Strade Bianche Really Kicks off the Euro Classics this Weekend
Last Saturday kicked off the European spring classics at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Next up this saturday 5th March is Strade-Bianche in Italy, nicknamed Europe's "most southern northern classic". Most top contenders for the Classics are heading that way before Milan-San Remo and returning to the cobbles of Belgium and France.
The 176km race is well known for its 50km of dirt roads, with the 'Strade Bianche' (white) roads twisting through the Tuscan hills. The resulting race profile is simliar to racing on the pave of Northern France or Belgium.
The dirt roads include steep climbs and tough descents. The gravel sections aren't smooth with stones, potholes and hidden dangers. The weather has been typically dry in previous years, riders not at the front have to battle with chocking dust. Sheer good luck, riding ability and bike handling skills are required to win Strade Bianchi. Fabian Cancellara from Trek Factory Racing is targeting a 3rd victory.
With the Women's Strade Bianche opening the new Women's WorldTour and a Gran Fondo added on the Sunday, the Strade Bianche weekend has the event headlining the cycling news this week.
It looks as if there is a 100% chance of rain which will make for an Epic 11th running of the event - steephill.tv/classics/strade-bianche/
Stokeville Strade, Stokeville Virginia, March 5th
For those of you in Virgina the Stokeville Strade pays homage to its counterpart on the same day. The route is comprised of 6 magical natural surface segments with about 60% of the course following paved roads. The distance covered is 33 or 66 Miles. Elevation gain is 1,800 ft or 3,200 ft. Registration is open until Friday 4th March 10pm EST so still time to enter.
Redlands Strada Ross Ride, Redlands, CA, March 19th
For those of you in near Los Angeles, the Redlands Strada Rossa Ride riders will experience what they collectively consider some of the best roads and trails in the Eastern San Bernardino Valley, linked together in one full day of riding. Good trails, back roads, great scenery, fantastic people! This is not your typical ride. The course goes on and off road and even hits some single track. Yes, some people on road bikes can do this. YOU MUST HAVE SKILLS!!!! A CX bike is ideal, but mountain and road bikes both work too.
There are three courses available: English century (100 miles), metric century (62 miles) and metric half century (30 miles). As in previous years, all share the same course! A shared riding experience is one of the foundations of the RSR. The half-metric will be really straighforward, and a good ride for someone just getting into multi-surface rides. The metric century will begin the same as the half, but instead will keep going up to Yucaipa, Crafton and then Mentone.
Weekend Coming March 5th-6th
There's loads of ride on across the US this weekend coming. Notables are the Mensos SLO Ride to Hell in Santa Margarita, CA; the sold out Malibu Gran Fondo, CA and the epic Gravel Grinder, Gravelthon just outside the City of Dallas, Texas.
Better get your entries in quick!
| Date | Event | Location | Routes | Diff | Type | My Rides |
| Mar 05 - Mar 06 | Seattle Bike Show | Seattle, Washington, USA | EXPO |
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| Mar 05 | Kings River Blossom Bike Ride | Reedley, California, USA | 20, 40, 60 miles | C | CENTURY |
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| Mar 05 | Mulholland Prelude | Los Angeles, California, USA | 69 miles | D | CENTURY |
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| Mar 05 - Mar 06 | CAF Cycling Challenge - Ojai Valley | Santa Barbara, California, USA | 3 days | D | TOUR |
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| Mar 05 | Southern Inyo Double Century | Lone Pine, California, USA | 199 miles | F | DOUBLE |
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| Mar 05 - Mar 06 | Malibu Gran Fondo | Four Seasons, California, USA | 12, 40, 106, 151 km | B | GRANFONDO |
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| Mar 05 | Mensos SLO Ride to Hell | Santa Margarita, California, USA | 75 miles | E | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | Sweetlove Gravel Grinder | Oskaloosa, Kansas, USA | 32, 58 miles | C | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | Gravelthon | Dallas, Texas, USA | 20, 40, 60 miles | C | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | The Ravens Revenge | Huntsville, Texas, USA | 10, 20, 33, 44, 63m | B | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | Dirt(y) Pecan | Monticello, Florida, USA | 60, 100, 150 miles | F | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | Stokesville Strade | Stokesville, Virginia, USA | 33, 66 miles | C | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | Southern Cross | Dahlonega, Georgia, USA | 50 miles | C | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 05 | Big River Epic | Ursa, Illinois, USA | 100k | C | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 06 | Iowa Spring Classic | Cumming, Iowa, USA | 25, 44 miles | C | GRAVEL |
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| Mar 06 | Ride Robeson Metric Century | Lumberton, North Carolina, USA | 5, 10, 62 miles | B | CENTURY |
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| Mar 06 | Martys Reliable Chilly Chili Ride | Randolph, New Jersey, USA | 25, 45 miles | B | TOUR |
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| Mar 06 | SpringFest Metric Century | Brookshire, Texas, USA | 28,48, 64 miles | C | CENTURY |
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Stage 1 - Le Perray-en-Yvelines
