But the amount of requests for Peaks Challenge in Australia is staggering
Tricky part is that one is the same weekend as a race that I already committed to participating in, Valley of Tears Gravel.
TOUR Transalp is much more involved since it is a stage race, and it wouldn’t have the same number of participants as Maratona dles Dolomites or L’Etape du Tour.
But I feel like a stage race might provide more interesting content?
Here’s the official poll. I will abide by the results of this poll, with overwriting authority granted to @Nate_Pearson
TOUR Transalp
Maratona dles Dolomites
L’Etape du Tour
Peaks Challenge
0voters
I also might not be able to get in to some of those events as registration is full and I’d have to ask for a special exception.
Honestly Barry Roubaix as a race is not that good. As an event, as a good party, I think it is a fun experience. But if someone asks me what is a really good “race,” I would never recommend Barry.
I’m trying to decide on a summer MTB race to target next year and looked into Silver Rush, but it seemed like it was a lot of fire roads. How much singletrack is there?
I know I previously said LOTOJA and I think that needs to happen at some point but I’m changing my vote to Peaks Challenge because I want you to go on the Nero podcast.
Last summer I got a bit lost end ended up driving from Albertville, via Ugine Beaufort ended up in Bourg st Maurice. So most of the l’etape route. The scenery wasn’t ugly but definitely not as stunning as the pics I have seen from the maratona dles dolomites
I’ve done 3 x Peaks and one Maratona. The Maratona wins on scenery but is a pure climb and descend ride. Also I did it on a foggy wet day so the views were obscured. There is like 25km of flat riding. Peaks is akin to a grand tour road stage. 3 x mountain climbs but lots of varied terrain between them. The challenge with Peaks is that the hardest climb starts with 200km in the legs. The first 9km of the climb averages 9%. Depending on the heat it can look like a war zone with riders cramping, walking or even lying on the road. That is the challenge right there!
Do some events that us mere mortals could also do. Then document your training for the event. Not just your ride training but also things like sleep, nutrition etc leading up to the events.
Would be really great to hear him talk about an event that I have also done and can really relate to.
Hey - In terms if European races, I am somewhat surprised that Ötztaler Radmarathon hasn’t come up. It is maybe THE most prestigious and competitive marathon in the alps region. And it is both an absolute beast and a brilliant event.
Marathona and La Marmotte are also nice. L’Etape du Tour is more for tourists. Stay away from Flanders. At that time of the year, you’d basically be in for a very miserable day on the bike…
I’ve seen the caveat as well that they cannot quite confirm at this point that it will take place in 2025. I think that’s a formality though. It’s such a staple for the region and the the whole cycling community in big parts of Europe that they will definitely find a way. If you are considering it go for it. You won’t regret it.
I think I will get problems with the home front because I am already doing the maratona and marmotte granfondo des Alpes. Last year the Pyrenees edition of the Marmotte did get cancelled though
The Ride London Sportive is/was a shadow of its former self and isn’t running in 2025. The Fred Whitton Challenge is a worthy UK swap in.
Wish I could get into the Maratona Dl D but rejected in the ballot next year. Failed in the Mallorca 312 entry too as it sold out in minutes. And failed in Badlands 2025 ballot. Perhaps a press pass or my own YouTube gravel bro channel is what I need to gain entry to these awesome races
%. Same can be said of Iceman