Get ready for a thrilling ride as we uncover the world's most popular cycling road, according to Strava's Year in Sport data! But here's the twist: it's not where you'd expect!
The top cycling segment on Strava in 2025 isn't nestled in the majestic Alps or Pyrenees, nor does it grace the bike-friendly streets of Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Instead, it's a climb that has captured the hearts of cyclists worldwide - the Alto de Patios in Colombia.
Located on the outskirts of Bogotá, this 5.5km segment, known as 'Mi Segmento: de la redomita a Patios', has seen over 34,000 unique riders in just 11 months! That's an incredible 102 new riders each day, all eager to conquer this iconic climb.
And the current King of the Mountain (KOM) for this segment? It's the elite Guatemalan rider, Julio Ispache, who blazed through the course in an impressive 13 minutes and 37 seconds, averaging a speedy 22.8kph. Even Colombia's very own Tour de France winner, Egan Bernal, came incredibly close to dethroning Ispache earlier this year.
But here's where it gets controversial... Strava's second most popular segment is a 1.49km stretch along the river in São Paulo, Brazil. With over 26,000 riders this year, it's a hot spot for cyclists in South America. And this is the part most people miss: the third most popular segment is right here in London, in the bustling borough of Wandsworth. It's a simple 'Bridge Sprint' that might not be on everyone's radar, but with a protected cycle lane, it's a favorite for many commuters.
Strava, with its 180 million users worldwide, has become a cycling sensation since its launch in 2009. And their Year in Sport data provides fascinating insights into the cycling world. For instance, Trek is the most popular road bike brand among Strava users, followed by Specialized and Giant. But for gravel and mountain bikes, Specialized takes the lead, with Scott and Giant rounding out the top three respectively.
So, what do you think? Are you surprised by these cycling hotspots? And which segment would you tackle first? Let's discuss in the comments and share our cycling adventures!
