You don't have to be a professional cyclist to explore Estonia's beauty on two wheels.
Bike riding is a healthy way to experience nature at your own pace. Besides leisurely afternoon joyrides, visitors to Estonia can also participate in some of Europe's biggest cycling competitions. There are events suitable for all skill levels and ages.
The open road
During long summer days, a cyclist could tour Estonia in about two weeks.
Photo by: Oliver Moosus
BMX, cyclocross, road and mountain biking
The varied terrain and seasons in Estonia provide prime cycling opportunities; the country is relatively flat (the highest point, Suur Munamägi, is only 318 metres), roads are free of heavy traffic, and the distances between sights are short yet scenic. Professional, high speed road races take place on winding countryside routes, while mountain bikes, fat-bikes and cyclocross bikes conquer off-road tracks. Short-distance fun rides for beginners and children where no one gets left behind are a perfect summertime nature outing. You can transport your bike from abroad or rent one from a number of shops, hotels and leisure facilities.
Riding together
Some events, such as the Gran Fondo, are relaxed, non-competitive group rides.
Photo by: Magnus Heinmets
Bike races and events
There are cycling races and bike rides happening almost every week across Estonia between May and September. Here are the events you don't want to miss:
- Gran Fondo Estonia, 4th of May (from Tartu) and 20th of August 2019 (from Tallinn). Only 350 riders.
- Burning Stone Bike Race will take place in Kurtna on the 11th of May.
- Tour of Estonia, May 24th - 25th, is a UCI class professional race. The tour starts in Tallinn and ends in Tartu.
- On the 26th of May, Tartu Rattaralli will take place. This is open for all cycling enthusiasts and is the follow-up event of Tour of Estonia.
- Take your chance in Cross-country bike marathon at Alutaguse on the 1st of June
- 15st of June go to Otepää for IRONMAN 70.3 Otepää triathlon festival. It also includes half distantce IRONMAN 70.3 Otepää triathlon and many side events.
- Expedition Estonia, June 21-22nd. It is a non-stop coast to coast multisport race: on foot, by bike and canoe/kayak. And it starts on the shortest night of Estonian summer!
- Husqvarna Estonian Cross-Country Olympic Cup in Narva will take place on the 7th of July.
- Ironman Tallinn will be held in Estonia, in Tallinn, 3rd August. Altogether there will be more than 1000 triathletes from all over the world in the start.
- Tartu Cycling Marathon, September 15th, is the largest mountain bike race in the Baltics and the third largest in the world. A children's mini marathon is also on the programme.
- Hiiumaa Cycling Weekend will take place on October 5-6. It is the only bicycle race in Estonia where outdoor candles are used to show the way to the competitors on the picturesque tracks
Cycling community is more and more active and every week(end) you can find different organised free rides for MTB/FAT bikes in endless single tracks or road bikes on roads with small traffic.
For further events, check out the Estonia Triathlon Association calendar.
