#TARNo1
May 14, 2024
#TARNo1
May 14, 2024
#TARNo1
About the Race
The Route
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#TARNo1

We present to you, the inaugural edition of The Accursed Race: Lost Dot’s no-fly, fixed route, off-road race exploring the Balkans — the heartlands of the Transcontinental Race.


‍The first edition of The Accursed Race will take riders on a journey along the roof of the Balkans, exploring arduous terrain but spectacular, constantly evolving landscapes that transform over every summit. The 1600 km fixed route will start in Shkodër, Albania, then taking in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, before returning for the finishing stretch in Albania, and returning to Shkodër. The route will take in a mix of rocky doubletrack, gravel roads, tarmac, a little single-track, and minimal hike-a-bike.


No-fly: riders must travel overland to attend the Race

Fixed route: 1600 km with 37,000 m elevation, with two staffed Control Points on route

Off-road: a mountain bike is our recommended choice, but a gravel bike may suffice


Location: Starting and finishing in Shkoder, Albania

Registration: 13th May 10:00-16:00 CEST

Race start: 14th May 9:00 CEST, 2024

Finish party: 24th May 19:00-23:59 CEST

Finish cut-off:  24th May 23:59 CEST


Applications: open now until full

Open to: solo entrants or pairs

‍Cost: £375 per rider + refundable £130 tracker deposit

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About the Race

The Accursed Race is Lost Dot’s first fixed route, no-fly, off-road race. Exploring the Balkans — the heartlands of the Transcontinental Race  — the Race will take riders through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. In the works since 2017, The Accursed Race is the result of years of knowledge built up by Lost Dot in this breathtaking corner of Europe. 

No-fly

Key to our mission is that our Races are sustainable, and that they continue to set the benchmark for unsupported ultra-racing. Switching from aviation to overland travel is the most impactful thing we can do to to minimise the environmental impact of our Races. We hope that The Accursed can be a catalyst for change, and to show the community that this is what sustainable ultra-racing can look like.

Fixed route

Breaking the mould from our free-route events, The Accursed Race takes a fixed route format, allowing us to shape the narrative of this route in minute detail. Rather than racing from A to B via the line of least resistance, a fixed route will take riders on the route less travelled. 

Off-road

An off-road format for The Accursed Race will take riders straight to the heart of some of the most magnificent scenery in the Balkans. Meandering over diverse terrain, the route will take riders along some of Europe's last wild rivers, down sweeping gravel tracks, tracing contours of mountain ridgelines, and over karst plateaus.

Mike’s Legacy

Standing on the shoulders of Mike Hall, The Accursed Race is Lost Dot's first Race to be conceptualised since he tragically passed in 2017. Still led and inspired by his spirit, The Accursed rings true to the values that have been woven through the fabric of the Transcontinental Race and the Trans Pyrenees Race: 

Courage // Respect // Humility // Inclusivity // Integrity // Equality // Sustainability // Ethical // Ecological

The Accursed Race was inspired by Mike’s idea that the more competent and confident you feel on a bike, the bigger your map grows and the greater your desire to fill in the spaces between. With enough experience, knowledge and preparation, you can take yourself anywhere you want.

It was on the Tour Divide, an annual off-road race that traverses the length of the Rocky Mountains, that Mike Hall cut his racing teeth. The Tour Divide is annually beset by conditions that test a racer’s problem solving capabilities and endurance to persevere under challenging conditions. This, combined with the remote landscapes and spectacular views, make the route all the more rewarding.

Speaking of the Tour Divide as the inspiration behind The Accursed, Anna Haslock, Managing Director of Lost Dot, said “I wanted to bring some of that to Europe, giving riders the opportunity to experience some of the more unique and exotic locations Europe has to offer.”

“Re-kindles the golden age of cycling with the means of the 21st century”

Supernova Design

We present to you, The Accursed: Lost Dot’s no-fly, fixed route, off-road race exploring the Balkans — the heartlands of the Transcontinental Race.


The Accursed Race will take riders through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, exploring arduous terrain but spectacular, constantly evolving landscapes that transform over every summit.

A healthy mix of rocky and steep terrain, paved roads, and easygoing gravel mean that any choice of bike will be a compromise — though we expect a hardtail mountain bike will be the optimal choice. Riderʼs kit selection will affect not only their likelihood of success, but how they experience the route. A healthy serving of 37,000 m in elevation gain throughout the Race hints to riders of the mountainous adventure to come, and of the varied terrain and conditions through which they’ll travel.

Expand the highlights below to discover more about the route.

Route overview
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Route Overview
Sponsored by
Start and Finish
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Shkodër, Albania
Sponsored by
Shkoder to Theth
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Theth Valley, Albania
Sponsored by
Ciro Trail
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The Ciro Trail, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sponsored by
Sutjeska
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Sutjeska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sponsored by
CP1
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Control Point 1, Berane, Montenegro
Sponsored by
Lurë-Dejë Mountain National Park
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Lurë, Albania
Sponsored by
CP2
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Control Point 2, Peshkopi, Albania
Sponsored by
Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Nature Park
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Shëngjergj, Albania
Sponsored by
This race has been completed
View results
Rider applications are not yet open
Open from:
November 21, 2023
Rider applications are open!
Closing date:
January 31, 2024
Rider applications are closed
Race date:
May 14, 2024
Volunteer applications are not yet open
Open from:
January 19, 2024
Volunteer applications are open!
Closing date:
February 15, 2024
Volunteer applications are closed
Race date:
May 14, 2024

Apply to ride

One stage.
The clock never stops. Riders choose where, when and if at all to rest.
No support.
Riders can only use what they take with them, or what they can find en-route at commercially available services.
Fixed route.
Using a fixed route format for The Accursed Race allows us to tell the narrative of the Race, the region, the terrain, and the topography in gritty, glorious detail.
Live tracking.
Through the miracle of modern satellite technology we can follow rider progress wherever they may be. So too, can you wherever you may be.
Apply to ride
#TARNo1
Applicants must:
  • have a standard upright cycle
  • be 18 years old on event day
  • be able to cover the specified distance unsupported
Register interest: £
0
Deposit payment: £
175
Balance payment: £
200
Register interest: £
0
Deposit payment: £
0
Balance payment: £
0
Our sustainability & inclusion agreement

Frequently asked questions

What are the entry costs for TARNo1, and when do they need to be paid?
Can I drive to The Accursed Race?
How far off-course can I go without breaking the rules?
How will you be verifying that participants have travelled to the Race without flying?
I’m not based in Europe but I’ll be flying to the region for other reasons. Can I apply?
I’m not based in Europe. Does this mean I can’t enter The Accursed Race?
What kind of bike do I need for The Accursed Race?
What equipment will I need to take part in The Accursed?
What are you doing to make sure ‘no-fly’ isn’t exclusionary?
What is no-fly?
What is a Control?
How do applications work?
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