Race Rules

Nordic Chase 2026 - Berlin to Copenhagen

(Road & Gravel Editions)

  • The Nordic Chase is a test of endurance and resilience. Participants must be entirely self-sufficient from start to finish.  

    • Self-Sufficiency: You are responsible for all gear, nutrition, hydration, accommodations, and mechanical repairs.

    • No Private Support: Outside assistance from friends, family, or private support vehicles is prohibited.

    • Commercial Services Only: Use only services available to every participant (e.g., supermarkets, hotels, cafes, bike shops).

    • Strategic Accommodation: Pre-booking is permitted only after the official race manual is released (three weeks prior to start). However, Booking your accommodations "on the fly" during the race is encouraged for maximum flexibility.

  • While many races forbid drafting, the Nordic Chase prioritizes Community and Safety.

    • The Rule of Three: Drafting is permitted in pods of a maximum of 3 Nordic Chase riders.

    • No Pelotons: To ensure public road safety, larger "trains" or pelotons are prohibited.

    • Splitting Groups: Groups larger than three must split into separate pods and maintain a 12-meter distance between them.

    • Road Safety: Don’t be in your Aero/TT bars while drafting in a pod; your hands must remain on the brakes.

    • Don’t litter. Carry trash to the next bin or resupply point.

    • Respect landscapes, wildlife, and local communities.

    • Ride responsibly around other riders, vehicles, and pedestrians.

    • Know your limits. Avoid unnecessary risks.

    • Help riders who are injured or in danger.

    • Follow all traffic laws in Denmark and Germany.

    • Use lights after dark.

  • Mandatory:

    • Helmet

    • Front and rear lights

    Recommendations:

    • Reflective vest at night

    • Follow the official GPS route

    • You may temporarily leave for resupply, rest, or sightseeing, but return to the exact point you left.

    • In the event of road interruptions or closures, riders are responsible for finding an alternate route to bypass the interruption and rejoin the official route.

    • The provided GPS tracker must be carried by the rider at all times.

    • Participants are responsible for keeping the GPS tracker functional and sufficiently charged throughout the event.

    • Rankings are based on total elapsed time from start to finish, including all stops

    • Participants must have a liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses and repatriation, valid for the event’s duration.

    • A copy of your insurance will be asked before the event.

    • Rider briefing and official start time are mandatory.

    • Maximum allowed time: 100 hours.

    • Late finishers: must return tracker by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. You may hand a back-sized bag (max. 30 liters / 10 kg) at the start (no large or bulky luggage, please). Our team will transport it by van to Copenhagen.

  • Yes we can give you a carton bike box at arrival. This can be bought as a ticket upgrade when registering for the event.

  • Yes, you can buy this upgrade when registering for the event.

  • Yes, we are lenient on this. However, accommodation bookings along the route are only recommended after the official race manual has been released (three weeks before the race start), as the manual contains the final, official race route. The current route displayed on this website can still be altered (for final optimizations). Booking accommodations in advance before the start date is allowed to reduce costs. However, we recommend booking your accommodations during the race because this will provide you more flexibility and you will be able to maybe share it with another participant(s).

  • The first rider to reach Copenhagen wins. Time is total elapsed time, including all stops, rests, and repairs.

  • Yes, via GPS trackers from FollowMyChallenge. You must follow the official route to be ranked.

  • Yes, but there are some rules to keep the competition fair, balanced with a social spirit and safety:

    • The Rule of Three: You may draft in "pods" of up to three riders.

    • No Pelotons: We want to avoid large pelotons on the course. Since we are riding on public roads, large groups can become unsafe. To manage this, we strictly implement the Rule of Three.

    • The Goal: This rule keeps the competition fair, the roads safe, and the vibe personal.

  • Yes, 100 hours maximum, including rest and stops.

  • No. Outside assistance is prohibited.

  • Both. Some riders aim for the win; others enjoy the journey at their own pace.

Version History

Update from 27/01/2025

We’ve expanded our drafting rules. Previously limited to pairs, we now allow pods of 3 riders. We made this change to ensure no one gets left behind if you signed up in uneven groups.