General Information:
As the Olympics will be hosted in Rio this year, the Olympic Cycling Route has been one of the most sought after routes among tourist and local cyclists. Although a majority of the ride takes place on traffic roads, it's possible to ride at times when there is less traffic and take on some bike paths along the way.
First, you need to decide how long (distance and time) you would like to ride, as the full Olympic Route (without the loops) is about 120km long, and includes one of Rio´s longest climbs towards the end at Estrada das Canoas. It's possible to ride just part of the route, so that you feel like you have ridden where the best athletes in world will compete in August, so check below for the distance and description:
Route Details:
1st part: Zona Sul, São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca
Start in Copacabana towards Leblon, ride along the bike paths until you reach Av. Niemeyer (where the bike path is being rebuilt), where you have to hop on the road. Av. Niemeyer will take you to São Conrado beach, where you can ride on the bike path, almost to end of the beach. You will have to get off the bike path and take a pedestrian overpass to get over to Estrada do Joá, which is short climb (about 8-12 minutes). At the top of Estrada do Joá, there is a viewpoint, where you can see the São Conrado beach and Av. Niemeyer, make sure you stop here for photos and if you are lucky, some coconut water. The descent will lead you to Barra da Tijuca. Here you can choose to ride to just before the BR gas station and do the u-turn to cross over the canal and enter Barra´s main avenue, or you can ride for a few meters on the side walk (against traffic) to cross the canal and then hop on the overpass near the famous Barra Church. In both cases, will look to reach the beach.
2nd part: Barra da Tijuca, Recreio, Prainha and Grumari
This is the only very flat part of the ride, although as you reach Prainha, there will be a short climb, with AMAZING views of Barra beach and then of the very famous Prainha. There is a bike patch the rides from Barra, past Recreio all the way to Prainha, so feel free to use it to avoid traffic. The Prainha and Grumari portions usually do not have much traffic, although it can be very busy on hot sunny days.
3rd part: Guaratiba and Estrada do Pontal
At the end of Grumari, you will take on one of steepest climbs in Rio, but it is very short and shaded. At the top you can see Grumari beach to one side and Restinga da Marambaia (located in Guaratiba) to the other side as you descend towards Guaratiba. At the bottom of the hill, make a right and this road will ride flat for about 10km, then you will have to climb another hill, but this is one is not steep, but can seem long (but it should take no more than 15 minutes for intermediate riders). The descent is also very flat and long, so if you are one of those adventurous riders, you can pick up some speed, just be very careful with the pavement and with traffic, even though not may vehicles use the road since the tunnel was constructed. At the bottom of the hill, stay on the road that will take you to Estrada do Pontal, one of my favorite parts. Here the pavement is in great condition and it's very flat rolling hills, where speedsters can really have some fun, as there is almost no traffic around. Estrada do Pontal will end at the entrance of the Prainha climb, so just veer left and head back along the beach bike path. The actual Olympic Route will have 2 or 3 loops from Prainha to Guaratiba to Estrada do Ponta.
4th part: Recreio and Barra da Tijuca, return
The return can be a bit of challenge, as in most days the wind will be strong and head on, especially between 11am-4pm. Other than the wind, it very flat and easy to ride. You will need to cross the same canal to head back to Estrada do Joá, so you can choose to ride on the rode once the bike beach path ends, ride along the canal until you see the bridge to Itanhangá on right side, or you can take Rua Olegário Maciel (at Pepe Beach, just before the bike path ends) and take the overpass near the Church (Paróquia São Francisco de Paula). Once you cross the canal, take a right and follow that road until it ends, then do a slight left at the roundabout and take the first right (there is an old bike path on the left side that has been converted to parking spots), which will take you back to Estrada do Joá and then São Conrado (remember there is a viewpoint at the top!). The climb is steeper on the return, but it is also shorter, it's a great challenge and workout after going for a such a long ride.
5th part: Estrada das Canoas, Mesa do Imperador, Vista Chinesa, Lagoas, Ipanema and Copacabana
This can, and will be, the biggest challenge of the ride for any rider. After you come down from Estrada do Joá, instead of taking the overpass to get to the São Conrado Beach, you will make a left at the small roundabout and start to climb Estrada das Canoas, which is about 4km long of non-stop climbing, with some steep parts. The climbing ends when you reach the entrance to the Hang Gliding ramp. As you descend, make sure you take a right on the next 2 intersections, as you will start to climb again until you reach Mesa do Imperador. From the Hang Gliding entrance all the way past Mesa do Imperador, you will be cycling in the middle of the Tijuca National Park Forest, surrounded by lots of trees and animals. It's such an amazing experience to feel like you are in another town, but you are really just minutes away from Rio´s hectic life style. Mesa do Imperador, and Vista Chinesa, where you will go by just a few minutes once you start descending for the last time, are two of Rio´s most visited viewpoints. Once you get to Vista Chinesa, you will understand why people love it. You can get a great view of Rio´s Lagoa and beaches, with Sugar Loaf and the Christ Statue in the background. Stopping for photos and to enjoy the view is mandatory, but only if you are not in a rush. The descent will end in Horto, where you ride around the back side of the Botanical Garden and follow the street until you reach Lagoa, where you can take the bike path around Lagoa (make sure you go right), which connects to the bike path in Jardim de Alah, so that you can get back on the beach bike path in Ipanema. Lagoa also offers great views of Christ and the surrounding mountains, feel free to stop for some coconut water or even some "petiscos" as you go by the different kiosks. Once back on the beach bike path, just follow it to Copacabana, or head anywhere else you would like to go. If you are looking for a place to eat lunch, you can choose between Borogodó, which is in Horto, across the street from the Botanical Garden, or Braseiro, may favorite restaurant in Rio, in Gávea.
Distance Options:
115km: All 5 parts (complete Olympic Route without the extra loops)
100km: Parts 1-4 (once back in São Conrado, take the beach bike path then Av. Niemeyer to get back to Leblon-Copacana area)
60km: Parts 1 and 5 (as you reach Barra, just return back on the same road then take Estrada das Canoas)
50km: Part 1 (but return at the Joá viewpoint) and part 5
40km: Part 1 (but don't ride up Estrada do Joá, instead, ride up Estrada das Canoas after you take the overpass) and part 5.
Cyclin Rio Advice:
- Best day to ride it on: Sunday, the earlier the better
- When not to ride: Week days from 6am-10am, as traffic along Niemeyer is only one-way, going towards Leblon-Ipanema (so it's impossible to ride at that time from Leblon to São Conrado).
- What to take: Lots of water, sun block, food and nutritional supplements, along with bike repair tools and kits. Camera or smartphone to take pictures along the way. Smartphone with Internet access to aid in following the route.
- When Ridiing: When sharing the roads with cars and buses, always try to be at speeds above 20km/h and where there are lots of turns and traffic is not very fast, it may be better to ride in the middle of the road at times, to avoid getting "pushed" aside (especially by buses).
- What Bike to Use: Road or Hybrid. As it is a long route and has decent pavement throughout the entire route (especially now as it has been repaved for the Olympics), you will be better off using lighter and quicker bikes. If you don´t have a bike, you can rent one from Cyclin Rio here.
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