With the cycling season almost in full swing, it’s the perfect time to honor the hardest, most epic, and brutal ascents of the cycling world. While it would be easy to compile a list entirely from stages in the Alps, this however would venture a little further afield with climbs that are no less thrilling or fear-inducing.
Climbing a hill on a bike is purely physical and mentally challenging, but one of our favorite parts of pro-cycling is probably watching pro athletes battle it out on tough and brutal routes. The thrill and excitement keep you on your toes, isn’t that true?
To shortlist, we have compiled the Top 5 World Hardest Cycling Routes. If you are down for a challenge, be sure to be in your best form to conquer these beasts as it’s not for the faint of heart.
1. Death Valley, USA
America’s Death Valley is not generally known as a great place to ride, as the summer temperature routinely hits 49 celsius, and landmarks with the names like Funeral Mountain, Devil’s Golf Course, and Coffin Peak, you get the idea. But Death Valley would be the only location you can ride from below sea level to almost 1,700m above in one hit.
It begins at -85.5m at the dry, salt-covered Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, the first 25km ride up to Dante’s View is virtually flat and the next 30km of asphalt rises steadily to four percent. The challenging part of the entire 64.8km ride will be the increasing gradient as the higher it gets.
If you complete to the top of the hill, there’s a small car park overlooking the valley.
Image via : Matador Network
2. Khardung La, India
In Khardung La, India, this route features many die-hard cyclists’ bucket lists. Anyone game enough to start this ultra-long ride is likely to regret it as soon as they start pedaling.
It’s a total distance of 39km starting from the town of Leh to the summit. While the gradient is steady at five percent and the road is not asphalted. In the final 15km, you can expect rocks and an odd lump of snow on the route.
Due to the proximity of the Pakistan and Chinese borders, army truck convoys are a regular hazard, but that’s nothing compared to what the altitude can do. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can start to kick in and affect people over 2,400m and Khardung rises to over double of that.
3. Passo Del Mortirolo, Italy
One of the most famous non-summit finishes in the world. An 11.3km length with an elevation gain of 1,235m. You can tackle the legendary climb in the Gran Fondo Stelvio, where you will be met by sections of up to 30%.
A beautiful, steep but rewarding, even Lance Armstrong called it the hardest climb he rode.
Image via : CapoVelo
4. Hardknott Pass, UK
Hardknott Pass in the Lake District has been claimed to be the country’s steepest and toughest cycling route.
As cattle grid at the start sucks any speed you may have had, before the roads kick up with extremely steep opening ramps.
However, the exposed climb boasts of Cumbria’s very best views, and you’ll no doubt be graced by the weather the country has to offer.
5. Mont Ventoux, France
Also known as the Giant of Provence. This mountain is steeped in cycling folklore and utterly dominates a flat area, making it a beacon for all cycling sadists.
With punishing lower slopes and an incredible moonscape peak. A manageable gradient on normal hills, however, once on treeless higher parts, cyclists are often exposed to strong wind or heat exhaustion.
Ventous is possibly one of the most out of this world climbs that you could ever conquer.
For more information please scan me (QRCode).
For further inquiry please contact us: Max 012-2969969, Christine 012-3590048 or YG 016-2020911.
