Cycling is an exhilarating sport. From competitive road racing to serene weekend rides, it has something for everyone. But then, there’s a whole other side to cycling—a world of truly bizarre and unconventional races that defy logic, test creativity, and sometimes leave you scratching your head. These aren’t your average Tour de France stages. These are the wild, wacky, and wonderfully weird cycling events from around the globe.

If you're ready for a detour down the unpaved road of eccentric cycling, here are some of the most bizarre races you’ve probably never heard of.

1. The World Naked Bike Ride - Global

What could be stranger than pedaling your bike through a bustling city… in your birthday suit? The World Naked Bike Ride is a cheeky global event where participants strip down for a cause. The ride advocates for cycling rights, fuel-free transportation, and body positivity, all while baring (almost) everything to the world.

From Portland to London and beyond, cyclists of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels come together to experience this liberating ride. And if you’re wondering, no, it’s not about going fast; it’s more about making a statement and having a laugh. Just remember sunscreen—you’ll thank yourself later.

2. Race Across the Sky - Leadville, USA

The Leadville Trail 100 is already famous for being a grueling endurance test, but sprinkle in some staggering altitudes and you’ve got the aptly named “Race Across the Sky.” Set in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this 100-mile mountain bike race doesn’t just challenge your legs—it pushes your lungs.

Riders climb over 12,000 feet in elevation, battling oxygen deprivation while praying their legs don’t give out on treacherous switchbacks. Combine that with unpredictable weather, and you’ve got one of cycling’s toughest—and most bizarrely appealing—events. Completing this race earns you serious bragging rights and a coveted belt buckle (because why not?).

3. La Course de Baignoires à Pédales - Dinant, Belgium

Translation? The Bath Tub Bike Race. Yes, it’s as zany as it sounds. Every year in the Belgian town of Dinant, participants build bicycle-powered contraptions that look like bathtubs and race them along the town’s meandering streets.

The rules are loose, creativity is encouraged, and getting laughs from spectators is almost more important than your finishing time. Expect costumes, quirky themes, and plenty of absurdity. Who needs a conventional bike frame when you can pedal a bathtub down the street?

4. The Brompton World Championship - London, UK

Cycling, but make it formal. The Brompton World Championship is a one-of-a-kind event where participants not only ride iconic folding Brompton bikes but do so in strict formal attire. That’s right—suits, ties, or skirts are non-negotiable. Lycra is banned, and kicking off the race involves frantically unfolding your bike before hopping on.

Racers zip through London streets looking like a fleet of business executives late for a meeting, and the vibes are equal parts competitive and comedic. Who said you can’t cut a dashing figure while setting personal records?

5. Chasing Cheese - Cooper’s Hill, England

Technically not a traditional cycling event, but Cooper’s Hill’s famed cheese-rolling competition has birthed a sister event for those brave enough to pursue a wheel of cheese… on bikes. The concept? Roll a 9lb round of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep hill and race after it with a bicycle.

The catch? The hill isn’t bike-friendly—it’s jagged, steep, and downright dangerous. If you think road rash sounds bad, imagine combining it with a tumble through a hedgerow. But hey, at least at the bottom, there’s cheese—assuming you survive the roll.

6. Tour de Donut - Illinois, USA

Imagine the Tour de France, but forget about the peloton and replace it with sugar-fueled riders. The Tour de Donut rewards racers not based solely on speed but also on how many donuts they can eat at designated pit stops along the course. Eating donuts takes time off your total race time, so the real strategy here is to balance gobbling pastries and not throwing up on the finish line.

Hundreds of cyclists sign up each year to indulge in the most delicious pain cave possible, and if nothing else, it’s incredible for spectators who cheer on riders stuffing their faces mid-race.

7. The World Beard and Moustache Cycling Championship - Germany

Cycling meets facial hair in this gloriously unusual race held in Germany. To qualify, participants must have an impressive beard or mustache—and the longer, the better. Riders decorate their bikes (and sometimes their facial hair) in extravagant styles, partaking in an event that feels more like a festival than a competition.

Despite the beardy silliness, there’s genuine enthusiasm for the sport, with some riders putting impressive effort into their training—and their grooming routine.

8. The Iditarod Trail Invitational - Alaska, USA

If you think cycling in the cold is no big deal, you haven’t met Alaska's Iditarod Trail Invitational. This fat-tire winter race covers up to 1,000 miles, following the famous dog-sledding route. Cyclists face extreme sub-zero temperatures, treacherous ice crossings, and total isolation.

It’s an epic test of endurance that requires as much survival knowledge as cycling know-how. For those crazy enough to sign up, it’s less about winning and more about simply finishing. If you’re one of the hardy souls who completes this monster, you’ll leave with frostbitten toes and everlasting glory.

9. The Great Victorian Bike Ride - Australia

This isn’t just a race—it’s an experience. The Great Victorian Bike Ride is part long-distance tour, part rolling festival. Participants travel over 500 glorious kilometers throughout Victoria, Australia, all while indulging in live music, food trucks, and beer along the way.

While not particularly a “bizarre” competition in the same vein as chasing cheese, its laid-back, party-like atmosphere makes it delightfully unconventional compared to serious road races.

10. Rad Race Last Man Standing - Germany

This adrenaline-pumping event is unlike any other. The Rad Race takes place on a go-kart track, where groups of cyclists race in heats. After each lap, the rider in last place is eliminated until there’s only… well, the last man (or woman) standing.

It’s fast, brutal, and packed with heart-stopping moments as riders push themselves to the limit around tight curves. Whether you're in it to race or just to spectate, the Rad Race always delivers nail-biting action.

What makes cycling so special is its versatility—it’s not just a sport; it’s a celebration of human creativity and endurance. Whether you’re pedaling in a bathtub, chasing cheese, or eating donuts to shave time off your race, these bizarre cycling events remind us that sometimes the weirdest things bring the most joy.