Alpe d'Huez - Cycling Inspiration & Education
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- Опубліковано 3 січ 2025
- If the truth be known I owe a lot to the rockstar ascent that is Alpe d’Huez, along with its equally impressive neighbours the Glandon and Galibier. Back in 2003 it was the lure of these legendary peaks that gave me my first real taste of the mountains as I nervously lined up for La Marmotte not really knowing what I was getting myself into. I remember rolling into Bourg d’Oisans and feeling my stomach somersaulting with fearful excitement at the gargantuan size of the mountains surrounding me. You could feel the energy they possessed, like the walls of a Roman amphitheatre staring down at a gladiator about to go into combat. I’ll never forget that moment, eventually carving my way up the 21 bends to the summit of Alpe d’Huez. We’ve come a long way since then but this is, and always will be, where the dream began. Peace.
Start: Bourg d'Oisans
Length: 13.2km
Summit: 1,850m
Elevation gain: 1,108m
Average gradient: 8.1%
Max gradient: 13%
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Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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Mike, I watched this about 100 times... and today I successfully climbed it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Earl Young legend! Massive respect Earl and thanks for your support. Mike 👍🏻
Did it last month age 67. (Non stop). Just took it steady with the main aim of finishing. Didn't break any records though!
Legend! Big respect! Mike
Well done! What was your gearing, if I may ask!
9-speed 12x25 cassette (12/13/14/15/17/19/21/23/25).
PROWHEEL Ounce 50x39x30 chainset. Don't think I used the lowest gears though as for the most part it didn't seem too steep compared to the hills I'm used to in Derbyshire. Hope this helps.
It does help indeed! Thank you for replying.
caff55
Awesome!! And inspiration for the ones that think they are to old to do things !👏👏
Long life Cycling!
I did it today, without any experience or training, it was heavy but i'm not dead so I recommend it to everybody!
Legend! Well done Jip!
Jip how comfortable were you descending? I've never biked anything like this but plan to in a year. Did you find it difficult to control your speed or anything through the descent?
B.S.... no training, you tit! Haha. Have done this climb 3 times, you need a solid cycling foundation.
No training? I’m in training and suffer at 6%.
At 47 and only cycling 3 years I was fortunate to do it earlier this year in June. It’s stunning. I purposely stopped at strategic points to take photos as I may never do it again. (Although I’d love to go again). We left the base at 7.30am. No traffic but lots of cyclists already about and coming down.! It cold in the shade but you soon warm up. A very memorable ride. Col d’izard this year and a few others.... Happy Cycling.
"As you can see; the climb starts really hard... But I can do it out of the saddle, while narrating for a video." :)
Mark Graham lol. Exactly! Lol
...And getting just the right 'har man' intonation into it as well!!
the tune is amazing.... so addicted!! I am cycling from London to Paris in September to raise funds for diabetes uk (as a type 1 diabetic myself). your videos are keeping me motivated through my training. Thanks
+Siddharth Sharma Good luck!!
Your videos are amazing! Please keep em coming. This is so amazing to watch.
Got a personal best yesterday on the climb AND descent. One of the best days of my life!
I am repeating myself every time you put up another video. It is yet again fantastic, very well done! Can't wait for the next video :)
Marilyn3rietveld Coming VERY soon now :)
I rode up it in september on a cyclocross bike 36 front and 25 rear. I have never been in so much pain. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
Banchad2 Well done. Bucket list ride for me.
Love Alpe D Huez ! Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for the tips.I,m riding the Alp on 4Th June riding up 6 times in one day for charity. This video has helped enormously.
Good luck Adrian!
Thanks
Climbed it for the second time on Bastille Day in 2016. Then took the family up in our camper. It started snowing late afternoon and we ended up bundling some local chap into the van who was bordering on hyperthermic descending in shorts and jersey. Didn't speak a word of English but he was super grateful to be driven down safely. Great iconic mountain and great memories 🚵⛰️
i have been riding this col 5times in a day with my mountainbike. started 4 in the morning, finished 20.10 evenings. this was to raise money to beat cancer. this was in 2012. this event is called Alpe Dhuzes, zes is the Dutch word for six. the best climbers can do it 6 times that day.
on that day there is no traffix, only crew. about 10.000 people are standing at the side of the road to cheer you up. this is an incredible feeling.
+Joër Garms Chapeau to you! Really inspiring to read this!
+The Col Collective It was a honour to do something that. the motto is, people with cancer have to fight every day. we just for one day.
when will we go for a ride? do you ride enduro as well?
The whole video= one phrase... OUT OF THIS WORLD!! ❤
Thank you for your appreciation Timos :-)
3 weeks away and I will be on the 21 myself. Your videos are inspirational and helpful. Thanks Mike
Allez, allez allez! Enjoy the magic of Alpe d'Huez! :-)
Fantastic to see, and rediculously inspiring to improve skills and plan life to go there and climb. Great video!
+Ahmed Hamidaddin Enjoy the ride! :-)
very inspiring. thanks for great video. keep up good work
Thanks Mike, great video! I made the mistake of stopping at that first summit. Oh well, I'll have to go and do it again!
Thanks Mike and your team for this videos. We can know a lot of beatiful places through this videos. I can notice a hard work in each video, you know ... music, image quality, sponsors, locations, travels and your effort climbing in the bike ! jajaja Well I just wanna say thanks for share this material and inspire a lot of cyclist enthusiast (like me) and people who wants to try to do cycling. Keep Riding ! 💪 Sorry for my English, I'm from Chile.
Hi Sebastian, thank you for your kind words, your support is very much appreciated! We're super happy you are enjoying the videos!
great music and great inspirational movie. makes me wanna go outside riding eventough its dark and cold. Keep it up guys!
Glad you enjoyed it! Roll on summer, winter can't last forever! ;-)
I absolutely love these videos.
+John Zarn I absolutely love you for watching John! Thanks for tuning in, many more to come! Ride safe, Mike
Legendary climb, really enjoyed the cinematography, very well shot
These videos are exceptionally well done. Thank you.
Thank you for your appreciation 🙏🏻
I love up hills, I hope one day I can up this amazing hill too 🙌🙌🙌
Did this col last week. The first section until La Garde is definitely the hardest part.
Chantal Coolsma Absoulutely right Chantal, hope you enjoyed it (despite the pain!) Ride safe. Mike
The Col Collective It was quite hot. 30C.
Great video! Thanks Mike!
...la tengo, y por partida doble; 2015 y 2018 !! Saludos desde Zarcero, Costa Rica!!
Still the most epic video ever !!
Wonderfully put together! Here's hoping I get a chance to make the climb up Alpe D'Huez someday. Thanks for putting this together.
+John Cassidy You're very welcome John, thanks so much for watching. Mike
Impressive. Cant leave without subscribing.
I have so much respect for people who do this, I've always dreamed of biking up mountains but I would die trying.
No you wouldn’t.
Just ride. Your body adapts to what you do with it,
Looking good as always Mike as you ride solo. One day we'll do our '86 Lemond - Hinault rendition of it.
Looking forward to it Simon! :-)
Nice vídeo.Best whises from Spain!!!
...you made that look easy !!!!!!!!!!
I just decided to join some mates from my cycling club to do La Marmotte 2016. A daunting prospect indeed for someone who could be classified as a typical classics rider best suited for long, easy descents. Anyway, great inspiration in these videos. Looking forward to doing them myself!
+Espen Daniel Hagen Olsen It may feel like a daunting prospect, keep perspective it's an amazing challenge. Take your time, enjoy the experience and best of luck! Ride safe, Mike & The Col Collective
Make sure you keep riding further up to the Col de Sarenne for some truly stunning and remote views.
Do the Zoncolan and Transfagarasan video! :D Epic climbs. Btw great video! :)))
We've got a huge list of climbs we hope to bring to life. Thanks for your suggestions! Ride safe and enjoy....
멋진 라이더 & 아름다운 풍경
Also could please video on the angliru that is a great climbe.
What an awesome video. I got to ride this climb 4 days before the tour and it poured on us! It was a relief as it started off sunny and got quite hot. Too bad we lost most of the amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This vid is going to stay a favorite as I SO badly want to go back and better my time, which was over one hour (I won't say exactly, so leave it at over an hour. LOL!). 4 days before the tour and Dutch Corner was already packed with the fans. They were already lit and came out to the road to cheer us cyclists on even in the pouring rain! Truly a great memory. Keep 'em coming, Mike!
+coach nealf Amazing to hear that. 4 days before and already packed on Dutch corner, superb! Keep pushing those pedals and thanks for watching the videos! M
Super videos Mike, I am going there in agust because of your video :)
El puerto que lo es todo!
@Ben Snodgrass Hi Ben, Alpe d'Huez is always busy. You're best bet is to ride it really early in the morning, first light, before the traffic gets too heavy. Good luck and enjoy! Mike
Nice video as always. It's always a pleasure to see on the youtube channel that there is a new Col Collective video :-)
I plan to ride the alpe this summer from briancon via lautaret, alpe, sarenne and lautaret. Should be an great ride.
Denis Faure-Brac Sounds awesome! Thanks for your support, good luck and ride safe!
I hope will ride up alpe d'huze. Heck I hope I will win a stage of the Tour de France finish up alpe d'huze. Also love your videos never stop make them.
Superb videos. When's the next one?
frankswildy We're working on the next one at this very moment Frank. Should be online today! :-)
Joaquim Agostinho tribute at 1.21 min :) The best ever portuguese cyclist :)
Going for first time in 4 weeks , cant wait
NICE VIDEO AWESOME AND HARD TOO..👍👍
I’ve been in Bourg d’Oisans all of August climbing and descending. Posted many of my rides @ChannelGriffin 🚴🏼♂️💨
Yeah! The Meca of Cycling , yeah! , next protect , Dolomites!
One last thing has mike ever road a grand tour. I would like to know.
Wanderfol beutefol
Motivation video
I'd really like to climb Alpe d'Huez someday. I recently climbed philippines Baguio "highest point" and it makes me strive to climb for more.
great video :) thanks. if I were to visit alpe d'huez would it/could it be that quiet, it looks so empty for such a famous climb! or do you do it on closed roads or something?
Thanks for this video it can give inspiration to the cyclist ang mtb
Been there three times and only just found the official Tour route on my last visit. Still didn't set a time yet. Very confusing going through the town. I'd recommend familiarising the route with Strava first if you do intend to set a time,
Love the channel. Videos are excellent. Quick question. Why do you climb so much out of the saddle?
John Oconnor Thanks for your support John, glad you're enjoying the videos. There's no real science behind standing so much when climbing, other than it feels natural and comfortable like that. Stay well, ride safe and thanks again for watching. Mike
Plenty of other cols look tougher on paper than this one, but I suffered most on this. The hairpins are the only places where the gradient lets up for a few yards. Otherwise it's all steep enough to make it hard to establish a comfortable rhythm or find the right gear. I had to take off my helmet as my brain was cooking, and that was late September. That's a good time to go BTW, the roads are quiet and the weather is usually still fine.
When did you go to alpe d huez?... When did you film this video?... I will want to go in this year
Stelvio pass from Prato remains the longest and highest and pass in Europe. Italy rules!
do you ever sit down on your sadle mike?
***** I do, but from these videos it doesn't look like it! ;-)
Great images👍👍👍📹 it looks hard giving the commentary while climbing 10% grade. Nice one thanks for the post
tippedcam1 Alpe d'Huez is not easy, especially when trying to talk and ride at the same time! Glad you enjoyed it. Mike
Hi Collective, what bike did you ride on, Cannondale Caad12 Ultegra?
+Valentin Radu Hi Valentin, I'm riding the Cannondale Hi-Mod with Dura Ace Di2 and Mavic CC40 wheels. Really lucky to have such a beautiful bike to ride up the mountains. Thanks for watching, Mike
+ The Col Collective Where do you find these awesome musics ? always a pleasure to see new videos ;)
+MrDazer98 We spend hours, sometimes days, searching, searching, searching. Very pleased you're enjoying the tunes, it makes all the searching feel that much more worthwhile. Ride safe.
Which of the Mavic Jersay type is the guy wearing ? CXR, Cosmic, HC or another one ? Don't specifically like the color but the more interested by the jersey type ?
I was wearing the Mavic Infinity jersey and shorts. You should still be able to find this at a retailer or online. Otherwise the new Cosmic range is the closest to it now www.mavic.com/apparel-men-road-jerseys-cosmic-pro-jersey#.VLmTkXa_la8. Ride safe. Mike
The First music?
What will the weather be like on Huez mid-May?
It can be anything from glorious sunshine to cold and wet so if you're heading there then pack for all seasons!
Great! I shared this on velonode.cc !
Big thanks for your support! Really appreciate it!
Hey Mike are you on strava ? If so, what is your username ? I'd like to follow you and be updated with your epic rides. Cheers.
Don't know about others but I found Alpe d'Huez not as scenic a climb as some (Glandon, Galibier from Briançon), nor as hard as others (Ventoux and the Iseran from Bourg). Great video as always though, can't wait for the next one!
You're right Rob. The Glandon, Galibier, Croix de Fer, Madeleine et al all offer better alpine vistas and a real sense of escapism, but Alpe d'Huez has such a history it'll forever be a "must ride" mountain. Thanks for your support. Mike
Mike: what's your ratio sitting vs standing on a climb like A d'Hues? Seems you're standing a lot... Great videos!
Great question. As you may notice I stand a lot when climbing. I've always felt comfortable out of the saddle especially when the gradient really starts to rise. I've never analysed the ratio in detail (just gone in feel) but I'd guess over 50% standing. A lot of it depends on how hard I'm going, the length of ascent and steepness. If the gradient is constant and I'm working at a comfortable pace then I can get into a rhythm and be out of the saddle for a higher percentage. If it's steep or there are undulations I'll pretty much always be out of the saddle on the steeper parts and in the saddle when it tapers back. Hope that makes sense. I don't think there is any one technique that is better or worse overall, we're all unique so you'll naturally find what feels best for you. Ride safe. Mike
I did it on my colnago bike in 1 hour 17 min.. It was verry verry heavy but I'm proud to to it.
Val Thorens!!!!
Pleaseeeeee
can a mere mortal or 84kg semi fit handle this? with the right gear ratios etc.
50/34 and 11/30 on back?
tommy low Definitely Tommy, it's not a race, take your time, keep the faith and go for it! Good luck! Mike
thanks, did it last week in 1 hour 30, with a 65 average cadence on a compact and 30 rear.. I would recommend doing the col du solude on the other side as well amazing views of d'huez and some crazy tunnels
tommy low You LEGEND Tommy! Don't forget to use #colcollector whenever you have a mountain photo. We want to see you here thecolcollective.com/col-collectors :-)
yes Did the very same in 36 degrees this summer - lost 1.5kgs on the way up. Lightest i've been for a while....
I would love a BTS video!
Do you use a motorcycle for the camera operator?
+Enrico Mognato Hi Enrico, no we do everything from the car.
+The Col Collective So that's why Mike looks so fast - motopacing with a car? :-)
Ha! I wish! :-)
+The Col Collective On a serious note though - Mike (is that you running this account too, btw)? looks properly fast. Former racer I guess - maybe even a former pro? Is this a full time job for you? And when will you do the Angliru? :-)
gr0bbelaar Yep, I dreamt up The Col Collective and started the project last season so manage everything to do with it. Not a full time job.....that's work in progress ;-) Angliru is definitely on our list!! Thanks so much for your support! Mike
Where did Pantani start his attack
Love the video's Mike. My compliments. Already have ridden of few of them and saw a few more to ride in the future. Le Alp d'Huez is THE Dutch mountain, so ridden it a few times. Everybody talks about the Alp, Glandon, Galibier or the Les Deux Alps. But an unknown climb in this region, is the Col du Sabot. It's a climb (harder then the Alp) that starts by Lac du Verney and goes through the village of Vaujany. When you are past the village the climb goes futher and the asphalt gets worse, but still good enough to ride. You climb to 2.100 meters. AVG 8.9% . This is the profile: www.climbbybike.com/nl/beklimming.asp?Col=Col-du-Sabot&qryMountainID=6699#profile. At the top you have a great view at the Glandon.
Marcel van der Geest Thanks! Reckon we need to check out that hidden gem! Fantastic! Ride safe.
Bend 0 is in memory of Bas Mulder. Although he had cancer he climbed the Alpe d'Huez 4 times during the dutch event Alpe d'HuZes. Unfortunately he died on September the 9th of 2010. It's a wonderful event to raise money for research to cure cancer. This year I'm going for the second time...
deelnemers.opgevenisgeenoptie.nl/acties/martijnhoeven/martijn-van-der-hoeven/
www.opgevenisgeenoptie.nl/
epic saddle time?
Knows someone the name of the music?
For now I have to satiate my desire to climb this on Zwift.. Hopefully in a few years once travel is easier again..
❤
Bike is my dreams. Jest tu Polska? This is Polish?
He never sits on the saddle?!! O.o Who's this guy??!! :P
#Guilty. I can't deny it, I do like to climb out of the saddle. Always felt more comfortable that way. Not enough raw power in my little the legs to stay seated.
Well, that is a good climb. I'm working on my 'out of the saddle' abilities, lol. I'm facing the Bormio ascent in June, have you ever tried that side?
laurivide0s Fantastic! Are you referring to the Stelvio from Bormio or the Gavia? We've got videos of both on the way before June, hopefully they will help!
The Col Collective From Bormio, I'm running the M route os the Santini Granfondo. Any tips ahead would be greatly welcomed, hehe
laurivide0s We should be able to help you out with that. Stay tuned for the video and good luck! M
Did this in July, it was hard but not as hard at Oulles which is opposite .... dont know why but Oulles felt longer and steeper.
Joaquim agostinho 1:23
I really like the video, but i had to mute the audio, the music is a real problem here!
Great climb but Ventoux is 8-10% for 19km after the first 4km after Beduoin at 4-5% but the last 19km are brutal and relentless
Yep. Ventoux is harder overall.
But that first 2k of that Alpe is a real slap in the face after a lot of flat on the valley floor!
Im french and i mount this mountain ces cool le 38
👍
Climbed in 94...
Chapeau!!
@@TheColCollectivemeaning red cap ? We done 5 climbs. Col du telegrah ,galibier, madelaine and the great mt charvin . Lovely country.
Sounds like an amazing trip!!! 👏🏼
@@TheColCollective drove from Liverpool to london ferry to dieppe then headed south alp dhuez col du telegraph ,galibier, madelaine an mt charvin was outstanding awesome scenary rode through long narrow tunnel, Recall just a white dot being the exit.3 lads 2 bikes.cheers.
The link in my post was in Dutch. This is in English www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Col-du-Sabot&qryMountainID=6699
add G to the greats 😃
Mavic has great quality products, but the aesthetics of their kit.....uuhm...debatable.
+Ciaran Dinsmore One last thing has mike ever road a grand tour. I would like to know.
Hi Ciaran, I did always dream of riding a Grand Tour but unfortunately could never make it a reality. A video of my biggest ever ride can be seen here. Still not quite sure how I survived that one! ua-cam.com/video/eV5K4BICr6w/v-deo.html. Ride safe and thanks for your support. Mike
...por la manera de pedalear este personaje...se diría que los ciclistas son unos sinvergüenzas , que no merecen que se les de tanto elogio ....
So overrated, 12km at 8.6% is nothing outlandish.