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The Toughest Bikepacking Adventure I've Ever Done

Global Cycling Network

About

Conor Dunne and Olympic gold medalist Greg Van Avermaet completed a grueling four-day bikepacking journey through the Peruvian Andes, circumnavigating Machu Picchu with extreme elevation, remote trails, and high-altitude conditions. The route included a 37km climb over Abra Malaga and a brutal ascent of the 4,700m Salkantay Pass, known locally as Savage Mountain. Greg Van Avermaet earned the Strava KOM on a steep cobble climb in Cusco shortly after arriving at 11,000ft elevation.

Key points

High-Altitude Challenges and Route Demands

  • Day one covered 81 km starting and ending above 3,500m, with rugged mountain bike trails despite being labeled the "easiest" day
  • The team faced 150 km with nearly 3,000 m elevation gain on day two, including the 37 km Abra Malaga climb topping out at 4,300 m
  • Crossing the 4,600 m Salkantay Pass required 150 km over two days with 6,000 m of elevation gain, mostly on hikeable terrain unsuitable for loaded bikes

Unexpected Obstacles and Cultural Encounters

  • A landslide blocked the route after descending Abra Malaga, forcing the riders to continue in darkness on a treacherous mud road with sheer cliffs
  • The duo stayed with families in the remote Quechua village of Huilloc, where Greg joined a traditional welcome dance and both received handwoven ponchos as gifts
  • Strava KOM hunting in Cusco led Greg to re-climb a steep cobbled section named City Hill Climb, which he successfully claimed despite altitude effects

Mental and Physical Limits

  • At 4,700 m on Salkantay, progress slowed to walking pace with frequent stops; Greg admitted he signed up for a bike ride but ended up hiking for eight hours
  • On the final climb, Conor considered quitting multiple times but was emotionally overwhelmed upon summiting, calling it the hardest and most amazing climb of his life
  • Greg declared he’d call team managers to return to professional racing after the trip, joking he’d been "trained from morning to evening" in perfect shape

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