Forget the Alps! The world's most popular cycling road isn't where you'd expect. According to Strava's recently released Year in Sport data, the crown goes to a climb in Colombia, specifically the Alto de Patios, located on the outskirts of Bogotá.
This might surprise many, as cycling hotspots like the Alps, the Pyrenees, or even bike-friendly cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam, often dominate the conversation. But the data tells a different story.
The segment, officially named 'Mi Segmento: de la redomita a Patios', spans 5.5 km and takes cyclists from the Colombian capital to La Calera. In the first 11 months of 2025 alone, over 34,000 unique individuals rode this segment. That's an astonishing 102 new cyclists tackling this route every single day!
The current KOM (King of the Mountain) title holder for this segment is Guatemalan rider Julio Ispache, who completed the climb in just 13 minutes and 37 seconds last October, averaging a speed of 22.8 kph. Interestingly, Egan Bernal, Colombia's first and only Tour de France winner, came incredibly close to claiming the top spot earlier this year on the longer 'Belisario-Patios' segment, missing the crown by a mere second.
But here's where it gets interesting... Strava's data also reveals the second most popular cycling segment, located in São Paulo, Brazil. This 1.49 km riverside stretch, known as 'Hebraica-Rebouças x Cidade Jardim', saw over 26,000 users during the year.
Coming in third is the 'Bridge Sprint' in London's Wandsworth borough. Although Cycling Weekly couldn't locate it on the platform, Wandsworth Bridge is a busy commuting route. It's worth noting that this area received a protected cycle lane a couple of years ago, which likely contributes to its popularity.
Strava, which launched in 2009, has grown to a massive platform with 180 million users worldwide. Their Year in Sport data, compiled from activities between September 1, 2024, and August 30, 2025, offers valuable insights.
While running is Strava's primary activity, the cycling data provides some fascinating tidbits. For example, the most popular road bike brand among Strava users is Trek, followed by Specialized and Giant.
And this is the part most people miss... The brand rankings shift slightly for gravel and mountain bikes. Specialized takes the top spot in both categories, with Scott being the third most popular gravel bike brand and Giant securing the third position for mountain bikes.
Strava subscribers can look forward to their personalized Year in Sport recap reports, which will be available starting next Monday, December 8th.
Controversy Alert: Do you think the popularity of the Alto de Patios signals a shift in cycling culture? Are you surprised by the segment's popularity, or does it reflect a growing interest in cycling in less traditional locations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
