The COL list came about after five years of dialogue held between the Col team during previous excursions. A list of ‘must do’ climbs, places that are synonymous to riding a bike. Climbs that underpin the essence of effort = reward.
The brief:
Our brief was simple, create three trips during 2020. The trips will focus on some of the most iconic climbs France, Italy and Switzerland have to offer.
Each trip will offer the usual standard of service from the legendary COL staff. We will be staying in stunning hotels carefully selected to offer great food and a fantastic place to relax unwind and enjoy a glass of wine after an unforgettable day on the bikes.
Big days in the mountains:
Each of the three trips have been created to squeeze out everything the mountains have to offer. We are very aware time is a precious commodity, each trip will travel out on a Friday and you will return on Sunday evening.
The COL guides will look after you during every pedal stroke and our vehicle support will carry all your nutrition, hydration requirements and spares and even a wet sponge on warm days so you can travel light into the mountains.
Pre event support
All three trips will be challenging to say the least, to ensure you get the very most out of the trips the COL coaches and guides will be on hand offering training and technique advice each month leading up to each trip.
Whats Included:
Full board
Snacks
Van support
Guided rides
Airport Transfers (France)
Excluded - Flights, please contact us for more information. Flights are currently looking at being around £200 return, this may change so please check before booking.
Trip one –
17th-19th July
Col du Galibier
Têlêgraphe
Alpe D’Huez
Ride day one
The route will take us through the valley from Le Monêtier les Bains to Col du Lautaret up to the icon Galibier. Once summited we will drop down the other side via Valloire down the Télégraphe coming to a stop for lunch in the stunning alpine village Saint Michel de Maurienne.
After a café lunch we will head back up the Télégraphe followed by our second ascent on the Galibier. We will make our final decent back to towards the valley where we will spin out our legs back to the hotel for high fives, chest bumps and a welcoming coffee or maybe a beer.
The evening will be spent relaxing back in the hotel where we will enjoy dinner in the exquisite restaurant and relax by the Pool.
Ride day two
An early breakfast will allow us the chance to head out to hit the majestic roads heading towards the infamous Alpe D’Huez. Whether the goal is to beat Pantani’s summit attack (37:35sec) or simply enjoy the views from every one of the 21 hairpins Alpe D’huez offers cyclists the perfect challenge.
The COL route not only takes in the main climb on the Alpe, it also allows us access to some of the most picturesque cycling the region has to offer.
To book your trip please click onto the Cycling Escapes tab below.
Trip two
Dates 14th-16th august
Mont Ventoux three ways
Ride day one
Mount Ventoux needs little introduction. A vast mountain standing at 1909m it can boast to be the highest in the region. Our goal is to ride up (and down) Ventoux three ways on one day. Starting from Bédoin the route to the summit is 21km averaging 8%. The reward is the fast and technical decent into Malaucène where we will recharge with espressos and re stock with energy gels and bars in the pretty village. After the second summit (in order of difficulty – gradually getting easier) the decent is sublime, near perfect tarmac and sweeping bends will recharge even the most fatigued legs. With a huge revitalising grin spread across our cheeks we will then hit the third and final summit for the day. Setting off from Sault we will enjoy the shallower gradients. The final decent of the day will tick off the Mont Ventoux 3 ways challenge where we can all retire to the hotel and put our feet up.
Ride day two
After a relaxed start to the day we will head out to take in some of the surrounding climbs around the Provence. The second day will be a recovery kind of a day taking in café stops, taking advantage of the quieter roads shadowed by the presence on Mont Ventoux
To book your trip please click onto the Cycling Escapes tab below.
Trip three
11 - 13 Sept
Stelvio pass
Mortirolo pass
Passo Gavia
Ride day one
Starting our day halfway up the Prato side of Stelvio pass, we will head up and over top heading towards Bormio. After a quick coffee stop we will head back up the Stelvio pass towards the sweeping fast decent and quiet roads on the Swiss side.
Our day on the bike will wrap as we ride around to Prato and back up to the hotel to complete the Prato side of Stelvio pass.
Ride day two
Heading out from Bormio we will head out along the valley floor towards our first challenge of the day. The Mortirolo with its steep gradient and isolated roads is considered to be the toughest mountain one can climb in Italy. Once we roll over the summit we will then begin our decent towards the equally renowned Passo Gavia. 17.3km with an average gradient of 7.9%. Once at the summit we will descend back towards Bormio.
Two big days in the saddle making memories that will last a lifetime.
To book your trip please click onto the Cycling Escapes tab below.