#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

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.”


Explore more

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.
Apply to ride
