Globale locale: Danish delights
We love where we ride but we appreciate that cycling isn't about one col, one climb or even one country. Over the coming months we will be adding our support to rides organised by some of our excellent retail partners across the globe. If any of them are where you ride, we - and they - would love to see you.
First on the list: Farum just outside Copenhagen - the city known as a cycling mecca for those on the northern part of the continent.
THE RDV : VELO PAVÉ
The go-to meeting point for Copenhagen riders wanting to ride into space….Our long-term retail partners with an eye for style, a love of fine bikes and the odd gravel path.
They also have a thriving community of female riders and so this particular ride was the second edition of the Velo Pave & Café du Cycliste 100 Women's Ride.
A race which isn’t a race, but more a celebration of women and cycling squeezed into 50 kilometers of glorious terrain.
THE PELOTON : 100 WOMEN
The Womens 100 ride does what it says on the tin. One of the largest groups of female riders you’ll find this side of the atlantic. From new riders on new bikes to club racers and everything in between. Many have found a new passion via Velo Pavé, helped in no small part by clothing that fits the bill.
It's social at the back, anti-social at the front and each rider picks her place accordingly. And we guess in these colder climes, there is heat in numbers.
THE PARCOURS : ROLLERS & DUTCH HILLS
Northern Sealand sounds like you’re bound to meet polar bears along the road, but it is in fact only 25 kilometers North of Copenhagen.
The Women's Ride takes in a curated lap of the countryside through picturesque farmland and rolling hills. Add to this some 'dutch hills' and pan-flat elevation profiles can be deceiving. Hills and headwinds split the female peloton into smaller groups but there is a constant stream of riders on this network of rural roads, with friendly waves exchanged by everyone. It's seemingly a collective enjoyment of the open space away from the city.
Past the lake of Buresoe, through the leafy woods and onto the main hilly roads towards the small towns of Slagslunde and Ganloese it's easy to undersand why.
THE PRIZES: CHAMPAGNE & CUPCAKES
Chilled champagne savoured, not sprayed. A classy reward at the end of a 'race that's not a race'. And the other rewards: the kilometres banked in the legs and the jokes from the road. Live music in the shop means the endorphin kick is preserved for as long as possible.
LA PROCHAINE :
The next Women’s 100 will be held on 29th September 2018.
In the meantime, Velo-Pavé's club of 200 members has weekly rides both on and off-road for groups of different abilities throughout the year.
RIDERS' NOTES:
Strava File - here
More info on Velo Pavé - here