Extreme mountain bike races in winter

Scottish humour? Or a particularly pronounced form of extreme sport? That is the Strathpuffer 24 not quite clear. The 24-hour race, which takes place in January in the rugged Highlands, is regarded as the ultimate test of endurance. Almost 1000 bikers take part in the spectacle year after year. The starting places were always sold out within a short space of time. Then came corona. In 2021 and 2022, the Strathpuffer had to be cancelled. Now the restart with 258 teams. In total, more than 600 hardened mountain bikers were at the start of Strathpuffer 24 on 14 and 15 January 2023 - as individual starters, teams of two, four and eight.

The village of Strathpuffer in the north of Scotland once again became the showcase for the duel between man and nature. Sub-zero temperatures, a selective circuit and 16 hours of darkness make the race a tough test for the legs, but also for the psyche. The fact that there is not a single building on the event site that is connected to the heating network makes it even more special. This makes it all the more amazing how much fun the participants have celebrating the weekend in the cold. There is a festival atmosphere at Strathpuffer 24. So it must be some kind of Scottish humour.

More cold weather races for mountain bikers

Iditarod Race, Alaska, 26 February 2023

The race is a legend. However, completing it requires not only outstanding fitness, but also survival skills. That's why you're only allowed onto the 350 or 1000-mile route after two qualifying events. So for 99.9 per cent of all bikers, it's more social media fun with a chill factor.

Fatbike expedition Lapland, 3 - 10 March 2023

Legendary landscapes, the Northern Lights and absolute tranquillity: the fatbike expedition through Finnish Lapland led by Swiss ex-professional Lukas Stöckli is a fascinating experience and is also doable for those with average training. The tour lasts a week in total.

Biking through snow-covered mountain landscapes is an experience full of mysticism and intense emotions. Fatbiking allows me to experience winter in a new way. - Lukas Stöckli, adventure biker

Snow Eagle DH Kreischenberg, 1 April 2023

Frozen ski slopes are ideal for downhill fun on mountain bikes. Compared to ski resorts, there are only a few events where this is possible. The Snow Eagle DH race in Kreischenberg, Austria, is the traditional end to the winter season. And always great fun.