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The Transcordilleras is a 1,000km self-supported bikepacking race across the Andes in Colombia. Traversing three mountain ranges, with more than 22,000m of climbing over eight stages, the race features a wide range of terrains, climates and challenges. Andres Vargas, Bicycle Technician at Signature Cycles, took on this year's edition of the race.
Photos by @transcordilleras @lavueltaesasi
— How has the race been?
We are back from a fantastic week of racing the Colombian gravel roads, from high and cold in the Páramos to the jungle heat and humidity of the Magdalena River. I spent 55:30 hours riding, and I managed to have a negative split by the end of the race; I felt really strong the last four days. The course was definitely the roughest and most technical I have ever encountered, but my bike setup shone perfectly, and I did not have any mechanical issues on the trip.
Mentally, I was stoic and didn't let negative thoughts dig too deep into my head. People who have done this event know that being mentally strong is paramount.
And definitely, my experience in significant gravel events like Traka 200 Miles and Unbound 350 Miles helped out a great deal in this adventure.
— What advice would you give to someone who was thinking of racing next year?
Like the race organizer Mauricio said on a podcast before the race, "Eat less, ride more" is always the quick and straight-to-reality answer. But life always manages to get in the way of that simple task. My advice for people interested in finishing under the rules of the event and being available to enjoy the ride is to try the three-day version first, as I did. That gives you an excellent idea of what you will face on the 8-day version. You would be able to play with your bike-packing setups and, last but not least, to prepare mentally for the journey.
— What does the race mean to you?
The camera crew asked me this question while I was riding stage 3. At that moment, I answered that it was the most beautiful and challenging race in the world. I still think it is true, but now, after the 2025 edition, what I like the most about Transcordilleras are the friendships I have made in the years I have attended. In the first and last stages, friends I made on the previous edition came to the road to say hi and cheer me up. That was magical. It is also very special for me to be able to bring my friends from Connecticut to experience the Colombia on a bicycle, Jorrit even picks up some Colombian manners on the road. (Buenas!)
— What are the best aspects of the race, and what are the toughest?
The best aspect of Transcordilleras is that the course changes every year, and even if they pass through the same towns of previous editions, the course is entirely different. But in this event, you can't separate the best from the toughest because that is what makes it special. Colombia's unique mountainous geography makes it so beautiful and brutally hard. The tropical weather makes it technical and unpredictable, and you must be ready for anything. Last but not least, there are the friendships made along the way, UNA CHIMBA COLOMBIA!
