BigRingVR

Sierra de Cabo de Gata, a new ride from Andalucía, Spain is now available online!

Sierra de Cabo de Gata, Andalucía, Spain
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2922

Distance: 15.57 km
Elevation Gain: 239 m
Elevation Loss: 143 m
Difficulty: 202 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.98 FIETS

Avg Grade: 4.78 %
Max cat climb: 3
Min elevation: 54 m
Max elevation: 258 m
Ride Category: Hilly

The Sierra de Cabo de Gata is the most extensive calc-alkaline volcanic complex in the Iberian Peninsula, a fossilized massif born from submarine eruptions 15 million years ago. Geographically, it forms a stark, semi-arid coastline in Almería where jagged andesite cliffs and volcanic domes plunge directly into the Mediterranean. Historically, this landscape has been a crossroads for Mediterranean civilizations; the Phoenicians mined its agates, the Greeks built temples on its heights, and the Romans established fish-salting factories along its shores. For centuries, the region remained sparsely populated due to its water-starved terrain and the threat of pirate raids, which necessitated the construction of the defensive watchtowers and castles that still dot the horizon.

For cycling, the Sierra offers an undulating landscape that demands respect for the elements, particularly the powerful Levante winds. The terrain is characterized by steady climbs that weave through ancient calderas and abandoned gold mining villages like Rodalquilar. Riding through this UNESCO Global Geopark means navigating a desert-like environment of agaves and the only native palm in Europe, the dwarf fan palm. The route creates a physical connection to a volcanic history visible in every dark crag and fossilized dune. The climb out of Las Negras serves as a gateway where the maritime volcanic crags give way to the vast, silent horizons of the Níjar plains.

Cheers!

Upper Soca Valley, a new ride from Slovenia is now available online!

Upper Soca Valley, Tolmin, Slovenia
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2893

Distance: 17.68 km
Elevation Gain: 270 m
Elevation Loss: 88 m
Difficulty: 136 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.3 FIETS

Avg Grade: 1.45 %
Max cat climb: 3
Min elevation: 408 m
Max elevation: 617 m
Ride Category: Rollers

The Upper Soca Valley is a dramatic alpine corridor carved by the emerald-turquoise waters of the Soca River. It stretches from the Bovec basin into the narrow, horseshoe-shaped Trenta Valley, set deep between the limestone massifs of the Julian Alps, including Triglav and Jalovec. This secluded alpine region was transformed into a major theater of war during World War I, serving as a strategic frontline for the Austro-Hungarian army. Today, its heritage is a blend of these military echoes—preserved in cemeteries and fortifications—and the ancient folklore of Zlatorog, the mythical Goldenhorn chamois said to guard the high peaks.

For cyclists, the valley provides one of Europe’s most scenic "false flat" rides, serving as the essential 20-kilometer approach from Bovec to the foot of the Vršic Pass. The route features a gentle gradient that follows the river’s winding path, passing landmarks like the Great Soca Gorge where limestone walls narrow into deep, crystalline pools. This stretch is a tactical favorite, allowing riders to maintain a steady pace and warm up before reaching the village of Trenta. Once there, the road abruptly tilts upward at the first of 26 technical hairpins, signaling the start of the grueling ascent to the 1,611-meter summit.

Cheers!

Tour of East Norway, Stage 2 (Strondafjorden), a new ride from Norway is now available online!

Tour of East Norway, Stage 2 (Strondafjorden), Innlandet, Norway
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2905

Distance: 28.81 km
Elevation Gain: 162 m
Elevation Loss: 105 m
Difficulty: 111 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.02 FIETS

Avg Grade: 0.27 %
Max cat climb: 5
Min elevation: 403 m
Max elevation: 477 m
Ride Category: Flat

Strondafjorden is a long, narrow lake situated in the heart of the Valdres region in Innlandet county, Norway. It serves as a central waterway through the municipality of Nord-Aurdal, stretching between the regional hub of Fagernes to the east and the surrounding mountain landscape to the west. The lake is fed by the Begna river system and is characterized by its deep, clear waters that mirror the steep, pine-covered slopes of the encompassing mountains. Its calm surface is a defining feature of the area, providing a serene backdrop for the transit routes and settlements that have developed along its northern and southern shores.

As a primary geographical feature of the Valdres Valley, Strondafjorden acts as a vital corridor that facilitates travel toward the higher-altitude mountain plateaus and the entrance to the Jotunheimen range. The area around the lake is deeply embedded in the local culture, with a history of traditional farmsteads and modern infrastructure that navigates the narrow spaces between the water’s edge and the rising terrain. For observers, the lake offers a quintessential view of Norway’s inland geography, where the interplay between the expansive water and the rugged, glacially-carved mountains creates a landscape that is both economically significant for regional transit and environmentally striking.

Cheers!

Passo Staulanza (South side), a new Giro 2026 ride from Veneto, Italy is now available online!

Passo Staulanza (South side), Veneto, Italy
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2946

Distance: 14 km
Elevation Gain: 823 m
Elevation Loss: 101 m
Difficulty: 646 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 5.42 FIETS

Avg Grade: 6.6 %
Max cat climb: HC
Min elevation: 942 m
Max elevation: 1764 m
Ride Category: Climb

Another stunning ride in Dolomites, Giro will climb it this year on Stage 19 which is widely considered the Queen Stage (the tappone):
https://www.giroditalia.it/en/tappe/stage-19-of-the-giro-ditalia-2026-feltre-alleghe-piani-di-pezze/

Passo Staulanza is an Alpine pass in the Belluno province of the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, positioned between the Civetta group to the west and the Pelmo massif to the east. The pass links Val di Zoldo on the south side with Val Fiorentina and the Cadore area to the north, and forms part of the Dolomite sector recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage landscape. A mountain refuge at the summit serves as a staging point for the Alta Via 1 trail network and for access to Monte Pelmo, Pelmetto, and Civetta hiking routes.

Passo Staulanza is regarded as a transitional but strategically important Dolomite climb in road cycling, frequently incorporated into multi-pass circuits linking the Zoldo, Agordino, and Cadore sectors. The southern approach through Val di Zoldo is considered the more demanding ascent, while the northern side from Selva di Cadore is more irregular and exposed to views of Monte Pelmo. The pass has appeared repeatedly in the Giro d’Italia, often as a connector between larger climbs in the eastern Dolomites, and was notably used during the 1980 edition contested by Bernard Hinault and Giovanni Battaglin.

Cheers!

Passo Duran (South side), a new Giro 2026 ride from Veneto, Italy is now available online!

Passo Duran (South side), Veneto, Italy
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2945

Distance: 10.42 km
Elevation Gain: 805 m
Elevation Loss: 67 m
Difficulty: 770 (Hard)
FIETS Index: 6.84 FIETS

Avg Grade: 8.48 %
Max cat climb: HC
Min elevation: 797 m
Max elevation: 1603 m
Ride Category: Epic Climb

Stunningly beautiful ride in Dolomites, Giro will climb it this year on Stage 19 which is widely considered the Queen Stage (the tappone):
https://www.giroditalia.it/en/tappe/stage-19-of-the-giro-ditalia-2026-feltre-alleghe-piani-di-pezze/

Passo Duran is situated at an elevation of 1601 meters in the Dolomites of the Veneto region, serving as a mountain passage between Agordo to the West and Forno di Zoldo to the East. The pass is positioned in the Southern Dolomites, flanked by the Moiazza massif to the North and the Cima di San Sebastiano to the South. Historically, the pass has functioned as a vital link within the Province of Belluno, providing transit between the Agordino and Val di Zoldo valleys for centuries. The summit area is characterized by high-altitude alpine meadows and sits within the UNESCO World Natural Heritage perimeter, overlooking the Agner and Pale di San Lucano groups to the West and the Pelmo and Civetta massifs to the Northeast.

The pass is a legendary fixture of the Giro d’Italia, first appearing in the 1962 edition and repeatedly utilized as a high-difficulty GPM (Gran Premio della Montagna) climb. Due to its positioning between the more famous passes of the northern Dolomites and the southern plains, it often serves as a tactical pivot point where the general classification is contested. Professional race history at Passo Duran is defined by its ability to fragment the peloton long before the final climb of a stage, as its irregular rhythm and steep pitches favor pure climbers. The route has been the site of significant breakaways and mountain point battles, solidifying its reputation as one of the most demanding and strategically important ascents in the history of the Corsa Rosa.

Cheers!

Col du Corbier (West Side), a new ride from France is now available online!

Col du Corbier (West Side), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2887

Distance: 13.61 km
Elevation Gain: 493 m
Elevation Loss: 226 m
Difficulty: 462 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 4.06 FIETS

Avg Grade: 8.27 %
Max cat climb: 2
Min elevation: 748 m
Max elevation: 1239 m
Ride Category: Climb

Perched at 1,237 meters in the rugged Massif du Chablais, the Col du Corbier serves as a vital geographic bridge between the Aulps and Abondance valleys in Haute-Savoie. Historically known as the "Pathway of the Monks," this pass was a spiritual artery for pilgrims traveling between local abbeys long before it was paved for modern travel in 1917. Today, the summit is marked by the "ghost" of the Drouzin-le-Mont ski resort, which closed in 2012, transforming the area into a tranquil "soft mountain" destination where alpine meadows and 19th-century chapels offer a quiet contrast to the bustling resorts nearby.

The Col du Corbier is a formidable "Category 2" test, especially when tackled from the western side at Le Biot, where the road relentlessly averages 8.6% over six kilometers. Its professional pedigree is cemented by seven appearances in the Tour de France between 1975 and 1988, often serving as a strategic transition climb. Most recently, it returned to the global spotlight during the final stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes, proving that while it may not have the towering altitude of the Galibier, its steep, punchy gradients still have the power to break the peloton and define a race.

Cheers!

The Norwegian 4x4 has landed!

Gear up and get ready—we just dropped a brand-new Norwegian 4x4 Workout into BigRingVR. This isn't just another interval session to help you kill an hour; it’s the training protocol that has taken the sports world by storm, turning podium-chasers and weekend warriors alike into high-output aerobic machines. If you’ve noticed athletes suddenly obsessing over "lactate threshold" and "VO2 max" more than their post-ride espresso, this is why.

The Science of the Suffer

The Norwegian 4x4 (four minutes of high intensity followed by three minutes of active recovery) is backed by serious science from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). By hovering right at that 90–95% heart rate sweet spot, you are performing a fundamental recalibration of your stroke volume and aerobic ceiling. Studies have shown this specific formula is a powerhouse for performance, with some participants seeing a 10–13% jump in VO2 max in just a few weeks.

The "Metabolic Vacuum" Effect

Beyond just engine size, this workout is a masterclass in lactate clearance. While you're in that four-minute "red zone," your body is flooding the system with lactate—which is actually a high-octane fuel source. The real magic happens during those three-minute active recoveries. By staying in motion, you’re training your slow-twitch muscle fibers to act like a metabolic vacuum, upregulating MCT transporters to suck up that lactate and burn it for energy. This builds incredible metabolic flexibility, teaching your system to clear the "burn" before it can slow you down.

Longevity as a Performance Metric

We aren’t just trying to make you faster so you can drop your friends on the local group ride. This protocol is a massive win for health and longevity. VO2 max is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality—a better indicator than traditional markers like smoking or high blood pressure. While you’re huffing and puffing through a virtual pass, your body is busy reducing your "biological age" and strengthening your vascular system. It’s the ultimate two-for-one deal: look like a pro on the bike today, and keep the engine running smoothly for decades to come.

Fresh Terrain for the Pain Cave

To keep your mind off the internal combustion happening in your quads, pair this workout with our latest high-fidelity route releases. We’ve been busy adding a massive variety of global terrain:

The winding curves of the Vrsic Pass in Slovenia.
The rugged, low-density trails of Sandstone Peak in Malibu.
The high-altitude air of Madonna di Campiglio in Italy.
The relentless gradients of Mount Buffalo in Australia.

No Fluff, Just Ex*****on

The Norwegians have cracked the code on aerobic endurance—you only have to look at their dominance in the Winter Olympics to see the proof. This workout is hard, it’s effective, and it’s probably going to make you sweat enough to ruin your favorite rug.

Log in, find the "Norwegian 4x4" in the library, and let’s see what you’ve got. The pain is temporary, but the physiological adaptations are permanent.

Cheers!

Coteaux de Sion (Veysonnaz), a new ride from Wallis, Switzerland is now available online!

Coteaux de Sion (Veysonnaz), Wallis, Switzerland
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2882

Distance: 10.94 km
Elevation Gain: 768 m
Elevation Loss: 0 m
Difficulty: 604 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 5.4 FIETS

Avg Grade: 7.03 %
Max cat climb: 1
Min elevation: 499 m
Max elevation: 1268 m
Ride Category: Climb

This ascent from the historic Roman city of Sion to the alpine balcony of Veysonnaz is a quintessential Valaisan experience, blending grueling gradients with deep cultural heritage. Leaving the valley floor, dominated by the twin crags of Valère and Tourbillon, the route immediately tackles the sun-drenched Coteaux de Sion. This area has been sculpted over centuries by viticulture, where terraced vineyards cling to the steep southern slopes of the Rhône Valley. Historically, this climb follows the spiritual and economic path of the "transhumance," where farmers moved livestock between the valley and the high-altitude mayens. Passing through the village of Salins offers a glimpse of the ancient Bisses—man-made irrigation channels dating back to the 14th century that still carry glacial meltwater across these arid hillsides.

For the cyclist, the ride is a steady test of rhythm, averaging around 6.7% with ramps that keep the legs honest across nearly 800 meters of vertical gain. The geography provides the ultimate reward: as the switchbacks tighten, panoramas of the Bernese Alps to the north and the jagged peaks of the Val d’Hérens to the south begin to unfold. This path leads into the heart of the 4 Vallées, the largest ski domain in Switzerland, eventually reaching the finish line near the base of the legendary Piste de l’Ours. Whether chasing a PR or soaking in the "balcony of the Valais," this route offers a perfect snapshot of why the Swiss Alps remain a premier destination for road cycling.

Cheers!

Paznaun Valley descent, a new ride from Austria is now available online!

Paznaun Valley descent, Vorarlberg, Austria
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2921

Distance: 33.59 km
Elevation Gain: 32 m
Elevation Loss: 974 m
Difficulty: 109 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.44 FIETS

Avg Grade: -2.8 %
Max cat climb: 5
Min elevation: 1089 m
Max elevation: 2030 m
Ride Category: Flat

Time for an active recovery break! Paznaun Valley descent is a gentle downhill ride designed as the perfect "rest day" session between the grueling climbs of the Mallorca 312 and Liège-Bastogne-Liège challenges. Instead of grinding up hairpins, use this route to flush your legs with a high-cadence, low-torque spin while soaking in the high-fidelity scenery. It’s a strategic way to keep your momentum in the challenge without the systemic fatigue of another mountain pass—enjoy the descent and give your body the reset it needs for the next big ascent.

The descent from the Bielerhöhe Pass down to Landeck transitions from the glaciated peaks of the Silvretta Range into the deep, carved basin of the Paznaun Valley. The route begins at an elevation of 2,032 meters at the Silvretta Reservoir, a site developed in the 1920s for hydroelectric power that transformed this once-isolated alpine pass into a major transit artery by 1954. Following the flow of the Trisanna River, the road passes through Galtür and Ischgl, moving from a landscape of metamorphic gneiss and schist into a widening valley floor. This 50-kilometer stretch serves as a natural corridor between the Vorarlberg and Tyrol regions, framed by the high summits of the Verwall and Samnaun mountain groups.

Cycling this route offers a sustained, high-speed drop of over 1,200 vertical meters, making it a centerpiece of the Arlberg-Silvretta Round. While the initial hairpins at the pass require technical braking and wind management, the lower section through the Paznaun Valley allows for aerodynamic positioning and fast pacing. The area is a focal point for the Ischgl Ironbike, where the valley floor acts as a vital connector for riders transitioning between grueling off-road segments. Reaching the finish in Landeck, the ride concludes at the confluence of the Trisanna and Rosanna rivers, marking one of the longest continuous descents in the Austrian Alps.

Cheers!

Sandstone Peak (Malibu), a new ride from California, USA is now available online!

Sandstone Peak (Malibu), California, USA
https://bigringvr.com/ride?rideid=2869

Distance: 25.36 km
Elevation Gain: 795 m
Elevation Loss: 775 m
Difficulty: 644 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 3.84 FIETS

Avg Grade: 5.51 %
Max cat climb: 1
Min elevation: 8 m
Max elevation: 705 m
Ride Category: Climb

The Sandstone Peak Climb is a premier test of endurance in the Santa Monica Mountains, starting from the iconic Neptune’s Net at the Pacific Coast Highway and ascending nearly 11 miles to the highest point in the range. The climb is celebrated for its steady, rhythmic grade, typically hovering around 5% to 6%, which allows riders to settle into a sustained tempo while navigating over 180 twists and turns. As the road snakes upward, the coastal fog often drops away, revealing spectacular views of the Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands to the west and the rugged, volcanic spires of the Boney Mountain State Wilderness to the east.

As you approach the summit near the Circle X Ranch ranger station, the terrain becomes increasingly "alpine" and exposed, with the wind picking up as the vegetation thins to low chaparral. This section is the heart of the climb, where the road reaches an elevation of over 2,300 feet, making it the highest paved road in the area. Because of its remote location on the western edge of Malibu, the road enjoys significantly less car traffic than nearby canyons, offering a serene, almost meditative experience. For most cyclists, the "Sandstone Peak" effort is the defining feature of the region, often capped off with a high-speed, technical descent back toward the ocean or a grueling extension onto the Mulholland Highway.

Cheers!