Dust & Distance

Dust & Distance brings two self-supported ultra-cycling challenges into the mountains south of Munich, combining gravel roads, forest tracks, rough double track and demanding Alpine climbs. The 2026 edition takes place from October 1–4, with riders choosing between the shorter dusted300 and the longer distanced600.

The dusted300 covers more than 300 km with over 5,000 m of climbing, heading deep into the Bavarian pre-Alps before looping back towards Munich. The longer distanced600 pushes beyond 600 km and 10,000 m, travelling through the Ammergau Alps and Karwendel range before returning through alpine foothills and quieter gravel valleys. Both routes mix fast gravel with forest roads, steep climbs, rough sections and technical terrain.

There is no support crew and no shortcutting. Riders are expected to carry what they need and resupply only from publicly available services such as shops, cafés, hotels and bike shops. The route must be followed in full, while solo riders cannot draft or ride as a group. GPS tracking is mandatory, and the event uses elapsed time from start to finish for its rankings.

With rapidly changing Alpine weather, remote stretches and substantial climbing, Dust & Distance demands more than simply fitness. It is a test of pacing, navigation, bike handling and self-sufficiency, with the shorter course offering a hard single-push adventure and the distanced600 extending the challenge into a much deeper multi-day mountain ride.