Cycling race “Garden Ring” – 2024: registration, route, schedule

Have you ever ridden a bicycle through the center of Moscow? We are sure that for many people the answer will be positive, but most likely it was an ordinary walk. This weekend is preparing a surprise for residents and guests of the capital. On May 18, the Garden Ring will be closed from cars for the bicycle race of the same name. Below we tell you everything about this sporting event.

History of the race

Surprisingly, but behind the bicycle race on the Garden Ring is a huge history, the event is more than 100 years old. The first start was given in 1920 as a cycling competition among Muscovites. It quickly became popular for riders not only from the capital, but also from other cities and regions of the country.

In different years the race was attended by the stars of national cycling, champions of the USSR and international tournaments. The race was held even during the Great Patriotic War.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the competition did not cease to exist, since 1993 it became part of the bicycle race “Five Rings of Moscow” and reached the international level. The race was held in this format until 2016. Then there was a two-year break in the history of racing on Sadovoye.

In 2018, the competition resumed, then for the first time it was held in a format that is familiar to modern cyclists. Unfortunately, due to a pandemic in 2020 and 2021, athletes were again left without a race.

Now the organizer of the event is the National Association of Cycling Amateurs and Veterans, holding this and several other road and track races in Moscow and the Moscow region under the CyclingRace brand.

Date and registration

In 2024, the legendary amateur cycling race “Garden Ring” will be held on May 18 in Moscow. The starting town will be located on the Devichie Pole passage, and the start will be given near Zubovskaya Street.

Race time:

• 6:00 – gathering of participants;
• 7:40 – briefing of participants;
• 8:00 – start of cluster A;
• 8:03 – start of cluster B;
• 8:06 – start of cluster C;
• 8:09 – start of cluster D;
• 8:12 – Cluster F start;
• 8:15 – start of bike races;
• 10:30-11:25 – entertainment program;
• 11:30 – awarding;
• 13:00 – closing of the sports campus.

The cost of participation in the bicycle race varied from 5500 to 8000 rubles, the bicycle race was cheaper – from 3000 to 5500 rubles. The earlier a person registered, the less he paid. For athletes of 60+ categories participation cost 1000 rubles.

Now the registration is already closed, all slots are sold out. In turn, for the participants of the competition will be available:

• starting number and bonuses from partners;
• chip for electronic recording of the result;
• warm locker room and luggage lockers in the starting camp;
• food, refreshments and warm drinks;
• participant’s medal;
• medical insurance;
• an opportunity to become a hero of the online broadcast of the competition;
• opportunity to compete for valuable prizes, to be awarded on the stage of the cycling race.

Where and when will it be possible to get the start package?

We have learned everything, the issuance takes place over three days:

• May 15, Wednesday, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m;
• May 16, Thursday, from 8:00 to 21:00;
• May 17, Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

You need to come to the Volga Union Cycling academy (Moscow, Krylatskaya 10, entrance from the side of the cycle track). Don’t forget to take an ID document, as well as the original and a copy of the medical certificate of admission to cycling/triathlon competitions.

How is the race?

The route is the entire Garden Ring, its length is 15.6 km. The race is circular, the number of times you will ride around the ring varies from one to seven. The variant will depend on the cluster you have chosen.

There are a total of two participation formats presented: a bike race and a bike race. Choose based on your level of fitness, and don’t forget to wear a helmet.

For the cycling race, participants are divided into groups by age, gender and skill, and the winners are determined both in absolute standings and within their cluster and category. This system allows to observe the sports principle – when everyone competes with equal competitors – and to attract more participants, their number is growing every year.

The most experienced, as a rule, they are professionals, among whom there are many champions of various championships – go seven laps on the inner side of Sadovoye, it is about 109 kilometers. Slightly less prepared riders can choose the distances of five or six laps, in this case you will not win in the overall standings, but you can try your luck in your group. The average pace of the race is 35 km/h and you need group riding skills and a road bike with ram handlebars to participate.

Beginners who want to try their hand at the unique course can ride one, two or three laps on an ordinary bike – this is the format of the bike race. Participants are not categorized and ride on the outside of the ring – for their own safety and not to interfere with those riding five to seven laps. The average pace to keep to keep up with the peloton is 25-30 km/h.

Important! Do not confuse the Sadovoye Ring cycling race with the famous Moscow Cycling Festival, which also takes place on Sadovoye on the same day, but later.

The cycling race is a sports competition with all the relevant rules, it starts in the morning and ends by 11:00. The bicycle festival, which starts at 12:00, is a pleasant walk for everyone, not a race for speed or time.

Many participants of the race after its completion stay on Sadovoye to join the column and once again ride along the ring at a quiet pace, rest, relax and admire the beauty of the center of the capital.

How to prepare for the race?

Participation in any sporting event requires preparation, but you won’t have time to do anything three days before the start. These tips will come in handy if you decide to take part in the race next year.

Experts recommend training four times a week for two hours each, alternating between riding at a relaxed pace and more vigorous work. You can also work out in the gym to get fit.

Do not forget that the Garden Ring is primarily a highway, and you need to get used to the real conditions before you start. Take into account that there will be road markings along the way, and it is better not to run over them unnecessarily to avoid slipping. Keep your attention in the semi-darkness of tunnels and iron joints of bridges.

Five-time Russian champion and World Cup winner in cycling, CyclingRace expert

“On Sadovoye it will be comfortable at any level of preparation: the main thing is to choose the right cluster at the start. The road is very wide here – everyone can fit in. But you should pay attention to the fact that fast groups can catch up with newcomers on the lap, so it is more correct and safer to stay on the right side. There are also rails on the road – it’s important that nothing falls off your bike when you hit them – for example, a bottle.

As for the track: the Garden Ring is a good option for beginner riders. The height difference here is relatively small, the descents and ascents are gentle and clearly visible, and there are virtually no turns. However, you should not lose concentration – you will have to ride at approximately the same pace, you need to be careful not to fall behind your group and not to hit anyone.

master coach, CyclingRace expert

“If you fall behind the main group – you can’t cope with the pace or there is a technical problem – you need to find your individual pace at which you can keep going for as long as possible. To do this, you can use power meter readings to maintain your target heart rate. If this option is not available, there is the so-called “conversation test”: whether I can maintain a comfortable speaking pace while moving at a certain intensity. Try starting a “conversation” as if with a race partner – if it doesn’t work, you need to go soft. If you can talk, albeit with a little shortness of breath, you have the right pace. Another way to pick up the pace is due to the circular nature of the race: a faster group can catch up with a laggard – try to “sit” with them.

Road closures

It will be impossible to drive along the Garden Ring itself. On Akademika Sakharov Avenue from Boulevard to the Garden Ring and from the Garden Ring to Kalanchevskaya Street, as well as on Masha Poryvaeva Street, only one extreme lane in each direction will work. Also on May 18, traffic will be closed on Zubovskaya Street (from Dashkov Lane to Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street), Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street (from Zubovskaya Street to Elansky Street) and in the Devichie Polya passage (from Plyushchikha Street to Zubovskaya Street).

The Garden Ring cycling race is an opportunity to try your hand at a real competition. Taking into account that it is an annual race – you can evaluate your progress, raise your personal level of difficulty, increasing the number of laps in accordance with the growth of skill. So if you wanted to feel yourself as a real cyclist, but didn’t know where and how – this is your chance.