45southwest

Dear all!
Registration for the next edition of 45SW will open in August!
In the meantime, head to and get ready to follow the incredible journey, starting on June 20th, as the riders conquer the length of Europe.

Stay tuned for updates!

45SW June 20th, 2025

Kraków - Tarifa

4400km

NorthCape-Tarifa 2024

7400km
8 Checkpoints
15 countries

Start: June 20 at 00:01
https://www.northcape-tarifa.com/

Key Facts:

Lowest route point: -212m, below sea level
Highest route point: 3398m, Pico del Veleta

Col d’Iseran, 2764m: Highest mountain pass in the Alps

Port d’Envalira, 2409m: Highest all-year-open mountain pass in Europe and the highest pass in the Pyrenees.

Pico del Veleta, 3398m: Highest ridable road in Europe, 7000km from the start

Checkpoints: Helsinki (Finland), Hill of Crosses (Lithuania), Bregenz (Austria), Col du Galibier (France), Nice (France), Port d’Envalira (Andorra), Pico del Veleta (Spain), and Tarifa (Spain).

4 finishing points: Helsinki in Finland (1753km), Bregenz in Austria (4070km), Nice in France (5370km), Tarifa in Spain (7400km)

Countries: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Andorra, Spain.

The 45-SouthWest is on day 8 and riders are in good mood.
The heatwave going over Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and eastern Italy could not stop any rider. Steffen Streich in lead since after the start reached the checkpoint Mont Ventoux yesterday. Steffen Streich likes the route and enjoys every meter.

The inaugural 45-SouthWest is underway! The riders set off at sunset from the Main Square in Krakow. They are embarking on a 4,400km journey, traversing dreamy backroads, scaling the highest European peaks, encountering natural wonders, and conquering legendary cols.
We wish you a safe journey!
May the 45 wind accompany you and propel you southwestwards towards Tarifa, the southernmost point of the European mainland...

Last rider arrived.
Steffen Streich was maybe never so unprepared at a start of a race. He registered and booked the flight to Krakow Saturday afternoon.

The registration for the inaugural 45-SouthWest will close Monday 23:59.
Last chance to be part of this new bikepacking adventure.

https://45southwest.com/registration2023/

As you come over Col de Tende towards Nice, you'll follow the "route de sel" and roads used by the famous Monte Carlo Rally. In the past, it took people three days on horseback to travel from Limone to Nice. Interestingly, apples from the Piemont region were also transported to Nice.

The route will take the riders alongside several significant rivers of Europe. They will start their adventure along the Vistula River, the longest river in Poland. Moving forward, the iconic Danube River, which is the second largest in Europe. They will also cross the Po River in Italy, the longest there. The route will take them across the majestic Rhone River, a major watercourse in France and a scenic 30-kilometer stretch along the Canal du Midi.

Photos from the route checking, currently heading south.

At the Gorges du Verdon the route will lead the riders over to the famous Pont de I'Artuby.
This bridge is one of the highest bungee jumping spots in all of Europe!
Will any daring riders add an extra dash of thrill to their adventure and take the leap?

Until today, it was a secret that the route bypasses the city of Venice. Riders will board three short-distance ferries to reach Chioggia.

The first ferry goes to the Lido, a long, thin island separating the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. It is also home to the Venetian Film Festival. There are plenty of inexpensive restaurants, perfect for refuelling before moving on.
The view from the ferry allows you to see the silhouette of The Floating City and its St. Mark's Bell Tower.

The next ferry departs from Porto di Malamocco and goes to Pellestrina, an 11 km long island known for its colourful houses.

The final ferry takes you to Chioggia town, which is located at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon.

Jó reggelt kívánok - good morning from Hungary.

Andy has been on the route, checking for over a week now, and making necessary adjustments along the way.

Today, he decided to make a change to a section in Slovenia that he wasn't satisfied with. As a result, Maribor has been removed from the route, and instead, the route now passes through Bad Radkersburg and Ptuj.

The attached photos are from today, showing the scenery in Ptuj.

CP2 - Mantua

This ancient charm, almost untouched over time is located in Lombardy, 1305km from the starting point.

Riders will reach the CP2 guided by quiet backroads, surrounded by three lakes.

Mantua was declared one of the most beautiful cities of the Renaissance and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Yesterday, exploring the Po Rivers's picturesque landscape between Mantua and Piacenza. Flat, smooth and fast! Amazing ride along the water canals.

Start date: June 20, Krakow

Photos from Piacenza, a city with a rich history dating back to 219 BC when it was founded by the Romans. Piacenza, which means "pleasant," lives up to its name.

Riders travelling along the Po River from CP2 in Mantova will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in this cultural gem, as Piacenza lies along the route.

Piacenza is also famous for its gnocchi and tortellini. Buon appetito!

Start date:
June 20, Krakow

Did you ever cycle over a pontoon bridge?
Here we go! And it's maybe the steepest downhill and climb on the whole route. In the flat Po Valley.

Impressions from the route in Italy.

From the route in Italy.

Photo: last Saturday

Route scouting in Italy.
Small roads whereever possible.

photo: from last Saturday

Back on the route for route scouting in Italy.
The river Po in the Po planes near Pavia.

Photo: taken yesterday morning

Mont Ventoux, a cyclist dream. Checkpoint 4 on the route.
Registration will be open till 30th April. New price from 18th March.