A crazy day at the Tour de France Femmes 2024
It was also a great challenge to cheer on Katarzyna Niewiadoma during the final eighth stage of the Tour de France Femmes. For on 18 August, the toughest stage of the tour was to be tackled. On the 150km stage, one had to face not only one's weaknesses but also three murderous multi-kilometre climbs – on the Col de Tarnie, on the Col du Glandon, and to the Alpe d'Huez ski station (a total of 3,900m). It was shaping up to be an incredibly exciting end to the race, a fight to the last breath.
And so it was. The competitors laboriously climbed the Alpine slopes at just a few kilometres per hour, only to 'plummet' down after some time at a speed of almost 100 km/h while overcoming hellishly sharp turns. They rode at the limits of their abilities and calculated risk. In rain, fog and sunshine. All with the aim of arriving at the Alpine resort as soon as possible. During this stage, the competitors probably experienced every state of mind imaginable – from joy to sadness, anger to fear, surprise to despair, doubt to euphoria...
Did they see the words 'Queen Kasia' scrawled on the asphalt by Taylor Phinney, Katarzyna's husband? Katarzyna probably did... Although the finish line in the famous Alpe d'Huez was crossed first by Dutch woman Demi Vollering, it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma, fourth on this stage, who enjoyed victory in the entire Tour de France. Her success in the land of 'People From On High' was decided by... four seconds. The Dutch woman fell into despair and the Polish woman in maillot jaune into euphoria, raising her bike high above her head in a gesture of triumph. This is her first victory in the prestigious Tour de France – she was third a year and two years ago. For the Ochotnica woman, it is also one of the biggest successes in her career.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma - 200% Ochotnicanian!
'Katarzyna Niewiadoma is a 200% Ochotnicanian who grew up in our great Ochotnica. Her success is proof that nothing is impossible for a person with determination and a heart to fight. Her triumph in the Tour de France is not only a sporting achievement but also a symbol of national pride and strength of spirit, which Kasia represents around the world'. This is how the success of their countrywoman was celebrated in Ochotnica – Dolna (where Katarzyna's mum comes from) and Górna (where Kasia's dad comes from).
After all, it was here that she first got on her bike and here she faced her first uphills and downhills. Here, her extraordinary talent, fighting heart, impressive stamina, but also her great ambition and fortitude were recognised. Here she competed with the boys, climbing, among other things, the Knurowska Pass... She didn't always win, but she never gave up, never let up. Only a cyclist 'forged' from such material could dream of conquering the highest peaks. And it is thanks to this that she is today the brightest shining star of Polish cycling.
She is also 'the greatest Highlander in the world as an athlete and woman. Not only does she win the mountain stage bonus, but she embodies everything that is most beautiful about the Ochotnica Highlanders and the Highlander.' The residents of Ochotnica also emphasise that her success has already gone down in gold in the history of Polish cycling.
Kasia Niewiadoma – Ochotnica Challenge
If someone wants to test their fighting heart, fortitude, and endurance, they don't have to go to France or conquer Alpe d'Huez. In the municipality of Ochotnica Dolna, they can tackle the route 'Kasia Niewiadoma – Ochotnica Challenge'. There are 117 km of asphalted paths, and the total of ascents and descents is 3,520 metres each.
Although there are fewer long climbs than in the French classic, there is no shortage of hairpin turns, sharp climbs and descents, and walls. Suffice it to say that the route reaches 40% in the steepest parts, and its highest point – the Skałka estate – is 962 m above sea level. Therefore, Queen Kasia's Challenge can be a real workout. Not only will it wear out even seasoned cyclists, it will also put them through the wringer. Fortunately, though, it has also been given to cyclists with less skill – and with less strength.
The Ochotnica Challenge can, of course, be beaten in one go. However, those who don't feel up to it, but like the beautiful surroundings, can always spend a little more time here (there is plenty to explore not just by bike). This is because the route has been so cleverly conceived that it is made up of 16 separate sections. The easier ones (which does not mean very easy) – numbered 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 16 – are marked in blue and are called FUN. The more difficult ones – 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 – are in turn a CHALLENGE.
When tackling the Ochotnica Challenge, however, we must always be aware that it is not only the uphills that are demanding here but also the downhills. This, in turn, means that the bikes should be sized and equipped accordingly, for example, with disc brakes so as not to overheat the carbon rims. On the red-marked trails, the gradient locally exceeds 20%, and on the most demanding section – Twarogi – it reaches 39%!
If you choose the blue-coloured routes, you can be sure that the maximum local gradient will not exceed 15% and the average is less than 10%. This, undoubtedly, does not at all mean that these are very easy routes. However, by having 'mountain' gears you can enjoy an unhurried ride with the whole family.
It must be added that the views – not only of the Ochotnica Valley but also of the Tatra mountain ridges – are spectacular. So it's worth making a stop every now and then, especially in the summit areas... Not just to catch your breath!
The Ochotnica Challenge – a tribute to an outstanding competitor
The 'Kasia Niewiadoma – Ochotnica Challenge' trail starts in Ochotnica Dolna by the Ligasy housing estate at an altitude of 413 metres above sea level, and ends at the Knurowska Pass – 832 metres above sea level. When crossing it, always remember the safety rules because our health, the health of our loved ones and other road users depend on it.
Even if you choose the more accessible variant, looking at the information board before setting off is a good idea, as this will tell you what surprises await you along the route. Why is this essential?
'There is no other place in Poland where you can face such numerous and steep climbs on asphalt. At the steepest point – the Twarogi section – the gradient reaches 40%!' – recalls the founder of the Ochotnica Challenge. He is Cezary Szafraniec, a cycling enthusiast and organiser of the largest amateur cycling events in Poland. His work includes the iconic Tatra Road Race. It may also be worth mentioning that the 'Kasia Niewiadoma – Ochotnica Challenge' opened, of course, with the participation of our outstanding rider in October 2021.
Individual sections of this route are also mapped on the strava.com cycling app. Thus, we can compare our time with other extreme experience enthusiasts at any time. Who knows, maybe we will find ourselves at the top of the online record book? After all, it was Gorce paths and roads ambition, training and prowess that led Katarzyna Niewiadoma to the top of world cycling.