CYCLE TO THE GATES OF HELL:
An Otherworldly Gravel Adventure & Cultural Immersion in Turkmenistan
Embark on a truly unique gravel cycling adventure to one of the planet’s most surreal natural wonders, the Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan. Hidden deep within the Karakum Desert and rarely visited by outsiders, this extraordinary destination offers a cycling experience unlike anywhere else on Earth.
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Ride off the beaten track in one of the world’s least-visited countries, the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan, as you tackle remote gravel roads and rip-roaring desert tracks en route to the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater. 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.
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Arriving by bike, the spectacle is unforgettable. Flames roar from the enormous sinkhole, casting an eerie orange glow across the desert and radiating intense heat from the Earth’s depths. It’s a jaw-dropping reward for adventurous cyclists seeking the ultimate gravel ride with a story to tell.
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. The contrast between polished urban grandeur and raw desert wilderness makes this trip a rare glimpse into a hidden corner of the world.
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Add in remote riding, cultural intrigue and a destination few cyclists will ever reach, and you have a gravel cycling expedition that’s pure Rat Race adventure. Remote, challenging and utterly unforgettable. Welcome to The Road to Hell.
DURATION:
6 DAYS /6 NIGHTS
SLEEP STYLE:
HOTEL/CAMPING/GLAMPING
LOCATION:
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
DISTANCE:
200KM
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights accommodation included
GUIDES AND SUPPORT
Rat Race Expedition leader, high quality outdoor event crew, British medical and welfare support.
SAFETY
Professional local and UK safety staff and medics. Rat Race experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
TRANSFER POLICY
Transfer your entry to event credit up to 12 weeks before the departure date and protect your entry with optional Refund Protect.
EXTRAS
High quality medal, rat rag and premium souvenir t-shirt included.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
Includes one group airport transfer.
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RAISE £5000 AND GET UP TO £2500 REFUNDED
SET UP YOUR JUST GIVING PAGE HERE OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CHARITY PARTNERSHIP HERE
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL, REST, RECUPERATION & ORIENTATION​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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You will most likely arrive in the early hours at Ashgabat International Airport. On arrival, you’ll complete immigration formalities, supported by a letter of invitation to Turkmenistan that we will have arranged in advance through our trusted local partners.
Our team will be waiting to welcome you at the airport and transfer you to a comfortable 4-star, city-centre hotel in the capital, Ashgabat. You’ll be able to check in straight away and grab a few hours of much-needed rest.
In the afternoon there will be time to build your bike, give it a quick shakedown ride, and make sure everything, including your legs, is working as it should.
Back at the hotel, we’ll run a series of briefings and orientation sessions, covering the journey ahead and what to expect. In the evening, we’ll head into the city for a traditional welcome meal, marking the official start of our adventure in Turkmenistan.
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ACCOMODATION: Hotel (Twin rooms)
FOOD: Evening Meal
DAY TWO: A MOST UNUSUAL CITY SIGHT SEEING TOUR​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Ashgabat is the subject of many myths, but one thing is unquestionably true: it is the world’s most surreal capital city. Utterly unique and almost impossible to comprehend until seen first-hand, Ashgabat defies expectations at every turn.
The Turkmen people are warm and welcoming, and our knowledgeable local hosts will guide us to a number of key sites across the city. Each stop offers a fascinating insight into this extraordinary place, providing a snapshot of life in one of the world’s least-visited countries.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy a locally prepared lunch, stop for coffee and cake, and have time to browse a selection of local shopping spots. By the end of the day, you’ll have gained a far deeper understanding of Turkmenistan and its distinctive character.
But the city is only the beginning. Beyond Ashgabat lies the vast desert and our next destination is something even more surreal. It’s time to leave the marble behind and turn our attention to the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, better known as the Gates of Hell.
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ACCOMODATION: Hotel (twin rooms)
FOOD: Breakfast/Lunch/Evening Meal
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DAY THREE: ROAD TO HELL BEGINS: 140KM
From Marble City to Desert Wilderness
The road to Hell truly begins as we leave the dazzling white marble of Ashgabat behind and ride straight into the vastness of the Karakum Desert. The contrast is immediate and absolute. One moment you’re surrounded by gleaming monuments; the next, it’s desert stretching to the horizon in every direction.
As we head north, the landscape tells stories of the past. Remnants of Soviet-era engineering, including the vast Karakum Canal, briefly interrupt the emptiness before the human imprint fades and the sands take over once more. Camels wander freely, small, isolated villages punctuate the route, and the sense of remoteness grows with every kilometre.
We follow the only road cutting through this wilderness, a testing mix of smooth tarmac and bone-rattling, pothole-scarred sections that keep riders fully alert. By day’s end, we arrive at our atmospheric wild desert camp, pitched deep in the heart of the Karakum. This is true edge-of-the-map riding, and the perfect staging point for what lies ahead.
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ACCOMODATION: Camping
FOOD: Breakfast/Pit Stop snacks/Evening Meal
DAY FOUR: TO THE CRATER: 60KM
From Marble City to Desert Wilderness
Today we ride deeper into the desert as we make our long-anticipated approach to the Darvaza Gas Crater. We’ll clock up more kilometres on the ‘main’ road, passing two smaller craters along the way, one burning fiercely like Darvaza itself, the other filled with eerily bubbling water.
Eventually, we leave the road behind and turn onto remote desert trails for the final 20km of riding. The terrain becomes sandy in places, with soft sections to test your legs and balance, but it is largely rideable. You won’t need a full mountain bike for this route – a gravel bike with sensibly wide tyres is perfectly suited to the job (see our bike recommendations for details).
As we near our destination, the experience intensifies. You may smell the gas before you see it, or even feel the heat radiating through the air as the crater slowly reveals itself on the horizon. Then comes the moment you peer into one of the strangest natural–yet human-made phenomena on Earth: the Darvaza Gas Crater. You’ve arrived at the Gates of Hell.
We’ll reach the site in daylight before riding on to our nearby desert camp. After dropping our gear, we settle into traditional Central Steppe accommodation, the humble but mighty yurt. As night falls, the crater transforms, casting an eerie orange glow across the desert landscape.
Once darkness fully descends, we’ll return to the crater for the full effect. The sight is almost supernatural and leaves a lasting impression few experiences can match. The evening concludes with a desert BBQ feast, drinks under the stars, and a cosy night together in our yurts, deep in the heart of the desert.
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ACCOMODATION: Glamping
FOOD: Breakfast / Pit Stop lunch / Evening BBQ ​​
DAY FIVE: JOURNEY BACK TO ASHGABAT
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.
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​​ACCOMODATION: Hotel (twin rooms) ​​
DAY SIX: FREE TIME AND FAREWELLS
With late international flights from Ashgabat, you’ll have a full day to explore the city at your own pace.
Immerse yourself in Ashgabat’s local culture: browse markets for world-famous Turkmen carpets and handicrafts, visit the city’s welcoming mosques, enjoy a quiet coffee in a local neighbourhood, or simply soak up the surreal urban atmosphere.
In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell feast at a carefully selected restaurant, celebrating our journey with our Turkmen hosts. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward international flight, taking home memories of one of the most extraordinary cycling adventures in the world.
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FOOD: Evening celebration meal ​​
ACCOMMODATION
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All accommodation is always offered on a shared basis. If you are taking part on your own, you will be paired with another participant of the same sex in a twin room. If you have preferences for who you share with you can indicate that on the pre-event forms we send you approx. 3 months before the departure date. Single supplements may be available in hotels, to enquire about prices and availability please email events@ratrace.com
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MEALS​​​
Meals provided are outlined in the itinerary and all dietary requirements will be catered for. Evening meals will consist of one main meal and Pit Stop lunches will be a grab and go sandwich/wrap style offering. Pit Stops will be regular and these are places you can interact with the Rat Race crew and medics. You can refill your water and top up your snack stash with our goodies. We will always offer salty and sweet snacks and fruit as a minimum.
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
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Gaffa tape
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Ear plugs
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Watch
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Snacks/treats – enough to augment the pit stops
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Sunglasses – Cat 3 or better
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Power pack
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Water carrying capacity of 2 litres minimum
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Duffel for all luggage – no hard cases
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Sleeping bag liner
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Sleeping bag
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Personal First aid kit (See more details below)
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Sun cream
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Trainers or boots for the evenings
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Flipflops or sandals – to air your feet
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Sunhat
Cycling
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Bike
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Bike box
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Cycling helmet
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GPS device with handle bar mount
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Cycling gloves x 2 (long and short)
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Cycling bibs/shorts
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Cycling jerseys
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Neck buff
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Spare batteries for lights
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High visibility vest or clothing item for tunnels etc
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Chamois cream
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Hydration bladder with backpack (optional)
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Bike shoes
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Socks
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Bar end Lights
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Head torch and spare batteries
Bike spares - MANDATORY
(our minimum spec for mandatory spare bike kit )
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4 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre (carry 2 with you at all times when riding)
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Change of tyres – for the off-road section on day 2
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Tyre levers
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1 x puncture repair kit (if running a tubeless set up, have a slime spare and repair kit)
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Peddle spanner
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Bike multitool
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Chain link remover
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Chain links x 2 – ensure they are for your specific bike chain
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Small pump
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1 x gear cable
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1 x brake cable
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Cable ties
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Rear Hanger suitable for your own bike
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Small bottle of oil
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An old rag and toothbrush for bike cleaning
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Bike lock
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Spare torch
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Front light
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Rear light
Personal Med kit - MANDATORY (Our minimum spec for mandatory medical kit (to be always carried)
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1 x crepe roll bandage
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Gauze or similar absorbent dressing
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Small set of scissors
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Pain Killers (paracetamol)
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Steri-Strips
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Antiseptic (spray or cream)
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Assorted plasters
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Rubber gloves
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Prescribed medication
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Zinc oxide tape
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Compeed – various sizes
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Lube stick (silicone-based)
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Sudacrem
PAY IN INSTALMENTS
SIGN UP TODAY FROM
/ MONTH. DEPENDING ON DEPARTURE.
£145.90
INTEREST FREE!
TOTAL ENTRY COST
£2500
/ TOTAL PAYMENT
SIGN UP TODAY
All entries will are in GBP A booking fee of 2.99% will be added to all payments.
PAY MONTHLY INTEREST FREE!
ENTER NOW AND SPREAD THE COST INTEREST FREE WITH OUR INSTALMENT PLAN
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.
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*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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Please see here for full terms and conditions and our cancellation policy.
PROTECT YOUR NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING WITH 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.
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To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
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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.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
At Rat Race, we create extraordinary adventures for everyone people. We know we’re a premium brand and that those adventures are premium experiences. In our 20th year, we have decided that our commitment to investment in our standards, safety and quality of experience should be matched in our commitment to the transparency in showing how we spend your hard-earned cash in bringing these adventures to life.
So here it is. A pie chart of how we spend your money in bringing our events and trips to life.
RAISE AT LEAST £5000 (EXCLUDING GIFT AID) FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET £2500 OF YOUR ENTRY FEE REFUNDED!
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Our longstanding partnership with Children with Cancer UK gives #ratracers the opportunity to raise much needed funds for this great cause in exchange for a refund of their entry fee. So far our #ratracers have raised over £2million for Children with Cancer UK and we would love for you to join the team to help us chase down that £3million target!
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The funds you raise will be invested into vital specialist research to improve survival rates in children and young people and help more of them ring the end of treatment bell.
All you need to do is set up a Just Giving page here and start your fundraising! You will have until 1 month after the event date to hit your target and then send us the link to your page which will allow us to process your refund. Refunds will be made 2 – 3 months after the event completion date.
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Refunds are not mandatory you are welcome to opt-out of receiving a refund. Should participants opt-out their refund will instead be used by Children with Cancer UK to help fund their research.
If you choose to support Children with Cancer UK and raise £5000, you will also receive:
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A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
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Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
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A dedicated point of contact at the charity
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A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
For more information on Children with Cancer UK please visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Alternatively please contact the Sports Team on 020 7430 7788 or email sports@childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
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Children with Cancer UK is a registered national charity (no. 298405)
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Adventure, by its very nature, involves uncertainty—and that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. While we always aim to deliver ‘Plan A,’ there may be times when unforeseen circumstances require us to move to Plan B, C, or even D.
We prepare for many eventualities with well-thought-out contingencies. However, it's important to understand that routes or plans may change at short notice, whether due to safety concerns, weather conditions, or other operational reasons. In such cases, we reserve the right to make changes as necessary.
You’ve entrusted us with organising this experience, and part of that trust is allowing us to exercise our professional judgement when conditions demand it. If a route change becomes necessary, we will do our best to inform you in advance—where possible.
More often than not, these unexpected turns only add to the richness of the adventure and make for the best stories at the end of the day!
Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.
At Rat Race we are determined to get you on the start line even when life throws up its own obstacles! 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, whether that be the same event a year later or a completely new adventure! 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 voucher are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 
We have designed this challenge so that you may travel at your own pace and in general you will have 12 hours to complete each day allowing all foot stages to be hiked if you prefer. There will also be some cut-offs within each day, but in the true Rat Race tradition 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.
Click ‘Enter Now’ and go through the sign-up process, you’ll then be issued with an event voucher which will automatically reserve you a place in the event you have chosen.
We’ve created a fantastic instalment plan that gives you complete flexibility over how you pay for your adventure. Whether you prefer to pay in full or spread the cost across multiple months, the choice is entirely yours and it's completely interest free.
There are no credit checks required to use this facility.
When you sign up for the instalment plan, Rat Race will set up a recurring payment. Your card will be automatically debited on the same date each month for the duration you’ve chosen.
If there’s an issue with your payment, you’ll receive reminders from both Stripe (our payment provider) and the Rat Race customer service team. After three unsuccessful attempts to contact you regarding an outstanding balance, we’ll assume you no longer wish to take part in the event. At that point, your entry will be withdrawn, you will not be eligible for our transfer process, and no refund will be issued.
In short, no. The event price covers everything outlined on our website, and it’s not possible for us to split out individual elements. Our accommodation is based on group rates and shared occupancy, and all event logistics have been carefully planned with all participants staying in the same locations. This allows us to run transfers, briefings, and support smoothly and helps you connect with your fellow #ratracers!
You're welcome to arrange your own accommodation if you prefer, but please note:
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This will not reduce your event fee.
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You will be responsible for getting yourself to all meeting points on time.
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We will not be able to transport you to or from your own accommodation.
Thanks for your understanding, it’s all part of keeping the adventure seamless for everyone involved!
GPX route files will be provided one week before the event, giving you time to load them onto your own device if you wish. Alternatively, you can hire one of our GPX devices with the routes pre-loaded for the duration of the challenge.
Don’t worry, getting lost is unlikely. But if you do stray off course, support is never far away. We've got your back.
Rat Race have been audited and accredited to the prestigious BS8848 expedition safety standard. We have firm emergency protocols and response systems in place whilst out on our adventures. Our main priority above all else is to keep you and our staff safe. Before we leave for each trip a comprehensive in-country risk and threat assessment has been conducted by the Head of Expeditions. All protocols are put in place relating to those assessments. We make sure that the staff involved have the highest level of first aid training; a higher level of medical cover is also put in place if needed; all instructors have qualifications and/ or competencies to match the adventure we will undertake. In the event of an emergency, Rat Race staff and appointed contractors have comprehensive knowledge of procedures which will rapidly be put in place. If needed, our staff will provide first aid and then further medical assistance and evacuation if needed in line with a published Medical Procedures Plan. We have medical back-up and Clinical Directorship provided by a specialist events medical company and we have further emergency response support services provided by competent contracted partner. All our cover is available 24/7 while operations are underway. We use our knowledge and emergency procedures to provide the best possible care in our often remote and austere environments. Before leaving on a trip, we will advise on the insurance cover you are required to have in place for the trip; we will ask for a copy of these insurance details before the departure date.
We will use a mixture of sweepers on bike and in vehicles, crew, medics and support vehicles to support you at intervals by our mobile ‘pit stop’ team. Across the challenge, we will have multiple vehicles at our disposal, plus multiple staff members, snacks and drinks to distribute. So, if it does get too much and you need us motivational support or otherwise, we should be able to assist. You are in good hands.
Yes. You need a decent travel policy covering you for general travel and which covers participation in outdoor sports. You will also need what is called an Evacuation Insurance Policy, which is for if we need to send you back to the closest city for urgent medical attention via a helicopter or similar. We also recommend you have this in place as soon as you enter this event and that if you book flights, we highly recommend booking a flexible option for any last-minute changes you might need to make or to ensure you have maximum flexibility if you cannot attend for any reason.
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Travel insurance is compulsory for our events, so please make sure your insurance policy covers the activities you will be participating in. There are a number of specialist providers available including Mann Broadbent.
We’ve created a fantastic instalment plan that gives you complete flexibility over how you pay for your adventure. Whether you prefer to pay in full or spread the cost across multiple months, the choice is entirely yours—and it's completely interest free.
There are no credit checks required to use this facility.
When you sign up for the instalment plan, Rat Race will set up a recurring payment. Your card will be automatically debited on the same date each month for the duration you’ve chosen.
If there’s an issue with your payment, you’ll receive reminders from both Stripe (our payment provider) and the Rat Race customer service team. After three unsuccessful attempts to contact you regarding an outstanding balance, we’ll assume you no longer wish to take part in the event. At that point, your entry will be withdrawn, you will not be eligible for our transfer process, and no refund will be issued.
Yes you do, 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.
You do not need a full mountain bike for this route – a gravel bike will do the job with wide tyres (30mm+) is reccomended.
Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a confirmation email. After that, you will be kept in the loop closer to the event when we will send out our Essential Event Information approximately 12 weeks ahead of the event, detailing the full itinerary, what you need to bring and other important information relating to the specific event you have signed up for. We will also host webinars which you will be invited to (again, closer to the event), where you will have the opportunity to ask questions. There will be a final email one month ahead of the event, just to check you’ve completed all the important forms and are ready for the event ahead.
