Union Velocipedique 1901 point-to-point Race

“What is this new Cyclo-Hike-Cross?” writes Daniel Gousseau in the first ever recorded reference to the sport we now know as cyclocross. “It’s an excellent activity that exercises the participant in cycling, running, agility, gymnastics, etc.”

Addressing members of the Union Velocipedique de France in his article ‘A New Event’ in 1901, Gousseau describes organising point-to-point bike races in which riders choose their own routes across farms and fences, running or riding as quickly as they could to the finish line.

On the 27th of October, Rapha Amsterdam is organising our own version of Gousseau’s cyclocross race. Riding from the clubhouse in Amsterdam to De Proloog in Amerongen, we challenge participants to find the shortest route, not the fastest route.

Will you climb fences and ride your bike through a field? Maybe even some traditional Dutch ‘Slootjespringen’ while you’re at it? As Tom Boonen said, “Sometimes you don’t need a plan, you just need big balls”.

Meet up from Rapha Amsterdam at 10am on Saturday the 27th of October. Ride out before 11am. We will check participant's Strava or GPS files to see who has the shortest route. Winner will be announced at 2.30pm, at de Proloog.

This event is inspired by our new cross line - check it out https://www.rapha.cc/nl/en/men/cross/category/cyclocross