The indieVelo "So Near Yet So Far" Route-36.6 km (22.7 mi.) elevation 125m (410 ft)-mainly flat and circles the island in both directions.
Route Description
So Near Yet So Far is one of the four routes introduced to indieVelo in the v0.2.14 release on September 11th, 2023, alongside Mountain Top View, Northern Hill Climb, and Little Loops.
The creators of So Near Yet So Far undoubtedly had a touch of Machiavelli in them. This route spans 36.6 kilometers (22.7 miles) in length, featuring a 125-meter (410-foot) elevation gain. It both starts and finishes at the velodrome.
What sets this route apart, or instead adds a bit of wickedness, is the invitation to complete an entire loop of the island. Just when you’re a mere 200 meters (656 feet) away from the velodrome climb, you must turn around and head back in the opposite direction from where it all started.
The route is predominantly flat and, as mentioned, encircles the entire island first clockwise and then counterclockwise. The only substantial challenge arises approximately one kilometer (0.62 miles) from the finish line at the velodrome climb. This climb is less than a kilometer long and boasts an average gradient of less than 4%.
One should exercise caution at the roundabouts, though, as the choice between the high and low roads often entices the most adventurous riders in the pack to try to break away!
Thanks, Luciano!
Route Profile
Route details and description courtesy of Beta-tester Andras Beck!
Check out the indieVelo-Route Descriptions page for more useful recon information.
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
