Climbing into the Bale Mountains National Park is sure to worry even the strongest of climbers. With this in mind, the peloton lines up in Welabu, preparing for a tough day in the saddle. Heading in a northern direction after the start, the road is mostly downhill, reaching the lowest point of the race near Angetu. From here it’s a gentle uphill slope to Dola-Mena, where the riders take a sharp left turn into the mountains. ...
Read moreClimbing into the Bale Mountains National Park is sure to worry even the strongest of climbers. With this in mind, the peloton lines up in Welabu, preparing for a tough day in the saddle. Heading in a northern direction after the start, the road is mostly downhill, reaching the lowest point of the race near Angetu. From here it’s a gentle uphill slope to Dola-Mena, where the riders take a sharp left turn into the mountains.
On the menu here is the climb towards the mountain village of Rira, flanked by the gorgeous Harenna Forest. The next 55 kilometers will all be uphill. The first part, from Dola-Mena to the Bale Mountain Lodge isn’t too difficult, reaching an altitude of 2300 meters without ever dipping into steep gradients.
However, the last 12 kilometers of the race will be a completely different story, especially when the altitude meters go above 3000 meters in the final kilometers. There, with diminished oxygen levels in the air, the best climber will reach the finish line first in Rira, with Mount Tullu Dimtu looming in the distance.
