*For Immediate Release*

Star City Vicious Randonnée | VES#9
(Note: Updated 2016 Routes & Start / Finish Location)
**All route / distance options start together, 8am sharp, from Sweet Donkey Coffee**
2108 Broadway Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24014

The Glorious Routes: 6 Distance / Difficulty Options!

Prologue (7.6 miles) https://www.strava.com/routes/5999516

Challenge (30 miles) https://www.strava.com/routes/6013478
Challenge + Roanoke Mtn (34 miles) https://www.strava.com/routes/6015967
Medio (50 miles) https://www.strava.com/routes/5998646

Gran (82 miles) https://www.strava.com/routes/5998785 

Vicious (113 miles) https://www.strava.com/routes/5999326
Suiride (143 miles) ~ The toughest group any-road ride in the history of Virginia.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15533030 | https://www.strava.com/routes/5999281

Climbs of the Suiride | Strava Segments & Full Leaderboards

Below are the major climbs of the Suiride route (115m | 15,000ft) of the Star City Vicious Randonnee listed in the order they're ridden. While there are many smaller climbs - these are unforgettable.

Mile 3.7 - Mt Chestnut from the Sugar Loaf side


Mile 8.2 - Poage Valley Rd Ext & Sugar Camp Creek ascent of Bent Mountain (part dirt)

Mile 19.5 - 12 O'Clock Knob from 221


Mile 30.4 - Harborwood (not a major summit)


Mile 34.8 - Poor Mountain (mostly dirt)


Mile 67.8 - The Wall


Mile 71.3 - Cahas Mountain


Mile 78.2 - Adney Gap (partial dirt)


Mile 92.1 - Mt. Chestnut from 221


Mile 95 - Sugar Loaf Mountain


Mile 102.2 - 12 O'Clock Knob from Salem

8AM START TIME

**Please note that that start time for 2015 has been updated to 8am Sunday August 9th.**

We're anticipating a larger group than ever who will be attempting the Suiride Route (115 miles / 15,000 feet), and, East Coasters will be hosting a post-ride party and we don't want to keep those great folks around toooo long!

8.9.2015 - Any road cycling.

Once a year cyclists have a chance to get their name added to the short list riders who've completed "The toughest group road ride in the history of Virginia" ... the Suiride route of the Star City Vicious Randonnée.

Climbing, adventure, dirt road climbing, astonishingly beautiful terrain ... and it's FREE!

There are 6 route options, and whether you're making history by attempting the Suiride, or enjoying the Vicious, Gran, Medio, Challenge or Prologue routes ... you are in for an incredibly beautiful and physically challenging experience. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED ROUTE INFORMATION

Arrive at 8:30am, all rides start promptly 9am from the East Coasters Bike Shop, 3224 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, VA 24018. 540.774.7933

Unsupported.

CUE SHEETS - Please print and bring your own. They're all very conveniently located here www.viciousrandonnee.com Thank you!
*FREE* To enter simply "Join" the facebook event: www.tinyurl.com/starcityvicious

Ride at your own risk.

Randonneuring is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. A randonnée is an organized group ride, with some emphasis on speed, but it is not a race, and self-sufficiency is paramount. When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport of cycling in France and Italy. Friendly camaraderie is the hallmark of randonneuring.

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The 15 rated climbs of the Suiride route:

WDBJ7.com "Roanoke Valley cyclists attempt the toughest group ride in Virginia history."

To view the WDBJ7 television news video coverage please visit: http://youtu.be/FurNRoUe_Wc

wdbj7.com

Roanoke Valley ride challenges cyclists with steep terrain

The Star City Vicious Randonnee' covered 116 miles and 14 rated climbs

Joe Dashiell
Reporter
5:22 PM EDT, August 23, 2012
ROANOKE CO.,Va.

Sunday morning is a great time for a bike ride, unless it's raining and foggy, and you're attempting some of the steepest climbs in the Roanoke Valley.

Last weekend, a group of riders attempted the Star City Vicious Randonnee', billed as the toughest group ride in Virginia history.

The storm clouds were hanging overhead, as the riders gathered at East Coasters Bike Shop.
Less than ideal conditions deterred some who were planning to be there, but not the diehards who headed out on a 116 mile trek through some of the Roanoke Valley's most challenging terrain.

Early in the ride on Mount Chestnut Road, the riders were shrouded in fog as they tested their climbing skills.  In all, the riders would attempt 14 climbs, with more than 15,000 feet of elevation gain.

Robert Issem organized the ride. "It's like comparable to a tough Tour de France stage in terms of elevation gain and distance," Issem told WDBJ7, "except the climbing's harder."
On some stretches, including a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the riders were able to catch their breath, but that's not what they were talking about at the halfway point.

Mark Smith and Barry Pugh came from Waynesboro for the event. "The climbs have been pretty brutal," Smith told us. "They're hard climbs, and I've just been trying to ride 'em steady."

"I knew it was going to be tough from the word go," Pugh said, "and it's lived up to that."
 
A series of world-class climbs, all within 20 miles of Roanoke.     

"And if you look at the course that we've laid out, every climb is amazing," Issem said. "It's both beautiful and challenging.  I'm hoping that people would recognize that Roanoke is just an unbelievable place to ride."

The three riders we interviewed had covered about 65 miles when we left them. And just a few minutes later, one of them took a hard fall on wet pavement, ending their day.

Two riders, Marcos Lazzarotto and Bernie Sanders did complete the course. Organizer Robert Issem hopes to finish the route this weekend, and says he's already planning to hold the Star City Vicious Randonnee' again next year.

Copyright © 2012, WDBJ7-TV

A lot of rain, incredible resolve ... and bicycling history has been made!

Eight riders showed up for the rain drenched start ... and two riders, Marcos Lazzarotto from Blacksburg and Bernie Sanders from Roanoke, made Virginia bicycling history last Sunday by completing the Suiride course - 116.8 miles and 15,225 ft of climbing!

Congratulations to both of these elite riders for completing the toughest group road bike ride in the history of Virginia! The other starters were Wake Fulp, Barry Pugh, Mark Smith, Wes Wilmer, Rob Garry and Rob Issem.

Stay tuned for more news from the ride as well as WDBJ 7 television news coverage of the ride later this week.

Many many thanks to Wes Best and East Coasters Bicycle Shop for opening the shop and making coffee for the riders, Patrick and John Oberg for their amazing neutral support for the first 30 miles, Rick Woods, owner of Woods Family Heating & Air Conditioning for generously donating 150 bicycle water bottles, Laura & Annelise White for setting up & staffing the mile 65 rest stop, and thanks to my beautiful wife Lisa Thomas, son Andrew Issem and step-son Mark Thomas for supporting me during the many hours of my planning, preparing for, and participating in the event.

I didn't finish the Suiride course this past Sunday because my friend crashed hard at about mile 70, so ... I'm going to be attempting the Suiride again this coming Sunday 8/26.

My wife's going to drop some bottles off for me in the woods at mile 65, but that's it. No other support. If anyone wants to join me they're welcome to, and my wife could drop your gear off in the woods too.

Also, the 8/26 ride will start from the Bike Sherpas Touring Co. headquarters (my house) 3228 Lawndale Rd. promptly at 7:30am. We'll ride 1.3 miles to East Coasters (the official course start/end point) and immediately start the Suiride.

There will be no fanfare 8/26. Just bicycles, riders and lots of incredible mountains.

Wet ... but riding!

Bernie & Marcos nearing the Mt. Chestnut summit ... on their way to making history!

Wake, Barry and ... did I mention visibility was an issue?

Mark, Barry and Rob ... into the woods.
Riding the short singletrack trail from BRP MP126 to Raintree Rd..

Weather

Most people who are aware of the Star City Vicious Randonnée know in their gut, without making a call or checking a website, if weather will influence this event. If you're unsure, please click here Velominati - THE RULES and refer to rule #9 and then rule #5.