Challenge riding is a form of
cycling
Cycling, also known as bicycling or biking, is the activity of riding a bicycle or other types of pedal-driven human-powered vehicles such as balance bikes, unicycles, tricycles, and quadricycles. Cycling is practised around the world fo ...
where the riders challenge themselves rather than each other. Some challenge rides are
charity events
Charity may refer to:
Common meanings
* Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons
* Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sh ...
or pledge rides. Some are organised as pre- or early-season training events (sometimes in the UK called
reliability trials). Others, often referred to as ''Randonnées'', ''
brevets'' or
Audax events occur simply for the sake of the challenge;
cyclosportive
A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually. The Italian term ''Gran Fondo'' is commonly used for these events in the United States, Australia and som ...
events allow cyclists to test themselves over challenging race routes used, for example
L'Étape du Tour in the
Tour de France
The Tour de France () is an annual men's multiple-stage cycle sport, bicycle race held primarily in France. It is the oldest and most prestigious of the three Grand Tour (cycling), Grand Tours, which include the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a ...
. Most challenge rides are open to all comers, but a few require qualification to attend.
Challenge rides may be day rides of fixed distance (e.g. 50 km, 100 km, 100 miles) or multi-day trips that span a state, country or province, such as
RAGBRAI in
Iowa
Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...
and the
End to End in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
.
See also
*
Audax
*
Bicycle touring
Bicycle touring is the taking of self-contained cycling trips for pleasure, adventure or autonomy rather than sport, commuting or exercise. Bicycle touring can range from single-day trips to extended travels spanning weeks or months. Tours may be ...
*
Brevet or Randonnée
*
Century ride
*
Cyclosportive
A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually. The Italian term ''Gran Fondo'' is commonly used for these events in the United States, Australia and som ...
References
External links
California Centuries and Double Centuries
Cycle sport
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