The Racing Collective of the United Kingdom is a not-for-profit bikepacking club dedicated to self-supported racing. Inspired by renowned events like the Transcontinental and the Tour Divide, this passionate collective has crafted a series of unique trials across the UK that embody the spirit of self-sufficiency, all achievable within a single weekend.

Beyond the Trails: A Not-for-Profit Bikepacking Club

Steering clear of the beaten path in their riding and pursuit of sustainable living, The Racing Collective aims to go beyond the conventional ‘Leave No Trace’ principle. They aim to leave the world better than they found it by adopting the ultra-cyclist mindset of self-support, self-actualization, and self-motivation. They believe in extending these principles to all aspects of life, not just during rides and wild camping. By taking the less-traveled route, rejecting the status quo, and driving change, they demonstrate a demand for sustainable solutions.

The collective’s journey began when the founding members crossed paths during the #ClimateKilometre ride from London to Paris for the UN climate talks in December 2015. Inspired by the resilience of climate scientists Erlend Knudsen and Daniel Price, who trekked and cycled from the North and South Poles to COP21 in Paris, The Racing Collective realized that the future lies in their own hands—if they have the will to shape it.

Their values echo those expressed by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of ‘Patagonia,’ in his book ‘Let My People Go Surfing.’ Deep appreciation for the environment, a solid motivation to address the environmental crisis, a profound love for nature, skepticism toward authority, a fondness for challenging human-powered sports that require skill, a disdain for motorized activities, a penchant for offbeat and self-deprecating humor, a taste for a real adventure that pushes boundaries, and a belief that less is more.

Their Mission

Their mission is two-fold. First, they aim to rewild themselves through self-sufficiency, reclaiming a sense of wildness tamed by modern life. They seek routes that awaken a feeling of vitality, freedom, and untamed spirit, allowing riders to break free from the monotony of organized entertainment and truly come alive.

Secondly, The Racing Collective strives to prepare riders for the challenges that lie ahead, particularly for those aspiring to conquer the Transcontinental Race (TCR). They emphasize that more than simply accumulating miles is needed to finish the TCR successfully. Proficiency in route planning, navigation, and night riding is crucial. The Trans trials are designed to allow riders to practice these skills, with increasing distances over time, creating milestones within their TCR training plans.

Creating Wilderness

Additionally, The Racing Collective is committed to creating “wilderness” by supporting rewilding projects. They believe in setting ambitious goals that initially seem unattainable, recognizing that failure is integral to pursuing lofty ambitions. Their long-term objective is to establish a series of rewilding initiatives. By acquiring land and restoring natural forests and wildlife, they hope to provide future generations with authentic wilderness experiences akin to Awaroa Beach in New Zealand and The Great Smoky Mountains in the United States. They establish a Feral Fund, where members and adventure-seeking organizations contribute to achieve this. The fund will finance short films and written articles to support crowdfunding campaigns. Meanwhile, members are encouraged to join Trees for Life and participate in tree-planting activities throughout the planting season.

Join the Journey

If all of this interests you, prepare to rewild yourself, embrace the challenges ahead, and become part of The Racing Collective—a community united by a shared love for cycling, wilderness, and the pursuit of extraordinary experiences.

advertisement