303 Lucerne

303 Lucerne is a self-supported, single-stage bikepacking loop that starts and finishes in Lucerne and spends two days on the finest dirt roads the area has to offer. Most of the course runs on natural roads and singletrail, with some technical sections up and down, so the organisers suggest a mountain bike for anyone who values comfort over speed.

The spirit is set out in a short manifesto: carry what you need or find it along the way, no support crews or pre-booked help, stay on the track, leave no trace and travel to the start by public transport. Riders can enter alone or as a pair sharing resources, carry a GPS tracker, and pass through towns where they can sleep and resupply. The effort is timed, but nobody is celebrated for being fastest: daring to start is what earns the praise, and everyone gets a meal back in Lucerne.

The 2027 ride is the fourth edition of a small event whose third edition in 2026 was its biggest yet, on a course the organisers call wild and challenging. They offset the event's estimated carbon footprint and are adding a lighter route with about half the climbing for riders who want the experience without the full sting.