time changing tyres as this is the day that heads off the tarmac to reach the statue of Christ the Redeemer of the Andes at 3832m: A symbol of peace between Chile and Argentina for over 100 years. It’s uphill today from the first pedal stroke, with a stunning section of classic mountain pass hairpins to negotiate before we reach the border. Once we’ve passed through the border control (which could take some time) we leave the main road and join the old gravel road up to the statue.
The road is maintained but still not suitable for slick road tyres, so a touring or gravel-treaded tyre is required for puncture protection and grip on this section. It’s a 10km descent from the statue back to the tarmac before an easy 20km downhill to the hotel with views of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. Whilst the gravel does add the extra step of the tyre change, it adds a totally unique flavour to this coast to coast cycle adventure and will be well worth the views from the summit of an incredibly high mountain pass.
DAY FIVE: A VERY, VERY, VERY LONG DOWNHILL
Start Point: Los Penitenties
End Point: Mendoza
Distance: 171.3 km
Ascent: 940m
Descent: 2761m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
Back on to the road tyres, Day 3 of the Transandean coast to coast cycle challenge is all about the reward…! The efforts of the previous days are met with 164km of total downhill, heading eventually for the lively city of Mendoza. This vibrant city is famed for great wine and great restaurants and is the hub of the main Argentinian Malbec-producing region.
Today's style of riding ensures an early finish, giving you time to explore the city and pick a restaurant and wine bar at your convenience. In previous events, #ratracers have loved finding their own great spots for wine and steak,, so tonight's meal is on you. Choose well and enjoy!
DAY SIX-TO-ELEVEN: ACROSS THE PAMPAS
Having left the mountains behind, we now cross the vast Argentine Pampas famed for its agriculture and notably for its beef cattle – great news for the steak lovers amongst you as the steaks in these parts are sensational – and huge. An ever-changing field-scape that accompanies the (generally) downhill journey may also bring you face to face with the gauchos of the region; and plenty of hearty food and drink to re-energise in the evenings and at our well-stocked pit stops as we fuel you across the continent. The challenge of the distance remains, with some big days in the saddle. But the ‘supportive’ nature of this coast to coast cycle route profile allows you to get those kilometres done as you make your way gradually eastwards, towards the bright lights of Buenos Aires.
DAY SIX
Start Point: Mendoza
End Point: Balde
Distance: 249.6km
Ascent: 640m
Descent: 967m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
DAY SEVEN
Start Point: Balde
End Point: Achiras
Distance: 184.9km
Ascent: 1591m
Descent: 1224m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
DAY EIGHT
Start Point: Achiras
End Point: La Carlota
Distance: 176.5km
Ascent: 459m
Descent: 1124m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
DAY NINE
Start Point: La Carlota
End Point: Villa Canas
Distance: 182.1km
Ascent: 525m
Descent: 568m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
DAY TEN
Start Point: Villa Canas
End Point: Chivilcoy
Distance: 215.9km
Ascent: 717m
Descent: 761m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
DAY ELEVEN
Start Point: Chivilcoy
End Point: San Miguel del Monte
Distance: 167.4km
Ascent: 459m
Descent: 488m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
DAY TWELVE: JOURNEY’S END, BUENOS AIRES
Start Point: San Miguel del Monte
End Point: La Balandra
Distance: 129.6km
Ascent: 355m
Descent: 353m
Gravel / Road: 100% Road
This is the final day of the Transandean Coast to Coast. The culmination of ten days' worth of riding brings us to one of South America’s most cherished cities—the finish line on the coast is one hour South of Buenos Aires at La Balandra Beach.
A bustling, multi-cultural colossus of 15 million people. Our route keeps us to the south and west of the main hubbub of the city as we aim for the obligatory dip of a wheel in the Atlantic Ocean; and a welcome beer. That’s it! You’ve crossed a continent coast to coast using the power of your legs. Chapeau indeed. Time now for a slap-up BBQ once we finish and a toast with a chilled beer, a soft drink or perhaps a hearty glass of Malbec.
We will be finishing at the beach where we will have our celebration BBQ and drinks. Later on in the evening, you will be invited to the hotel bar to celebrate further.
DAY THIRTEEN: DEPARTURE
After our final breakfast together, we will whisk you and your kit/ bike from the hotel to Buenos Aires International Airport for onward journeys. Or choose to stay around this exciting city and see more of the sights. The group airport transfer will depart the hotel at 10 a.m.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
The meeting point for this epic coast to coast cycle adventure is Santiago International Airport arrivals outside La Pica cafe. From here, we transfer by road to the coastal town of Con Con, around 90 mins away. You should aim to be at the airport by midday allowing you to process through passport control and collect your luggage in time for our meet time at 1300. Alternatively, you may choose to arrive earlier, in which case you are welcome to meet us at the airport for our 1300 transfer, or you can head straight to the hotel in Con Con for check in at 1500.
DAY TWO: REGISTRATION, BRIEFINGS AND DOWNTIME
After the admin of registration, kit checks, bike building and checks, plus a few briefings, you will have the rest of the day to relax or explore the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage City of Valparaiso if you wish. This is approx 30km from the hotel for those who want to grab a taxi, or to go on a practice ride to shake out those legs and ensure the bike still has 2 wheels and a saddle. Then we will come together again in the evening and enjoy a dinner together prior to tomorrow’s adventure!
DAY THREE: TRANS ANDEAN BEGINS!
Start Point: Con Con (North of Valparaiso City)
End Point: Rio Blanco
Distance: 158.8km
Ascent: 1954m
Descent: 562m
Gravel / Road: 6% / 94%
*All distances in this itinerary are approximate pending hotel confirmation as you will cycle to the hotel each day.
We take a moment as the sun rises to look over the Pacific Ocean, here we will dip our back wheels into the water, this will be the last time we will look over the sea until we have cycled coast to coast across the continent and reached the Atlantic. The ride today winds its way through small hamlets and avocado farms before the ascent profile gets steeper in the later part of the day's ride. Here we cycle to Rio Blanco, the first of two mountain villages on our route.
ACCOMMODATION
As we cycle coast to coast, our accommodation is split between a selection of HOTELS, mountain HOSTELS and REFUGES and some simple roadside HOTELS in regional towns and villages.
We will always choose daily finish locations and accommodation that allows the group to finish by cycling rather than getting vehicle transfers.
Where we use hotels, refuges, mountain hostels and similar accommodation, all accommodation is always offered on a double or twin room basis; or sometimes there can be multiple people sharing a small dorm-style room with single beds. If you are taking part on your own, you will be paired with another participant/s of the same sex in a twin room or dorm in the refuges. If you have preferences for who you share with, you are able to specify that prior to departure.
All of our accommodation is of a good standard for South America– sometimes well-appointed hotels and sometimes of a more basic specification – depending on where we are along the route and reflecting the mountain or rustic nature of some of the stages. It will always be practical for the journey-at-hand and will provide a really good place to rest-up at day’s end. The accommodation has all been tried and tested by us on our previous trips.
MEALS
BREAKFAST
Brekky will vary with our location day-to-day. When we are starting early (which comes part and parcel of such an epic journey!) Breakfast will be very simple as per South American standards. But we will also have some hearty sit-down affairs. Sometimes there will be cooked breakfast options, and there will never be a shortage of good, hot coffee! We advise you to augment your breakfast, suggestions will be included in the kit list.
DINNER
We will typically eat at the accommodation in which we are staying. Rat Race will always provide a hearty set menu with plenty of choice; you will pay for your own drinks.
PIT STOPS
During the challenge you will have access to our famously well-stocked Pit Stops multiple times throughout the journey: A minimum of 3 times per day when you are on the route. On all stages, these will typically be set-up from our mobile support team at set spots on the route.
Pit stops will typically have a minimum of the following available:
Water – Ensure you leave with water bottles and bladders filled so you have enough to get you to the next Pit Stop.
Cereal Bars – oat-type bars for maximum energy.
Salty snacks – such as chips and peanuts.
Savoury treats – We will feature some fresh local foods and other goodies at selected pit stops, around lunchtime.
A fruit option – such as oranges, bananas, melon and watermelon.
Sweets – including local speciality sweet treats.
Our Pit Stops are there to help supplement any personal sports nutrition plan you may have – if you use gels and other such products – you should plan to bring these with you. If you have any special dietary requirements, then please also plan for this and pack your kit accordingly. Rat Race aim to offer Pit Stop snacks that are tasty and functional, catering to as broad a mix of needs and diets as possible. We have options available that are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets and availability of this will depend on demand. If peanuts are served these will be in individual portioned bags to reduce the chance of contamination but Rat Race cannot guarantee that the food does not contain contamination from allergens such as nuts or gluten in its preparation or serving
The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertain becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so and we ned to wheel put Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!
We are mindful that people will inevitably have varying distances to travel to get to South America. Our plan is to meet at Santiago International Airport at 1300 local time. This will allow folk time to fly in earlier that day, or you may choose to arrive the day before and stay locally, allowing you plenty of time in the morning to make the RV later on that day back at the airport.
This adventure is a big challenge, and the distances and training required should not be underestimated. However, in true Rat Race style, we have designed this challenge so that you can travel at your own pace. See below for our notes on route-finding and guidance. There will also be some cut-offs, but these will be generous, and we will always look to help you to achieve your goals in finishing this challenge vs having to pull out. Of course, we will give you early starts every day to allow the very best possible window for route completion, particularly on the longer days (and the hilly ones!). But, if you need us and if you need to abandon the route for whatever reason, we are there for you and can pick you up with our support vehicles. The absolute key is that you enjoy this amazing journey across South America; at your own pace and within your own limits.
We want you to concentrate on the views and the hard work of putting one wheel in front of the other. So we don’t want you to be staring at maps or navigational aids any more than you have to. There is no formal waymarking (i.e. signs) used on the Transandean Coast to Coast cycle event, and for a large part in the mountains and out in the Pampas, there are not really many junctions either! The road will be well-defined and is paved throughout, except that exciting part right at the roof of the Andes. Instead of waymarking, we will be providing and then be asking you to download a route file that you will be able to download onto your smartphone or GPS device. You will follow this ‘line’ when on the bikes and can use this as a backup at all times. You may use your own device or rent one from us. The route will show the stage start and finish locations, of course, so you know exactly how far you are from support along the course.
We will then augment this with some marshalled junctions or key turning points on some of the stages, to ensure there is no doubt on route choice in any locations that we think it could be tricky.
At all times, the GPS device can be used to back yourself up on route-finding as and where required, as it will have the full route loaded onto it. If you choose to rent a GPS device from us, we will provide high-tech Garmin Edge navaids, designed specifically for cycling and mounted to the handlebars with a special cradle, for optimum visibility when you are on the move.
Don’t worry – you won’t get lost. But if you do – support is never far away.
We will use a mixture of safety staff in vehicles and we will also concentrate support services at our pit stops. If it does get too much, if you get injured, get too cold, need sustenance, motivational support or otherwise, we will be able to assist and out team will never be far away out on the route. You are in good hands.
It is always good practice to be self-contained when out on long rides, so when you leave pit stops, we will expect you to leave with some snacks on board, a full water bottle and tools and spares on board just in case….just like any other regular ride.