MessengerACDL Challenge 2026
Event summary
The Desafio ACDL 2026 is a gravel and mountain bike challenge taking place on July 18 and 19, 2026, in Lamelas, Santo Tirso, Portugal. Participants can choose from three distances: 100 km, 200 km, and 400 km, each requiring full autonomy and GPS navigation.
This event is open to all Portuguese and international participants without the need for any sports license or affiliation. It is a non-competitive challenge emphasizing personal endurance and self-management in mountain terrain, with no official classification.
Riders must be prepared for the physical and mental demands of long-distance gravel riding, including night riding for the longer distances, and must comply with traffic rules and respect private properties. The event fosters camaraderie and personal challenge in a demanding natural setting.
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Plan itInformation
Start/finish locations: Sede da ACDL, Lamelas, Santo Tirso (GPS: 41.284846, -8.474639)
Start times per category/distance:
• 100 Km: 08:00 H | 18/07
• 200 Km: 06:00 H | 18/07
• 400 Km: 06:00 H | 18/07
Cut-off times:
• 100 Km: 20:00 H | 18/07 (12 hours)
• 200 Km: 23:59 H | 18/07 (18 hours)
• 400 Km: 17:00 H | 19/07 (35 hours)
Participants limit:
• 100 Km: 150
• 200 Km: 150
• 400 Km: 50
Registration deadline: 15 July 2026
Surface types: Gravel and mountain bike suitable terrain
Course format: Total autonomy with GPS navigation required; no marked course
Race routes:
• 100 Km
• 200 Km
• 400 Km
Timing method: No official classification or timing
Toilets and aid station placement: Balneários available; no aid stations on course
Prizes: Medalha de Finisher for all participants who complete their registered distance
Location
get directionsRaces
MTB 400 km
MTB 200 km
MTB 100 km
Gravel 400 km
Gravel 200 km
Gravel 100 km
E-bike 400 km
E-bike 200 km
E-bike 100 km
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: participant kit included
🏅 Finisher prize: finisher medal for all who complete their distance
⏱️ Live tracking available for 200 km and 400 km distances
🛡️ Insurance: personal accident insurance included
🧳 GPS tracks of the routes provided
🚿 Showers and changing rooms available at start/finish
📸 Photographers and audiovisual records collected during the event