El Giro de Rigo

Heading to Colombia, the event stands out for its regional switch. The celebration menu invites you to tackle a race that has become a true institution in South America: the renowned Giro de Rigo, orchestrated by the indispensable and flamboyant Rigoberto Urán. Put your daydreams of a recovery ride aside; the profile is a full homage to the escarabajos (the legendary Colombian climbers). Your body will have to acclimate to altitude and face brutal climbs to stand a chance of taming this challenge alongside “Rigo”! ⏱️

The route thrusts you into a setting of absolute richness, a tropical and mountainous paradise. Your effort will sweep you through vast coffee plantations, across valleys of emerald-green, and up to peaks often lost in the clouds. Immersion forces you to manage your breath in thinner air at altitude while you dance on the pedals to conquer percentages that spare no one ⛰️.

Forget austere, quiet tests; here the Colombian fiesta is a religion. Locals pack across village crossings, with speakers blasting reggaeton, road-side dances, and shouts of ¡Vamos mijito, hágale! at full volume to give you wings. An atmosphere of pure exuberance welcomes you under the final arch, where mountain suffering instantly melts into contagious joy 🏅.

Keep one last pang of appetite to honor the very (very) generous Colombian gastronomy once you’ve parked your bike. Carry your exhausted body to the nearest restaurant to devour a monumental bandeja paisa (a titanical plate of rice, red beans, ground meat, chicharrón, plantain, egg and avocado) or a comforting sancocho (the traditional broth). And to celebrate your feat, nothing beats a good tinto (local black coffee) or a small glass d'aguardiente to toast to Rigo’s health.