Heeeyho Readers! Next Sunday's gonna be awesome!
It's been so long that I don't blog — as in a diary — that I'm unsure of what community to use.
Anyways. I'm excited to share. A lot.
Next Sunday is going to be explosive. A friend and I will participate in an uphill mountain biking race. Technically, it's not the usual mountain biking competition I'm used to — like Olympic Cross Country (XCO) or Short Track (XCC) or Marathon (XCM), with obstacles, mud, rocks, roots, etc. It's on asphalt instead, which doesn't ease the brutality.
The place
A few stats: 15 kilometers, 284 turns, 1400 meters of elevation, 6.4% average gradient, 14.6% maximum gradient.
The Serra do Rio do Rastro is one of the many valleys in the state of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. Highway SC-390 is characterized by steep climbs and hairpin turns. This world-famous road is located btween the town of Lauro Müller and Bom Jardim da Serra.
So, twice a year the town of Lauro Muller hosts the Serra do Rio do Rastro Hill-climb Challenge. The objective is plain and simple: climb the fucking hell as fast as you can.
The competition is divided in mountain bikes and road bikes; then each category is divided in sub-categories by age. I'm master A1 (30-34 yo). About 1500 athletes participate each year. {Holy shit}
The graph above shows how tough it's gonna be. There's barely no rest. Now... I'm not aiming at a podium since my bicycle isn't particularly lightweight, but I weight 62kg, which helps a lot. Completing without stopping is the real gain.
I've been there before, though the road was closed for cyclists due to repairs. Not gonna lie my itchy-itchy legs begged to cycle down the road. The following year it was the worst Covid wave ever. Finally, the pandemic is over, competitions are back, and I'll finally cycle the famous route.
Wish me luck and I'll bring photos later next week!
Peace.
Did you know that I have a book out? Check this!
Access Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/6500272773?
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~Love ya all,
Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.
