HSW'27 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. HSW'27 will have two routes available: Heading SouthWest [road] and the new Travessia Nacional Bikepacking [off road], the paradigm shift in the Portuguese bikepacking scene:
- Travessia Nacional ~1,000km | 15,000m climbing | ~60% off road
- Heading SouthWest: ~1,000 km | 18,000m climbing | ~97% on road
Each route combines long distances, relentless climbing, and varied landscapes, making the event a truly unique adventure. More info on routes soon.
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 others (family, friends, teams, etc);
- No private accommodation from others (family, friends, teams, etc);
- 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. Mechanical support between riders is allowed, as well as sharing supplies.
4. CATEGORIES
All participants will be in the same participation category. For the sake of simplification, safety, and consistency with our non-competitive approach, all participants are allowed to ride in groups, and are even encourage to be accompanied during overnight riding and in remote sections of the routes.
Sum up, although officially there are no categories, riders are free to ride alone, in pair or in small groups.
The principles of self supported approach will naturally remain in place, namely: no drafting and no assistance from third parties.
5. APPLICATIONS
Heading SouthWest has a 'first come, first served' registration basis.
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, nutrition, route knowledge, logistical preparation, and the ability to anticipate adversities. Above all, we are looking for adventurers that are aware and respect the principles of unsupported ultracycling.
Registration opens on 1 November 2026 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.
Riders who booked a spot in June and July will be contacted and have the possibility to complete registration in a later stage.
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 the route (Travessia Nacional Bikepacking or Heading SouthWest Ultracycling) until one month before the event.
Both routes have the same fee price, because organization has similar costs with all participants.
7. PARTICIPATION FEE
The value of the participation fee is 200€ for both routes. The fee includes:
- Event Manual, Roadbook, GPX Files and Brevet Card;
- GPS Tracker rental and Live Map service by Follow My Challenge;
- Personalized cycling #cap of the 2027 edition;
- Social ride in Montesinho, welcome meet and briefing session;
- Accidents Insurance according with the Portuguese law.
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 Bragança
The closest international airports are in Lisbon and Porto. The city of Bragança is integrated into the national bus network system.
- By Bus 'Rede de Expressos" - you need to use a bike bag or disassemble your bike.
- Car Pooling/Sharing - promoted among riders through the official HSW’27 WhatsApp community.
- By Train and Bike Ride - via the Douro Valley Line until Pocinho station, then 100km on-road bike ride.
In Lisbon, you can store your bike bag at Oficina 35.
10. ACCREDITATION AND BRIEFING
Accreditation for tracker and rider pack deliver will take place on Saturday, 19 June 2027 (evening).
Briefing session will take place on the same day and after the accreditation: Saturday, 19 June 2027 (afternoon). The briefing will cover the rules, spirit of the event, last-minute instructions, and key information about participation, departure, and the route. Before the briefing session we will have a welcome social meet.
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:
- 75% of the fee if cancellation is received by 31 December 2026
- 50% of the fee if received by 28 February 2027
- 25% of the fee if received by 30 April 2027
- All cancellation requests must be sent to our email
Event cancellation by organization: in the unlikely event of war, relevant natural disaster, or other force majeure, participants will be refunded. In case of wildfires or adverse weather (red alerts), the route, distance and timeline may be adjusted rather than the event canceled.
12. TIME LIMIT
The event lasts seven days across both routes. The finish line in Sagres will close at 23:59 on Saturday, 26 June 2027.
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
Heading SouthWest Ultracycling: 32 mm tires is a growing option among on-road long distance cyclists thinking about comfort. Furthermore, the route has a cobblestone and gravel sectors (around 97% on road and 3%/30km on great gravel surfaces).
Travessia Nacional Bikepacking: the vast majority of the route runs on pure gravel tracks or in paved surfaces. For that reason, gravel bikes are the perfect machine for this bikepacking adventure. We recommend tyres of at least 40 mm. Still, there are a few sectors with harder and more irregular terrain, where MTB bikes can have an advantage and provide extra comfort. Ultimately, bike choice is part of the challenge — route research and personal preference play a key role.
Above all 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 few months.
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 19 June Morning
- Accreditation Saturday 19 June Afternoon
- Welcome Social Saturday 19 June Afternoon
- Briefing Session Saturday 19 June Evening
- Grand Départ Sunday 20 June Morning
- Finish Time Limit Saturday 26 June Night
- Finishers Party in Sagres Saturday 26 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.