The Transandes Challenge is a six stage mountain bike race through the spectacular landscapes of the southern Patagonian Andes Mountain Range in Chile.
21 January 2013 will see the start of the fifth edition of the epic mountain bike race in Patagonia. Racers will set off from the Huilo Huilo Private Reserve which covers more than 100,000 hectares of native forest. From here riders will cover more than 420 km and 12,000 meters of vertical ascent on their way to the finish to reach Pucón on the 26th of January.
Along the way riders will have to go over, around or across 6 volcanoes and 10 incredible lakes in the heart of Andes Mountains. The stages will include single track and logging roads through ancient forests, volcanic terrain or through old farm fields cultivated by the Mapuches (the indigenous inhabitants of the region).
Photo: Marcelo Tucuna
The Transandes Challenge features several categories and participants can either do it in teams of two or solo. The field will be capped at 300 racers and the organizers are expecting riders from more than 25 different countries. Elite riders such as Mary McConneloug, Michael Broderick and Rebecca Rusch will be lining up at Huilo Huilo Reserver. Our own Werner van der Merwe will also be racing and reporting for marathonMTB.com.
photo: Marcelo Tucuna
For more information head over to the Transandes Challenge website.