Round Denmark Bike Challenge

Round Denmark Bike Challenge

A "fitness holiday challenge"

  • Same distance and route as the Round Denmark Bike Race.
  • Start whenever you feel like - at any time of year.
  • Self-sufficient ride. As solo, pair or small group.
  • 30 days to complete the distance.
  • For all those, who can not participate in the race or would like more time to do sightseeing and explore the country.
  • No timing.
  • Limited restricting rules - mostly based on local laws.
  • Ride any bike you like - including electric.
  • There are no fees on registering a Challenge participation.

The 'Round Denmark Bike Challenge' is for all those, who can not or do not want to participate in the Round Denmark Bike Race for one reason or another - like non-competitive fitness riders. Or those, who would like to take on the challenge as a small group. You might not want to do a race, but would still like to challenge yourself while having time for sightseeing. Or would like to stay in one place for more than one night. You will still get a time limit of 30 days to complete the entire course - which should be enough time for most people - Even those less fit.

A Challenge will not be timed by race offcials. There is no demand for online tracking or a SPOT tracker. Each rider must record their own ride, on their bike computer, and send in links to services like Garmin Connect, Strava, other online services - or sending fit files as proof of completion. As well as taking selfies at specific predetermined locations on route - those can be seen further down on this page. The proof, of finishing the ride, and selfies have to be emailed to raceofficials after finishing the Challenge.

When completion is approved, Challenge finishers will be posted on the Challenge Finisher page - with name, country, date of completion, what bike has been ridden and the best selfie taken. A diploma (pdf format), of completion, will be emailed to each finisher.

Registration is free and can be found at the bottom of this page

Rules of the Challenge:

§1. Registration should be done at least 14 days before taking on the challenge.

§2. Every rider has the responsibility to read and learn the Rules of the Challenge. As well as reading and becoming familiar with the latest version of the Athlete's Guide, which contain many beneficial informations for Challenge riders. Including where you have to start and finish your challenge. Just skip over the parts, that are aimed at the Race.

§3. Any kind of bike is allowed. Even those that aren’t allowed in traditional grand tours (HPV etc..) - as long as it is not powered by some kind of fueled engine – e-bikes are allowed as long as it can not be driven by turning a handle like on a moped/motorcycle.

§4. Finish time cutoff: A challenger has 30 days to complete the full distance of the course.

§5. Each rider has the sole responsibility to be adequately trained, in bicycle handling, to be able to ride other road surfaces than asphalt - hence gravel, cobblestone and sand. Each rider is solely responsible for choosing adequate bike and cycling gear according to own abilities. It is not in the scope, of Challenge organizers, to recommend any specific bike or gear, since this is very individual and has unlimited possibilities. Each rider has the sole responsibility for own safety and be adequately insured.

§6. Each rider have to ride the route in it's entirety, which is the exact same route as the Round Denmark Bike Race. If you go off route, you have to get back to the same point, where you left the route, when you want to continue your Challenge ride.

§7. Aim: To cycle, self-sufficient along the predetermined route as linked to on this website.

§8. Drafting is permitted.

§9. It is the rider’s responsibility to know and observe local laws - including the Danish Traffic Act.

§10. Who can participate: Anyone. Children under the age of 18, should be accompanied by an adult.

§11. Challenge: Attempts are intended to be self-sufficient and as one long ride. As solo, pair or a small group. The challenge is complete upon arrival at the end of the predetermined route. There are no designated restperiods on the course.

§12. To complete the route, a rider/riders may resupply food, equipment, rent a room, rent a hut, sleep at caravan parks, launder clothing and get their bike serviced along the route. The intent is to ride unsupported between towns, and function self-sufficiently when in towns. Any services can be utilized - including private services as long as it is not from a support vehicle.

§13. Outside assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply (receipt of supplies from a non-commercial shipper) are permitted.

§14. Family and friends may visit riders, on route, but support vehicles are prohibited unless a rider is disabled. All gear neccesary, has to be carried on one's own bike. Pairs and group riders may share gear amongst eachother.

§15. In the event of a serious mechanical problem, that renders a bike unrideable, a rider may be assisted by motor vehicle, train or bus in moving backwards, forwards, or directly off the route. A rider may also receive assistance returning back to the location where they left the route. The moment they rejoin the route, any forward assistance is prohibited, even if a rider has already ridden that stretch prior to leaving the route. The intent of this rule is to encourage riders to exhaust self-rescue options first, and ensure any rider, who must hitchhike, will still ride the entire course (+ a few ”penalty” km/miles). Replacement bike is permitted in case of a bike becoming unridable.

§16. Accommodation: Riders can use any accomodation they see fit, as long as it upholds the Danish laws - hence sleeping at a radom spot, in nature, is not permitted by law. Riders have to use designated places for sleeping - in free shelters, free campsites or designated forests (get the shelter app, as stated in the Athlete's Guide), on the beach in a bivybag, private lodging, Bed and Breakfast, hotels, commercial campsites, Airbnb etc. Even prearranged places.

§17. GPS navigators are essential. The GPX ROUTE IS THE GOSPEL. GPS bike computer is required for riding data recording. Approval of completion, will be based on GPS riding data. Mobile phones are also permitted to record the riding data (for instance the RideWithGPS, Komoot or Strava apps for iPhone or Android - see further down). Each rider has to record the entire ride, on their GPS unit, for later completion approval.

§18. There are no checkpoints or officials on course – though you do have to take 7 selfies, at specific locations, along the route. These locations can be found below the rules.

§19. Riders alone are responsible for communicating with their loved ones.

§20. Each rider must email proof of complettion - at the latest 7 days after completion. This includes selfies and links to Strava, Garmin Connect or similar online services. Or as zipped fit files. It may NOT be GPX files wihout any speed and time recordings. The files need to include ride data. Email address will be supplied in your challenge acceptance email.

Other important information:

Mandatory selfie locations:

Place: Map: (click image for google map) Photo:
1. Kronborg Castle Start Kronborg start map Kronborg start
2. First Ferry check-in Ferry map> Ferry
3. Sønderborg Castle Sønderborg Castle map Sønderborg Castle
4. "Humans and the Ocean" statues in Esbjerg Human and the Ocean map Human and the Ocean
5. Skagen Lighthouse Skagen Lighthouse map Skagen Lighthouse
6. Silkeborg Lakes Silkeborg Lakes map Silkeborg Lakes
7. Farum Pastry Bakery - Finish Farum Pastry Bakery map Farum Pastry Bakery

Recommended "must bring" gear:

  • 1. GPS bike computer, which can be charged while riding, to record the ride on.
  • 2. Suitable First aid kit.
  • 3. Reflex vest to be worn between 22:00 – 5:00
  • 4. Each rider should wear an aprroved helmet, at all times, while riding.
  • 5. Bike should be equiped with adequate front and rearlight which can be seen at a distance of a minimun of 200 m – According to The Danish Traffic Act. To be used from dusk till dawn without exception. Not using the lights could result in a fine from police.
  • 6. Each rider is reccomended to wear an "In Case of Emergency" (ICE) ID armband - with contact number of next of kin, any known illnesses, medications and blood type if known. It can also be an ICE ID tag put on a watch band.
  • 7. A bike must be equipped with a clear sounding cycle bell according to The Danish Traffic Act.
  • 8. A USB powerbank or a front wheel dynamo hub and USB charger, to charge the bike computer or smartphone while riding.

The RideWithGPS, Komoot or Strava App for iPhone or Android:

You can use either the RideWithGPS, Komoot or Strava app, for iPhone or Android, to record riding data if you do not have a bike computer. All three need that you sign up on their website. Just be aware, that it will drain the phone's battery. So you will need to recharge the phone, while riding, if you ride all day. Below are some links to RideWithGPS and Strava, as well as some videos on how to use them.

The RideWithGPS App for iPhone or Android:

The official route, on this site, is made on RideWithGPS. To ride one of the segments, you will have to import it into the RideWithGPS App. You will also need to link to the segments ridden, when sending proof of completion. You will need to read the Help pages, if you do not already know how to do this. Watch the video on how to use the navigation in the app:

The Strava App for iPhone or Android:

There are no official routes created in Strava. If you want to use the Strava app, you have to recreate the route from scratch - using the official route, on RideWithGPS, as posted on this website.

Challenge Registration:

Challenge registration:

Free
  • Each rider has to to be put on the registration form - including date of birth and which bike is being used.
  • Register