A couple of things. Seeing the Gates of Hell before they close. Tick.
Visiting one of the least visited countries in the world. Tick.
But... earning your right to see them, by cycling 300km from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's Capital, to the Gates of Hell over 2 days.
My 2 passions in life are fitness and REAL adventure. They bring about true self-development. So it's time to bring them together and share them with the world.
I have been organising epic group trips to wild countries over the last decade, to places like Central African Republic, Mali, Afghanistan, Yemen and I feel a huge sense of privilege being able to show people these wild places, that perhaps otherwise they wouldn't venture too.
As I've been doing that, I've been doing all the crazy stuff physical challenges above, and I knew how beneficial those experiences have been to me. How huge a part they've played in me becoming who I am. Of me feeling fulfilled, content. How it's help keep me motivated to become financially free, but also to know I'm reaching my potential. Even though most of the experiences are absolute torture while I do them!
So, now, since turning 40 this year. I want to share that with the world. I want to show people that I'm not special. I'm not some elite athlete. I'm just a guy who decided to do some epic stuff. Then some more, and more. And now I'm here. I want to create an event where you'll be the hero of the story. Not some guy or girl you follow on line.
So sure, 300km off road will be hell. But you'll be a legend when you finish it. And finish it you will. So come with me.
The first edition of HIGHWAY TO HELL ULTRACYCLE is this AUGUST, 2025. It will be a yearly event, hopefully a huge one in years to come. Come suffer with me on the first one.
How Does the Ultra Cycle Work?
Basically, all the 'athletes' (cough, cough) start on Race Day 1 at the same starting point, around sunrise. We have approximately 150km (around 100 miles) to get through today, before sunset.
We'll all be competing at different speeds (from SUPER SLOW to something marginally faster than super slow) and we'll all eventually all meet at Camp at the end of race day 1. Where our time is logged. You then eat together, cry together, and sleep in the pre-setup tents.
Race day 2, sunrise again, we eat brekkie together, meet at the start point, hear the buzzer, and go again. 150km more today. Meeting at the GATES OF HELL 5-15 hours later, depending on your speed.
Your time upon arrival at camp is logged, and added to yesterday's time and you are done!
Celebrate in a world of pain and pride. You're officially a legend. Let's get drunk.
NO! I've competed in self-sufficient races before, and I hate them.
A self-sufficient race is a race where you have to bring EVERYTHING for the enroute duration of the race. All your food, all your sleeping stuff, all your gear. 3,4 or 5 days worth. The bag is heavy. It's uncomfortable.
So, when designing my own events, I want to make it more enjoyable. Why? firstly, our race doesn't follow any 'easy route'. Lot is off-road, so we have spare bicycles, a mechanic, and water anytime you need.
So our local Turkmen team set up a wonderful camp for us each night. They provide delicious local fare, both for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. The camp will be waiting for us as we hobble into camp. E
There are water stations, with flags, on the route every 30km. You can refill at will.
It's (almost) impossible. We have a team of off-road vehicles driving back and forth the 150km route each day.
So you literally go in one direction the whole time. Your compass can't fail you there.
You only have to make it 30km until the next check-point. All good.
Your ass will get chewed up. That's a fact folks. We have a nurse at camp each night, staying with us, who tends to all our wounds at will.
We also have a doctor on call.
TLDR? The gates of hell are closing! We don't know if it's 2025, 2026 or 2027, but there is now a permanent base beside the Gates of Hell where engineers are actively trying to shut them down. So come and join me, it may be your last chance!!
Turkmenistan Tour time! Ever since I first visited Turkmenistan, and made a very shaky youtube video about the Gates of Hell, I've had people email me asking if I could finally organise a onestep4ward trip there, so here it is. Turkmenistan is actually the 10th least visited country in the world, with a tricky visa situation and a government who couldn't care less about tourist dollars. So historically it hasn't been the easiest place to visit. That's where I come in though folks, so jump on board and let's go together.
For hardcore travelers, there are 2 main reasons. It's one of the least visited countries in the world, which is already pretty cool. And then of course, Turkmenistan is famous for their Gates of Hell. And my Turkmenistan tour, of course, focuses on that. But that's not the only reason to visit Turkmenistan. For me there are 3 epic places to visit in this secretive central Asian nation.
There are some other spots around the country that are historic, and hold cultural significance too. But my trips are more focused on crazy adventures so I've tailored this tour to include the 3 coolest places and try to keep the cost, and time, down. I know a lot of the people who travel with me have the same outlook, so I hope this works for all you guys too!
If, after the cycle, you're not ready to go home. Come join me on an epic night train ride, traversing the whole of Turkmenistan. Ending up on the Caspian Sea, in the city of Turkemenbashi.
Here, we'll go offroad to check out Central Asia's (slightly more humble, but A LOT less visited) answer to the Grand Canyon, Yangky Kala.
One night in Turkmenbashi. And the next morning we fly back to Ashgabat, the capital. One day to decompress, relax (or run around for yet more sightseeing) before a final posh dinner at a rooftop restaurant to sign this expedition off in style.
You can bring your own bike on the plane if you wish.
Or you can rent one from my team in Turkmenistan. To rent it, it's quite pricey as I'm not actually renting it, I have to buy them.