The Rides
The Ride. It is the cathedral of our sport, where we worship at the altar of the Man with the Hammer. It is the end to our means. Indeed, The Bike may be the central tool to our sport, but to turn the pedals is to experience the sensation of freedom, of flight. It is all for The Ride.
The world is overflowing with small, twisty roads that capture our collective imagination as cyclists. We spend our lifetimes searching out the best routes and rides; we pore over maps, we share with our fellow disciples, we talk to non-cycling locals all in pursuit of the Perfect Ride.
The Rides is devoted entirely to the best routes and rides around the world. Some are races or cyclosportives, others feature in the Classics and stages of The Great Races, while others still are little-known gems, discovered through careful meditation on The V. Be warned: these rides are not your average Sunday Afternoon spin; these rides are the best and most difficult rides in the word – they represent the rites of passage into La Vie Velominatus. It is to be taken for granted that these rides require loads of Rule #5, many of them Rule #10, and all of them are best enjoyed in Rule #9 conditions. They have been shared by you, the community. The Rides also features articles devoted to the greatest rides and providess a forum for sharing other rides for discussion.
If you’d like to submit a ride or an article about your own favorite ride, please feel free to send it to us and we’ll do our best to work with you to include it.
[rideitem status=”public” title=”Haleakala” distance=”56km” category=”Grimpeur” url=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/50412514″ location=”Paia, Maui, Hawaii, USA”]
Haleakala is simultaneously the longest paved continuous climb in the world as well as the shortest ascent from sea level to 10,000 feet in the world. Though not terribly steep, this is a long, grinding climb that will reduce a strong rider to a whimpering lump.
To put the effort in perspective, this climb is 60km long a an average of 6% with two pitches as steep as 17%. That translates to somewhere between 3 or more hours of nonstop climbing, usually in Maui’s direct heat and often into a whipping headwind that spins around into a headwind no matter which direction the switchbacks take you.
[/rideitem]
[rideitem statuc=public title=”Liege-Bastogne-Liege” distance=”265″ category=”Rouleur” url=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/58053308/” location=”Liege, Belgium”]
Liege-Bastogne-Liege is not only La Doyenne, the oldest of the Classics, but also represents perhaps the most demanding course in cycling. The 280 km, 3000m vertical route starts with an easy ride out from Liege to Bastogne which lulls riders into a false sense of security; the hills are frequent, but none of them terribly demanding. Into Bastogne, and the story changes on the way back to Liege with 9 categorized climbs in the second half, including the fearsome Côte de la Redoute and the Côte de Saint-Nicolas.
[/rideitem]
[rideitem status=public title=”Paris-Roubaix” category=”Hardman” distance=”265″ url=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/58052610/” location=”Compiégne, France” guideurl=”http://www.cyclingpave.cc/” guide=”Pavé Cycling Classics”]
L’enfur du Nord. The Hell of The North. The Queen of the Classics. This isn’t a ride over the stones from your local brick-paved roads. You think climbs are what make a ride tough? We’ve got news for you: this is the hardest ride on the planet and it boasts a maximum elevation of 55 meters. These are vicious, brutal stones; the kind that will stretch each kilometer to their full length, the kind of stones that you will feel long after the rattling of the bars has stopped. These stones will change you. Forever.
[/rideitem]
[rideitem status=public title=”Mortirolo/Gavia Loop” category=”Grimpeur” distance=”115km” url=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/59027020/” location=”Bormio, Italy” contributor=”Joe”]
The Mortirolo is perhaps the most feared pass in Western Europe, and the Gavia the most storied. Given their proximity to each other, its a wonder why this isn’t the most talked-about ride in Italy. Maybe it is; its impossible to say without being Italian. The loop nature of this ride makes it feasible as a solo escapade, but any ride with the kind of stats this one bears – 3200 meters ascended in 115 kilometers including the viscously steep Mortirolo – is best enjoyed with a riding partner or support car.
[/rideitem]
[rideitem status=public title=”200 on 100″ category=”Grimpeur” distance=”330km” url=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/58052808/” location=”Vernon, VT” contributor=”cdelinks” contributorurl=”http://cyclowhat.com”]
“Dumptruck of Awesome” has become the catch-phrase associated with this brutally hard, yet strikingly beautiful 330 kilometer (200 mile) ride down Vermont Route 100. This ride was made popular during the summer of 2011 when Ted King, Tim Johnson, and a local amateur cyclist, Ryan Kelly, documented this ride on film. The ride starts on the Canadian border and finishes on the Massachusetts border. With over 2500 meters of climbing on this 330 kilometer ride, you will need to pack a few lunches to get through this one. Do this ride in the Fall, and the foliage might be beautiful enough to distract you from the horrible pain you will most certainly suffer.
[/rideitem]
[rideitem status=”public” title=”De Ronde Van West Portlandia” distance=”76km” category=”Grimpeur” url=”http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/15276210″ location=”Portland, Oregon, USA”]
A ride that officially “never happens” each spring, this 76 km route charts a course through Portland’s West Hills, paying homage to the European Spring Classics. Approximately 1,800 meters of paved and unpaved climbs are spread throughout the course, with several sections reaching grades of over 20%. More information can be found at Ronde PDX.
[/rideitem]
[rideitem status=public title=”Seattle Master Urban Ride” category=”Rouleur” distance=”130km” url=http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/57732282 location=”Seattle, Washington, USA”]
This is perhaps the most challenging urban route in Seattle, hitting three of the big hills that define Seattle’s topography. The route starts and ends on Phinney Ridge, but hits the climbs of Interlaken and Alder Street/Lake Dell Drive on its way to Mercer Island, before coming back to hit Queen Anne and Magnolia, weaving its way up each of these hills as many times as possible via the steepest route available before the finale to the north via Golden Gardens, Blue Ridge Drive, and Carkeek Park. Panoramic views of the Cascades, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, The Olympic Penninsula and Puget Sound makes this a standout Urban ride.
[/rideitem]
@wiscot
I had planned to ride it again this year, but circumstances dictated otherwise. I imagine the course was great; a bit chillier at the start than last year, but I bet it was pleasant overall. Next year… Dave and Belgianwerkx are awesome. Nice to see the funds raised for the vol fire department were up this year.
I’m not sure if this belongs here, since I want to comment on a great ride but also would like the Keepers to comment on some etiquette…
This past weekend I did my first gravel race, the Chino Grinder in central Arizona. A 170km/3000m epic with a relentless 35km climb into the pine forest and mountains, a sure way to asphyxiate those of us training at lower altitudes. The course was fantastic – a mix of dirt, gravel, washboard, fun descents, cruel climbs and beatiful panoramic vistas. The organizers did a great job, with tons of support. I trained with some similar distances and climbing on the road, but this was a different beast. The local Pros dominated the course. Me, not so much…I ultimately got bitch-slapped by the Man With the Hammer and finished outside of my time goal. Anyway, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a tough and fun challenge next year.
@the Keepers… I saw a local team show up in matching white kit that was emblazoned with “Keepers of the Kog” [sic]. The back jersey pockets had a few rules and a large “#5” written out. If these guys want to be associated with the Velominati, it seems to me that they should represent with a proper V-kit. What do you think – plagiarism or another welcome sect in the community?
Oh, I should mention that the aforementioned “Keepers of the Kog” were rule compliant, for what I could observe. The only issue I saw was related to Rule #64, where one of them ran out of cornering ability. I’m pretty sure he went on to kick my ass in the GC results.
@MangoDave
My philosophical problem with the kit you describe is that they seem to be advertising the Rules outward and the Sacred Garments (thank Merckx they have returned) are designed for the wearer to reflect inward. First, one obeys the Rules; next, one leads by example – not, I would suggest, by flirting with a Rule #43 transgression. I am of the mind that a Velominatus manifests commitment to le metier by demonstrating Rules compliance, not proselytizing at others.
Rule #5 is, at its most potent, an internal meditation. When we remind others of the V it is not to shame them (okay, maybe a little) but to help them find and reconnect with their internal hardman, find that sliver of light in the dark recesses of the cave, and transcend to the VV (Rule #10).
@DeKerr
Interesting take on the internal reflections, I hadn’t thought of it that way. Turns out my friend snapped a picture at the start, you can see the backs of the “Kog” jerseys in the middle of the right side. From that view they look pretty clean, the front has more of the outward “shouting”. For some reason it just bugs me that they intentionally change the spelling in an attempt to claim it as their own creation.
With running the risk of getting laughed off the site, after not posting for a while, is anybody else here riding the AIDS/LifeCycle this year?
Melburnian Velominati… Any suggestions for a good place to hire a bike please?
I’m going to be there for a week at the beginning of June and as I’ll be staying in St Kilda it would seem a shame not to ride along Beach Rd a couple of times.
Nothing serious – I don’t want to join the Hell Ride. I’ve actually promised my physio I will have a couple of weeks off the bike, but if I don’t wear a HR monitor it isn’t a real ride is it.
@ChrisO
Sounds like you want to cruise, http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/
naaaa! Try some steel, http://mottainaicycles.com/2015/01/06/mottainai-cycles-vintage-restorations-service-repairs-hire/
Or what size frame/set up you need?
@sthilzy
Yes the Bike Share is definitely an option for getting around the city.
Once I work out your bloody hook turns or whatever they’re called.
@RobSandy
Hi, sounds like an IT band injury. Look up IT band exercises, and try to PT yourself. Also wearing a band around the mid section of the knee will help during exercises. Also see Rule #5. :)
Excitement. Planning to ride out from work and take in the Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain in a 90k ride loop. Both are climbs which have featured in the Tour of Britain (The Tumble last year, Caerphilly in 2013), Kwiatkowski still has the Strava KOM from that day.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/29028396
More excitement, I unknowingly raced against an Olympic gold medallist on Tuesday night.
See if you can guess who.
I didn’t win.
@RobSandy
Not sure where Geraint is at the moment. I’ll go with Nicole Cooke.
@ChrisO
On the right lines with Cooke. But the medal was won on the track.
@RobSandy
Thought it might be something tricky. Becky James?
@ChrisO
Nope. Also a 3 time World Champion and MBE. And current World Record holder.
@RobSandy
Give up?
Laura Trott?
@Oli
Very warm but no points.
@RobSandy
I’ve so given up it’s affected my will to live.
Are we there yet?
@ChrisO
Track gold? Stephanie Cook? Does she race bikes or was it the swim or the run/shooting thing on Tuesday night?
Joanna Rowsell??
@Oli
@Chris
@Oli was closest. Dani King. And she only rode a 24 dead, I’d have expected her to go a lot faster.
I’d apologise for what is probably a massive anti climax but I quite like being annoying.
You would have thought that mid-May would be a time where I could put my cold and wet weather gear away.
Not so.
Set off for a ride today with neoprene shoe covers, DeFeet knee warmers, a long sleeve base layer under my jersey, a gillet on top and full finger gloves and I was soaking wet and cold for the 2 hrs of my extended commute. Rules #5 and #9 were observed and mediated upon. I also enjoyed the rain protection properties of my cycling cap for the first time.
I also have to somehow get my kit dry-ish (on a single small radiator in a disabled loo) for my ride home at 5pm, for which it is forecast to be mercifully dry.
First race of the season done, in 55+ km/h wind. Almost flat 64 km out and back, average speed on the inward leg was 19.0 km/h! I had to mash 39-25 downhill. I finished (unlike the last race I did), wasn’t lanterne rouge and I beat my only coworker in the race. I’ll take that.
The highlight of the race for me however came before the start, when I was mistaken for the national champion by the guys managing the race…
Shit day yesterday. Rain hammering on the windows today. Ride later? I think so.
Hard ride. Rain abated but blustery headwind (all the way round? really?) remained.
110kms with 1.8kms climbing in 4 hrs, for which I felt good for about 10 minutes.
I feel like a large deposit in the V Bank has been made.
@RobSandy
Typical Summer’s Day in the Valleys isn’t it?
@Teocalli
Yup. 4 Seasons in one day is the norm.
Remember you mentioned you’d done a bit of riding around South Wales – does it mean anything to you if I say my ride included the climbs of Maerdy, Rhigos, and the Bwlch?
@RobSandy
I lived in Cardiff up to my late teens (that was a long time ago!). I remember Bwlch vaguely. My father was a mines inspector so we used to go all round the valleys with him. Sailed out of Barry and Penarth (before Penarth docks were reconstructed) and our summer beach was at Southerndown.
@Teocalli
Ah, there are two ‘Bwlch’s. One in the Valleys between Treorchy and Ogmore Vale, and one west of Crickhowell. I rode over the first.
All three climbs are on the route of the Valleys Velo Sportive, which I rode for the first time last year and really kick-started my road biking habit properly.
I personally thing it’s a great place to go riding, there is such a variety of terrain. I also like it that the Valley’s locals look at you like you’ve just fallen from a spaceship as you whizz by.
@RobSandy
I do fancy coming over some time and doing that loop around the Gower coast and inland.
@RobSandy
I would’ve thought, living in the Middle East, that end of May would mean I could put my cold and wet weather gear away.
This weekend’s race looked like this (I’m in the blue kit):
12 degrees at the start and drizzly, and there I am in white socks and a short-sleeve. Did my turns at the front with a few others to whittle things down to just 10 guys behind a solo breakaway. Too many uncooperative riders meant we didn’t catch him, so I countered an attack on the penultimate climb, caught the attacker at the base of the final climb and PhilGil’ed it to finish 2nd overall (behind the break), first in category. The attacker was swept up by the peloton.
Ended up with an NP of 3.9W/kg over nearly two hours. And that was only the first stage of three.
Second stage, in hard cross-winds, was basically a 1:30h slog of attacking by myself and those behind me in the GC, trying to break the leader. He sat on, but we shredded the peloton to just the top-4. New peak power for the sprint (1000W!), 30 minutes at 4.4W/kg, and sore legs. Last stage I just hung on in the flat parcours to save position…
Off to Italy tomorrow, part of which involves a grind up Blockhaus, to pay homage to The Prophet. Most of this year has been spent developing my Sprinters Muscle, should be a couple of hours of the purest suffering
@tessar
Chapeau, proper riding. If I wanted to produce that much power/kg I’d have to either cut off my arms or eat Bradley Wiggins. Impressive stuff, and surprising weather!
3 weeks to L’eroica Britannia for me and not down to last summer’s weight yet. Bad news for Mam Nick with the weight of The Butler – don’t need any extra weight at all. Loads of people last year were tacking up that thing – those that were not walking that is.
@RobSandy
Thanks. The power figures surprised me, I guess you can’t say you know your FTP until you give it all in a race. The first stage felt epic – the split-second decision to bridge that attack, and then giving him “the look” before counter-attacking. Amazing.
@tessar
I would be really interested to have a go with a power meter – don’t think I need one all the time but it’d just be interesting. I’ve tried to calculate power so I can calibrate my efforts between the turbo, and the track, and the road, but I don’t think its very accurate. I also get a massive discrepancy in power between the flat and climbing.
I’m sure in a race you can find a way to dig a bit deeper.
There are some around here that will remember this place. Though the weather was somewhat better today. To top it all just as I was about to set off again a Spitfire came right overhead outbound from Goodwood after doing a couple of loops in the distance over the airfield. Sorry about the bidons.
Anyone think they can make their own toast?
@Teocalli
This is a map of my favourite local climb – directly up from Pontypridd up Penheol Ely Road to ride across Eglwysian Common. The elevation profile looks something like a skateboard ramp, just keeps getting steeper, and steeper…the top pitch is around 25%, I’d estimate.
@RobSandy
2nd-hand Powertaps are pretty cheap these days… It’s an incredible tool both for analysis and training but also for racing. TTs become a science rather than a crapshoot.
Speaking of eating Wiggins, seems like the guy could ride away from us at his Active Recovery pace:
So my velominipper just crushed her first solo hill (okay, a small push from Dad in the final rise) and then struck this pose at the top.
6 years old and casually deliberate at the top of a climb
@tessar
here is Wiggins target for the mile today:
Daymn!!! The live stream is virtually unwatchable due to lag. Arrrrgghhhhh!!!
“There has been a resurgence (in interest for the Hour Record). People like Rapha are wetting themselves over it because they can do a T-shirt. It’s great because it’s another celebration of this invredible record that lay dormant for 20 years because Chris Boardman ruined it for everyone with his stupid bike.”
~Bradley Wiggins
@DeKerr
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dad’s with daughters that like to ride bikes, especially fast, and like the bikes too, are very lucky guys. Cheers
@Minnesota Expat
It was in fact more exciting than watching paint dry. But I think I had more fun earlier in the morning searching penny farthing videos on youtube. That’s only a thought on watching the livestream which I did off/on. Phenomenal accomplishment of course. But watching it via a video stream? Yahhhnnn….
4 days ago my coworker bought a gravel bike, today we got 30 miles in, which is a big deal for him, never having been a cyclist of any sort.
Despite being Too Fat To Climb, i did show up Rules-Compliant and tried my best to follow Rule #3 and guide him along the way. He’s a CrossFit type, so into strength rather than aerobics per se, recovering from morbid obesity (lost over 100 lbs tho) to boot, but dang if i didn’t catch him spinning away at 90 rpm on the last false flat of the ride after discussing, not chiding or haranguing, his tendency to mash and coast.
It felt good to welcome someone to a thing that i’m still learning to be good at (see: my own beerfat). really good. While he was tempted to wear neon compression socks, he couldn’t deny that the guy we saw in amateur team kit on a Wilier did Look Fantastic and I’m trying to plant the seeds here….
The casual deliberation on that girl is amazing, by the way. Great dadding. Chapeau.
My 5 yo son makes me impersonate Sean Kelly and “color commentate” our rides describing him dropping me to win at the end (somehow i always run out of gas 100m before the end of the ride). Child abuse: yes/no/maybe?
@sinikl
crush him!