If you love cycling you probably love climbing. And for sure you will be curious to know the best cycling climbs in the world. Recently, the "Cyclist" English online magazine released a list of top 100 cycling climbs, which made me very curious. It is a very good job and also challenging to get just 100 out of all the climbs you can find in the cycling world. Some obvious mistakes (Zoncolan or Madonna del Ghisallo are missing). It is worth having a look at the complete list, here. Worth mentioning the unbeatable top 3: 1) Stelvio, 2) Ventoux 3) Galibier. Also interesting to mention the number of climbs in the most important mountain ranges: we have 6 climbs in the Dolomites, we have 13 in the Pyrenees and 33 climbs in the Alps (including french, Italian, Swiss, and Austrian alps). Bizarre destinations as Taiwan are also included. My favorite list though is the 1000 climbs included in Challenge BIG. (Brevet International du Grimpeur). This is a much longer list, 1000 climbs all over the world!! They are not in a certain order, but it is "just" a "to-do" list. I am a member of this challenge since 1996. It is an amazing reference to visit whenever you plan a trip. The choice is top quality with 3 main criteria: Hardness, touristic and mediatic (being included in professional races). It is a must to visit this site! (In fact, it is a challenge to get during your whole life.) https://www.bigcycling.eu/en/home/index/intro/ The Hardest climbs Lately, I read another listing of the top 10 climbs: https://pjammcycling.com/zone/80.World-Top-10-Hardest-Cycling-Climbs This article shows (in the opinion of the journalist) the hardest climbs in the world, let me advance the top three: 1) Mauna Kea (Hawaii USA) 2) Al Jaadah Pass (Saudi Arabia) 3) Babusar Pass (Pakistan).
If you love cycling you probably love climbing. And for sure you will be curious to know the best cycling climbs in the world. Recently, the “Cyclist” English online magazine released a list of top 100 cycling climbs, which made me very curious. It is a very good job and also challenging to get just
Climbingb the Alps is one of the biggest challenges for every keen cyclist. A very nice way to get to know some of the best climbs in southern Alps is to try the "Confrerie des 7 majeurs", an amazing route of 360 km and over 12000 meters elevation. Not a joke. In this route, the loop includes some of the most famous climbs included in the Tour de France: Col de Vars, Col d'Izoard, Col d'Agnelo, Passo di Sampeyre, La Fauniera, Col della Lombarda and finally Col de la Bonette. The starting point is usually Jausiers (also Barcelonette) and the loop is done clockwise. There are several ways to attempt this challenge. The hardest is doing this route in just 24 hours, amazing effort. Also amazing to do it in 48 hours, remember they are 12000 meters elevation! And then there is a way to get it for human beings which is in 4 stages. Challenging but at the same time doable!! At Montefusco Cycling we are supporting a bunch of cyclists doing the route in 4 days starting in Barcelonette on August 19th. We will transport luggage and will be ready to support in case of any issue. A challenge is ok, but also safety first!
Climbingb the Alps is one of the biggest challenges for every keen cyclist. A very nice way to get to know some of the best climbs in southern Alps is to try the “Confrerie des 7 majeurs”, an amazing route of 360 km and over 12000 meters elevation. Not a joke. In this route, the
Cycling Col de la Madone is a must for a keen cyclist. But wait a minute, which Col de La Madone? Madone comes from the Italian Madonna (Virgin), then you can imagine that there are quite a few of them, and not far from each other, in the Alps Maritimes, french/Italian border, Southern alps. Col de la Madone de Gorbio from Menton. The classic climb from Menton or Nice was very popular for the Armstrong tests and it is the climb that gives name to the most popular Trek bike. Not a very steep nor long climb, but a classic climb in Cote d'Azur, reaching 975 mts height. For most people, this one is Col de la Madone. Madone de Fenestre (from Sant Martin du Vesubio). Fantastic climb to 1900 mts height. Cul-de-sac (no exit). Amazing scenic climb, much longer and steeper than the "famous" one. Madone d'Utelle. 1165 mts, height, this climb starting at Saint-Jean la Riviere is 15,3 km long at 5,7% gradient. It was included in the Paris Nice route in the year 2016, with the victory of Zakarin ahead of Geraint Thomas and Contador. Col de la Madone. It might seem weird, but the first position for Col de la Madone in Google is for this climb, not far from Madone d'Utelle, heading to the small village called Thiery. Then, it seems that cycling Col de la Madone is really worth, but not just the famous Col de la Madone, but maybe all the other Madones...
Cycling Col de la Madone is a must for a keen cyclist. But wait a minute, which Col de La Madone? Madone comes from the Italian Madonna (Virgin), then you can imagine that there are quite a few of them, and not far from each other, in the Alps Maritimes, french/Italian border, Southern alps. Col
