This day will live long in the memory of great bike rides.

A ride to an iconic destination, the summit of Corcovado, the mountain top that holds the Christo Redentor – the Christ the Redeemer statue that is perhaps the most known image of Rio de Janeiro.

A ride with a real challenge. 2700 metres of climbing in just 70km. From sea level, out and back along the ridges of the Tijuca Forest which created a route of seven climbs, or rather a route with hardly a metre of flat after the comfort of riding along beaches and lakeside to get to the base of the first climb.

But here’s the deal breaker. Almost all of it on closed or semi-closed roads.

Access is restricted on most of the forest roads at the weekend, so I have just had nearly 50km of almost traffic free riding on stunning mountain roads, just me and hundreds of other Rio cyclists who headed out into the hills that were also used for the Olympic cycling.

What a day. Thank you Rio!

I need to come back and describe it better, too tired tonight. So just a gallery!