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Peter Felten has once again proven why he’s a legend in the ultra-cycling world. Completing the 4,400 km 45-SouthWest route from Kraków to Tarifa in just 30 days, 11 hours, and 50 minutes, Peter adds another remarkable accomplishment to his already impressive resume.

Well-known within the ultra-distance cycling community, Peter is no stranger to epic challenges. He has completed the grueling 7,400 km NorthCape-Tarifa not once but twice – an achievement no one else has matched. And he’s already declared his return for a third round in 2026!

Peter’s endurance résumé is extraordinary:

• ~60 brevets (200–600 km)
• 4x Paris-Brest-Paris
• 3x 1001 Miglia Italia
• 2x Superbrevets (Hamburg–Berlin–Cologne–Hamburg)
• 2x TransGermany (MTB)
• ACT3 + ACT5
• Yukon Arctic Ultra (Fatbike)
• 2x Iditarod Trail Invitational (Alaska)
• Rovaniemi 300k winter race
• ~15 24-hour races

Born in 1957, Peter is 68 years old and holds the distinction of being the oldest finisher of both NorthCape-Tarifa and 45-SouthWest. Age, clearly, is just a number for Peter.

This year, he registered late and had little time to train, but that didn’t stop him. Starting conservatively, he remained laser-focused on the finish line. True to form, he arrived in Tarifa with his camera ready – his final shot captured the famous tuna sculpture where the route ends.

One unforgettable moment: during the ride, strong winds blew his bike off a bridge and into a river five meters below. Undeterred, Peter snapped a photo as proof – “otherwise no one would believe it,” he said – then jumped in to rescue his bike.

Congratulations, Peter, on another extraordinary accomplishment. You continue to inspire riders of all ages with your perseverance, spirit, and incredible endurance.

Photos: Peter at the start, at CP1 Esztergom, CP8 Mallos de Riglos and the selfie at the finish Tarifa focused on the fish

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Finish Time: 22 days, 0 hours, 20 minutes

Rob Coy took on the 45-SouthWest challenge with a quiet determination – and a camera in hand.

In the Spanish leg of the route, Rob made a unique shift: he transitioned partly from day to night riding. The cooler temperatures suited his rhythm, and although he didn’t take any extended breaks from Pico del Veleta to the finish, his journey was anything but rushed. Frequent photo stops marked his route, capturing the essence of the landscapes and moments that make this ride so unforgettable.

Rob reached the finish line in Tarifa at 4:50 a.m., just before sunrise – missing the 21-day mark by only 21 minutes. But this wasn’t about the clock. It was about the experience, the effort, and the finish.

Congratulations, Rob! It was a real pleasure to welcome you at the finish line in Tarifa. Your steady and thoughtful ride is one to remember.

Photos: Rob in Slovakia, at Pico del Veleta and the finish in Tarifa

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Finish Time: 18 days, 9 hours, 55 minutes

Steven Hatley’s journey through the 45-SouthWest challenge was anything but smooth – and that’s exactly what made his finish so impressive.

Just a day after conquering the epic descent from the Col du Tourmalet, Steven’s handlebar broke. Fortunately, he was still in the final cycling region of France, where – by sheer luck – he managed to find a replacement part near the route. With the holiday season in full swing, the local bike shop was overwhelmed, but Steven, undeterred, installed the new handlebar himself.

Was this mechanical failure a delayed consequence of the crash he suffered on day one? Possibly. Either way, the setback meant that for the final 1300 km of the route, Steven had to ride without his aerobars – a tough blow on such a demanding endurance ride.

On top of that, he battled the all-too-common enemy of ultra-distance cyclists: saddle discomfort. But once again, fortune – and determination – were on his side. In the same shop where he replaced his handlebars, Steven also picked up a new pair of more comfortable bib shorts. They made the difference, allowing him to stay in the saddle and push through to the finish.

Despite the physical toll and mechanical struggles, Steven had no regrets. Crossing the finish line, he wore a smile that told the full story: this was a ride defined by resilience.

Congratulations, Steven, on an incredible achievement!

Photos: taken along the Atlantic coast and the finish in Tarifa

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17 days, 12 hours, and 10 minutes. That’s how long it took German endurance cyclist Marco Zahnder to ride from Krakow to Tarifa, covering an incredible 4,400 km along the way.

Riding solo and unsupported, Marco tackled the immense journey across mountains, valleys, and coasts – facing the full spectrum of weather, terrain, and mental challenges.

On the second-to-last day, a river crossing turned dramatic: the concrete surface proved unexpectedly slippery, causing a crash. But Marco got back on the bike, undeterred.

When he finally reached Tarifa, there was a moment of confusion – he arrived looking so fresh, dressed in a clean kit (jersey and bib shorts) that he’d carried from the start as a spare. For a second, we didn’t recognize him.

Reflecting on the journey, Marco simply wrote:
“Das war ein tolles Erlebnis, vielen Dank 😀”
(“That was a great experience, thank you very much 😀”)

We thank Marco for showing what’s possible with determination, preparation, and a good sense of humor – even after 4,400 km and a river crash.

Chapeau, Marco!

Photos: Col d’Aubisque, Pico del Veleta and at the finish Tarifa

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Today, Peter Felten – affectionately known as the “Lanterne Rouge” – reached the checkpoint at Pico del Veleta. At nearly 68 years old, Peter is the oldest rider on this incredible journey and now enters the final stretch toward Tarifa.

But age hasn’t slowed him down – or tamed his adventurous spirit. Peter might also be the only rider to have turned this challenge into a triathlon of sorts. What exactly happened when his bike ended up in the Gardon River in France? We’ll save that story for another post, but let’s just say it involved some unexpected swimming.

As for today, it seems Peter hasn’t lost his flair for drama. Once again, he posed at the very edge of the cliff on top of Pico del Veleta – yes, the one with the sheer vertical drop on the east side. Fortunately, he left his base-jumping gear at home this time.

Photos: Taken by Peter Felten at the Gardon River and on top of Pico del Veleta.

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Paweł Sojecki completed the 45-SouthWest route in 17 days, 3 hours, and 5 minutes – riding in true vintage style.

He was the only rider equipped with 25mm tires – the largest that could fit his bike frame. No hydraulic brakes, no electronic shifting. Just a mechanical disc brake in the front, a rim brake in the rear, and pure determination.

Paweł was unstoppable from the beginning. At Passo del Tende, he confidently followed the updated route into France. In the village of Limone, he simply smiled and said, “I’m going,” and off he went.

Even the many challenges along the way couldn’t slow him down. His phone fell and cracked on Mont Ventoux, just before Checkpoint 5. But instead of stressing, he asked a tourist at the summit to take a photo and email it to him – problem solved.

Later, while descending the Col du Tourmalet, his front brake failed completely. Paweł managed the steep descent using only the rear brake – safely and calmly. Then, on July 1st in the Pyrenees, his credit card stopped working. No money, no food – but still no surrender. He found a way to solve even that.

Paweł never booked a room. He slept outside every night, under the stars.

He shared many more stories with us – these are just a few we remember.

When Paweł reached the finish line in Tarifa early in the morning, even the city wasn’t quite ready. The local cleaning crew was just starting to tidy up the plaza. So he waited patiently for his finisher photo in front of the iconic Tuna sculpture – on freshly cleaned ground. And once the job was done, Paweł calmly unpacked the bread and cheese he had carried all night through the hilly terrain – and enjoyed a quiet, well-earned breakfast at the end of an unforgettable journey.

After this truly adventurous adventure, Paweł headed back to the start. Not to do it again (at least not this year!) – he lives just a few kilometers outside of Kraków.

A huge congratulations to Paweł for this remarkable achievement – the only rider to finish this year 45-SouthWest in the Vintage Category!

Photos: Pawel at Pico del Veleta and at the finish Tarifa

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On July 6th, 2025, at 17:20, Franz Nawrocki crossed the finish line in Tarifa, completing the 45-SouthWest route in an outstanding time of 16 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes.

In the final stretch, Franz took in the stunning views along the Atlantic coast – a well-earned reward after weeks of intense riding.

Many riders tend to underestimate the last leg from Pico del Veleta to Tarifa. Despite being close to the finish, it’s often the most challenging section of the entire route. With relentless rolling hills, short but punishing climbs, and technical terrain, it tests both endurance and resolve. But it also offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes and charming villages of the journey.

Congratulations, Franz, on this incredible achievement!

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Matěj has successfully completed the 4,363 km-long 45-SouthWest course from Krakow to Tarifa in an impressive time of 14 days, 13 hours, and 24 minutes.

Along the way, he chose to ride over the Col de la Lombarde – a slightly longer route with more elevation gain than the updated option over Col du Tende. However, Col de la Lombarde is fully paved and typically requires a similar amount of time to traverse.

In the final stretch along the Atlantic coast, Matěj faced a powerful headwind known as the Levante, making progress especially challenging. To make matters worse, his front brake began causing constant friction and squeaking noises. Even after changing the brake pads, the issue persisted, slowing him down further.

Mechanical problems on such long routes are not uncommon – but finding spare parts can be. While the 45-SouthWest course passes through many iconic cycling regions like Mont Ventoux, the Pyrenees’ high cols, and Pico del Veleta, riders sometimes have to make significant detours for repairs. In Matěj’s case, this meant a 20 km diversion to Zaragoza in Spain to source the necessary parts.

Congratulations, Matěj – an outstanding effort and a remarkable ride!

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It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Christine passed away on Wednesday afternoon. Her tracker stopped moving that evening, and she was later found on the climb of Pico del Veleta. While the exact circumstances are still under investigation, her passing is believed to be due to natural causes.

Christine had been riding a remarkable race, taking the lead in Italy and continuing to inspire with her determination and spirit. In her messages to us, she shared how much she was enjoying the route and the experience.

Christine was not only a strong and passionate cyclist, but also a kind and vibrant person. She will be dearly missed by all of us in the cycling community.

Our hearts go out to Christine’s husband, her family, and her friends during this incredibly difficult time. The entire 45-SouthWest team and the international cycling community offer our deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with those mourning her loss.

Andy Buchs – 04.07.2025

Photos: Christine at the Hrušica (Podkraj, Julian Alps, 22.06.2025), at the statue of Eugene Christophe and at Col du Tourmalet (28.06.2025)

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This year’s edition of 45-SouthWest began with unusually cool weather—around 20°C in Poland, followed by similar conditions in Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. That’s about 10 to 15 degrees colder than it was two years ago. However, the cool start didn’t last long: riders were soon hit by a heatwave in Italy, where temperatures soared to 35°C with high humidity. The heat intensified in France, reaching up to 38°C. Thankfully, the riders have been spared rain so far.

Seven riders have scratched from the race, most of them while crossing Italy. Common reasons include saddle and back pain, along with difficulty coping with the extreme heat.

Two crashes have also been reported, but fortunately neither had serious consequences. Steven went down on Day 1 after hitting gravel in a turn, and Steffen had a fall while climbing on a wet road surface. Both riders have continued their journey.

The early days of the race saw frequent changes in the lead. Eventually, Christine pulled ahead and steadily increased her gap from the rest of the field. For a while, she was moving at a pace similar to Steffen Streich’s record-setting ride two years ago. But once in Spain, the soaring temperatures took a toll, and Christine had to slow down.

Even now, rider positions continue to shift regularly—this year’s race remains as dynamic and unpredictable as ever.

Follow the riders on the tracking:
https://45southwest.com/tracking-2025/

#45sw #45southwest #endurancecycling #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ultracycling #adventurebybike #adventurecycling #ciclismo #cyclinglife #rower #bikelife #cycling #ultraendurancecycling #krakow #tarifa #montventoux #verdon #nice #coldetende #tourmalet #picodelveleta #rusjanbag #transbikeadventures