M A U R I T A N I EL'AVENTURE EN LIBERTÉ

TRACE  NOMADE

FORGE YOUR OWN PATH WHERE NONE EXISTS

An ultra-cycling event at the heart of the Sahara, Trace Nomade is driven by a clear ambition : to offer participants an exceptional track across the only place on Earth where raw, untamed nature remains accessible, yet remote enough for self-sufficiency, off-road navigation, and true isolation to become the very foundations of this adventure.

To date, this is the only ultra-distance race crossing a sand desert. Here, the fatbike is not a choice, but a necessity dictated by the terrain.

Being at the start of the Trace Nomade means having confidence in the depth of your potential. Being at the finish means having learned to master it, harness it, and transform it into achievement.

JOIN THE ROUTE SCOUTING EXPEDITION AT NO COST :

The Trace Nomade scouting expedition will take place between mid-November and mid-December 2026, over a period of four weeks.

The purpose of this reconnaissance is to finalize the GPX route, verify water points, validate sections that must be navigated without GPX guidance, identify any areas where riders may need to push their bikes, assess the time required to complete the entire event, and to produce the promotional teaser.

If you would like to take part in the scouting expedition please contact us : Trace-Nomade

However, proven experience in long-distance cycling events (road, gravel, or mountain biking) is essential.

A support vehicle will be available throughout the expedition. Nevertheless, on certain sections of the route that are inaccessible to 4×4 vehicles, participants should be aware that they will face complete isolation while riding.

THE ULTRA IN A FEW KEY FACTS :

• Location : Mauritanian Sahara
• 10 novembrer 2027 (in order to coincide with the full moon on the 14th)
• 1125 miles (99.7% gravel & sand / 0.3% paved roads ; 46% off-trail / 32% route finding (no GPX track))
• Start : Atar / Finish : Terjit - Generous time limit : 432 hours (62 mi per 24 hours)
• Full self-sufficiency (no assistance, no organizer-provided aid stations / only 5 small shops along the route)
• Continuous timing from start to finish, and satellite tracking
• Solo or Pairs Category (Being a pair allows for efficient equipment distribution, and mutual emotional support)
• Non-electric fat bike / Electric fat bike / Non-electric fatbike handcycle / Electric fatbike handcycle
• Ranking : men / women / pairs / first ultra* / para-cyclists** / electric / photos***
• Registration by application or invitation (Limited to 40 participants / target : 25% female participation)
• 2027 entry fee : Send a photo that inspires you, with a handwritten quote or personal reflection on the back.

* A dedicated ranking for adventurers, on bikes or otherwise, taking on their first ultra.

** Depending on the type of impairment, athletes in this category may be permitted to have their own              support team during the race.

*** For those who aren't just aiming for the win, there's also a photo competition.

I believe I can do anything that any man can do

Annie Londonderry, the first woman to cycle around the world (1894)

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A COMPLETE CHANGE OF SCENERY :

Throughout the race, you will pass through an extraordinary variety of landscapes: the remarkable table mountains of the Adrar ; the endless dune chains stretching across the heart of the Maqteir Erg and the Ouarane Erg ; The sand-filled valleys of El Mrayer, often referred to as Mauritania's "Empty Quarter" ; the cliffs of the Dhar Tichitt, guardians of fascinating Neolithic remains ; the paleolakes of the Aouker and their striking diatomite outcrops ; the Tagant canyons, where gueltas still shelter crocodiles, true living fossils ; the majestic untouched dunes intertwined within the Amatlich Erg ; and finally, small palm groves offering unexpected pockets of greenery in the midst of this mineral world.

A MENTALLY DEMANDING ULTRA :

It is one of the most psychologically demanding ultra-distance cycling race there is. Riders must cope with genuine, complete isolation : hundreds of kilometers without encountering another person, with no mobile phone coverage, no roads or tracks, no vehicle tracks, no possibility of local assistance, and not a single sound—accompanied only by the sand, the wind, and the sky.

The Sahara will sweep you away in its vastness and allow you to touch the Kantian sublime*, or maybe not.

The event confronts you with six off-road** navigation sections totaling 360 mi, with no GPX track provided. These sections require careful preparation beforehand, including the study of Google Earth satellite imagery to identify the most suitable bearings and routes, to avoid dune areas or navigate around rocky sections. This will help you save valuable time and conserve energy throughout the crossing.

Days spent battling on your bike, not against the other competitors but against your own limits, against the silent and indifferent nature, against the wild and unyielding space that surrounds you. At times, navigation and instinct will take precedence over physical performance alone.

Although the elevation gain is moderate (less than 5,000 m D+) and the terrain is technically accessible to everyone, the sand and dunes make for a real challenge. Rainfall is rare in November, although the wind may sometimes become part of the adventure, even if its most intense season generally begins in January.

Here, the true Grail is not victory, but becoming a finisher and seeing the adventure through to the end.

Beyond the mental challenge lies the physical one. Yet difficulty itself is highly personal, as it ultimately depends on the energy you choose to invest with every pedal stroke. Everything comes down to how you manage that effort : success or failure, euphoria or disappointment. Big engine beats big watts. Whatever happens, this confrontation in the heart of the Sahara will transform you at the deepest level of your being.

Every participant must understand that the route includes a 546 mi section without any settlements or oases, as well as a 236 mi stretch without access to water sources.

Before you even think about entering this extraordinary ultra, come back down to earth and ask yourself the right questions : can you handle 546 mi with complete food self-sufficiency ? Are you able to travel 236 mi across sand while being self-sufficient in water ? Can you imagine what it means to travel through the dunes at night, completely off-road, unable to see beyond the beam of your light, with no GPX route, no landmarks to guide you, and not even a single set of 4x4 tracks on the ground to follow ? ...

Here is a 3-minute excerpt showcasing one of the most intricate dune fields on the route. This is definitely not a section you would want to cross at night !

For a closer look, you can also watch the full 20-minute reconnaissance of this same area by 2cv and fat bike, ending on the highest dune in Mauritania.

Don't worry — this is the longest dune section of the entire course, stretching for approximately 5.6 miles.

If, on a typical ultra, your gear weighs around 8 kg, be aware that on the Trace Nomade you will have to carry a load two to three times heavier - mainly for water - comparable to that required for the Iditarod.

* The Kantian sublime is the paradoxical experience in which, when confronted with an immensity or a power that exceeds our senses, we become aware both of our smallness in the face of the world and of the greatness of our mind’s ability to conceive it.

** The term “off-road” can sometimes be misleading. Here, it refers to moving entirely outside any human or animal-made trace : no roads, no tracks, no paths, not even footpaths or animal trail. On the Trace Nomade, 95% of the off-piste terrain is highly rideable.

A PARACYCLING CATEGORY :

For the first time in an off-road ultra-distance event, a paracycling category has been introduced - for both muscle-powered and electric bikes - opening the Trace Nomade to athletes with disabilities who share the same spirit of adventure, self-transcendence, and freedom as all the other participants.

• Category C.1 – No Assistance. Participants must be fully self-supported, under the same rules as non-para competitors.
• Category C.2 – Level 1 Assistance. Assistance is permitted only in sections officially designated as requiring competitors to push or carry their bike.
• Category C.3 – Level 2 Assistance. In addition to the assistance permitted in push/carry sections, the support team may also transport the participant's equipment, food, and water, except for the mandatory safety kit, which the participant must carry at all times.

Electric-assist bicycles, which must be speed-limited to 15.5 mph, are divided into only two categories : Ce.1 and Ce.2, the electric equivalents of categories C.1 and C.2, respectively.

AN ELECTRIC FAT BIKE CATEGORY :

For the first time in an ultra-distance event, an electric fatbike category is being introduced to open the Trace Nomade to beginner amateur and resourceful riders. This is a proof of concept, or an experimental edition, designed to develop and refine the concept for future editions. However, even if you are new to cycling, this category is intended for participants already experienced in demanding adventures, whether trekking, trail running, or any expeditions in harsh environments.

You will be able to reach higher top speeds than muscle-powered fat bikes, particularly in sand and dunes. In return, you will have to manage an additional factor: stops required for solar recharging. Optimising your battery usage will also require regular pedalling effort.

THE ORGANISATION OF THE ULTRA :

For those familiar with it, the format is similar to that of the Tour Divide. This is a fully self-supported event, where you are responsible for managing your own water, food, sleep, mechanical repairs, and navigation on sections where no GPX route guidance is provided.

No organised outside assistance is permitted. Any assistance between competitors is allowed. The clock never stops, making the management of effort and fatigue just as decisive as physical and psychological abilities.

The role of the organisation :

• Defining and publishing the race rules
• Providing the official route track
• Publishing rankings and race updates
• Reviewing and ruling on any post-race rule violations

The organization of the Trace Nomade is deliberately minimalist : it is limited to providing a regulatory framework, remote monitoring, validation of results, and security and medical assistance only as a last resort. Participants are therefore solely responsible for all logistical, technical, and safety aspects of their sporting adventure.

It is precisely this lack of support and supervision that makes the Trace Nomade not only an endurance race and an exercise in complete self-sufficiency, but above all a profound psychological and inner challenge*.

A support vehicle will then be dispatched. Response times range from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the location and terrain difficulty.

The costs are the responsibility of the participant and will be negotiated by the organization with Mauritanian service providers. Participants should budget approximately €150 per day, in addition to fuel expenses. Fuel consumption typically ranges from 15 to 30 liters per 100 km, depending on the type of terrain encountered, whether fast tracks, sandy terrain, or dunes.

THE ULTRA REGISTRATION PROCESS

There are two ways to take part in Trace Nomade :

• By invitation,
• Through an application process, from March 15 to September 30, 2027 : starting today for women

Priority will be given to female applicants with the aim of achieving approximately 25% female participation at the start line.

"I believe I can do anything that any man can do" Annie Londonderry, the first woman to cycle around the world, beginning her historic journey in 1894.

The Trace Nomade is not a race reserved for an elite few. The 432-hour time limit for completing the ultra has been deliberately set to welcome not only experienced ultra-distance racers, but also cycle travellers and bikepacking adventurers.

Instead, we strive to offer an experience that is demanding yet accessible and deeply rewarding, where your success and satisfaction are our greatest achievement.

That said, this route is intended for participants who can honestly assess their technical skills, physical fitness, and mental resilience in a remote and self-supported environment. Our selection process is designed first and foremost to ensure the safety of all participants and to confirm that each rider's experience and abilities match the demands of the event. Here, sound judgment matters more than speed.

Those who do not cross the finish line within the 432-hour time limit will, of course, not be considered  finishers. However, they will still be ranked according to the distance they have covered (DP), based on the data transmitted by their tracking device. Therefore, only participants who choose to withdraw of their own accord, whatever the reason, will officially be classified as DNF (Did Not Finish).

In traditional ultra-cycling, a withdrawal due to mechanical failure or physical breakdown can always happen, but it is usually possible to reach a village or town relatively quickly.

In the heart of the Mauritanian Sahara, a misjudgement of one’s abilities or equipment can turn a decision to abandon the expedition into a long wait to be picked up by the support team. For this reason, every application will be reviewed carefully.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide information on several points :

• Your experience in ultra-distance, or self-supported expedition travel, or in any other endurance sport,
• Concrete examples of how you have dealt with unexpected situations (major mechanical failures, navigation challenges, food self-sufficiency, difficult bivouacs, etc.),
• If you have previously practised fasting (water fasting, dry fasting, or intermittent fasting),
• The equipment you intend to use,
• The strategy you plan to implement for sections without water resupply points,
• Your strategy for 546 mi without resupply.

You are, of course, welcome to include any additional information that you believe may help us better understand your experience, your preparation, and your motivation for taking the start of the Trace Nomade.

Registration is free of charge. We simply ask you to send us a photo that inspires you, accompanied on the back by a handwritten quote or a personal reflection.

A €500 deposit is required. Half of it must be paid upon validation of your participation, and the second half no later than one month before the start of the event. Information about the role of the deposit is available here.

AI Summary of the Trace Nomade