indieVelo's Parry Vlo-Bae Lite route is 16 km (9.9 mi.) with 176m (577 ft) of elevation and is one of three Parry Vlo-Bae courses.
Route Description
Parry Vlo-bae Lite represents one of the three versions of the Parry VLO-bae route introduced in the v0.2.25 release on November 27, 2023. Like the original route, it embodies the essence and traditions of the spring classics and monuments, commencing and concluding at the velodrome, despite the absence of cobblestone sections.
As the name implies, Parry Vlo-bae Lite is a scaled-down rendition of Parry VLO-bae, covering a total distance of 16 km (9.94 mi) and boasting an elevation gain of 176 m (577 ft). It is 6 km less than the original route and 90 m less in elevation gain.
The initial segment of the route traces the island’s western coastline until it reaches North Lake. Subsequently, the primary challenge of the route unfolds with the descent to South Lake and the return journey to the velodrome.
The route predominantly maintains a flat profile until reaching 7.0 km (4.35 mi), where a brief 300 m (984 ft) ascent at a 2.4% grade offers an opportunity for riders to warm up.
At 8.8 km (5.47 mi), riders encounter the King of the Mountains (KOM) segment, spanning 1.5 km (0.93 mi) with an average incline of 6.5%. This segment features sections with gradients exceeding 10%. The climb is divided into two parts: the initial 400 m (1,312 ft) with a gradient of 5.4%, followed by a 100 m (328 ft) flat section to give your body a false sense of relief. However, another stiff pitch follows for 800 m (2,625 ft) at an average of 8.4%.
During the descent, exercise caution on sharp braking corners during the 2.5 km (1.55 mi) flat section leading to the 1 km (0.62 mi) hill with a 2.5% gradient just before the velodrome. This hill is the last opportunity to make a move against riders still in the pack with you.
Once at the top, remember that you must complete 1.5 laps of the velodrome to finish the route, meaning you must pass the Velodrome banner twice.
Everything written above is accurate, but there’s one very minor detail that was omitted on purpose to reward those who read carefully until the end. On many occasions, the KOM is not the most decisive moment in the race. At 3.8 km (2.36 mi), the road splits into two at a roundabout. The peloton will also split into two, with one part going right (upper deck) and the other going left (lower deck).
For approximately 600 m (1,969 ft), there are two groups that cannot see each other. It’s not uncommon for this to be the exact moment when one of the groups decides to launch a massive breakaway. This maneuver is called a “Bjoerninha,” named after one of the creators of indieVelo, who is well-known for his roundabout stabbings.
Therefore, to avoid getting dropped before the real festivities begin, stay vigilant during those 600 m (1,969 ft) and collaborate with your group to collectively accelerate and avoid getting left behind by a Bjoerninha attack.
Special thank-you to Beta-tester Luciano Pollastri!
Route Profile
Route details and description courtesy of Beta-tester Rob Miller!
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.
