4.7. RACE ACROSS CZECHIA 2024

RACE ACROSS CZECHIA 2024 is 1140 km bikepacking challenge, with a fixed route for gravel bikes, across Czech Republic.

RACZ 2024 will again start from Františkovy Lázně and this time its route will lead rather along northern bodrerline, through the Ore Mountains, Poohří, Doupovská Pahorkatina, Žatecko, České Středohoří, Polabí, Kokořínsko, Mách Region, Český raj, Podkrkonoší, Orlické Mountains, Hrubý and Nízký Jeseník, Poodří and Beskydy.

As a finish we chose picturesque mountain hut Prašivá in Beskydy, where riders will have to climb another severe final push, in an attempt to intensify your emotions at finish line 😉

RACZ24 WITH ROUTE FOR GRAVELS

The most important change in Race Across Czechia challenge from 2024 edition (and further into the future) will be transition from the road bike challenge to routes built for gravels.Main reasons are our attempt to increase safety and comfort of riders, possibility of wandering through even wilder nature and bring you to superattractive places of Czech Republic , which is not possible to reach on a road bike.

RACZ therefore promises much more adventurous trip and stronger experiences than the previous editions!

HIGHLIGHTS OF RACZ24

The RACZ24 route will be absolutely fully loaded with cultural and natural attractions.

ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNICAL SIGHTS
You will visit historic centers of Kadaň, Louny, Litoměřice, Mělník, Dvur Králové, Nové Město nad Metují, Šumperk or Štramberk. You will take super close look at castles and chateaux of Kokořín, Doksy, Bezděz, Kost, Hoštejn, Velké Losiny, Hradec nad Moravicí or Raduň. Other architectural gems will include, for example, the wooden log cabins in Kokořínsko area, the Kuks hospital or the Josefov fortress.

In Moravia, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the oldest hand-made paper mills in Europe (in Velké Losiny), a mountain spa in Karlova Studánka or take a walk along mystical Weisshuhn Canal near Hradec nad Moravicí.

You will enjoy a pleasant combination of technology and nature when crossing the dams of some of the most beautiful Czech reservoirs- Nechranice, Les Královstvi, Pastviny, Dlouhé Stráně, Slezská Harta, Kružberk or Šance.

NATURE
In terms of natural beauties, you get superb views in the Ore Mountains plains around Boží Dar, quiet secluded corners of Doupov Mountains, while riding through hop farms in Žatecko (key area for czech brewery), under volcanoes of České Středohoří, between rock formations in Kokořínsko and Czech Paradise, on the crest Orlice Mountains, in upper parts of Jeseníky and around the remains of slate mining around Budišov.

Those who will not hurry, can enjoy even better views from lookout towers at Tábor, Jirásková chata, Velké Deštná or Praděd.

SPECIAL PLACES
But we also have other „spicy places“ for you – ride along rowing complex in Račice, hrough former military airport Hradčany, locks in Hořín, view of confluence of Vltava and Elbe rivers, beach at Máchovo jezero, Jewish memorial in Terezín, rock reliefs of Jesus Christ near Dubá, famous series of sculptures Bethlehem from Matyáš Braun or the artillery fortress in Dobrošov.

And finally, we added some popular pitfalls and funny attractions – ferry in Lovosice, dark tunnels in Oparenské údolí, narrow wooden covered bridge in Nové Město n. Metují, rock gap near Vlhošť, tiny footpath along Weisshühn canal and few steps to iconic tower Trúba in Štramberk or when descending through tower Věžička in chateaux park in Klášterec nad Ohří.

DATE, START, FINISH AND LIMIT

START: Thursday 4/7/2024, at 8.30 a.m. from Camping Amerika in Františkovy Lázně

FINISH: Prašivá mountain hut (Vyšné Lhoty, Beskydy)

LIMIT: Main organizer of RACZ will be waiting at finish until Wednesday 10th July until 20.00. Reaching the finish line after the limit does not mean removal from the list of finishers, it will only be without a personal welcome at the finish line. Riders who arrive at finish after limit will send the GPS trackers to the organizer at their expense by post.

PRESENTATION: on Wednesday 3.7. from 16.00-23.00 or on Thursday 4.7. from 6.30-7.30

PRE-START MEETING: Wed 3.7.2024 approx. at 8.30-9.00 pm. Voluntary attendance; introducing of team, concept of RestPoints, descprition of route and warning of main pitfalls

ROUTE OF RACZ 2024

LENGTH AND ELEVATION: 1140 km / cca 16 000m

ROUTE: Františkovy Lázně – Kraslice – Klínovec – Klášterec n. Ohří – Kadaň – water dam Nechranice – Žatec – Milešov – LitoměřIce – Terezín – Roudnice n. Labem – rowing complex Račice – national czech mountain Říp – Mělník – Kokořín castle- Dubá – Máchovo lake – Hradčany airport – Bezděz castle – Mnichovo Hradiště – Český ráj – Kost castle – Nová Paka – water dam Les Království – Dvůr Králové – Kuks – Jaroměř – Nové Město nad Metují – Peklo – Velká Deštná – water dam Pastviny – údolí Březné a Moravské Sázavy – hrad Hoštejn – Šumperk – Velké Losiny – Dlouhé Stráně – Praděd – Karlova Studánka – Bruntál – v.n. Slezská Harta a Kružberk – údolí Moravice -Weisshuhnův kanál – Hradec n. Moravicí – Raduň – Jistebník – Štramberk – Frenštát pod Radhoštěm – v.n. Šance – chata Prašivá

TERRAIN: cca 50% minor roads, 30% asphalted forest roads and cycle paths, 18% paved forest roads, 1-2% rocky sections rather for MTB. There will be only a few short sections (always within 500m), where it will be necessary to push or carry the bike. Riders will be allowed to use the ferry in Lovosice (at cca 260.km, or will be able to take detour.

RECOMMENDED BIKE: gravel with tires at least 36mm+, preferably 40mm+

MAP

You can view the folder with the route divided into 4 sections between RestPoints at Mapy.cz: https://mapy.cz/s/jusabenova

PROFILE

Elevation gain of approx. 16,000m should make RACZ24 a pleasantly challenging event.

Compared to 2023 edition, we have included more relaxing sections, usually by cycle paths along rivers as Ohře, Vltava, Elbe, Moravská Sázava or Odra, which are very nice and popular even among families with children.

The most hilly sections will include Ore Mountains, with a the climb to is highest peak Klínovec. After wavy profile of Kokořínsko and České Středohoří, you will climb on Říp mountain, Tábor hill, in Orlice mountains you will conquer another „thousand“ Velká Deštná. Highest two peaks of whole RACZ will anyway wait on youat between 850-900 km in Jeseníky, where you will reach to its heavyweights Dlouhé Stráně (1344m) and Praděd (1492m).

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1364285684

RESTPOINTS

To divide a long 1,140 km route into shorter sections and give you some rest and reward, we again manage along it three RestPoints, where you will be able to take some refreshments, meet wtth other riders and co-organizers, and spend the night in cabins (just on RP2 and RP3).

RP 1 – Restaurant u Orloje, Žatec, approx. 185 km
RP 2 – Duo Camp, Branžež, approx. 540 km
RP 3 – pension Brněnka, Velké Losiny, 840 km

You can find a detailed description of the RPs, what to expect at them, and their closing times in separate section RESTPOINTS .

GPS TRACKING

RACZ participants will be equipped with GPS trackers, thanks to which it will be possible to follow the course of the challenge on Internet, via tracking application FollowMe.

TRACKING LINK: cs.follow.me.cz/tracking/racz2024

LIST OF RIDERS AND „UB TRACKING“

You can continuously monitor list of RACZ24 participatns on a page prepared for „UB Tracking“.
ultrabikers.eu/RACZ-2024-tracking

There will be 12 FotoPoints along RACZ24 route, where participants will be able to enter transit times and share their photos and impressions on the UB website.

The use of UB Tracking will be voluntary, for each pictures sent from FotoPoint accompanied by a comment (at least one word), participants will receive a bonus 3b to overall ranking of UltraBikers Cup.

REGISTRATIONS

Registrations for RACZ24 are still opened.

CAPACITY OF EVENT: 160 riders (+ 20 substitutes)

You can find the registration form in the separate website in section RACZ24 REGISTRATION.

ENTRY FEE

The entry fee for participation in RACZ 24 will be CZK 3,000 / EUR 130

The entry fee includes: gpx files with route, rental of a GPS tracker, vouchers for refreshments at RestPoints and at the finish in the total value of 250 CZK / 10 EUR, cycling cap (only for riders registered until 31th March 2024), package transfer from start to finish, start number, stickers, brevet card, finisher’s diploma, 1 beer/soft drink at the pre-start meeting, breakfast before start in Camping Amerika, small snacks on „secret“ RestPoint during first section of the route, route itinerary in Excel

+ 500 CZK / 20 EUR discount on entry fee Moravia Gravel 2024 (3stage challenge, September 20, web) and UB30: Berlin Challenge (1100km challenge, 30 Waypoints, voluntary route, August 23, web) or free entry fee for 1 one-day UB Challenge

Entry fee does not include: overnight stay and dinner in Frantiskovy Lázne before start, accommodation at RestPoints and at finish at Prašivá cottage, ferry ride in Lovosice, spare parts and equipment at the start and at the RP. These expenses (except the ferry) will be able to be continuously drawn from the deposit for the GPS tracker (see below).

PAYMENTS

We ask you to pay entry fee after 01/01/2024 to the bank account: 670100-2216784675/6210, in the note for the recipient, enter your first and last name and text „RACE ACROSS CZECHIA 2024“.

International payments:
BIC: BREXCZPPXXX
IBAN: CZ97 6210 6701 0022 1678 4675

DEPOSIT on GPS tracker and for expenses at Camp Amerika and at RestPoints in amount will be 1500 CZK / 40 EUR. Riders will be asked to pay it cca one week before start. In case of last-minute cancellation of participation, the deposit will be fully returned, without any cancelation fee.

CANCELLATION FROM RACZ24

No cancellation fee is payable in case of cancellation of participation before 1/1/2024.

After payment of entry fee and subsequent cancellation of participation until 31.3.2024, the entry fee is no longer refundable, but it is possible to transfer it once to any other evEnt of UltraBikers Cup or RACZ25, without a cancellation fee.

In case of cancellation in the period 1.4.-31.5.2024, the entry fee is not refunded, it is possible to have it transferred to another event of the UltraBikers Cup or RACZ25, but there is already a cancellation fee of 500 CZK / 20 EUR

In case of cancellation after June 1, 2024, the cancellation fee is CZK 1,000 / EUR 60, you can transfer the rest of entry fee to other UB Cup or RACZ25 event.

The paid entry fee can be transferred to another person at any time, without a cancellation fee.

PRESENTATION, BACKGROUND BEFORE THE START

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, a pre-start meeting of the participants will take place at the Amerika camp in Františkovy Lázně. The presentation will start from 4:00 p.m. in the camp site, around 8:30-9:00 p.m. there will be a meeting with a presentation of the route, discussion about the race and watching a premiere of movie from RACZ23.

Riders will be able to sleep before start in 2-4 bed cabins. Depending on the type of cabin and the number of people accommodated inside, at prices from 250-600 CZK or 10-25 EUR per person).

Participants will also have the opportunity to order dinner (we will specify meal and price 2 weeks before start). On Thursday morning, our team will prepare breakfast for riders from 7.30 (included in entry fee).

Website of camping: https://www.camping-amerika.eu/

RULES

The rules are common to all UltraBikers Cup events and can be viewed in section RULES.

RACZ AND UB CUP MERCHANDISING

Riders registered until 31rd March will get a cycling cap in RACZ design as a part of entry fee.

Until this date, you can also order cycling jersey or pants, with a possibility to add your nickname, number and flag.

More informations and orders of jerseys on website:
ultrabikers.eu/dresy

If you want some other stuff with UltraBikers logo – beetle bags, caps, T-shirts, cups, towell etc. – you can visit website ultrabikers.eu/merchandising

RACZ jerseys

RACZ pants

RACZ caps

PRIZES

WINNER
– free entry fee for 1 event of UltraBikers Cup
– 50% discount on cycling jersey in RACZ or UB Cup design
– voucher for a discount on Ortlieb brand equipment worth CZK 2,000 / 80 EUR
– priority participation, entry fee and free accommodation (from Saturday to Sunday) at the „Last Mile of UB24 Cup“ (October 19, 2024).

In the case of two or more winners finishing together, each of them will receive:
FREE ENTRY FEE for any race, 1000 CZK DISCOUNT on Ortlieb brand equipment, 50% OFF on jersey

2ND AND 3RD PLACE, FASTEST WOMAN AND WINNER OF CATEGORY 50+
– 50% discount on any race of the UltraBikers Cup
– priority participation and free entry fee at the final event „The Last Mile of the UB24 Cup“

4-10 PLACE
– 20% discount on the entry fee for any race of the UltraBikers Cup

TOP50
– priority registration for Race Across Czechia 2025

For other positions in the challenge, participants do not receive any financial bonuses or material prizes. Based on the time achieved, participants earn points for the overall ranking of UltraBikers Cup.

POINTS FOR ULTRABIKERS CUP GENERAL RANKING

BASIC PERFORMANCE: 50 hours = 600 b
POINT SCALE: 1 hour = 3 b, 1 b = 20 min
MINIMUM POINTS FOR FINISHERS: 300 b; with time over 150 hours
BONUS FOR TOP 10: 50-47-44-41…-26-23b
BONUS FOR 11TH-20TH PLACE: 20-18-16-….-4-2b (in the case of a joint finish, the point gain is averaged)
BONUS FOR TOP5 IN WOMEN AND 50+ CATEGORIES: 20-16-12-8-4
BONUS FOR UB TRACKING: 3 b for each FotoPoint supplemented with a comment
BONUS FOR SENDING RECORD OF RIDDEN ROUTE WITHIN 24H AFTER REACHING FINISH: 5b
PENALTY FOR NOT DELIVERING A RECORD OF RIDDEN ROUTE: -50 b
INCOMPLETE ROUTE: according to the number of kilometers from the total length of the route, as a percentage of the minimum number of points 300b, regardless of time