Ride Information and Ratings:
- Date: March, 14th 2016
- Distance: 35.7km
- Total Ascent: 2,190 meters
- Location: Serra do Rio do Rastro (starting and returning to Guatá/ Lauro Muller)
- Total Riding Time: 2:25h riding, 2:53h total
- Scenic Views Rating: 10
- Ride Safety Rating: 8
- Cultural and Tourism: 8
- Level of Exercise Rating: 10
- Type of Terrain: Asphalt good condition
- Description of Terrain: The ride takes place on the mountain range that leads to the top of the Serra do Rio do Rastro and the entire ride is on a two-way road with no shoulder. The asphalt is a compound mix with small rocks that help create traction for cars, so it requires more effort to cycle up. But it is in good condition and safe to ride on.
Ride Map:
- https://www.strava.com/activities/517006903
Did you know:
- The entire ride up to the top of Serra do Rio do Rastro has lighting, which is provided by the wind turbines that sit atop of the moutain.
Ride Details:
- This is one of my 3 favorite rides ever.
- I wish it was longer or that I had more time to reach over to the other side, or even start from a town farther town (Gravatal), so that the entire ride would last for at least 5-6 hours.
- The ride from Gravatal to the top of Serra do Rio do Rastro is about 70km each way, and the road that takes you there seems like a great road to ride. It´s mostly flat in the beginning and closer to Lauro Muller there are a few short climbs.
- The ride can be divided into 3 segments: 1) First part of the climb, which is about 11km long and it´s not very steep (about 50 minutes); 2) Last part of the climb, which is about 7km and very steep, with the best views (about 55 minutes); 3) The descent, which is an amazing experience and with conflicting feelings: go down fast and have a great adventure or go really slow and enjoy every second? Might have to go up a few more times to decide which one is best.
- The view point at the top offers a view of the mountain range, with the wind roads that makes it feel almost as if it´s not real.
- The are two places to stop and get drinks on the way up, and there is one convenience store at the very top, after the view point.
- Although there is no shoulder, the feeling I got was that the cars and trucks (I did not see any buses) that travel on the that road go rather slow so at no point did a vehicle present any danger to me.
- The entire ride offers an incredible view. As you begin cycling in Guatá, you almost don´t believe that you are about to cycle all the way to the top of such a massive mountain. This part of the mountain is almost "V" shaped and we begin at the top of on the "V" legs, riding towards where the two legs connect. In this firs part, you get great views of the valley that you leave behind as you cycle up, as well as the views of the imposing mountain on the other "leg" of the "V", which is a mix of lots of trees and vertical rocks, that create an astonishing view throughout the entire ride. As you reach higher and begin to cycle on the steepest part, just about where both sides of the mountain connect (bottom part of the "V"), you are confronted with two views as you ride along the many 180 degree turns that make this ride so majestic: You are either looking up to the top of the mountain or facing the amazing mountain ridge, with the winding road in the foreground, side of the mountains and valley in background. Breathtaking.
- Ride starts at an altitude of 350 meters and ends at just over 1,400 high.
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