Keep the Wheels Turning in 2020 with our Top Pick of Virtual Rides

So, 2020 hasn’t gone to plan. There’s a good chance that some, if not all of your races and events have been cancelled, or at the very least postponed. With legendary events such as L’ Etape du Tour being shelved until next summer, and mass event postponements, even for the at the very highest level of riders; it is fair to say that the entire cycling community has felt the impact of the global COVID – 19 pandemic. However, with virtual group rides, races, and challenges; there are still ways to have a great time on two wheels in 2020.

With the likes of the Zwift Tour for All, the IRONMAN Virtual Club; staying fit and adding to your medal collection, is still very much on the table in 2020. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, or triathlete; a beginner or a seasoned vet, there is something out there for everyone. In most cases, you can take on your challenge anywhere (including indoors), at a time to suit you. The only thing you need to do is enter.

The Virtual TDF and Etape du Tour

In 2019, for the first time ever, Zwift hosted a Virtual Etape du Tour. Zwift first hosted an online Etape du Tour in 2019. However, this event consisted of a single stage, and there was no corresponding virtual pro race. In 2020 the Virtual Etape du Tour evolved. Zwift not only brought us a Virtual l’Etape du Tour in 2020, but it came as part of the Virtual TdF. This year’s Virtual Etape allowed riders to test themselves on the same virtual roads as the pros, and was hosted across 3 days, rather than just one.

Zwift created all new France and Paris maps, to give you a more authentic TDF experience, in the virtual world, and there were 16 different slots to take on your ride, on each event weekend. So, there was a time slot to fit every schedule.

The 3 stages on offer were as follows;

• Stage 1 (July 4-5): Watopia Mountain Route (Nice) 29.5km, 682m of ascent
• Stage 2 (July 11-12): Casse-Pattes 2x (South-West France) 45.8 km, 290m of ascent
• Stage 3 (July 18-19): Ven-Top (Mont Ventoux) 20.9km. 1523m of ascent

(above: trailer for 2020 virtual TDF)

We fully anticipate that the Virtual TDF and Etape du Tour will return, even bigger and better in 2021. So, watch this space to find out more.

However, due to the high number of entry roll overs from the (non virtual) 2020 Etape du Tour, and the fact that 2021 will now see the landmark 31st edition, we expect demand to be exceptionally high for next year. You can secure your early bird entry now, with us, at Sports Tours International.

My Prudential RideLondon

A legacy of the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Prudential RideLondon – Surrey has grown exponentially in popularity, and is now part of the worlds biggest festival of cycling. This fully closed road sportive is always a sell out event.  An entry ballot is now used to allocate places. Due to the the global COVID – 19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the event was sadly cancelled. Due to the resulting roll over entries we anticipate exceptionally high demand for places in 2021.

2020 therefore saw the the first ever virtual edition of Prudential RideLondon. The world’s greatest festival of cycling took to the virtual world across the weekend of 15th and 16th August. This celebration of cycling was put together in an effort to help the UK’s charities at this difficult time. The event was totally free and you could complete your challenge from anywhere in the world.

The 4 challenges on offer for My Prudential RideLondon were.

They are;

• My Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100: 100-mile bike ride
• My Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46: 46-mile bike ride
• My Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 19: 19-mile bike ride
• My Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle:  an event that allows you to set your own challenge on the wheels of your choice!

You can visit the official event website, for more information HERE.

Haute Route Watopia

The Haute Route Concept is simple, if not ambitious. Their aim is to ‘deliver an unparalleled ‘professional’ experience for amateur cyclists’. The flagship event, Haute Route Alps has long been hailed as one of the toughest, and most challenging cycling experiences, available to amateur cyclists. Described by Cyclist Magazine as“leg-shredding and life-changing in equal measure”. This bucket list event is always a sell out. Many riders even return year on year to try and beat their best on the most challenging climbs and legendary cols in cycling.

Due to the events of the COVID -19 pandemic, entries for all of the Haute Route events will be in high demand for 2021. You can however still secure your place with Sports Tours International, and benefit from all of the perks of travelling with us. Our additional Haute Eoute services include; extra food, water, and mechanic services on the route, hotels in ideal locations for the starts and finishes of stages, and event transfers to and from the hotels and the stages on event days.

April 2020 saw the birth of a whole new Haute Route concept. Haute Route Watopia is billed as “the world’s most challenging virtual 3-day stage event.” This is an event designed to push riders to the limit. As with any Haute Route they take on tough routes, three days in a row, from the comfort (or rather discomfort of their own home. Haute Route Watopia will return early in 2021. Giving you all the motivation you need to get through those tough winter months. The event will consist of 3 epic courses: The Three Sisters, Tour of Fire and Ice, and The Pretzel.

Be prepared to excel like any other Haute Route event, but this time in your living room.

Ride with US

Here at Sports Tours International, we have really missed helping you to achieve your dreams.  We love sharing your experience at various cycling events, sportives, and multi-day challenges, around the world. So much so infect, that we’ve been hosting our own group rides, every week on Zwift.

We love being able to chat and ride with you (even if only in the virtual world). It has been great to be able to keep each other motivated, during these difficult, and for some lonely, times. Fortunately, we’ve been enjoying some recent good weather in the UK, and return of some racing (with Wout Van Aert claiming victories in both the postponed  2020 Strade Bianche and Milan San Remo). So, we’re taking a break from Zwift for now. Watch this space however, as we’ll return with more virtual rides to keep you motivated and riding in the winter months!

AS THE RACING RETURNS, we want to remind you that when you book with us  YOU CAN BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE!

Keep the wheels turning with virtual racing and Sports Tours International – Our Experience Will Continue to Make Yours!

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