What is the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb?
Discover the legendary Race to the Clouds: 156 turns, 14,000 feet of altitude, and a history that shaped the world of performance motorcycling
Known as the “Race to the Clouds,” the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is more than just a race. It is a legendary motorsport event held annually in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. For any rider, Pikes Peak evokes adrenaline, sheer drops, and pure performance.
A Vertiginous Ascent
The concept is simple yet terrifying: start at an elevation of 9,390 feet (2,862 meters) and finish at the summit at 14,115 feet (4,302 meters). The course winds for over 12 miles (19.99 km) with a vertical climb of 4,725 feet.
What makes this race unique is the near-total lack of guardrails. A missed apex is unforgiving, as the cliffs are real and breathtaking. Riders must navigate 156 turns, shifting between tight hairpins and fast sweepers, all while dealing with thinning oxygen that exhausts the body and saps internal combustion engine power.
History and the Shift to Asphalt
For decades, Pikes Peak was a hybrid challenge. The road was partially paved and partially gravel/dirt. Riders needed dirt-track sliding skills as well as tarmac speed.
Since 2012, the entire road has been paved. This radically changed the nature of the race, turning it into a pure speed event where supermotos and high-performance naked bikes like the KTM 1290 Super Duke R or the Ducati Multistrada V4 2024 dominated. Ducati, in particular, built much of its modern reputation here with its specialized “Pikes Peak” editions.
Why are there no more motorcycles officially?
This is a sensitive topic for the riding community. Following the tragic accident of Carlin Dunne in 2019—who crashed just before the finish line while on track for a record—the organization decided to suspend the motorcycle category indefinitely.
The reasoning cited was the extreme danger of the course for two-wheelers, particularly due to bumps and changing surface conditions that can upset a bike at high speeds in ways a car can withstand. While cars continue to race, the spirit of the riders still haunts the mountain.
Summary
Pikes Peak remains one of the most demanding races in the world. It requires a strong heart, surgical precision, and extraordinary technical preparation to handle the altitude. Even though motorcycles no longer officially line up at the start, the records set on this mountain are an integral part of global motorcycle culture.