Il Dolce Far Niente: My favorite outdoor activities: Cycling

October 2013

I've mostly written trip reports etc. about my outdoor activities. This time I look my favorite outdoor activity from different angle, i.e through professional racing. There's at least one more post coming for another discipline. These posts will only superficially describe these activities.

Thus, shall cycling be the first one. To be precise here, it's all about road cycling/racing. I do like other variants of cycling e.g. mountain biking, track cycling, BMX etc. but road cycling's been my favorite so many years.

It's fantastic to see pro races, not only on telly but on live, too. There are many type of races; one day classics, a week long races and three week long grand tours in Italy, France and Spain, to name few. In Criterium type of races cyclists circle the same loop multiple times, allowing spectators to see them several times during the race. Europe is the main scene for so many important races, though each continent has many vital races, too (e.g. Tour of California in the US and Tour Down Under in Australia).

Many of the classic one day races are ridden on Spring time in Belgium and Netherlands, e.g. Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. These are hundred year old races, having long traditions, many heroes and maybe villains, too.

The first grand tour of each year is Giro d'Italia (Il Giro), a three week race in Italy with a couple of rest days. About 3500 km altogether, containing flat stages, time trials and mountain stages.

June is about time for National Championships. Winners can carry a Jersey in their National colors until the next year's Championships.

In July starts Tour de France, or just Le Tour. One could say the biggest, boldest and the most famous of all cycling races. Three weeks, similar to Giro. Thousands of people allocate their holidays for that period. Roads near the route are full of RVs. Some french people claim that summer is over after "Le Tour" is finished.

There are plenty of Criterium races after the Tour in Europe. People are keen on seeing well positioned riders and Criteriums offer good chances for it. In the USA, Criterium races are common throughout the year, too.

A few weeks after Le Tour, will be the last grand tour, Vuelta a Espana, or just La Vuelta. Yet another three week race on its highest level.

Autumn time is filled in few one day classics, e.g. Giro di Lombardia ('La Gara delle Foglie Morte') and Paris-Tours.

Every year at autumn time, there will be a World Championship races on road, Time Trials and one day road races, for juniors, women and men. Winners can carry a so called rainbow jersey for a year, very desired jersey.

To see the races on live, some of the one day classics are good starting point. Giro, Tour or Vuelta are all magnificent to see, even just a day or two. Starting of each event, the very first weekend of them (.e.g 'Grand Depart' in Le Tour), are exciting to see. Spectators can see riders practicing, talk to them etc. There's a great excitement in the air. Mountain stages can be spectacular. Everyone hopes good weather, clear blue sky, not rain. Some climbs in Europe have reached on legendary status, as they've been ascended over hundred years by cycling heroes on their bicycles.

There's another aspect on these routes, too. It's not only about seeing these races but if possible, to ride on bicycle on the very same routes. Flat stages can sometimes be boring, but once you hit on the famous mountain climb with your bike, you get extra energy from somewhere (I don't mean performance enhanced products there). Don't worry if your climbing time will be longer than Alberto's.

The following photos try to explain what one can see or experience on route, on competition as a spectator, or even trying to imagine yourself on a saddle riding these routes.

The photos are taken during the following races and places: