9. Ukupacha Extreme
It’s no easy task to earn the title of “the toughest extreme race,” especially as the ability of top hard enduro riders continues to climb to dizzying heights. It’s a moniker all extreme races strive to earn, and for some who have raced Ukupacha Extreme, including America’s ISDE champion Taylor Robert, the Ecuadorian race takes the crown.
There are quite a few notable extreme enduros popping up in the Americas, including El Inka in Peru and Avanda Rocks in Mexico City, but Ukupacha tops them all in organization, originality and in difficulty.
Speaking of dizzying heights, Ukupacha takes place in Quito, one of the world’s highest cities sitting at over 9,000 feet. The race starts with the Endurocross-style prologue inside Quito’s biggest bullfighting arena, which riders first have to race their way into.
The following day riders take on the Andes Mountains where they face an extreme mix of terrain—from thick jungle to dusty desert-like terrain and barren gravel slopes. After six hours of forging through unforgiving wilderness, a handful of riders make it to the finish, while the vast majority time out.
Ukupacha’s daunting nature ensures the event lives up to its name; translated from Equador’s native Quichua language, it means hell.
2016 Ukupacha Extreme Enduro Highlights
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