The indieVelo "The Swan" Route-10.7km (6.6 mi), elevation 223m (732 ft)-starting and ending at South Lake with a bit of climbing in between!
Route Description
One of the original Beta routes rolled out on The Island in 2023, The Swan is a 10.7 km (approx. 6.6 mi) route that comes with 223m (approx. 732 ft) of elevation gain and a minimal lead-in, starting and ending at South Lake with a substantial climb in between.
Starting from South Lake’s southern edge, the route goes counter-clockwise towards West A Mountain. The climb begins at the 1.6 km (approx. 1 mi) mark. West A Mountain’s KOM segment is 2.4 km (approx. 1.5 mi) long with an average gradient of 5.8%. Watch out for a peak gradient of 12.8% near the top.
The climb consists of a steady 6% gradient for the first 1.5 km (approx. 0.93 mi), a brief respite of 250m (approx. 0.16 mi) at 3%, and concludes with a 550m (approx. 0.34 mi) section that ramps up from 6% to nearly 13% for the final 100m (approx. 328 ft).
Those last 100m have many riders irremediably and frustratingly losing a few meters and getting distanced forever, especially when trying to desperately recover those seconds in the descent without taking into account the speed limit of auto braking corners (be particularly mindful of the turn at 9.9km, the scene of many last minute splits).
After the descent, only 900m (approx. 0.56 mi) separates you from the finish line at South Lake, completing the loop where you initially started.
Thanks, Luciano!
Courtesy of Beta-tester Roman Edelhelfer!
Route Profiles
Route details and description courtesy of Beta-tester Andras Beck!
Check out the indieVelo-Route Descriptions page for more useful recon information.
Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit. Chris is committed to helping others with his bike through its work and the pages of his site.
In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to New York to support the charity he founded, TheDIRTDadFund. His “Gain Cave” resides on the North Fork of Long Island, where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two independent children.
You will read him promoting his passion on the pages of Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. Chris is co-host of The Virtual Velo Podcast, too!
