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.

[/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.

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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.

[/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.

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View Comments

  • @RobSandy

    @ChrisO

    @RobSandy

    Not seriously TTing this year. I’ve actually sold my TT bike.

    I think my biggest problem with TTs is my position – I’m not going to make significant gains in my FTP – and the problem with the Trinity being so integrated is that it’s difficult to use other setups.

    So I’m going to get a proper bike fit and recommendation on a new bike and work on that for next year, assuming budget allows it (looking OK at the moment, we have lots of projects happening or on the cards – the irony being that means more travel and therefore less training).

    Having said that, I fancy a new road bike too now that they are allowing disc brakes in races.

    But for now I’m going to concentrate on the LVRC races for the summer, and will just do our club TTs on my road bike.

    I’ve marked a couple of open TTs that have road bike categories too.

    0

    There is a point where you can only go more aero. I’m still improving FTP, I think (I don’t test as regularly as I should).

    I’m still doing them on a road bike with clip-ons, however this year I’ll be going from my old alloy F75 to my new AR1, with super speedy aero wheels, so I’m expecting that will make a difference. Going to do a bit of experimentation out on the road over the next couple of weeks to get a decent position and plan my pacing.

    Sub 22 minute 10 is the aim. Should be doable with an FTP of about 320, right?

    0

    For sure. My PB is 21:58 and that was one of my first 10s on a TT bike. That was 334 watts average.

    I haven't done many 10s since then, other than our local club ones which are on more sporting courses and I use my road bike.

    The idea of getting up at stupid o'clock to drive for an hour and ride for 22 minutes began to strike me as a little odd.

  • @ChrisO

     

    Sub 22 minute 10 is the aim. Should be doable with an FTP of about 320, right?

    0

    For sure. My PB is 21:58 and that was one of my first 10s on a TT bike. That was 334 watts average.

    I haven’t done many 10s since then, other than our local club ones which are on more sporting courses and I use my road bike.

    The idea of getting up at stupid o’clock to drive for an hour and ride for 22 minutes began to strike me as a little odd.

    0

    That's a really good PB to have. Imagine if it was 22:01? Mine is currently 22:16.

    I know exactly what you mean about riding 10's - it's a lot of faff for not much riding. Most of the ones I ride are midweek evenings in the summer, so it's not so bad. And if I can ride to the start I do.

    I just try not to overload with them - I only did 6 in total last year and I'll probably do the same or less this year.

    I'm planning to do a bit of a position test/power test tonight on the new bike, so I'll have a better idea how I'm going after that. I seem to be on good nick, picking up KOMs every time I ride at the moment.

  • Good to see @DavidHill pinning a number on at the LVRC on Sunday. Good race but a 3 mile circuit around an aerodrome is almost guaranteed to be one for the bunch monkeys.

    And stupid me had managed to pack everything except my jersey so it was looking like I might have to race in one of David's spares for a while, but fortunately a club mate was in the earlier race and I was able to borrow his.

    Must be something to do with #Rule 13.

  • @ChrisO

    Good to see @DavidHill pinning a number on at the LVRC on Sunday. Good race but a 3 mile circuit around an aerodrome is almost guaranteed to be one for the bunch monkeys.

    And stupid me had managed to pack everything except my jersey so it was looking like I might have to race in one of David’s spares for a while, but fortunately a club mate was in the earlier race and I was able to borrow his.

    Must be something to do with #Rule 13.

     

    0

    Chapeau to both of you - looks a hard race. I don't beat myself too much if I get into a break that gets caught - its attacks that animate the race.

    On Friday night I managed to get into the break again (although, as the break was so big and the rest of the field so small I probably just stayed with the bunch, tbh), and even got in a 2 man attack out the front for a while; I had a strong teammate with me so was trying to do everything I could to make it easier for him.

    Seemed to work, he finished 5th with all the big hitters (including one Elite rider), and I rolled in just after to take 10th.

  • @ChrisO

    @RobSandy

    @ChrisO

    @RobSandy

    Not seriously TTing this year. I’ve actually sold my TT bike.

    I think my biggest problem with TTs is my position – I’m not going to make significant gains in my FTP – and the problem with the Trinity being so integrated is that it’s difficult to use other setups.

    So I’m going to get a proper bike fit and recommendation on a new bike and work on that for next year, assuming budget allows it (looking OK at the moment, we have lots of projects happening or on the cards – the irony being that means more travel and therefore less training).

    Having said that, I fancy a new road bike too now that they are allowing disc brakes in races.

    But for now I’m going to concentrate on the LVRC races for the summer, and will just do our club TTs on my road bike.

    I’ve marked a couple of open TTs that have road bike categories too.

    0

    There is a point where you can only go more aero. I’m still improving FTP, I think (I don’t test as regularly as I should).

    I’m still doing them on a road bike with clip-ons, however this year I’ll be going from my old alloy F75 to my new AR1, with super speedy aero wheels, so I’m expecting that will make a difference. Going to do a bit of experimentation out on the road over the next couple of weeks to get a decent position and plan my pacing.

    Sub 22 minute 10 is the aim. Should be doable with an FTP of about 320, right?

    0

    For sure. My PB is 21:58 and that was one of my first 10s on a TT bike. That was 334 watts average.

    I haven’t done many 10s since then, other than our local club ones which are on more sporting courses and I use my road bike.

    The idea of getting up at stupid o’clock to drive for an hour and ride for 22 minutes began to strike me as a little odd.

    0

    21.58 is/was my PB for a 10 too. Can't remember the year, but it was on the GD 10 course at Langbank beside the River Clyde. Course was a Y shape with three roundabouts to negotiate - first one you basically rode through out and back, but the other two were basically 360 degree turns which really killed your speed. I do remember it was done on a regular steel road bike. No areo anything bar a skinsuit. Good times (and happy memories) indeed.

  • @wiscot

    21.58 is/was my PB for a 10 too. Can’t remember the year, but it was on the GD 10 course at Langbank beside the River Clyde. Course was a Y shape with three roundabouts to negotiate – first one you basically rode through out and back, but the other two were basically 360 degree turns which really killed your speed. I do remember it was done on a regular steel road bike. No areo anything bar a skinsuit. Good times (and happy memories) indeed.

    I done some sums and I reckon that on a TT bike, with aerobars and the whole aero gubbins you could probably knock a minute, maybe 1:30 off that time.
    Meaning, it was a super strong ride. Do you remember how you placed with that time on that course? Must have been competitive.
    I'm hoping to do my first sub-22 minute 10 this Saturday. I did 22:16 last year and my new bike/wheels feel SO much faster on that sort of terrain. Plus I seem to be holding some good form right now. Can't wait.

     

  • @Teocalli

    @ChrisO

    Was that Dunsfold? Not far from us so I may pop over if you go there again.

    0

    Indeed it was. It's part of the LVRC series for the region. Quite a few at Hog Hill and there's one down near Lewes and then the season finale that we promote on the Bletchingly course, but I don't think there are any more down that way.

    There's a midweek evening Vets series at Dunsfold but that's part of the Surrey League so you need a BC race licence, and for the few races I do under BC it just isn't worth the cost of the licence and then also subscribing to the race league.

     

  • @RobSandy

    @wiscot

    21.58 is/was my PB for a 10 too. Can’t remember the year, but it was on the GD 10 course at Langbank beside the River Clyde. Course was a Y shape with three roundabouts to negotiate – first one you basically rode through out and back, but the other two were basically 360 degree turns which really killed your speed. I do remember it was done on a regular steel road bike. No areo anything bar a skinsuit. Good times (and happy memories) indeed.

    I done some sums and I reckon that on a TT bike, with aerobars and the whole aero gubbins you could probably knock a minute, maybe 1:30 off that time.
    Meaning, it was a super strong ride. Do you remember how you placed with that time on that course? Must have been competitive.
    I’m hoping to do my first sub-22 minute 10 this Saturday. I did 22:16 last year and my new bike/wheels feel SO much faster on that sort of terrain. Plus I seem to be holding some good form right now. Can’t wait.
    0

    I can't remember. It may have even been a club-only race. The course headed west then returned eastwards and in the west of Scotland the prevailing wind was always from the west. I must have just had a good night. That being said, there were lots of opportunities to race open and club events back then so I likely rode at least 15-20 10s a year.

    Man, getting under 21 minutes would have been a thrill!. My PB for a 25 was on a similar set up on a course that overlapped much of the 10 course. 57:40 - and that involved contact with roundabouts 13 times and a course that had some real drags.

    Best 50 was a very annoying 2:00:24 done on a TT bike, areo bars, but regular wheels near Stirling.Half a second faster per mile and I'd have dipped under the 2hr mark!

    Unless it was a hyper strong field, I was a regular top 5 rider, winning a handful of races each year, and being a regular top 3. Good times and happy memories!

  • @wiscot

    Update to my PB as of yesterday - I took advantage of what I thought was decent conditions and rode 21:22 for a 10.

    Now wondering how I could go sub-21.

    For ChrisO, my average power was about 330w.

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