We Designed The Hardest 100km Bike Ride Possible - And This Is What Happened!

[@natillano]

100 km in, 20 uphill segments. And still a chatterbox. That's why you gotta love Ollie Bridgewood

[@marcuspartridge11]

I'd be so exhausted that I wouldn't have the words!

[@daki222000]

@@marcuspartridge11 last scene was recorded one week later

[@razvanyke]

Yeah, he is a character : ))

[@ShannonSouthAfrica]

He's a machine.

[@marcuspartridge11]

We all need to stop teasing Ollie. For not being an ex pro, the man is a beast! I consider myself to be a fairly fit amateur and that ride would have killed me...not sure I could have finished!

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

I think every time someone makes that dropped joke, they should have to post a link to their Strava. It's only fair.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

@Bjorn Arnesen His mullet was popular last year.

[@pj9375]

Well said Marcus. Ollie is a great asset to the gcn team and shows what most of us might be able to achieve if we are as dedicated… keep going strong 💪

[@666Dejmien666]

He may not be an ex pro, but stil he's getting payed for riding his bike so he is really lucky. We can hate him for that, can we?

[@marcuspartridge11]

@@666Dejmien666 maybe, but I'm guessing they spend 90% of their time in content creation, production, and editing. It looks like a ton of work!

[@ricardoaugusto3373]

Got this bike about a month ago in the 105 model. Super happy! 52-36, 11-28 may seem a bit daunting at first but i live near the mountains and atm there isn't a single climb i haven't tackled. Cheers guys, will try this challenge next!

[@xuchenglin6256]

Really great to finally see a bike from Decathlon here! Their bikes are so good, so much under-evaluated, definitely bang for the bucks, they are as good as the 3x or 4x prices ones from other companies. Decathlon probably is the only bike company today, that actually produces more real bikes than all the marketing hype stuffs.

[@dudefella420]

Giant…

[@jinngeechia9715]

Merida

[@boudoir00]

Canyon

[@desertrainfrog1691]

Vintage Bikes are probably the truly best value. You can find ones that are well beyond entry level for $300 if you look around and do a bit of maintenance.

[@mattreid8755]

And more importantly economies of scale to product place into GCN

[@SimoneChiaretta]

Funny how changing name makes huge difference: Van Rysel is basically the high end line of Btwin, the decathlon bike brand. Fun fact: Van Rysel means “from Lille” in Flemish, the Dutch dialect spoken in Flanders, where the Decathlon HQ is

[@usget]

I didn’t know that about the name! Good fact

[@Stoney3K]

Even more comical is the fact that Rijsel (Lille) is historically a Dutch speaking city, and is the capital of the province of Flanders.... France.

[@PedroRodriguez-kg4bq]

@@Stoney3K Flanders is french speaking Belgian ?

[@SimoneChiaretta]

@@Stoney3K indeed… that area once was the French Flanders… even tho is not an official name nowadays and they don’t speak Dutch any more.

[@SimoneChiaretta]

@@PedroRodriguez-kg4bq Flanders is the Dutch speaking part of Belgium

[@spaghettibadger647]

Those rules are.. mental. As a professional in the field of GIS (Geographic Information) who spends a lot of time working routes for bin collections and public transport etc I was following along thinking that it wasn't too bad until more and more restrictions were added. What are you going to do for your follow up? The travelling salesman problem?

[@Jayneflakes]

I went to Uni in Bath (Barth, not Baff!) back in 90s and even had a job in AVC when it was under the railway station, so I know those roads very well, including that climb up to to the uni. There is a wonderful climb climb up Box hill towards Chippenham on the A4, which was one of my regular training rides when I raced tandems around there too. Thanks for showing some of the beautiful sights of the city that I have some very fond memories of, including being a hand model for one of the magazines in Monmouth Street!

[@kilianortmann9979]

Could you do a video about, what to do when running out of gears up a climb. Mashing your gear vs out of saddle vs serpentining uphill.

[@miguelteixeira4134]

Has all the bits and bobs of the modern endurance bike, like droped seat stays, tapered head tube and being out of stock....

[@MadeiraAirport]

Will do something similar here in Madeira soon, probably will be more than 4.000 meters of climb!!

[@foxkilo9909]

funny to see you here :D

[@MadeiraAirport]

@@foxkilo9909 I'm a cyclist too :)

[@danthedemon4302]

Did you plan a route yet?

[@dennistay9980]

Ollie's an absolute tank! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@robbchastain3036]

He's come a long way from riding on the back of a BMX tandem. I think he's put his losing ways behind him. :)

[@karthie1000]

hope he does not get dropped anymore, this ride shows he is improved, but lets see

[@VanillaSky23ffm]

The hardest 100km ride I ever did was clearly the 100km ascent of Mauna Kea in Hawaii from Waikoloa with 4205m elevation, but also the most beautiful one

[@boomshine7]

breaks the rules tho

[@Znowin]

@@boomshine7 the rules are stupid, makes it by far not the hardest 100k also means they didn't have to travel for this title

[@boomshine7]

@@Znowin I just stated it doesnt comply to these rules, not that the rules are good or bad, everyone has its own 'hard' ride depending on level and best cycling skills

[@tams805]

@@Znowin The rules make it fairer, otherwise it would just be a quest to find the place with a long road with the longest increase in elevation.

[@marioouellet2875]

OMG. Insane. Breathing was not a problem at that altitude?

[@kojuha1]

Veery pleasant to watch, it’s incredible how it seams that Ollie actually did the whole 100 km on that day, instead of riding only those small bits when filming… Great effort, great film!

[@tedallenwolff]

nice ride Ollie! I have a similar compact climbing here in my home town north of San Francisco. Most of the roads are lovely, quiet residential streets with excellent pavement. It includes about a dozen climbs with plenty of sections ranging from 15 % to 18%. It's only 35 kilometers but has 1000 meters of elevation gain (a good workout!) There are a couple of fantastic views too.

[@arfarzam]

Cheers from the east bay.

[@2dcutout]

San Fran is definitely hillier than Bath!

[@waynemcdonnell3167]

25% and ollie still waffling when I'd be absolutely blowing like an 85 year old asthmatic..... Guys a savage!!!

[@marianneoelund2940]

We have a hill near our house which has a 23% grade. It's not truly safe for cycling, with a very narrow shoulder, but I did try it once. My achilles tendons were sore for two days after. Now I refuse to attempt anything over 15%.

[@Alan_Hans__]

The hardest possible 100km ride surely has to involve trying to ride past a spectator holding a sign and facing away from the cyclists.

[@veegtec]

haha so true...

[@porkadobo813]

In short. Have a DUMB spectator.

[@andrewjen3722]

They were an idiot

[@katiel7166]

I startled my housemate by saying "Oh S**T" so loud when it happened. Probably not as loudly as the rider though.

[@Alan_Hans__]

@@katiel7166 . I said something that rhymes a bit with trucking idiot and my wife asked what's up. Absolutely insane that there's 26 riders with injuries after stage 1.

[@JonCookeBridge]

Love the “fortunately I’ve been sent a bike to do it on”; otherwise you’d have had to use your 5kg hill climbing bike, no?

[@dudefella420]

@Click Bait yeah that was what, an 11-25?

[@JonathanSmith87]

@@dudefella420 according to the specs on the website it’s a 52/36 paired with a 11-28. Pretty standard fair for a racy endurance bike I would say. But yes, 11-30 or greater for serious climbing.

[@desertrainfrog1691]

@@JonathanSmith87 I have a 52/40 with a 14-28. It's alright for climbing, but there's some hills that just suck.

[@Stoney3K]

@@desertrainfrog1691 With that gearing in the lowest gear... why not get off and walk?

[@desertrainfrog1691]

@@Stoney3K If you're holding a good cadence in 40/28 It's still 2x as fast as walking briskly.

[@ZoryaDanis]

Nice to see a bike from Decathlon.

[@bubblesezblonde]

Enjoyed this one Dr. Ollie! The ride was really sick! I'm not crazy enough to look for hills though I am more into cakeries as you so quaintly called them.

[@martinandersson5833]

Well done Dr. Bridgewood👍👏That’s definitely my kind of route.

[@trevejenkyn9888]

A really good idea, well presented and its something for everyone , well done

[@bryanstewart6398]

I live near Bath, done all those hills, but not on the same day, kudos Ollie, intro in front of the Gin Bar 😁

[@erikalfiandy4375]

Bath is a beautiful town, been there once, but never know that GCN base there...🤩🤩🤩

[@charliewhelan9488]

Without trying to be condescending, Bath is a city and a lovely one at that!

[@aliensporebomb]

Me too. A lovely city really but I did notice lots of road riders and made me wished I had my bike with me.

[@berndyorokai9283]

5:32 Ollie drops someone. Business as usual.

[@milkman2642]

9:45 - me before doing something I absolutely know is going to go horribly wrong but loving it

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

Decathlon marketing are just about to add 15% to the price of their Decathlon bikes 😏

[@chrisinstasis7986]

Or at least they will if ever they have some back in stock.

[@Crossers76]

Decathlon bikes have rocketed up in price, so much so you can get a main stream brand bike spec equivalent (ish) for less money now. Was a massive fan when they used to be amazing bikes at sensible prices (I still have 2 decathlon bikes). Not so good value now.. had been waiting for the carbon MTB to come back in stock for ages then when it did come back in stock it shot up £300!! Bought a Scott with the same spec for £200 less in the end..

[@jordynbaxter3961]

@@Crossers76 where else can you get a road bike with full 105 groupset for what 850 quid new? Even the van rysels are like 2k for a carbon frame with ultegra? Still seems pretty good value to me.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

@@Crossers76 The entry models might not be undercutting their rivals for the money but they're still significantly better at the price. Even at £550, I haven't found anything better than the RC 500 new.

[@rmm2000]

Nostalgic for me. I was in Bath 1988-1991 at the University. Happy times. Many fond memories. Thanks for the excellent camera shots of places I remember well.

[@PumpkinVillage]

That was a ride and a really good accomplishment. Nice bike. Been to Bath one time. It was spectacular. Nice job by Ollie. Take care, Al

[@yedidyafriedler974]

Just finished watching the replication of the Giro Queen stage and was hoping for something similar and *poof* this perfect video appears in my feed! Great timing GCN!

[@A13tech]

bike from decathlon ? nice to see that.

[@Alex-po4ye]

Great vidéo !!!!😊

[@TheNicolls]

His wee smile as he goes up the climbs! Bless him

[@bikepackingadventure7913]

It’s nice to see that Ollie did not get dropped 👍👍 Chapeau 👍🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️ 😏😏

[@davidofoakland2363]

hey! We have a ride out here in the Bay Area (Oakland/Berkeley hills) called the Nifty Ten-Fifty - 10,000 Ft (3,048 meters) of climbing in 50 miles (80 KM) - and it basically follows Ollie's rules of no repeats and getting back to the starting point. Next time anyone is in the area be sure to check it out.

[@Popmycherryyo]

What's even more impressive, is the fact that the person who was filming this was following all that time on a skateboard. Now THAT'S impressive!

[@robbchastain3036]

I like the games we cyclists play and this looks to be one of the better ones, not that I dislike Everesting or anything. Fantastic, Ollie, truly, and one can find a lot of pain for the legs in 60 miles, er, 100 kilometers.

[@AugustaChile]

Come to Andorra I would say....rocking here my Decathlon 6,8 kg bike. cheers!

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Thumbs up, Ollie, great job. This would be an interesting one for a place like La Paz where you can climb 1000m inside a city.

[@benplummer5864]

This is so fun! I live in Bath (Combe down) and cycle into work and back - entry hill, wellsway, Ralph Allen, summer lane, fox hill drive, old midford road, etc.. i know all too well!

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

Riding the Struggle Moors sportive next Sunday in York. It's a bit a of climber beast

[@philllane]

Nice. Not far from me and the route's on Komoot...! Can usually get 1,600 in local hundreds but am tempted to plot some sharper routes now. Once did just over 2,000m in 44.8k on a trip to Bormio. Wouldn't have tacked on the same again that day.

[@Stoney3K]

Give me that Van Rysel in aluminium with Ultegra discs and I'm sold. That said, the €2600 price tag for the version Ollie is riding is pretty damn competitive.

[@JoshKablack]

This reminds me, I finally have a work schedule where I can attempt Pittsburgh's Dirty Dozen this year.

[@jonathanzappala]

It’s only like 5000ft and about 56 miles, but it’s a loop! I did the bad weather in 2018.

[@EmmetFardy]

Delighted to see GCN presenters using more affordable bikes.

[@cedricgrandseigne]

A Décathlon bike, that's a first!!!!

[@francescorota2982]

A sponsorship can do a lot. Said so, I did actually look into that bike for my father... but a 52-36 is way too hard

[@ttoussaint]

That bike is beautiful!

[@kathyerickson9402]

Very impressive, sir...especially narrating those climbs! I would think that once you stopped to summarize your ride, getting back on the bike again, even for a short distance, with the promise of a bit of cake and tea/beer/margarita would have been somewhat challenging.

[@robvan6527]

Great work Ollie! Bet the legs were a bit sore the next day. Envy the road terrain near Bath U.K. Here in good 'ol Oklahoma, USA there are rolling hills but not many long climbs. Would struggle just to get to 2000M of elevation in 100K. (Would have to break the rule of doing a hill repeat).

[@SFLocker]

Just did a metric Century yesterday and was feeling alright until I watched Ollie destroy this climb. You're a machine Ollie!

[@CyclingthePeaks]

My best climbing day was 114.57km and 4,002 meters of elevation. In the Dolomites, starting in Canazei: Passos: Fedaia - Giau - Falzarego - Pordoi

[@serdiezv]

My first 100 km ride had two 2nd category climbs and one 3rd. It was also the one with more climbing I've ever done. Total leg destroyer (for me).

[@ivanjednobiegowiec7656]

Hi, That was a bit of a challenge around my area last summer. Same rules, or even stricter, as you were supposed to start and finish from your doorstep. Outcome as below: That winner was Mark from Sheffield. His route was 99.4km with 3066m of elevation. That's 61.7 miles and 10,059ft for the imperial folk Cheers! I.

[@aleksiniemi9901]

This reminds me of 20 steepest streets they located in Brisbane and which made a fantastic 40km route. I'd be happy to try this as well! A lighter bike here would had been spot on. 👌

[@dominicbritt]

It would be good to see GCN do some rides on well known Sportive routes - would be good viewing and a great way to help out all those volunteers who make them possible…

[@theyorkshirepudding2656]

They need to get along to the Struggle Dales and Struggle Moors sportives! 👍

[@bigmikeshooter]

Another masterpiece from you guys. Greetings from Greece.....

[@SomeUserInternet]

Most advertising videos are ;)

[@mohammedalim7958]

Love you Ollie! Feeling inspired

[@thesnudge1]

Liked the cut to the wee guy in the orange pedalling like a demon to catch Ollie while Ollie looks effortless.

[@andrei0525]

Happy to see a bike for the average mortal for once

[@matthiaswuest7271]

Haha honestly a relief to see mechanical shifting and exposed cables on this channel with wheels that cost under £1000. Absolutely nuts that the standard is superbikes all the time

[@tams805]

@@matthiaswuest7271 I mean, they are the Top Gear of cycling. The truth is, generally, more people are interested in things they can't have than they are in finding the best bang for their buck.

[@matthiaswuest7271]

@@tams805 yeah I agree, and honestly I understand that they're a business and rely on product placement. Not saying that videos need to be about bang for your buck either - would be nice to see presenters in regular videos riding bikes that cost less that £4000 (or let's be real £6000+++) every once in a while though

[@Stoney3K]

@@matthiaswuest7271 I'd expect more affordable bikes to be featured when they get sponsorships from more affordable bike brands. If all of the sponsorships are the flagship models from Bianchi, Cannondale or Orbea, all you get on the show is super bikes. I mean, a show that features only entry level bikes with everything up to 105 would be great once in a while. It's like Sora or Tiagra hardly even exist.

[@maximilianklein2062]

@@matthiaswuest7271 Van Rysel bikes do not have exposed cables and the bike he is riding costs 2500€ and it's the cheaper one of the EDR bikes they sell. there is also a 3800€ version of it. So while it arguably isn't "high end", it's also not an entry level working class bike.

[@elmerrichardson6413]

Love the bike, Ollie!

[@aspenwagon04]

Loved this one. Ollie. Thanks.

[@TheNicksargent]

Should have put in Forefield Rise for that last 600m. Never see Colliers Lane either,possibly the most savage climb in Bath.

[@xosece]

Ollie is really fit, that bike's easier gear is 36x28 which imho is not ideal to climb such hills. I am from Galicia and my GF lived in Bath for a couple of months in a student's exchange, years ago, so I sent her this video. Didn't know that Ollie is from there nor that GCN base is placed in Bath

[@mathewrose2951]

I live in Qatar at the moment, and I believe it would be a struggle to plan a route with even 200 meters of ascent over 100 km here. It really redefines flat.

[@finditmike]

I'm in Doha, we should try it before it gets too 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@svenpe1628]

Most I got in Berlin in a 66 km route was 400 meters of climbing. and this was an offroad trip so many more oportunities than staying on the road. Not much climbing here :D

[@royevans4581]

My 2017 **ALUMINIUM** CAAD12 weighs 7.5kilos! Great route mate, kudos to you. EDIT: But on hearing the price of that bike later on in the video, it's great value for money. My bike would be just over 3 grand to put together retail value wise. I did not pay anywhere near that though, and I don't charge myself labour costs either...... My best effort on it so far is 2150mtrs climbing over 120kms.

[@dominicbritt]

That’s a fun Sportive in the Peak District 😎

[@chrisbaum998]

Great Video Ollie!! Love the challenge!

[@luketurnbull4958]

9:44 really had me, every damn time 😂 love Oli

[@joachimschranzhofer5566]

My hardest 100km was doing the Sellaronda in the Dolomiti mountains of Italy twice in a day, once clockwise and once counterclockwise...

[@jeffreythree]

We don't have much climbing part of it, but 100km of quality Texas chipseal on a 100+ degree day through monotonous open pasture lands will do a lot of people in.

[@Bluesman2509]

Well done lad!!!!

[@dougieb5284]

Well done Ollie! Guys, no more making fun of him been dropped/coming last - he done good!

[@hillier1234567ify]

I know those climbs well, but haven't ridden all of them. They are all beasts though

[@kneawah]

We have an unsanctioned ride here in Portland that hits all the steepest climbs in the area. Turns out to be around 55miles w/ just shy of 8000ft.

[@jamesward8140]

Gonna try this in a few weeks, a 15 year old newbie cyclist who can't climb to save his life and my dad who has only got back into cycling a few months ago after many years of not cycling, wish us luck!!

[@shawndfo1258]

I have the same bike but with 105 and I love it

[@tom_rydval]

Is it stiff enough for short powerfull hillclimbs and sprints?

[@shawndfo1258]

@@tom_rydval Yes

[@tom_rydval]

@@shawndfo1258 Thank you. Would be great to have a comparison with other bikes like Canyon Ultimate, Cannondale Super Six or Giant TCR...

[@nielsharten]

1:26 as lockdown ends Ollie goes from business at the front party at the back to party at the front business at the back.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

It’s a smart looking hair cut on him.

[@TheRhythmOfLife1972]

Was feeling a few of those climbs but come to NYC - Harlem & The Bronx for some real hills. Real ouchers.

[@charlestaylor3195]

You mentioned that tandem bike. The 2 happiest days in a tandem bicycle owners life; the day they bought the tandem bike, and the day they sold it.

[@Condemakoto]

what a genius! Makes me wanna plan my epic ride now. Keep it up

[@ltrtg13]

I subscribe to the Syd and Macky KZbin channel. They are mountain bikers but about a month or so ago they uploaded a video were Macky did a road ride. But it's called a Long Tiny Loop. Has anyone at GCN Mega Base ever thought about doing one of these. That ride has even more rules than this one. It would be great to see Ollie plan a Long Tiny Loop route. Then ride it and see how he look after the ride.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

Nice effort, Ollie. I think a slight incline still hurts me but I hope to ride 100 kms by the end of the summer!

[@heinrichstoltz1356]

Great ride and effort Ollie. 💪🏻💪🏻

[@andymitchell2146]

5:44 I've seen the elevation profile. As well as ascending, the whole route is con descending.

[@davecasey4341]

I wonder if Komoot can find me a 100k ride where all the hills are downhill?

[@Stoney3K]

Just untick the "avoid ski lifts" box and you're good.

[@jamieswedler2793]

I do all my training rides in M. C. Escher paintings.

[@t.b.r.2844]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😖😖🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@marjorieboissinot2037]

Loved your comparison with that poor old BMX tandem…another great factor to consider in that comparison is that Hank is not piloting this time! 😂 With you at the helm instead of Hank, this tandem climb would have probably taken a different turn. Still this is an amazing video! Could you map one for Yorkshire next time you come back? 😜

[@mistagregory]

Best I can do around this part of Nova Scotia is about 1,800m of climbing in 100km. But that's probably a good thing as I'm a bit fat these days.

[@kennedystuart5685]

Well Done Ollie....very impressed.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Nice route, nice bike, all nice. Nice!

[@SimoneChiaretta]

I guess I gotta plan a 100km route in the Dolomites 😀

[@SidAuteur]

Well done, Ollie. I'd like to see a time element added to this. As much elevation as you can do in 100K, then divided by the minutes taken to give elevation gain per minute over 100K.

[@JBDazen]

I live in the Netherlands, I wouldn't even come close to how hard this loop is.

[@bobtester7850]

Knee transplants seem like a legit way of regeneration after that ride :)

[@balazshruboczki746]

I did something comparable a few weeks ago during my stay in the Lake District. 101.54 kms and 2459 metres of climbing. The Old Rake Kiln Bank Cross Birker Fell Hardknotts Pass Wrynose Pass Blea Tarn Red Bank The Stuggle

[@prestachuck2867]

Excellent video! The first time I’ve ever seen a man drop himself and quit just a few tenths short. Fun fun fun! 😄

[@ridegarden]

Perfect pre-Sunday ride content.

[@spalding3254]

Bath was the most pleasantly surprising place I've evr been

[@daniel.3603]

If you want a real hundred kilometer challenge, just do what I called the motivation killer 3000. A 100 km interval session, on the indoor trainer, the old-fashioned way (A.K.A, just your smart trainer and head unit. No zwift or youtube.) also make sure to do it in your basement for extra boredom.

[@leomarchio98]

Did it in Sheffield the other week, managed 3000m elevation without going on the same road (not only climb) twice, but I reckon some 500 more meters could be easily added!

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

I was looking at getting a Van Rysel last year but they are virtually impossible to buy in the uk its a shame as they look incredible value for money.

[@francoisthomas4930]

I work at Décathlon in Canada and their bike range is pretty much out of stock everywhere in the world right now unfortunately, not just in the UK

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

@@francoisthomas4930 Sad news really as they are nice. I thought being last year it could of been down to issues with Covid & Brexit. I gave up in the end and got a different bike.

[@sparkelius]

@@tomrachellesfirstdance7843 Same story in Asia, over 9 months and no stock of Triban RC or Van Rysel EDR, had to settle for another brand.

[@JonathanSmith87]

@@JQ0110 unfortunately neither as cheap as they used to be however many factors at play over the last 5 years (Brexit for those in the UK, Covid/higher shipping & component costs & a little bugger called inflation). I got my Btwin Mach 720 on sale for £850 back in the day, hard to find a similar spec bike for that now!