When visitors cycle through the Olympic city for the first time, they can hardly imagine how and where they can have fun cycling in this congested metropolis. We have collected tips from the city scene and present three routes here where you can quickly leave the chaos of the city behind you. If you want to cycle with the Cariocas, the locals, you can usually meet like-minded people in the early hours of the morning - there are regular training sessions on weekdays - on the closed-off beach promenades of Barra da Tijuca (Avenida Lucio Costa, Monday to Thursday, 4 to 5.30 a.m.) and Aterro do Flamengo (Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Tuesday to Thursday, 4 to 5.30 a.m.). Training groups also do laps of Ipanema beach (Avenida Delfim Moreira/Avenida Vieira Souto) at around the same time - albeit on a road that is not cordoned off. Popular meeting points for cyclists are also the Shell petrol station at Alto da Boa Vista and the IBS bike shop (corner of Rua Pacheco Leao/Rua Marques de Sabara) at the foot of the climb to the Vista Chinesa viewpoint. The bike shops (see below) are also a good place to network with the local cycling scene.
You can find these tours in the free PDF download:
- Tour 1: Through the Serra do Piloto - (82 kilometres, 1,800 metres in altitude, max. 16 % gradient)
- Tour 2: Steep coast/on the time trial route - (64 kilometres, 350 metres in altitude, max. 20 % gradient)
- Tour 3: Through the rainforest to the statue of Christ - (79 kilometres, around 2,500 metres in altitude, maximum gradient of 16 %, up to 23 % at Corcovado)
RIO INFO
Bike service & hire bikes
- Specialised Concept Store, Estrada da Barra da Tijuca, 410, Barra da Tijuca, renatoestrella.com.br
- Barcellos Sports, Rua Rainha Elisabeth, 440, Ipanema, www.barcellossports.com.br - Bike hire
- Gran Ciclismo, Avenida de las Americas, 7935, Barra da Tijuca, www.granciclismo.com.br
Best time to travel
Around the turn of the year, Rio often experiences record temperatures of 35 degrees and above as well as high humidity. The months of November to March should be avoided when travelling by bike. The months of June to August/September are dry and comparatively cool.
Cycling events
The Tour do Rio professional race takes place every year, usually travelling from Rio de Janeiro through the state of the same name. Info www.tourdorio.com.br
The local scene competes in the Copa do Rio racing series; information and dates are available from the regional cycling association at www.fecierj.org.br
Travel & Routes
All information on accommodation and attractions Rio de Janeiro Tourist Office, visit.rio (English and Portuguese)
The Commission for Safety for Cyclists (CSCRJ) in Rio also offers information. Contact by e-mail (English and Portuguese) at bicicletacscrj@gmail.com
Andreas Kublik
Editor
