Birkebeinerrittet

Birkebeinerrittet is an 84 km mountain bike race in Norway, from Rena to Håkons Hall in Lillehammer. It has been held annually since 1993 and is the world's largest by number of participants; over 17,000 riders have registered and more than 15,000 have finished in a single year. The route consists mostly of fire roads, with some paved sections and some single- and dual-track riding. Each participant must carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kg, a rule referencing the Birkebeiner loyalists who transported the infant heir to the Norwegian throne to safety in medieval Norway.