GCN takes on the Inferno, the most beautiful bike race you’ve never heard of

GCN’s Simon Richardson is no stranger to putting himself to the test - our recent GCN+ film, Himalayas, can attest to that - but even he didn’t quite know what he was getting himself into when he accepted the invitation to ride the Inferno.

Racking up a whopping 480km across two days of riding, the Inferno challenges its entrants with one of the most beautiful (and toughest) bike races in the world. The Inferno route ticks over 12,000m of climbing from Lake Annecy to Menton on the Mediterranean, scaling the summits of iconic mountains that have made the Alps a revered location for cyclists worldwide.

On the first day of action, Si would be faced with the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier and the Col d’Izoard - a frightening prospect. As with all of our GCN presenters - yes, even Ollie Bridgewood - Si is a very fit cyclist, but these mountains have reduced the world’s finest cyclists to near-tears.

It was not all that surprising then, that the Col du Galibier reduced Si to a ghost of his former self as his pale and exhausted frame edged slowly towards this fearsome mountain’s summit. But never a man to let a bad patch keep him down - and no doubt aided by the sugar binge that awaited him at the summit - Si kicked on to enjoy another of Europe’s most iconic mountains, the Col d’Izoard.

The challenge would not get any easier on the following day, with the Inferno throwing up the Col de Vars and the Cime de la Bonette for the riders to tackle before the finish. These climbs are truly stunning and whilst the ascents made for tough going, Jouan Séverine kept Si company before she kicked on up the road on her way to becoming the winner of the solo women category.

For all the pain, anguish and suffering that these astonishing mountains throw up, the descents make up for it and more, as the sweeping bends and prolonged freewheeling offer the perfect remedy for tired legs.

The views must truly be seen to be believed as Si made his way down to Menton on the Mediterranean Coast, all the while showing off the impressive capabilities of the new Moots Vamoots CRD - which our friends over in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, kindly offered up as Si’s steed of choice.

After 480km and two days of some of the toughest riding he has ever had to do, Si was left with one conclusion: the Inferno is the hardest, but most beautiful, bike race that most people will have never heard of. Do you agree?

Simon Richardson

GCN Presenter

Former pro road and mountain biker racer