RIDING 4,000 KM in 15 days
**Disclaimer**: This is an attempt - I’ll try my best to go as far as I can. I know my limits, but I also know I won’t be satisfied unless I give it a shot!
The VIA Race is an ultracycling event where riders from around the world cover ultra-long distances on manual bicycles. It’s completely self-supported and self-routed, with riders required to pass through a series of control points, parcours, and refuges. While there’s no official time limit to complete the route, there is a “finisher’s party” 15 days after the start. This year’s ride begins in Giovinazzo, Italy, and ends in Amerongen, Netherlands.
The route I’ve planned will take me through Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland, France, and finally into the Netherlands, covering roughly 2,500 miles (4,000+ km) with 158,752 feet of elevation gain.
WHY THIS MADNESS?
I like to challenge myself with really hard things. I love long rides and the soundtrack of tires rolling against pavement; there’s something oddly meditative and calming about it. Honestly, I think cycling is the best form of transportation: slow enough to take in the scenery, but fast enough to get you somewhere meaningful.
Most of all, I believe mobility is a gift, not a given. I don’t want to take it for granted. As long as I’m able to do things like this, I’ll keep going.
Every time I take on a big ride, I dedicate it to a cause. This time, I’m riding in memory of my father, Steven Leong, who passed away recently. If you’re able and willing, please consider making a donation to On Lok PACE, a full-service healthcare program providing medical care, home visits, transportation, and senior services. My father was a participant in the program for nearly 14 years after suffering a life-altering stroke, and it supported him through the later part of his life with care, dignity, and compassion.
If you’ve made it this far, THANK YOU! It means a lot to have you along for this journey. I hope you’ll enjoy the experience ahead: the emotional, physical, and literal ups and downs of the road. Thanks for being here. I hope this ride inspires you to step outside your comfort zone, too.
Help Build Ines’s Ride Playlist 🎶
Ines spends hours on her bike exploring new places and music keeps her going. If you have a song that reminds you of her or something you think she’d love to ride to, send it her way. Let’s build a playlist filled with love, memories and good vibes.
