Challenging Rides for Advanced Climbers

Everyone wants to cross the finish line, but sometimes you want a challenge on your way to breaking the tape. You want to sweat, grit your teeth and even fear not making it to the end. As the adage goes, "the bigger the challenge, the greater the reward."

Races that traverse mountains and century rides with steep climbs make even roadies with colossal thighs nervous. Climbing is all about balance, breathing, pace and your power-to-weight ratio. It isn't for everybody. But for those advanced cyclists who want to ride long stints in low gears, here are seven races sure to test even the strongest riders.