10 of the World's Toughest Bike Rides: Legendary Challenges for Serious Cyclists
The Tour de France's centenary edition launches on June 29 in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica, with three weeks of grueling climbs and high-speed time trials ahead for the world's top cyclists. Feeling inspired? Test your endurance on these 10 legendary routes, demanding powerful legs, unbreakable resolve, and resilience against saddle soreness.
A mountain biker descending a narrow trail in the Altiplano, Bolivia. Image by Olivier Renck / Aurora / Getty Images.
Col du Tourmalet, France
A Tour de France icon since 1910 and the most visited climb in race history, Col du Tourmalet crowns the Pyrenees' highest paved pass. The western approach spans 19km with 1,404m of elevation gain at a relentless 7.4% average gradient.
L’Alpe d’Huez, France
The Alpine counterpart to Tourmalet, this iconic 13.8km ascent features 21 hairpin turns that push even pros to their limits—a world away from flat urban rides.
El Camino de la Muerte, Bolivia
Known as the 'Death Road,' this thrilling mountain bike descent starts at 4,700m near La Paz and drops to 1,200m. Guided tours mitigate risks, as most incidents involve vehicles, not cyclists.
'Flinders Vietnam Cycle 2011' by Kyle Taylor. CC BY 2.0.
Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Vietnam
Grasshopper Adventures (grasshopperadventures.com) offers this 16-day epic from the Mekong Delta's lush lowlands, through Dalat's mountains, and over Hai Van Pass. Short daily stages help, but tropical heat demands frequent support vehicle stops for hydration.
Passo di Gavia, Italy
A Giro d’Italia classic in the stunning Italian Alps, this 26km climb gains 2,621m. Often snowbound in winter, it can deliver fierce weather even in summer.
Manali to Leh, India
Red Spokes (www.redspokes.co.uk) guides this Himalayan beast through pine forests, dirt tracks, and switchbacks to Leh—exclusively for hardcore cyclists, with rest days included.
Lake Louise to Whistler, Canada
After conquering the Rockies, tackle the Coast Mountains on this week-long tour (www.rockymountaincycle.com): over 1,000km and 11,000m of climbing that tests body and mind.
Cycling with a stunning lake view in Banff National Park. Image by Reinhard Pantka / Flickr / Getty Images.
Cape Epic, South Africa
This premier off-road stage race shifts routes annually but delivers eight days of rugged terrain. The 2014 edition (March 23-30) spanned 698km with 15,650m of climbs (www.cape-epic.com)—dwarfing many Tour stages.
Alto de L'Angliru, Spain
A Vuelta a España hallmark in Asturias, this 12.5km monster averages a brutal 10.13% gradient, rivaling the Grand Tours' fiercest tests.
Three Peaks Challenge, Australia
Victoria's annual 235km event in 13 hours assaults Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham, and Falls Creek alongside pros (March 9, 2014; www.bicyclenetwork.com.au). Team up—solo attempts not advised.
How to Ride Your Own Tour de France
The full 3,403km Tour suits elite athletes, but single stages are accessible. Letour.fr details every stage's distance and elevation. Use Google's cycling navigation on Android in France, customizing for quiet roads over highways.
Ready for a cycling odyssey? Book via LonelyPlanet.com:
- Cycle the perilous Leh-Manali route
- Pedal Vietnam's rural villages
- Adventure-cycle through Rajasthan
Recover in Lonely Planet's top hostels and hotels.
