There is a new name in the annals of Iberica‑Traversa: Richard Schroeder has claimed the title of first finisher on the 2025 Gravel & Trail route, rolling into Tarifa on 28.09.2025 at 20:42 after 7 days, 12 hours, and 38 minutes of solo unsupported riding.
A Ride of Endurance and Strategy
Richard tackled the course with measured consistency – averaging 7 to 9 hours of rest each night – a pacing strategy that carried him steadily across the varied terrain of the Iberian Peninsula. This discipline, combined with resilience through the tough stretches, defined his success.
Standing Against the Record
While Richard’s ride is a landmark for 2025, the all‑time route record remains unbroken: 6 days, 16 hours, 16 minutes, set by Kim Raeymaekers in 2021. Nevertheless, Richard’s time is a formidable benchmark, especially given the challenges of gravel and trail terrain.
More Than a Time on the Clock
What makes Richard’s accomplishment striking is not just that he was first this year – but that he crossed difficult terrain with poise, managing fatigue, navigation, and terrain transitions. The Gravel & Trail route is a demanding test of bikepacking skill, and his performance will surely inspire others to challenge their limits.
We extend heartfelt congratulations to Richard Schroeder – and look forward to more finishers arriving in the days to come.
The 2025 edition of the Iberica-Traversa Road Route has its first finisher: Justus Koch. Riding solo and unsupported across 1,812 kilometers with over 28,000 meters of elevation, Justus crossed the finish line in Tarifa after 5 days, 22 hours, and 1 minute on the road – a massive personal achievement in his very first solo ultra-distance bikepacking race.
Though the course record of 5 days, 12 hours, 14 minutes, set by Gosiane in 2024, remains unbroken, Justus’ ride stands out not only for its speed and consistency but for the personal journey it represents.
A Personal Breakthrough
Before the race, Justus wasn’t even sure he could finish. Despite a summer of training in the Alps, climbing countless mountain passes, the challenge of crossing an entire country – from the rugged north to the windswept southern coast – still loomed large. But with a calm, determined strategy and plenty of endurance in reserve, he pushed through every stage, steadily moving up the virtual leaderboard.
He chose to sleep every night along the way – a rare and risky decision in such a competitive race. That is, until the final stage. With Tarifa in sight and the legs still willing, Justus rested for 10 hours and then rode through the night to complete his final push to the finish line.
A Race Against Limits
What makes Justus’ ride so inspiring isn’t just the time on the clock – it’s the mindset behind it. Iberica-Traversa has a reputation for breaking riders long before the final checkpoint. The road route may not follow gravel or remote off-road tracks, but the relentless climbing, exposed terrain, and mental fatigue test every participant to their limit.
For a first-time solo ultra-racer to not only complete the course but to win the race and finish in under six days, all while sticking to a consistent sleep strategy, speaks volumes about his preparation and resilience.
Congratulations, Justus – you’ve earned your place in Iberica-Traversa history.
On Sunday morning, 32 riders set off from Irun, Spain, marking the start of the 2025 Iberica-Traversa. Among them, 11 riders have chosen the Gravel & Trail route, while two brave participants are tackling the epic 4,023 km “2-Continents” route, which finishes all the way in Sidi Ifni, Morocco.
The start wasn’t easy – cold temperatures, rain, and tough conditions greeted the riders until about 20 km before Checkpoint 1 in Pamplona. But soon after, the sun broke through, offering the kind of weather we usually expect in Spain.
Still, the conditions are far from the heat that had been forecast just days earlier. Daytime temperatures in northern Spain are hovering around 15°C, with nighttime lows dipping to just 5°C – making this possibly one of the coldest editions of the Iberica-Traversa to date.
We’ve already received three times more registrations for Iberica-Traversa than in previous years – far beyond our original limit. However, based on past experience with last-minute cancellations in autumn events, we are still accepting new registrations. Please note: registration may close earlier than the posted deadline without further notice.
Our connection with the Gorafe Desert goes back to 2017. Andy was scouting the route for the original NorthCape-Tarifa, following what the map promised to be a paved road. But when he rolled in from the north on his bike, he found himself staring into something utterly unexpected: a vast, otherworldly expanse that looked more like Mars than mainland Europe. And the paved road turned to be a gravel road.
It was a moment of serendipity. That “wrong turn” became a defining inspiration – this surreal terrain, with its jagged ridges and deep canyons, had to be part of something bigger. It was here that the idea sparked: Spain needs a serious gravel event, and it has to cut right through this moonscape.
Since the first edition of the Iberica-Traversa, the route has led riders straight through this wild corner of Andalusia. Many have compared it to the American Southwest – only with fewer tourists and more solitude. The Desierto de Gorafe, also called Los Coloraos for its striking red rock formations, remains a hidden gem for riders, photographers, and explorers alike.
But Gorafe is more than just dramatic landscapes. The nearby village is famous for its cave houses – dwellings carved directly into the hillsides. These age-old homes keep cool in the scorching summer and warm in the cold winter months, blending human ingenuity with natural design. The area is also rich in prehistory, home to over 200 dolmens, making it one of Europe’s most concentrated sites of megalithic structures. The Gorafe Megalithic Park is a must-see for anyone drawn to ancient mysteries.
And when the sun sets, the magic continues. With some of the lowest light pollution in Spain, Gorafe is a stargazer’s paradise. The desert lies within the Granada Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark, which celebrates its geological wonders and cosmic silence.
For us, Gorafe isn’t just a waypoint – it’s a reminder that the best discoveries often begin with a surprise. And ever since 2018, it’s been an essential part of the journey.
Good news for riders tackling the Ibérica-Traversa road route – the stretch through El Colmenar has received a welcome upgrade with a new road surface. The smoother tarmac makes this scenic segment even more enjoyable, offering a more fluid ride through one of southern Spain’s most beautiful rural areas.
Nestled between cork oak forests and rugged mountains, El Colmenar is a peaceful stopover that attracts hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers alike. The Guadiaro River, which flows alongside the route, supports a rich ecosystem. Its lush, green banks are home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna, making the area a true biodiversity hotspot.
The surrounding forests are dominated by cork oak trees (Quercus suber), which flourish in the Mediterranean climate. Cork is sustainably harvested from the bark every 9 to 12 years without damaging the trees – a traditional craft carried out by skilled workers known as corcheros.
Andalucía is one of Europe’s most important cork-producing regions. The material is used in everything from wine stoppers and flooring to eco-friendly insulation. These “alcornocales” (cork oak forests) also play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Nearby, the Los Alcornocales Natural Park is one of the largest and most pristine cork oak forests in Europe – a natural treasure well worth appreciating as you ride by.
While in Spain for the 45-SouthWest.com event, we had the chance to scout some sections of the Iberica-Traversa route. These photos were taken just a week ago in the stunning region around El Colmenar and Cortes de la Frontera.
El Colmenar, nestled along the Guadiaro River, is a hidden gem – accessible only by a narrow, winding road or the scenic railway that winds its way through the valley alongside the river. The area offers breathtaking landscapes and a real sense of adventure – true to the spirit of the Iberica-Traversa.
Registration fee for the 2025 Iberica-Traversa will increase from July 23th, 00:01!
