The main ride has about 6 climbs and an intermediate route can be done with is the same as the Tour of Yanhecheng Pass

Main ride = 120km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1057661

Intermediate ride = 100km =  http://www.bikemap.net/route/1201287

Short ride = 60km =  http://www.bikemap.net/route/1203467

In words

We all start at the Gaoyakou parking lot. We all go towards the Gaotai Plateau and descend in 2 times towards the G109 under the railroad bridge. Follow the G109 main road along the valley floor until the town of Yangchi after 30km.

The short ride riders turn back here.

The intermediate ride riders go 1km past this S-shaped bridge just past the village and turn   RIGHT and start the climb to Yanhecheng Pass. Those who do not miss this turn will get a pat on the shoulder. I expect most to miss it.

The main ride riders keep riding along the valley floor to the town of . At the petrol station intersection, we have a pit stop break (after 50km). We follow the road to the right of the petrol station and start the climb into the valley of Yanhecheng. After the climb and descent  , we keep to right hand side and start the super scenic climb back into the valley of Yangchi. This climb is steep, meandering and ends in gravel roads.

After the descend we make our way back the same way we came at the beginning. Beware, you have another 2 tough climbs ahead of you prior to the finish.

The route is of long and passes several high mountain passes.

AB ride = 115 km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1484601

C ride = 60 km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1431655

In words

We all start at the Chang Ling Ming Tombs. From the parking lot, ride down the cobblestones and ride up Shaling Pass (3km at 6%). A long descent gets you to a big Y-fork over a bridge. Keep left 2x and continue along the main road into the mountains.

After 20km or so, you get to a new Y-fork. The sign above you will tell you that turning right takes you to Mutianyu Great Wall.

C riders turn RIGHT and go towards mutianyu. Follow the main road, climbing through a tunnel (3km at 6%), and descend the valley to the roundabout of the Mutianyu Wall. Keep going downhill until you reach Huairou city. Find your way to the main road and go north along the G111 and find the huge 4-way street intersection for re-assembly.

(This will practice your map/GPS reading skills!!)

AB go left to Huanghua Great Wall and start the Si Hai Pass climb (16 at 5%). Descend the backside to the village of Sihai. There turn right and follow the valley to the very challenging climb to Dongbeikou (5km at 8%).

Descend until you get to the sharp Y-fork. Turn sharply right towards Huairou. Start the long slog up to Queenstown Pass (20km at 3%).

After a technical descent, prepare for the final climb of the day (3km at 5%) before the long descent into Huairou. At the big T-junction on the G111 we re-assemble.

The ride is labelled: hard – mountainous

A = 115km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1471957

B = 100km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1471957

C = 60 km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1471957

 In words

We all start at the Y-fork just north of the railroad tracks past Miyun City.

After a flat 7km run in, we hit the hills to the Hei Long Tan Pools. DO NOT cross the bridges but keep on the side of the river leading West.

The road stays very hilly and you pass a few tunnels. At a main Y-junction, turn left and start a long and steep climb.

C riders should turn back at this point.(around km 35)

Pass several tunnels until you get to the highest point looking over the canyon below.

B riders can turn back at this point. (around 50km).

Back the same way to the cars.

3 versions of the route exist.

A = 100km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1201287

B route = 80km = shorter version of http://www.bikemap.net/route/1201287

C = 60km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1203467

In words:

The start is the parking lot of Gaoyakou village, 7km west of the Liucun roundabout. This is also the finish.

The route is simple: all groups ride the same route with B and C riders turning back earlier.

From the start we go towards the stone lions and start the first climb to Gao Tai Plateau. Descend towards the G109. This big T-junction can be recognized by the rail road overhead on a bridge and the police checkpoint. Follow the G109 past the checkpoint and follow the valley road. (meaning turn right and then left at the T-junction).

At the 30km mark, we reach the village of Yangchi. This is the turn-around point for C riders. Do not underestimate the way back. It is more challenging climbing Gao Tai Plateau from the other side.

At the end of the Yang Chi village, there is a bridge in an S-shape turn. Cross the bridge and within 1 km there is a small turn-off right (concrete road). DO NOT MISS THIS TURN.

I repeat, do not miss this turn.

This road crosses the river again and becomes a smooth tarmac road. The climb now starts. At the 40km mark, the tarmac stops and becomes concrete. The road ramps up now. This is the turning point for B riders.

At the summit, A riders turn back.

For either AB and C it is a mountainous ride – moderate difficulty

AB ride = 112 km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1061779

C ride = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1431655

In words:

This is a fairly complex ride with several junctions and turns. Prior understanding of the route is compulsory.

Let’s stick to the route protocol to ensure all get to do the ride and none get lost.

As it a new ride and a new climb at an achievable distance, I believe all A and B riders should get the chance to complete the circuit. We will implement a ride protocol for this one.

We start our ride on the parking lot of the Changling Tomb of the Ming Tombs. From the parking lot, we all ride northwest past several Tombs and start the climb to Jiezishi (6km at 5-6%).

At the summit, A and B riders regroup.

We follow an undulating plateau that ends with another climb of about 3km (6%). Now the roads starts descending into the Yanqing plateau and the old town of Yong Ning.

At Yongning, A and B riders regroup and hold a pitstop for 20 minutes.

We will continue the rest of the ride, until the foot of the final climb, in peloton!

As we enter Yong Ning, you will get to a major T-junction, recognizable by the big 4-5 lane avenue leading west to Yanqing City. This is the point where AB and C riders separate.

C riders turn left and follow said 4-5 lane boulevard west to Yanqing. Another 20km of flat roads gets you to the town of Shenjiaying village, 500m before a sharp and obvious Y-fork in the road. This is the endpoint. If you reach this said Y-fork, turn back 500m to the village and relax.

AB riders go north at the said T-junction in Yong Ning and follow the flat road to the mountains. At the dinosaur statues, turn left and follow the new big road west at the bottom of the mountains. Eventually, after a few turns you will get to the start of the Jade Mountain Lake climb. Turn right and start the climb. Go over the pass to the lake and return back down. Go back a few kms and then turn left back down to the village of Shenjiaying where the C riders await.

For either AB and C it is a hilly ride – moderate difficulty

AB ride = 100 km = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1397459

C ride = 60 m = http://www.bikemap.net/route/1397460

In words:

All riders get off at ganyingcun甘营村, off the jingping京平 expressway. This is also the finish line.

All riders go north towards the start of Mount Pinggu, but at the foot, everyone turns left along the changjin 昌金road towards the east. Ride towards the sign saying Kaoshanji 靠山集village. At this big 4-way intersection, go straight and start to climb gently.

At the summit, immediately turn left and go up a steep concrete ramp. Follow this superb plateau road until the descent where you get to a big 4-way junction.

C riders now turn RIGHT and ride south. After another 5-6km, you get to a T-junction indicating to go back to jinhai lake金海湖 and Pinggu. Turn right here and ride back to Pinggu. Pass the police checkpoint and follow the road past the jinhai lake金海湖. After the palm trees boulevard, the road makes a big Y-junction. keep to your left and follow the main road back to the cars.

AB riders go straight. Keep going for about 20km until you reach the village of Sungezhuang 孙各庄. You will recognize it as it is big, has a 5-way intersection and lots of vendors. Turn sharp right and follow the new road south-east. At the next big T-junction, turn right and after 3-4km turn right again following the S301 Maping 马平road to pinggu.

After a 3-4km climb and long descent, make sure you make a shapr 180 degrees turn at the village of  Louzhuangzi xiang楼庄字乡. Follow the road until you reach the T-junction offering you to go back to pinggu district. Turn LEFT. Pass the police checkpoint and follow the road past the jinhai lake金海湖. After the palm trees boulevard, the road makes a big Y-junction. keep to your left and follow the main road back to the cars.