© 2025 highwaytohellultracycle.com. All rights reserved
© 2025 highwaytohellultracycle.com. All rights reserved
Why come to one of the least visited countries in the world, to subject yourself to pain, hopelessness and regret? And who created this torture? What type of mentality is involved? All the answers you need….
Johnny Ward, a proud Irishman, spent the last 15 years of his life striving to be the first person ever to complete the ULTIMATE Explorers Grand Slam:
– Visit every country in the world
– Climb the 7 summits (highest peak on each -continent)
– Reach both the North and South Pole.
Coming from a tough background, and with little natural sporting talent, Johnny worked out along that way that success, contentment and happiness is directly correlated to the amount of suffering you’re willing to endure. But more than that, Johnny realised that there is no such thing as an ‘elite’ mentality. It’s a choice. And with a little nudge in the right direction, we’re all capable of being ‘elite’.
Once you drag yourself through the fire, you come out knowing you’re capable of so much more. With that, a series of events were created. To encourage everyone to seek the fire, and drag themselves through it. Johnny offers that nudge. Consider this your nudge right now. See you in the desert.
Because comfort zones lead to an average life. Growth doesn’t happen on the couch or in your 9-to-5 bubble—it happens when you’re suffering, questioning every decision that got you here, and fighting the voice in your head telling you to quit. This isn’t a holiday as you know it;; it’s about finding out what you’re really made of. You’ll curse me, the heat, the sand, and probably your own legs for most of the 48 hours it takes to crush this 300km beast. But guess what? On the other side, you’ll be tougher, harder, and carrying a story no one else can touch. So stop whining and start pedaling. Legends aren’t made in comfort zones.
And why Mauritania? Why the Eye of the Sahara? Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all, right? So what screams true adventure more than the depths of the Sahara, in one of the least visited countries in the world, 100miles of soft sand, and a starting point being ‘The Eye of the Sahara’. Visible from space, and said to hold the secrets to the Lost City of Atlantis. Pretty cool.
If you’re going to call something the “Highway to Hell,” you better back it up, right? And where better than the blazing heart of the Karakum Desert, in one of the least-visited countries in the world? This isn’t your average endurance race; this is cycling 300km (186 miles) through sand and heat, starting in Ashgabat—a city so surreal you’ll swear it’s from a movie set—and ending at the infamous Gates of Hell, a fiery crater that’s been burning for decades. It’s raw, wild, and absolutely epic.
This isn’t just about the kilometers. It’s about stepping into uncharted territory—literally and figuratively. No one’s ever cycled this route before. That means you’re not just signing up for a race; you’re part of the inaugural crew making history. This is the adventure of a lifetime, designed for those who crave the extraordinary.
Are you ready to embrace the pain, conquer the desert, and stare into the Gates of Hell? Because this is where limits are shattered, and legends are born.
Camping by the Gates of Hell upon completion
A ratio of 1:1 for staff to runner
Check-in/medical/refuelling tents every 20km
Unlimited free drinking water
SUVs patrolling the race course
Trained medical staff at camp
Special visas on arrival
All meals provided throughout
A videographer/photographer
A community in the lead up for chat and advice
Bragging rights for life 200 mile cycle, on an awful road, through the deser
Full sun exposure all day
Guaranteed self-doubt, regret, and self-loathing for 90% of the race
No internet or phone signal (only gmail, blame the government)
Your entire family doubting your sanity
Blisters, sunburn and a sore enough ass to make even David Goggins Cry
No sympathy from us
The Highway To Hell Ultracycle is calling. Are you ready to answer?
© 2025 highwaytohellultracycle.com. All rights reserved