guidelines
1. EVENT FORMAT
7. PARTICIPATION FEE
13. MEDIA COVERAGE
1. EVENT FORMAT
Heading SouthWest is not a race. It is a self-supported challenge and cycling adventure. A chance to test your physical and emotional limits while riding alongside other adventurers of the same spirit. Each participant rides independently, yet part of a larger community.
There are no cash prizes or podiums. Finishing times will be collected and published solely for reference and recreational purposes. This event should not be considered or interpreted as a competitive race.
2. ROUTES INFO
Heading SouthWest routes are demanding and designed to challenge both body and mind, with profiles that go far beyond a simple ride. This edition we are introducing HSW 500 a shorter and more accessible loop.
- HSW 500K ~500 km | 10,000 m climbing | 100% on-road
- HSW 1000K: ~1,000 km | 20,000 m climbing | 100% on road
Each route combines long distances, relentless climbing, and varied landscapes, making the event a truly unique adventure. More info on routes HERE.
3. UNSUPPORTED
Unsupported ultracycling is what sets Heading SouthWest apart from traditional sports. It is about adventure, independence, and self-reliance — and it guarantees equal conditions for every rider. This event is about your own experience and pushing your personal limits. For that reason, excepting commercial services available to all riders, external assistance is not allowed. This includes:
- No resupply or food provided by Family, Friends, or Team (FFT);
- No private accommodation from or arranged by others/FFT;
- No private and non-commercial transportation of any kind;
- No mechanical support outside commercial services available to all riders.
Only what you carry or commercially purchase on your own is permitted.
4. CATEGORIES
Participants can choose between three categories of entry, reflecting different approaches to the Heading SouthWest experience:
- SOLO: riders follow the full principles of unsupported ultracycling. Complete independence and self-reliance — no external help and no teamwork.
- PAIR: two riders form a team and ride as one. They may draft, share resources, and assist each other throughout the route.
- TOURING: designed for a more social and collaborative experience. Riders can ride together in groups and support each other. Drafting is not allowed, but mutual help off the bike is encouraged.
The Touring category also ensures transparency within the community, by clearly showing each participant’s approach. During the event, riders may be moved from SOLO or PAIR to TOURING if the organization identifies non-compliance with the unsupported rules, or if the participant requests to change. Reverse exchange - from TOURING to SOLO or PAIR - is not possible under any circumstances.
Note: On HSW 500, all participants will be riding in Touring category.
5. APPLICATIONS
Heading SouthWest has a 'first come, first served' registration system.
We are not necessarily looking for super athletes. Experience has shown that the key to a successful journey lies in a mix of factors: physical capacity, emotional strength, route knowledge, planning skills, and the ability to anticipate adversities. Above all, we seek riders who understand the type of challenge ahead and who respect the principles of unsupported ultracycling.
Registration opens on 1 November 2025 and closes until the number of spots is reached. The online form, available on our website, will include personal details and a few questions to help us understand your preparation level and motivation. Pair category: each rider must apply individually.
6. FEE PAYMENT
Selected riders must confirm their place by paying the entry fee (via bank transfer). Only after payment is the registration complete, with a welcome email from the organization.
Participants can change category (Solo, Pair, Touring) or route (HSW 500, HSW 1000) until one month before the event.
Both routes have the same fee price, because organization has similar costs with all participants. The HSW 500 route was designed to be a bikepacking experience as well.
7. PARTICIPATION FEE
The value of the participation fee is 195€ for both routes. All fees include:
- Event Manual, GPX Files & Brevet Card;
- GPS Tracker rental and Live Map service;
- Personalized CAP of HSW'26 edition;
- Briefing Session and Social Ride;
- Walking Dinner during Briefing Session;
- Bike box/bag e belongings storage in Guarda;
- Accidents Insurance according with the Portuguese law;
- Photo Gallery of the event.
8. MANDATORY GEAR & INSURANCE
Helmet, reflective vest for nights and poor visibility conditions, frontal and rear lights (including backup kit) and emergency blanket. Riders without all mandatory items will not be allowed to participate.
The organization provides personal accident insurance in accordance with Portuguese law for amateur sports events, covering treatment, repatriation, disability, and death during the event time window. This insurance does not cover leaving the route, damage to third parties, or bike damage.
We strongly recommend all participants to have their own cycling insurance, and international riders are advised to also have travel insurance.
9. ARRIVING TO guarda
The closest airports are in Lisbon and Porto. The city of Guarda is integrated into the national train network system and is served by two main national lines:
- From 'Porto Campanha' → Linha da Beira Alta
- From Lisboa-Oriente train station → Linha da Beira Baixa
- By Bus - you need to use a bike bag or disassemble your bike.
- Car Sharing - promoted among riders through the official HSW’26 WhatsApp group and community.
10. ACCREDITATION AND BRIEFING
Accreditation for tracker and rider pack deliver will take place on Saturday, 7 June 2026 (afternoon).
Briefing session will take place on the same day and after the accreditation: Saturday, 7 June 2026 (afternoon). The briefing will cover the rules, spirit of the event, last-minute instructions, and key information about participation, departure, and the route.
11. REFUND POLICY
Organizing an ultracycling event requires months of preparation, as well as commitments with suppliers and partners. These rules aim to balance fairness to participants with the need to cover expenses that are already incurred well before the event. Participation cancellation and refund:
- 80% of the fee if cancellation is received by 31 December 2025
- 50% of the fee if received by 28 February 2026
- 25% of the fee if received by 30 April 2026
- All cancellation requests must be sent to our email
Event cancellation by organization: event takes place in the period with the most pleasant cycling conditions in Portugal. In the unlikely event of war, natural disaster, or other force majeure, participants will be refunded as follows:
- 100% if the event is canceled more than two months before the start
- 50% if canceled less than two months before the start
12. TIME LIMIT
The event lasts six days across both routes. The finish line in Guarda will close at 23:59 on Friday, June 12th.
Time limits for each Check Point will be proportional to the overall event limit.
Heading SouthWest is designed for a diverse range of participants: from those who will push their limits to those who want to fully enjoy the landscapes and the territory. We embrace the philosophy that “slow is okay.”
13. MEDIA COVERAGE
We aim to provide balanced event coverage. In self-supported ultracycling, we admire and respect both faster and slower riders.
We recognize that some solo riders will push to complete the route as fast as possible, which naturally sparks enthusiasm within the community. At an initial stage, we will highlight the performances of the fastest riders (women and men) participating in the solo category.
At the same time, our media team will be present throughout the entire event, following and sharing the journey of the slower participants, whose experiences and stories are equally important to the spirit of Heading SouthWest.
14. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Unsupported ultracycling has an international scope. English is the official language of the event, ensuring the widest understanding among participants. To support the development of the Portuguese community, key information will also be provided in Portuguese (website, information support, adventure manual). During the event itself — including the briefing session and organizational announcements — English will be the only communication language.
15. bikes and tires
Despite 28 mm or above will be our recommendation, but it also depends of the preferences of each rider. 32 mm tires is a growing option among long distance cyclists thinking about comfort. Make sure that your tires are good (punctures aren’t exactly a matter of luck). You will ride in just a few days what you eventually ride in a month. The route was designed for road bikes (100% on-road), but gravel and mountain bikes are welcomed as well.
16. INTEGRITY
Integrity means adhering to a specific code of moral principles: being truthful and honest, and doing what is right — in other words, what you do when no one is watching.
It is impossible for the organization to control an ultracycling event with numerous participants across hundreds of kilometers. You are the judge of your own actions, and it is up to you to uphold the principles of our MANIFESTO, ensuring a level playing field for all participants.
17. FULL PROGRAM
- Welcome Social Ride Saturday 6 June Morning
- Accreditation Saturday 6 June Afternoon
- Briefing Session Saturday 6 June Afternoon
- Walking Dinner Saturday 6 June Evening
- Grand Départ Sunday 7 June Morning
- Finish Time Limit Friday 12 June Night
Accreditation is mandatory, as well as attendance at the entire briefing session.
18. ORGANIZATION
Heading SouthWest is a non-profit event. It is organized by ACAN – Associação Ciclismo Aventura e Natureza, with the mission of promoting adventure cycling in Portugal. We are guided by environmental values and committed to territorial cohesion, supporting the development of Portuguese regions that are lagging behind.
ACAN also organizes Gravel Birds Ultracycling, an unsupported off-road ultracycling event across Alentejo region, Portugal.