TRAVERSE MTB

31 MAY - 7 JUNE 2025

TRULY UNTAMED AFRICA

TRAVERSE MTB offers a prologue and four stages of varied terrain, amazing scenery, and wildlife viewing. The course is raceable by the experienced, challenging to adventurers, and rewarding for all.

But would-be participants should know TRAVERSE is a true backcountry race adventure. The race takes place on double track safari roads, fast single track, and technical single track. Cyclists encounter stones, rock, sand, thorns, wildlife and more thorns.*

THE SORTING

Although our time cutoffs are lenient enough for most anyone to finish, you should know north Tanzania’s geography, flora and fauna — while spectacular to witness — are also formidable obstacles with which to contend.

Our MTB single track is not designed for bicycles; rather, it was constructed by donkeys and wild animals, for donkeys and wild animals. You likely will fall, absolutely will bleed, and most certainly will carry your bicycle.**

We don’t say this to scare potential riders away (ahem, perhaps we do***), but rather to encourage you to consider our event as more than a test of skill.

TRAVERSE MTB is an examination of your resilience and determination.

* Bring more sealant than you think you could possibly need.
** Don’t wear your fancy carbon shoes.
*** While the course is indeed challenging, riders of all levels can (and have) completed the race (and enjoyed it); our time cutoffs are exceedingly lenient and exist only for the safety of our riders. (You don’t want to be out after dark with the hyenas, do you?

TRAVERSE is a call to challenge and true adventure.

COURSE INFO

2025 TRAVERSE course info will be released in September. The course will consist of:

  • Total distance of 275-300km (170-185mi)

    • 20km (12mi) prologue

    • 4 stages of 45-90km (28-56mi) each

  • Total climbing of 4000+m (13000ft)

  • Varied terrain, geography and temperatures

  • Several extremely technical sections + portage

  • A climb to 3800m (12500ft) elevation on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Plateau

  • The best finish line in sport (Lake Natron, pictured)

Registration for TRAVERSE MTB will open 30th September.

  1. The first 35 names on our wait list will receive first option at registration beginning 30th September.

  2. On 7th October we will open registration to all other names on the wait list.

  3. If any spots for 2025 do remain, registration will open to the public on 14th October.

RACE CATEGORIES

  • TRAVERSE MTB race categories are solo (male and female) and 2-person teams (male, female, and mixed).

  • Members of a team must ride together, separated by no more than 5 minutes at any point during a stage.

ACCOMMODATION

  • Default accommodation is two cyclists to a tent, with comfortable ground mattresses provided.

  • Teams will be grouped automatically in shared tents, and solos by joint request or gender (if no request is made).

  • Solo accommodation and/or VIP tents can be purchased as add-ons.

RACE RULES

The 2025 race rules will be made available to riders in pre-race participant emails. However, we’d like to stress a few important rules here:

  • Don’t be disrespectful of or rude to others.

  • Don’t litter.

  • All bicycles must be outfitted with tubeless tyres. Bikes with tubes will absolutely NOT be allowed on course.

  • The rider is responsible for any and all bike repairs — and required spares — at all times. Participants should be able to manage their own bike builds, maintenance, and repairs. TRAVERSE does wash all bikes each day post-stage, and mechanic service packages will be available for purchase.

  • Any rider who does not complete a SINGLE STAGE, or who fails to complete ANY STAGE under the maximum allotted time, WILL be allowed to start the next stage, but will NOT be classified as an official finisher at the end of the race.

    • TRAVERSE MTB has a two strikes policy: any rider who fails to complete a SECOND STAGE — for any reason — will not be permitted to begin another stage. We do not require a two strikes cyclist to leave the race; he/she may continue with us in a race or spectator vehicle of the director’s choosing. Should the two strikes cyclist choose to leave the race, transport and any additional costs will be the sole responsibility of the racer.

Join the herd.

Subscribe to the TRAVERSE Tanzania email list.