Ultra-distance cycling has a habit of looking like one kind of rider. We would rather it didn't. MONUMENTAL is built so that a first-time bikepacker, a FLINTA rider heading out alone at night and a seasoned Grand Tour finisher can all be at the same campsite and all belong there.
A share of every route is held for FLINTA riders and people of colour, and those places stay open until the very last minute — even when the rest of the event is full.
A reduced entry fee for FLINTA riders, because cost is one of the first barriers to a four-day event.
Riders can hide their live dot on the public tracker at any time. Several riders told us this is what made riding through the night feel safe.
It is not a race. Nobody is timed out, nobody is swept up, and the Grand Tour has no cut-off at all — you ride your own event.
Camp sits within riding distance of a station, so you don't need a car or a support driver to take part.
Where a sector is genuinely unrideable for some riders, we mark it in the roadbook and keep an alternative in mind — feedback on this is what shaped the 2027 routes.
“I loved meeting all those cool FLINTA people along the way. And good that you left the booking open for FLINTA and POCs until the very last minute. In general everyone I met on the track was very kind and supportive. You gathered a wonderful community there.”
“It was great to have a FLINTA discount — there were more women on the 300 I think than on the 500 and 800, but I'm sure it will change step by step.”
“I think it's very inspiring to see, and I really appreciate your efforts to democratize and diversify our sport.”
We are not finished. Every edition we ask every rider what worked and what didn't, and the answers change the next one. If something about MONUMENTAL keeps you from signing up, tell us: info@monumentalgravel.com.