The Ardennes Monster

Name: The Ardennes Monster
Start: 2025-08-13T08:00:00+08:00
End: 2025-08-17T17:00:00+08:00
Location: Namur, Belgium

August 13 @ 8:00 am - August 17 @ 5:00 pm

Resist & Ride Belgium Ultracycling Challenge – 2025
Event Background
The Resist & Ride Belgium Ultracycling Challenge (also known as the Ardennes Monster) is an intense, ultra-distance cycling event designed for experienced cyclists seeking a grueling challenge. With its course spanning over 1000 kilometers (or 500 km options), this event tests both the physical and mental limits of riders as they tackle an incredible 20,000 meters of elevation gain. The race takes place across Belgium’s challenging and scenic Ardennes region, showcasing the country’s rugged terrain.
This race, organized by OVEMOVE, offers two main categories: individual “SOLO” riders and paired “TEAM X2” participants. It’s an entirely self-supported race, emphasizing rider autonomy without external assistance. The event takes place at night and day, demanding meticulous preparation and resilience.
Event Schedule
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Start Time: 8:00 PM (Europe/Paris)
SOLO 1000: 1000km route with 20,000 meters of elevation
TEAM X2 1000: Team of 2 participants, 1000km route, 20,000 meters elevation
SOLO 500 – EVEREST: 500km route with 8,848 meters elevation (Everest Challenge)
TEAM X2 500 – EVEREST: Team of 2 participants, 500km route, 8,848 meters elevation
Registration Details
Eligibility: Open to riders 18 years and older
Registration Requirements:
Completed registration form
Paid entry fee
Signed declaration of honor
Medical certificate confirming fitness for ultra-cycling
Personal accident insurance policy
Civil liability insurance
Registration Deadline: Sunday, December 22, 2024, 11:59 PM (Europe/Paris)
Entry Fee
SOLO 1000:
€235 before December 15, 2023
€270 after December 15, 2023
TEAM X2 1000 (per teammate):
€220/team member before December 15, 2023
€250 after December 15, 2023
SOLO 500 – EVEREST:
€185
TEAM X2 500 – EVEREST (per teammate):
€175
The Route
The Ardennes Monster route spans approximately 1000km (distance subject to changes based on GPS providers), with over 20,000 meters of elevation gain for the 1000km challenge. The course winds through Belgium’s scenic Ardennes regions, including parts of Namur, Liège, and Luxembourg provinces.

Route Characteristics:
The route is specifically designed to minimize major roads and maximize cycling-friendly paths.
It will be recognized and mapped by the organizer for optimal cycling conditions.
The route will be available on Strava and RideWithGPS at least one month before the event.
Checkpoints:
Two mandatory checkpoints will be distributed along the course where participants will need to clock in and confirm their passage.
Experience
Self-supported Adventure:
The event is completely self-supported. No external assistance (such as a follow car or support crew) is allowed. Riders must be entirely self-sufficient throughout the event, using their equipment and handling their repairs.
Participants can refuel at stores, hotels, or bivouacs along the way, but no external logistical support is permitted.
Autonomy & Safety:
Riders must manage their sleep, navigation, and repairs during the challenge. They must ensure safety measures are in place, such as maintaining visibility with lights and reflective gear. The event takes place on open roads, so participants must follow the highway code and demonstrate safe behavior at all times.
They are also required to carry mandatory gear such as a helmet, front and rear lamps, first aid kit, GPS, and more.
Atmosphere:
The Ardennes Monster is not just a race but a mental and physical challenge. Riders must push themselves to their limits through unpredictable weather and terrain. While there is a ranking, the event’s focus is on personal achievement, making it more of a test of endurance, grit, and determination than a competition to win.
This challenging adventure offers a unique opportunity for cyclists looking for an ultimate endurance test in one of Europe’s most scenic and rugged cycling regions.

Details

Start:: August 13 @ 8:00 am
End:: August 17 @ 5:00 pm
Event Category:: Road Races
Event Tags:: 000 meters elevation, 1000 km cycling challenge, 1000km Cycling Challenge, 500 km Everest challenge cycling, Ardennes Monster cycling challenge, Ardennes ultracycling adventure, Autonomous Race, Belgium Cycling Event, Belgium endurance cycling race, Belgium Ultracycling, Belgium ultracycling race, Belgium ultracycling route, cycling adventure, Cycling challenge Belgium, Cycling events for experienced riders, Cycling Health Requirements, Cycling race with 20, Cycling Regulations, Cycling Safety Gear, Cycling with GPS Navigation, Cyclists endurance Belgium, Elevation Gain, Endurance cycling events Europe, European cycling challenges, Everest Challenge, extreme cycling event, Long distance cycling events, Mountainous Route, Self-supported bike race Belgium, self-supported cycling, Self-supported ultracycling race, Solo Cycling, Solo ultracycling race Belgium, Team Cycling, Team ultracycling challenge, Ultra-cycling events 2025, Ultra-cycling race registration, Ultra-distance cycling races 2025, Ultracycling
Website:: https://themonster.be/en/

Venue

: Namur, Belgium
: Namur, Belgium + Google Map
: View Venue Website