BORDERLINE700

BORDERLINE700 – Gouda, Netherlands

• Date: 18-20 September 2026
• Location: Gouda, Netherlands
• Distances: ~700 km
• Event Type: Self-supported Bikepacking Race

The BORDERLINE700 is an unsupported bikepacking race Netherlands based, beginning and ending in the historic city of Gouda. Over one long weekend, riders will tackle a fixed 700-kilometre route that journeys to the legendary Roubaix Velodrome in France and back. With a 60-hour time limit, the event is a true test of endurance, strategy, and self-reliance, attracting both seasoned ultra-racers and those new to the world of long-distance cycling. It offers a profound challenge set against a backdrop of classic European cycling landscapes.

The route begins on a Friday morning, rolling out from Gouda through the quiet landscapes of the Netherlands, characterized by windmills, dikes, and expansive polders. The course then heads south, crossing into Belgium to confront the iconic climbs of the Flemish Ardennes. This varied terrain offers a mix of flat, wind-swept sections and punchy hills, demanding a steady rhythm and careful pacing from all participants. The journey is a significant undertaking, and one of the most notable bikepacking races in the Netherlands.

At the 350-kilometre mark, riders reach the race’s emotional centerpiece: the Roubaix Velodrome. Here, at Checkpoint 2, participants complete a lap of the hallowed track, a moment steeped in cycling history. The facilities offer a brief sanctuary, with the opportunity to use the mythic Paris-Roubaix showers and even rest within the building. The Van Rysel Café provides hot food and coffee, allowing riders to refuel before starting the return journey to Gouda.

The format is strictly self-supported. This means no outside assistance, no support crews, and no pre-arranged help. Riders must rely entirely on their own planning and resilience, carrying everything they need or acquiring it at commercial establishments along the route. Participants can enter as a solo rider or as a pair, sharing the experience side-by-side. Each rider carries a GPS tracker, allowing friends, family, and dot-watchers to follow the adventure as it unfolds on a live map.

As riders leave Roubaix, the route continues through the rolling hills of Heuvelland before navigating the windswept islands and plains of Zeeland on the way back north. This final leg tests the resolve of tired bodies and minds. For those who cross the finish line in Gouda before the Sunday evening cut-off, a finisher’s beer and a special souvenir await. The event is one of many other gravel events in Netherlands, but its character is unique. More details are on the official event website.