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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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@Minnesota Expat
And now Wiggo has ruined it for everyone else with his 54.526. Don’t see anyone else challenging that for a while.
Chapeau Sir Brad.
@RobSandy
Interesting quote from Hutch –
British cyclist Michael Hutchinson on Twitter: “OK — out on a limb here, but I don’t think that record will last a year. A pity about the weather, because it was a great ride.”
Who does he think is going to beat that this year? Cancellara? Martin?
@RobSandy
I imagine both would be physically capable, but perhaps harder at their career stages to prioritise it enough? Wiggins in a sweet-spot of picking his objectives and commanding resources …
In any case, I would hope that if either did attempt it they would resist the temptation to (and I say this as a devoted Wiggo fan) lift their *effing* bike over their damn head. Gah.
@DeKerr
@wilburrox
@sinikl
Even better/worse is that she’s just upgraded to a 20″ wheel but doesn’t want to get rid of her old 16″. N+1 in effect already.
@RobSandy
Well Rob Dowsett doesn’t seem to chuffed with BW’s new record. So as he clearly could have gone quite a bit faster given the speed he finished in the last quarter and if there is 1+ Km advantage if the weather is right (Low Pressure) then that could be interesting.
@VirenqueforeVer
Not only does a violation of Rule #95 looks silly, it looks even sillier when wearing a TT helmet with a visor.
Although it’s pretty freakin’ awesome to see a velodrome in London full of people there to watch 1 man ride as hard as he can for 60 minutes.
I only caught the last 12 minutes and the subtlety of his achievement was was evident in spades. To be that locked into your schedule and so close but not. Setting the record was the cake, a nice day in London made the icing drip off so no 55.
Chapeau for having the balls to do it and sticking to the home ground and going on a not perfect day!
There will be more challenges but only the most prepared will be going because I think Sir Brad got awfully close to the wall.
Chapeau indeed to Wiggins. Stellar effort. TBH I don’t see Cancellara going for the record. Tony Martin yes, Fabs, no. I think a thing to remember here – when you get to this extreme level, is the importance of track skills. The power and stamina are one thing. The incessant need to stay on that black line for over two hundred laps with corners coming every few seconds must tax the powers of concentration to an unfathomable degree. Wiggins knows track. I can’t think of any other competitive sporting event that requires such focus for so long.
BTW who credentialled Bruyneel? Sure he paid for his tickets, but who gave him the inner-circle passes? McQuaid? His presence was like a turd on a dance floor IMHO.
@wiscot
BTW who credentialled Bruyneel? Sure he paid for his tickets, but who gave him the inner-circle passes? McQuaid? His presence was like a turd on a dance floor IMHO.
Agreed, these people need to be barred from any involvement, sure buy a ticket like anyone else, but stay the fuck away from the action.
@Rob
Plus one for that and not running off to Mexico City or some such place. Although, it does makes you wonder what coulda woulda happened at 5,000 feet versus 0 feet.
He paid for inner circle seats like anybody with money could. And until the law changes he should be allowed to be there – it’s up to his own shame and riders to ostracise him. And for those blaming Wiggo – and there are – get a fucking grip.
I haven’t done the “Dad” thing here before, so I’m indulging myself today. My son, the baby of the family, paramedic life-saver and all-around Good Guy, shreds the fuck out of the expert cat 1 Oregon Enduro Series race in Bend yesterday:
@PeakInTwoYears
breaking just a few rules, maybe?
@blackpooltower
I winced at that as well, but it was clear he was being told/asked to do so.
@piwakawaka
For a MTB Enduro, I see no rule violations there. He’s dressed appropriately for the conditions of the ride. If it was an XC race then it would be fair to expect a skinsuit and possibly no peak…
@PeakInTwoYears
An outfit called NICA, or National Interscholastic Cycling Assoc, right now, is doing more for mtn biking than USA Cycling could ever dream of making happen. They’ve formed High School Mtn Bike leagues and my son started racing this year. He and his buddies are hitting the trails. And I get to ride with them. And more dads are showing up to ride too. It sure as heck beats golf!
That’s a great snapshot you have. Screensaver on my laptop right now is a photo of my son shredding it. And that’ll be the day that he dusts me on the trail. Cheers!
@PeakInTwoYears
Awesome shot, you must be real proud.
I’m proud of him for a number of reasons. Wish I didn’t live so far from him. He moved down to Bend from Portland, and then I moved up north, following my wife and her job. Don’t get to see him anything like often enough.
He just recently started riding with serious intent, and he’s already running with the bigger dogs. I’m just strongly hoping he can avoid getting any more metal bits bolted to his skeletal system.
Anyone know a good ride around Leipzig, Germany? I’ll be there for a few weeks over the summer and would like to rent a bike and see the surrounding area. Looking for something challenging and fun. Maybe 75 to 100km. Dankeschön!
I’m currently 5 days from peaking, in order to ride the main cycling event of my summer, the inaugural Velothon Wales. This is a closed-roads event, involving 15,000 cyclists, 140kms and 1.8km of ascent. My training has been pretty good and I’m confident I will do the ride in 5 hours or less.
The organisation, however, seems to have been piss poor and has caused a load of grief and bad press. But then every time a road is shut, it must affect people. So I don’t quite know how I feel.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-33062663
But my main question is, should I wear a cycling cap or not? I can’t decide.
@RobSandy
fuck ’em – whinging Taffies about how they will be marooned in their house, why not get off your fat subsidised arse and walk, or even ride a bike? They’ve had 6 months notice. I live and work in London, roads are constantly being closed for events yet somehow we manage, even earn enough excess to carry the rest of the country with tax hand outs, especially the welsh.
As to wearing a cap under your helmet – I know it’s Wales, but surely it wont be cold enough to warrant one?
Cross posting – is it allowed?!
If so – who’s doing Eroica Britannia?
David
@markb
I find a cap quite useful for eye-shading/sweat-absorbing purposes.
But it’s not forecast to be sunny (quelle surprise), so I don’t think I’ll bother.
I’ll be too busy tearing legs off to change anything once I get going.
@davidlhill
Yeah, go for it.
I’m not, Teocalli may be.
A post went up on my cycling club’s website calling it the Erotica Britannia. I think that’s something a bit different.
@davidlhill
Yup I’ll be there. Starting to wonder what wet weather period gear would be suitable. I fear though that in the day they just got soaked.
Can’t seem to get down to summer weight to match last year. Must have put on muscle since last year.
@markb
Re the cap – but in the valleys you can tells it’s summer as the rain (mostly) falls vertically rather than horizontally as it does in the winter.
@Teocalli
Rules #5 and #9.
Sprinter’s muscle?
The forecast is for 12C, 95% cloud and very light rain, so I think I’ll leave the cap at home. If it was due to be either hotter, sunnier, or rainier, I think I’d take it.
@RobSandy
I fear you are correct re Sprinter’s Muscle.
@RobSandy
I ride a cap until late into the sprint even in my near-tropic conditions, so surely in Wales a cap is worn all year long?
That being said, for your big event of the season don’t wear anything you haven’t used extensively in the past. Nothing worse than finding halfway through the event that the cap’s increased height makes the helmet straps pull, or that it’s squeezing your skull.
@tessar
Sounds a bit dangerous taking it off at that point?
@RobSandy
No, but then I have a fundamental disagreement with the Rules over caps.
In my view you wear a helmet or you wear a cap, not both.
I know audaxers who think it’s naff. And if people who tolerate SPD sandals think you’re committing a faux pas then you’ve gone well beyond the limits of civilised society.
People can post all the pictures they like of Cadel Evans or Tom Boonen doing it. As has been pointed out on many occasions, looking pro is not the same as looking fabulous.
@RobSandy
Where does one get tickets? And do they offer suitable slots for parking ones bike?
The velomiyoof, Angus (12), rode his first ten mile TT tonight. 34:20 on not the flattest course.
I chaperoned him this evening but the next step will be to let him out on his own. That’s going to be weird.
@ChrisO
Yeah, but I am of the opinion that a cap can truly improve the lines of what is often an awkward looking piece of gear. So we are in disagreement.
@RobSandy you should wear the cap… and tear the legs off.
Interesting tidbit, I just did a ride on Sunday with temperatures starting in the high teens and finishing in the low 20s, full sun. Since my cap is wool I was worried about overheating, but it never happened.
@Chris
Don’t be in a hurry to let him ride on his own! My daughter got started with the 10 mile TT and even today, three years later, I love nothing more more than riding behind her. This year we’ve been pacing 20mph in practice and she figures if she can hold that and finish with sprint she beats the 30 min’s. Our course is a 5 mile out and back on a “country” road and if she doesn’t want to do it by herself than I am super pleased to ride behind her.
The 2k steep hill TT? That she’ll do on her own. The 10 mile TT? She wants her old man along. I’m a lucky guy.
Save the current TT time/date on a spreadsheet and look back a few years later. It’s a blast to watch the kiddos come along.
@ChrisO
ok, I’ll post a pic of myself…
but Lazers are made in Belgium, so you’d expect them to accommodate a cap.
@RobSandy
I wear a cap year round, so may be a little biased…
A great climb is always accompanied by the metronomic drip from the brim of my cap, I wear one year round, but I have no hair, so summer it stops sunburn, winter it takes the edge off the cold, it drips all year long.
@ChrisO, I also wear a helmet, but it’s the law here, I gave up fighting’ them a long time ago…
First proper hill on the new Canyon bike this evening. Not been in the small ring before. Halfway up the climb with the gradient cranking up I finally succumb to the burning & drop to the small ring…
Crunch…
Chain skipped over it & came off the ring on the inside. Also popped off the jockey wheel in the rear derailleur. Gradient is approaching 15% at this point & i’m doing about 6mph. Somehow wrenched my foot out before toppling over.
Got to the pub at the top 5 minutes after my mates. Not happy.
My own fault for being a pussy & switching down.
Completed the Velothon yesterday – did the 140kms in 4:15, came about 275th out of 9,000 male riders on the route. Very happy with that.
I’m hoping I can ride my next event in a V Jersey. Hint hint.
@wilburrox
I’m not in any particular hurry to let him do it on his own but he’s taking road safety very seriously. I’ve told him if he continues to ride the TT course safely, to my satisfaction, then he can do it by himself.
I can’t take him along and ride with him every week but if he earns the trust to be allowed to ride my himself, his mum or granddad will take him. But they’re not quick enough to ride with him.
Velominipper Ed and Velomiyoof Angus had their first serious go at racing yesterday. It was a bit of an eye opener, deep section rims in the Under 10s and skin suits, aero helmets, a SuperSix Evo and a Colnago C59 in the Under 12s. Some very fast kids.
Both of them had a bit of a slow start but started holding their places. Ed finished fairly strongly but Angus had a bit of a mechanical and lost the ability to shift. It gave up / he killed it completely on the warm down lap. He’d had some issues with his rear which I thought I’d sorted out with a new derailleur hanger. I have much to learn as a race mechanic. (not to mention DS, soigneur, bus driver and manager).
@Chris
I’m not a mechanic, but I can tell you with some confidence that the rear mech is broken.
Hope this helps.
@RobSandy
Oh, I thought that it was in maintenance mode when the chain is twisted through 90 degrees to allow easier application of lube. Thanks for the heads up.
@Chris
I think the mechanic’s correct technical term for that is “That’s fucked mate”.
@JonnyG
It’s not your fault, it’s whoever the fuck-knuckle is who assembled your bike’s fault! That shouldn’t happen.
Mt Haleakala 1 : Me 0
6500 feet in 4 hours and I was rooted. Failure requires no preparation, and I was unprepared.
This sounds to have been quite a bizarre crash…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33170616
Let’s hope Lizzie is ok.
@RobSandy
This happened while I had the ticker for the Tour de Suisse on in the background. Thought is might be a typo when reading that she finished first and then crashed. Sounds like she just lost control momentarily but had her hands up in the air and couldn’t regain control in time to avoid the collision. Fingers crossed