CYCLING EVENTS
Five mountain bike events offer a variety of terrains, distances, and even modes of racing. We are again offering lap and short course racing, and a Le Mans start in the XCM. There’s sure to be an event you’ll enjoy. E-Bike categories in all events over 10km!
*Discounts are available for schools, running clubs, and/or corporate groups of 20 or more people. TZ/KE citizenship will earn you drink and merchandise vouchers on a few of the races as well! For more details, see our registration page.
Kili Trails XCM (70km MTB / Gravel)
Our 2027 Cross-Country Marathon course is all new!
The course will begin fast (even a little tarmac) before passing through Elerai village and then climbing gravel roads into West Kili Forest. The single track descent from the forest will be a first for cyclists at the festival, following the half marathon course back to Simba Farm.
1400 meters of climbing | LE MANS start!!! | 2 feed zones on course | this is a race for EXPERIENCED cyclists only, and riders should be entirely self-sufficient with bikes in excellent working condition | we WILL enforce (moderate) time cutoffs on course in 2027 | E-bikes welcome
Limited to 60 cyclists | Open to ages 16+
Start: 8:00 Saturday 4th September
Price: $70 through 29JAN
*TZ / KE citizens receive TZS 25,000/= voucher with proof of citizenship at packet pickup, for use in the bar or at the merchandise tent.
West Kili Forest XC (40km MTB)
A shortened version of our XCM, highlighting West Kili Forest | combination of gravel & singletrack | 880 meters of climbing | this event is designed for cyclists with good endurance, who want to get out and see the area, but not spend all day on a bike | one feed zone | E-bikes welcome | Parents, note this event DOES use the main highway, open to traffic!
Limited to 120 cyclists | Open to ages 16+
(Younger children may ride with a parent or guardian)
Start: 8:45 Saturday 4th September
Price: $50 through 29JAN
*TZ / KE citizens receive TZS 25,000/= voucher with proof of citizenship at packet pickup, for use in the bar or at the merchandise tent.
Masawanga XCO (20km MTB)
Our version of the Cross-Country Olympic event is 2 laps of 10 kilometers, alternating between West Kilimanjaro Forest single track and Simba Farm property | total climbing 470 meters | no feed zones, but racer’s personal bags available upon completion of the first lap | E-bikes welcome
Limited to 80 cyclists
Start: 8:00 Sunday 5th September
Price: $40 through 29JAN
*TZ / KE citizens receive TZS 25,000/= voucher with proof of citizenship at packet pickup, for use in the bar or at the merchandise tent.
Masawanga Mini XCO (10km MTB)
The Mini Cross-Country Olympic event is a single loop of the XCO course | approximately 235 meters climbing over the 10-kilometer loop into West Kilimanjaro Forest | no feed zones | this course is terrific for VERY determined beginners
Limited to 80 cyclists
Start: 14:00 on Saturday 4th September
Price: $30 through 29JAN
*TZ / KE citizens receive TZS 25,000/= voucher with proof of citizenship at packet pickup, for use in the bar or at the merchandise tent.
Simba Farm XCC (4.5km MTB)
The most exciting race of the weekend, our Cross-Country Short Course is 3 high speed laps on a 1.5 kilometer loop entirely within view of the race village | this crowd-pleasing 4.5-kilometer event is designed with children and beginners in mind | this event will be run in heats
Limited to 80 cyclists
Start: 13:00 Saturday 4th September
Price: $5 through 29JAN
Mountain bike rentals are available from two vendors:
Suggested race bike: Titan Drone Elite
Suggested e-bike: Scott Strike 930
All bikes are tubeless and come standard with helmet, spare inner tube, patches, allen key set, and pump.
More information coming soon.
Bicycle rentals
Bicycle accessories & gear sales
Post-race bicycle washing services
More information coming soon.
“Only those who risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go.”
— T.S. Eliot