Rat Race Adventure Sports

Apr 28th, 2023

I have taken part in several Rat Races Bucketlist events (Outer Hebrides, Patagonia, Mongolia, Namibia), and cannot rate them high enough. The locations, the crews, the logistics are all top class. Rat Race is obviously a business but theyre not primarily driven by money and profits. Its more about a love for adventure and camaraderie. For example, I was one of only 3 participants of Week 1 of Glacier to Glacier (Patagonia) in 2021. Rat Race could have easily deferred the event, but they did not. And it was an amazing experience, from start to finish. As were all the other events I took part in and as I am looking forward to future ones to be. I am very impressed by the organization of these events. Clearly a lot of planning and preparation go into it, but the event directors and crews are also nimble and able to adjust to unexpected circumstances. Please take no heed of the negative reviews / reviewers: some people just have a sense of entitlement and are simply impossible to please. I cant wait for my next adventure!
Feb 15th, 2023

Ive just returned from my 2nd ratrace event. Ive completed Iceland Coast to Coast in 2022 and now Trans Andean in 2023. My honest opinion is that they have been excellent events that are truly unique. In both cases I have been enabled to do the sports I love while in truly remote and remarkable places that without a company like ratrace, it simply is not possible to do. The logistical feat to put on such well supported events for large groups in these places is what sets this company apart from others. They give you so much help and support to achieve the best you can and are there to pick you up and keep you happy even if you fail. My most recent experience, in South America was without doubt the defining experience of my life so far. The route, the views and the group energy were all fantastic. A true feeling of support from everyone on the trip. It really felt like we were doing something special. Looking back now, I think the most remarkable thing is how I was able to focus on nothing but cycling and enjoying the trip. At no point did I have to worry about safety, security or logistics. Everything just kind of happened.. Ive done a lot of this type of event at various price points, and I would have to rate ratrace as the best for isolating you from the negatives of such things, and allowing you to fully embrace the positives. Do things always go to plan? No of course not that is fundamentally the nature of massive scale exploration type events. Anyone that says otherwise simply has not got experience in the field. So you judge the organisation by how they fix problems and isolate you, as customers, from said problems. We had a few plan changes in both of my events due to dangerous weather and alike, in both cases the organisers on the ground (Rob & Abbi) sorted it and I was drinking a beer in safety without trouble. Bottom line is, Ive delayed buying a house to afford these trips. And do I regret it? Not one penny. If youre going to spend on a lifetime level adventure then I recommend ratrace to anyone.
Jan 15th, 2023

Love this company. Ive done numerous of there 1 day U.K. based events (Man vs Lakes, Dirty Weekend, Man vs Mountain etc) as well as their longer bucket list adventures. Id highly recommend them. TMy personal favourite is Patagonia Glacier to Glacier. Absolutely stunning trip. Thanks again Rat Race!
Jan 6th, 2023

Glacier-to-Glacier in Patagonia delivered everything it promised. This was my third Rat Race experience (the others were in Namibia & Iceland) and, as always, it was an exhilarating and well-organised adventure. Several friends from previous RR events were in attendance too, which was great. The usual challenges of weather, kit choices and general fitness raised their heads, but many/most of us were able to complete what we call 'EAK' - 'Every Available Kilometre'. (Doesn't always follow that the whole proposed route can be completed, if conditions don't allow - Safety is taken very seriously, by the RR staff and medics!) The scenery was as spectacular as advertised, the routes challenging and the attention required to get the most out of what is, after all, an adventure, was at its height. Food and accommodation, especially the camping section, was very good, considering what we were doing & where. Inevitably, on a trip like this, something will go wrong. The measure of the team looking after you, is what proves their worth. We had issues with over-officious park rangers, but were able to circumvent most of that, with a bit of quick thinking and the following day's 'off-piste' adventure became a proper challenge of character and endurance. All the while Rat Race staff were on course, ahead and behind. Be assured, the people who run Rat Race, their local organisers and guides know their stuff, especially when things get tough and edgy. Incredibly detailed logistical plans can be adapted, amended or completely changed to suit conditions and environment. We had potentially serious issues in Namibia, Iceland and now Patagonia. All of them were resolved by the contingency plans and resourcefulness of the RatRace team. In all these trips are (to my mind) MEANT to be a challenge. If you want a day-trip to a glacier, a cocktail in a five-star hotel and a widescreen TV, there's always Kuoni. If you want to test yourself and find out whether you have character and determination, with a spirit of adventure, there's RatRace. Thanks Jim, Rob, Abbi, James, David and all the others who make up your team. I, for one, will be back for more.
Jan 6th, 2023