admin - 45-SouthWest

09.03.202509.03.2025

Venetian Lagoon: Chioggia

Photos: Chioggia, little Venice

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06.03.202506.03.2025

3 weeks left for the registration

Only 3 weeks are left to register for the second 45-SouthWest.
Start 20th of June in Krakow Poland.

https://45southwest.com/registration-2025/

Photos: Chioggia, the little Venice, where the 3th ferry arrives is a little town at the end of the Venetian Lagoon crossing of the route.

02.03.202502.03.2025

The next highlight after checkpoint 2 is certainly Venice. Cycling trough the city of Venice is not possible and would not be much fun. But even better, the route leads over the lagoon islands Lido and San Pietro in Volta. Three short ferry connections are part of the route that offers a welcoming short relaxing brake on the water. And you get a nice view to the city of Venice from the south. You will be able to recognize the Marco tower and other landmarks.

25.02.202524.02.2025

2025 route changes: Úbeda, Spain

A fixed road that was not passable two years ago allows us to bypass Úbeda in Spain. The new 20km section offers spectacular views and a nice downhill on a winding back road trough olive fields.

24.02.202524.02.2025

2025 route changes: Alessandria, Italy

Since January we are back on the roads in Italy, France, Spain and Morocco for the 45-SouthWest, Iberica-Traversa and Morocco-BikeAdventure. Beside all the small updates realted to changes on the roads, for the 45-SouthWest we have 3 major route changes.

New for this year, we bypass Alessandria. Coming from east to Alessandria there is only one bridge crossing the Bormida river where all the traffic passes without any reserved space for cyclists or pedestrians. Trough Alessandria we also have not been that happy with the route and in the first edition riders had some difficulties to find accommodation in Alessandria.

A new 31km section bypasses now Alessandria on small roads in the south. And the new route goes in front of a motel with 24 hour reception. The new route is 2km longer but we are sure it’s faster.

22.02.202522.02.2025

CP2: Ptuj, Slovenia

Through vineyards and hills, the route will take the riders to Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia and one of the oldest in Europe. Ptuj, known for its rich culture and historical significance, awaits riders as the second checkpoint on the route to Tarifa.

The roots of Ptuj’s settlement can be traced back to the Stone Age, providing evidence of human habitation in the area. During the Late Iron Age, the city was inhabited by Celts, further adding to its historical importance.

In addition to its cultural heritage, Ptuj is home to Slovenia’s oldest winery, Ptujska Klet, established in 1239. This historic winery proudly preserves the oldest known Slovenian wine, dating back to 1917.

Before reaching Ljubljana, riders will stop on the bridge over the Drava River to take a mandatory photo with a view of the majestic Grad Ptuj castle from the 11th century, located atop a picturesque hill.

Photos: Ptuj, Slovenia
Rider: Irena Sosinska

30.12.202430.12.2024

Registration fee increases

Only a few hours left until the registration changes. 1st of January the registration fee will increase.

Photos: on the route in Hungary
Riders: Irena Sosinska

23.12.202423.12.2024

One week left until the starting fee increases

Don’t miss to register for the second edition of the 45-SouthWest in 2025. 1st of January the starting fee will increase. For this second edition we await about 40 till 50 riders. The start of the adventure is early morning 20th of June on the main square of Krakow.

Photos: CP 1 Esztergom, Hungary
Riders: Peter Vansumere & Alessandro Gomiero

22.12.202422.12.2024

CP 1: Esztergom, Hungary

395km in your legs. Crossing the bridge over the Donau river from Slovakia to Hungary at the Danube bend, you will see the eye-catching castle and the monumental Esztergom Basilica which is the largest church and the tallest building in Hungary.

Esztergom is an important city in the history of Hungary: the founder of the state, the King of Hungary, Saint Stephen, was born and also crowned here. The town, situated in the picturesque region of the Danube Bend was the first capital of Hungary.

Read more about checkpoint 1 here:
https://45southwest.com/checkpoints/#CP01

Photos: 45SW 2022, Esztergom
Riders: Steffen Streich & Niels Jeanty

17.12.202417.12.2024

Vintage Bikes – the new category

The 45-SouthWest, Krakow-Tarifa will be our first adventure with the sub category “Vintage Bikes”. Bicycles with electronic shifting become more and more popular and the leading riders in this years races used it. The argument for using electronic shifting: it makes shifting easier and less power needed in the hands. So should electronic shifting already be counted as electronic support in the drivetrain? We get often told, it’s supporting the hands with shifting.

In the contrast, this year 2 riders finished the Iberica-Traversa with quite old bikes, with rim brakes and mechanical shifting.

The idea was in the head since a while, let’s introduce the category “Vintage Bikes”. So for the 45-SouthWest 2025 we make it real.

What are the requirements to get listed in the category “Vintage Bikes”:

All transmissions from the rider to any component of the bike must be mechanical without any electronic support.
Mechanical brake system. No hydraulic brakes. No electronic brakes.
Mechanical shifting system by wire. No electronic shifting.
The only electronic system allowed: a dynamo to produce electricity for the light, the navigation device, a phone or a camera.
The bike must be fully functional and comply with road traffic regulations.

Riders of a vintage bike will still also be classified on the main ranking.