Chimborazo Extremo

The highest altitude cycling competition in Ecuador!

I spent three months in Ecuador with Fernanda. We mainly stayed in Riobamba, where her family lives, but we also visited other cities and parts of the country. We visited Quito, Baños, Quilotoa Lake, and Cuenca.

In this article, I don’t want to write about a place I visited in Ecuador but about a volunteer experience I had. Fernanda’s best friend Edison organises one of the country's most famous cycling competitions, the Chimborazo Extremo, and we volunteered for it.

Chimborazo is Ecuador’s highest mountain and an iconic inactive stratovolcano, 6,310 meters (20,702 feet) above sea level. Located in the Andes, it holds a unique distinction: its summit is the farthest point from the Earth's core, due to its equatorial bulge. Surrounded by rugged terrain and dramatic landscapes, Chimborazo is part of the Chimborazo Fauna Reserve, home to wildlife such as vicuñas, alpacas, and Andean condors. The snow-capped peak is a popular destination for mountaineers, adventurers, and nature lovers, offering breathtaking views and a profound connection to Ecuador's cultural and natural heritage.

Chimborazo Extremo is an intense and thrilling cycling competition on and around Chimborazo. This unique race combines challenging terrain, high altitudes, and stunning landscapes. The competition is set at extreme altitudes, often exceeding 4,000 meters above sea level. Riders must battle not only the rugged terrain but also thinner air and unpredictable weather conditions, ranging from freezing cold to intense sun exposure.

One month before the race, we conducted a first-aid course and inspected the track to know the most dangerous and/or difficult parts, it was also open for the cyclists so they could try the route. We drove around in an off-road car, the weather was cold and foggy, but I enjoyed being able to visit Chimborazo in this unique way, to be part of this group, and to help.
The route covers diverse terrain, including volcanic sand, rocky paths, dirt trails, and sections of asphalt. Starting near the Chimborazo base, the course often weaves through steep ascents, technical descents, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Andean landscape.

On the day of the race we met at the starting point in the village of San Juan at the base of the volcano, to help set up the race centre, and after they accompanied us to the point of the route where we were supposed to help the rides to follow the track. We volunteered where there was a 90° left curve and Fernanda and I had to make it very visible to the riders using flags.

San Juan is a small Andean village known for its breathtaking views of the volcano. The village is home to indigenous communities that preserve traditional ways of life, including farming and weaving.

Different from the day of the inspection, the race day was sunny and hot. It was my first time taking sports photos, I was happy about the location because it was beautiful with an amazing view of Chimborazo. In the beginning, I didn’t know what to do, where to stand, or what to photograph, but step by step I started experimenting until I found ideas and positions on where I could get the riders and enhance the beautiful landscape. I also found a nice corner where I could take some portraits.

When the last rider passed our job was finished. We decided to go to the arrival point because Fernanda’s brother-in-law, Diego, was racing and we wanted to see him. We got a lift until a checkpoint 7 km from the arrival, here the landscape and the weather were completely different, it was cold and it looked like the cyclists were riding on the moon. While we were waiting for another lift to reach the arrival, I used the opportunity to take some pictures.

When we arrived, we found Diego, who had just arrived. He completed the race in around five hours, which is a great time for an amateur. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, and I took a picture of some of the organizers and one of Diego with his family. I usually participate in running competitions, and I like the festive atmosphere, this time I enjoyed volunteering and taking pictures at this event.

This race is a celebration of nature, endurance, and the spirit of adventure, challenging cyclists to push their limits. Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, Chimborazo Extremo provides an unforgettable journey through one of the most striking landscapes in the world.

Chimborazo Extremo is open to professional and amateur cyclists, but due to its challenging nature, it typically attracts seasoned riders with experience in high-altitude or adventure cycling. If you are interested in participating or simply curious and want to know more you can check Chimborazo Extremo and Biking Sprint Instagram accounts. The 20th edition will be in June of this year and registrations are open.

See you soon

Flavio