Just because an aquabike race finishes after the bike leg and the run part of the triathlon is missing, certainly doesn´t mean that an aquabike race is easy. A race is always as hard as you make it. But there are some races out there that are never easy. We take a closer look at the hardest aqabike races in Europe in 2022. They´re not only the hardest but also some of the most beautiful races – although probably not everybody is able to enjoy the stunning scenery when the water is freezing cold and gradients on the bike leg hit 20%. But if you don´t like warm water and flat roads, these races might be perfect for you!
#5 Festival of Endurance at Hever Castle – Long Distance Aquabike
Well, the 3,8 km swim in the Hever Castle Lake might not look too challenging and there might not be a major mountain pass in the bike course. But still, this is certainly a pretty tough race. The main ascent of the race is Black Hill, which is tackled four times. The rest of the elevation profile of the bike course looks a bit like a saw blade. If you like a fast and rolling bike leg you might get disappointed at Hever Castle Triathlon. Over the 120 km through the Ashdown Forest you have to climb an overall elevation of no less than 1.604 meters. So don´t forget to bring your climbing legs!
» Event Details Festival of Endurance at Hever Castle – Long Distance Aquabike
#4 Tradeinn International Triathlon 140.6INN
The 2nd edition of the Tradeinn International Triathlon hosts the Spanish National Championships for Triathlon as well as for Aquabike. “The Long-Distance Triathlon that aims to become the most important in Europe” as the organizers state. It´s the first Spanish Championships for long distance aquabike and one of the still quite few races over the full ironman distance. And certainly the one with the hardest bike course. The 3,8 km swim in the Mediterranean Sea might be quite refreshing in early May, but is certainly the easier part of this race. The 180 km bike course immediately starts with a climb from sea level up to Romanyà de la Selva (322 m above sea level), directly followed by the Alt de la Ganga des de Calonge. Athletes also have to tackle these two climbs again from the other direction before finishing the race. It´s the biggest but by far not the only climbs in this race. The rest of the bike course goes up and down the hills in the region east of Girona. With a total elevation gain of 1.869 meters this event offers more climbing than any other aquabike race in Europe!
» Event Details Aquabike at Tradeinn International Triathlon 140.6INN
#3 Helvellyn Triathlon
The Helvellyn Triathlon – or aquabike as in our case – is a very special event with some special requirements. The 1,5 km swim takes place in Ullswater, the second largest lake in Lake District in Northern England. The average water temperature in August is usually around 14 degree. So better don´t forget to bring your wetsuit. And you have to bring it clean (checked at race registration), because of the sensitive ecosystem of the lake. If you´re a little cold getting out of the water, it shouldn´t take too long to get a little warmer. The first climb with gradients of up to 10% starts less than 4 km into the 61 km bike course through the stunning scenery of Lake District National Park. And there´s more climbing to come. “The Struggle” – a small road up to Kirkstone Pass is probably the steepest climb in any aquabike race in Europe with gradients up to 20%. Make sure your bike has the right gearing! So if you´re not afraid of steep roads the Hellvellyn Aquabike race is certainly one for the bucket list.
» Event Details Aquabike at Helvellyn Triathlon
#2 Triathlon des Gorges de l’Ardèche
In 2022 the traditional Triathlon des Gorges de l’Ardèche will have an aquabike option for the first time. Although if I look at the videos of the past events… believe me, I really hate to say that… but the run part of this triathlon looks like you really don´t wanna miss it. But this applies for the swim and bike legs just as well. It´s a race through a spectacular landscape. But the beautiful scenery has it´s price. To call it demanding would be an understatement. You start by swimming upstream in the river Ardèche for 1km. Now it doesn´t seem like the river has a strong current, but I´m sure the way back will be a little faster. And the harder part is yet to come. The 76 km long bike course doesn´t really have any long flat sections. With an elevation gain of about 1.200 meters and some steep sections with up to 16% I assume not everybody will be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery around. Nevertheless this is certainly a race for your bucket list.
» Event Details Aquabike at Triathlon des Gorges de l´Ardèche
#1 Challenge Davos
Well, that´s certainly not a big surprise. The Challenge Davos Triathlon is absolutely special. The 1,9 km swim in the Davosersee is usually quite refreshing. Water temperature is usually beweem 18 and 20 degree celsius in August. The bike course starts with a flat section. Of about 1 km. Then you start climbing up Flüelapass. With 2.383 meters above sea level it´s #5 of the highest mountain pass roads in Switzerland. 12 km climbing with an average gradient of about 7% and ramps up to 14%. But when you reach the top of the climb, you´re not done yet. Obviously what goes up must come down. And up again. Because after the descent on the other side of the pass you turn around and climb up to the top of the pass again – this time from the other side. 1.800 meters of elevation gain on a 56 k bike course is certainly something else! If you recover well at the second descent you have about 4 flat kilometers to push before you finish in the sports stadium of Davos. But I sincerely doubt it really pays off to bring your TT-bike.
» Event Details Aquabike at Challenge Davos
Update: After this article was published a new aquabike race was announced that actually should be the new #1 in the list above. So here´s an introduction of this event as appedix:
Triathlon & Duathlon Attack
2022 will see the 8th edition of this point to point extreme triathlon through the heart of Slovakia. But for the first time the “Aquabike Attack” will be included. After a 2,1 km swim in the Luboreč Lake you change onto the bike, heading in northern direction. The 139 km bike course has no less than 2.885 meters elevation gain – way more than any other aquabike race on the European calendar. It finishes with a 10 km climb up to Srdiečko (almost 1.200 meters above sea level) in the centre of the lower Tatra national park. If you´re not afraid of some climbing, this one certainly looks like a race for your bucket list!