I’ve watched this video several times over many years. Last week when I turned 40 I fulfilled a lifetime ambition and road up this climb as part of a trip to the Alps. This video and Mike’s commentary truly does the climb justice. Truly wonderful and amazing.

i have ridden this.....as said.....this is why we ride our bikes.....this clmb has everything....its a long haul....it has ups...and downs....open space to blow your mind....scenery to stun and mesmerise....hard climb but the top is majestic...

When ever I can't be bothered or like now extremely cold extremely windy conditions keep me from my bike a new upload arrives. Best series of climbs on KZread EVER!!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

kwacker45 THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

A great video as always, great editing, music, your instructions ... only there is need to come. Thanks Mike!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

David Yamaha Do it David! It's a life changer! Mike

Great video's. Closer to God you can't get!.

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Vespucci cook Amen

Brilliant video! I rode it today and your review is spot on. After the sufferfest, the view as you get to the Barrage Grand Maison is spectacular. The second half is the one to enjoy. Even though a long climb, you’ve done the hard kilometres in the first half and now you can enjoy the spectacular views with the lesser gradients (and boy are they spectacular!). Definitely take a jacket as even in mid July when temperatures are about 30 in Allemond it is chilly when descending especially with the wind at that altitude. Great thing about this ride is for large parts it feels like you have the mountain to yourself as it has far fewer riders than the more popular climbs in the region, even though the views here are just amazing.

it is so awesome that in France they paved a lot of mountains, road cyclists' heaven

Alpe d' Huez is legendary and worthy of its reputation. Climbing to the Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer from Allemont is wonderous. I rode up to the top of the Croix de Fer the morning of stage 19 and the final 2.5 kilometers (from the intersection) was just amazing. You are right about the sense of freedom as that was how it felt while I took in the views (and dodged traffic). I can still fondly recall that climb. Thanks for capturing what it is like to make that ride, Mike.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+coach nealf You're very welcome!

cycled this....a great ride....

Very enjoying to watch. Keep them coming.

Best video yet! Keep them coming! Such an awesome climb with amazing views.

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Ross Moore Glad you enjoyed it Ross :-)

The other side is just as inspiring, Managed to do both sides of this climb! This side I came directly from alp dhuez and then peeled off for the glandon, then the other side after climbing and descending the mollard, this really is cycling heaven #takemeback!

@gamma_dablam

2 жыл бұрын

Did you by any chance ride La Marmotte in 2015 ?

Amazing thank you .

@TheColCollective

Ай бұрын

You’re very welcome! 🐮

Coffee Head We filmed this at the end of June, the weather is always highly unpredictable. Hope you didn't suffer too badly! Ride safe. Mike

Climbed Croix de Fer in Sept. Had watched this video numerous times in advance to prepare. Exactly as Mike described and even more. Stunning climb. Keep up the good work, videos are top notch.

Drove this a couple years ago in the opposite direction, just stunning views!

I’ve watched this many time, I love it. It makes me very happy during these awful times. I did this ride September 2018 with nine mates. It is to this day the best day I’ve had on a bike. Clear blue sky’s and 27 degrees it’s just stunning. Like Mike says in the video “ just one of many in the area”. Can’t wait to go back.

Awesome and so inspiring. As you say: "One of the best feelings ever ... It is as simple as that"

Great bike job! great landscapes! great music!

pure stunning and a real inspiration thank you.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Kelly Freckelton So glad you enjoyed it Kelly! Thanks so much for watching :-)

Hooked to your videos! Every time I feel lazy, I watch your videos, off I go to train.

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Saravanan Kondu Sennappan Beautiful, that's what we LOVE to hear!! Thank you for your support!

Great video for a great col

Nunca se me olvidará estos lugares tan mágicos.Magdalen, Alpe h'duez,Granom,Glandom,Chaussy y más.Que pasada

After watching this video multiple times I finally got to ride the croix de fer last tuesday. Because it's really late in the season (mid october) there was nobody, really felt as if I was alone on this world. What a fantastic climb, the video helped me prepare but there was one thing that hase changed. There are roadmarkers now telling you how fare you have to go and how steep the next km is.

Mike you have to have the best job in the world! As has been said below, you keep me cycling when the British winter kicks the will to ride to it's lowest ebb, in the possibly unrealistic hope that one day I'm going to be sat at the bottom of one (or many of these climbs) and just wondering at the gargantuan efforts and staggering satisfaction ahead... keep 'em coming... I need my vicarious fix!!! (PS if you ever fancied doing a DVD of the full, real time 'Marmotte' climbs I'd buy it!!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

neuk01642 Glad to hear our videos are helping you, more on the way soon. I put a DVD together covering La Marotte a few years ago, you can find out more at www.cyclefilm.com/dvd-shop/cyclefilm-dvds/vol-3-la-marmotte-france. Allez, allez, allez! Mike

Lovely climb indeed. I rode it in the summer of 2013 at age 17, and will be coming back there in just under two months time for my Marmotte debut. Going to be tough to pace myself and not get over-excited, especially with the openness of the roads and the adrenaline of the "big day". Great video once again, keep 'em coming!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Thomas Coolen You definitely need to try and keep the excitement in check at the start of La Marmotte, I remember the speed we hit the bottom of the climb the first time I did it was like we were only riding one climb! Enjoy the experience, ride safe and don't take too many risks on the downhills. Good luck! Mike

I think this is my fav video so far! Really cant wait to do this climb in September now, Keep up the good work Mike!!

@MikeCotty

9 жыл бұрын

Roll on September, you're in for a real treat! Enjoy, Mike

I lost count of how many times I watch this Films , this one in particular was one of the first ones I remember studying ! I eventually made to that area in the hunt to climb and collect my own experience , it was epic , I found lodging at a small village two thirds of the way up Col D' Ornon , (Guy and Helyn know about your legend Mike ! they asked me what made me go there and once I told them the journey was inpired by the Col Collective, they said they knw about you and that you were a bit of a monster , bike riding of course ) . I rode the Alp d'Huez and had a great beer at the top ,after that i descended part of the way down to find a road ( D211B) that cuts across the mountain side and descends to Le Verney , I rode up to the Top of D526 Col D Glandon , By the way Mike , now I know what you meant , I was hurting and part of the way up ther was a small village , with one restaurant so i had a beer there and kept going , shortly after there was a steep descend with a few sharp corners , killer resting spot , but then soon a syou hit the bottom of that theres the wall , damm no kidding that wall did me in , so after that the raod seem like a never ending tale !!! I was in my mind aiming to climb to Croix de Fer , but it was such an effort to make it to Glandon that i wouldn have time or the energie to make it back to the lodging at 'Ornon , I was so close but I knew it had to another day , so i rode back and just had time to make it up the 8 k climb to the Le Rivier, Ornon , it was the best ride of my whole trip last summer , I lasted 8 weeks , rode Gavia , Stelvio, Ventoux and a few more ... I am on my way back in a month , and this time i plan to go to the Croix first to make sure i can make it !! good luck out there Mike .. pedal hard , it has to be that way ...

I've done it several times, it's a beatiful climb with lots of great views, 100% recommended.

oh my god they just keep getting better...top job guys

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Richy Coles Thank you Richy. Sincerely appreciated. Mike

Did it yesterday and the views are stunning

Stunning!

I rode up this climb in Sep 2016, and absolutely loved it, because it's gorgeous. I vividly remember the steep downhill after Le Rivier de Allemont, then without any transition it's suddenly uphill at 10-11% ! I'm definitely returning to it one day...

De la Croix de Fer, on peut rallier les lacs de barrage ou la Toussuire ! Merveilleuses randonnées !

Beautiful climb, thanks for the tips...I'll be trying it next year

Very helpfull. Thanks!

I love these videos and did this climb (slowly) in the summer after watching this several times! Keep up the good work!.

Mike, just did this today! There are “km” with %gradient markers now. Also, the cafe at the top DOES NOT take credit cards as I found out after coffee and pie! I’ll be mailing her €20 tomorrow and a card...

I hope you will never stop making those amazing videos! In the end of the day you can move to another continent :)

Mike thanks another great video. I’m looking forward to riding it in the etape in 2018

Bravo You are really talented and nice man for motivation to ride bike.

did it yesterday, such an amazing feeling !

I agree with you. Beautiful climb the Croix de Fer. When I am in the area I love to ride the Alpe d'Huez. Riding as fast as possible to the top. But I find the Croix de Fer more enjoyable, though it is a tough climb. No time pressure just looking around at the stunning views all the way up. I will be there in 1,5 month riding the Marmotte. I have to train on flat roads. No mountains here in the Netherlands. So its good to see these video's. Very motivated. Great job Mike.

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Remy Jansen Good luck Remy. Keep on riding! Mike

@remyjansen8096

9 жыл бұрын

The Col Collective Thank you!

Another one on the list, love it! So glad there is a channel like this, all the education I need on the cols before I hit the Alps in august. Cheers from Belfast Mike! PS you should come ride giro d'italia northern Ireland June 21st, 177km through some of the best scenery we have to offer! Keep the cols coming :)

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

andrew reid Cheers Andrew. You have a great area for cycling. I made a trip over a couple of years ago to explore the emerald isle. Fantastic! Mike

Paradise👣🌻💣💥

Did this on Wednesday morning from Bourg-d’Oisans after doing Alpe d’Huez the night before......this so much more difficult but both stunning in their own way......

Absolutely amazing scenery at this climb! The Croix de Fer is not as famous as Alpe d‘Huez or the Col du Galibier, but the landscape is phenomenal! I really felt in love with it, when I climbed up this mountain.

@TheColCollective

3 жыл бұрын

Frank Bauer it’s an amazing place Frank! 🙌🏻

Wow! Beautiful video yet again... I liked how you spaced out the information...Giving the sufferfest info. of incline later, unlike right in the beginning...exactly when you were speaking of the climb 13 kms in :) .... Makes it more relevant... Loved the roads...no boundaries on this one...looked beautiful and smooth...hope it was like that all the way...the waterfalls in the distance and right next to road...reminds me of climbs back in India in Western Ghats...in rains there are multiple waterfalls along the road like that and its heaven to ride bike on those roads...and refreshing as well on the break...The piano in the end gave a wanting feeling to be on the mountains ... Cheers Mike Cotty ...Wonderful effort on your part and your team :)

@MikeCotty

9 жыл бұрын

Rahul Kotabage Thank you sir!

Beautiful aerial footage and location. Amazing. Mike, I'm hurt right now with a slow healing leg injury and can't ride... so your videos are keeping me in the game for the time being. Thanks man

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

drewmorgan Get well soon Drew, wishing you a fast recovery buddy! Mike

@Celevie

6 жыл бұрын

drewmorg i was lost in the mountains at scotland

your video's are amazing

I'm hooked on TCC vids, for sure. They're great eye candy to watch, and the "education" part with slope, track, food & water stops, etc., is really valuable. But even moreso, there's some great cinematography and editing going on as well -- things that I as a casual viewer didn't appreciate at first, but am seeing more and more as I pay more attention to your shooting style, clip selection, and commentary. Its terrific work and worth the depth of appreciation.

@thecolcollective wonderful videos man keep at it!

Love the music on this one....Used the playlist on my runs :) ... weird with Mike speaking about cycling and I am trying to run ..but really good music to get you going.... Simply superb...as always :)

@leonardobasiliogonzalez4921

8 жыл бұрын

what is the sound of this video?

@Celevie

6 жыл бұрын

Rahul Kotabage since when indians started to cyclw

@Celevie

6 жыл бұрын

Rahul Kotabage hahah indian

You guys make me wanna buy a good road bike and travel to this places to ride :)

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Ilie Danila Go for it! You won't regret it for a moment!

THE most scenic cycling channel on YT. View in 1080p or you are missing out.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+hitachicordoba So happy you're enjoying the videos!! Thanks for watching, plenty more to come! :-)

@niceone1456

7 жыл бұрын

There's no 1080p... only 720p available

This broke me last year! We did alpe d'huez in the morning and went pretty hard then decided at the top to do this! Wouldn't have been a problem with preparation but it's extremely long and we didn't know how long we had left to go because we didn't plan to do it. My mind broke before my body. Next year........

TOP.

I did this ride last Easter (2015) No one else around and I felt very small and alone. I had to walk around an avalanche blocking the road!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Michael Bellamy Awesome Michael!!!

Love your vids guys, Would you guys make a etape de tour route video with all the climbs

@MikeCotty

9 жыл бұрын

liam c Hi Liam, I made Etape recon videos for about 6 or 7 years (check out cyclefilm.com for info). This year I wanted to focus on trying to bring The Col Collective to life. If you're looking for an Etape video for this year then what we did in 2012 is really close. More details on the video at www.cyclefilm.com/dvd-shop/cyclefilm-dvds/roads-to-glory-vol-1-alpine-edition. Of course we have also covered some of the climbs during Season One of The Col Collective too. Hope that helps! Ride safe, Mike

Fantastic video Mike, and what beautiful climb. Keep climbing and sharing it with us! By the way, what's the music? really inspiring as well. Take care!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

G7777PL1 I absolutely LOVE the music as well (especially the final piano) really happy you liked it! We got both tracks from a royalty free music library, unfortunately to the best of my knowledge they're not commercially available though :-( So sorry about that, Mike

Love it. Thanks guys. You have nearly done a 'full set' of the 4 rides that I am looking forward to this summer. Galibier, Alp D'Huez, Col du mollard/croix fer/glandon loop and the video that I am waiting for,,,,,, Col de la Madeleine. Is there any plans to do a Madeleine video any time soon? It is going to be an awesome weekend!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

p tay We rode the Madeleine from the north. Absolutely AMAZING! Video will be coming soon!

@petertaylor123

9 жыл бұрын

BRILLIANT! I am REALLY looking forward to it! Thanks for doing the Facebook Q&A thing the other night, too. Quite a busy night for you guys I think! 😉 Chapeau!

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome, we really hope the Q&A helped. Mike

The two descents during this climb render the average gradient pretty meaningless. There's 20 steep kilometres here, so careful pacing is essential. Wonderful climb with a good cafe at the top. Also if you take a 400 metre detour just before the top you can bag the Glandon. Two cols for the price of one.

Great video as ever - got yourselves a drone now too? Summit shots at the end are stunning.

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

frankswildy We had a drone for all the climbs, problem was sometimes it was rather windy so it wasn't possible to always use it. Shame as it's undoubtedly my favourite toy in the world, oh after my bike of course :-)

Hi. Watched this video as off to the Alps in a month. Sooo looking forwards to it. Random question but can you tell me what the name of the stunning piano song is please? I 'shazamed' it and just get some dance track :(

Can you tell us what the main track you selected is? I want more of that music on my playlist.

when was this filmed? Just about made the summit today (May 21) really wasn't expecting a full on snow blizzard!

😀👍

I would like to know about the bike you're using in this video.

pleace, tell me the name of music, its, great for practice cycling!!!

Whyy is French Alps so beautiful? Hey!! Mike how long did your ride take?

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

evilrich1 I think on this occasion it must've been between around 2.5 hours with the filming work. Such a wonderful mountain, I'm totally in love with it!

Hi Mike, me and a friend of mine want to climb this mountain or Col du Glandon this july when Tour will pass there. What would you recommend? Thanks. English isn’t my first language, so please excuse any mistakes.

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

VavoVideo To be honest you can't go wrong with either the Glandon or Croix de Fer, both are absolutely fantastic! Depending on where you are staying, I'd ride the one closest to you (keep it simple) You won't be disappointed. Or, take an extra day and ride both! :-) Ride safe and enjoy! Mike

I dit it, 25-5-2018 pff so heavy!!

How is the car traffic on these road?

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+springin2tri Normally really good. The climb you need to watch out for in this area is Alpe d'Huez which is always busy.

COL DE LA CROIX DE FER ( LA CHAMBRE) IS THE HARDEST CLIMB. COL DU GLANDON + COL DE LA CROIX DE FER 22 KMS AT 7%

after the little descent my garmin says it was 18 %

What is on your wrist Mike?

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Matthew Holberton It's a band with personal information on. The one I personally use is the Squarda iD from OneLifeiD. Safety first, especially in the mountains!

E DIO MALANDRINOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

You look a bit like Rafal Majka in some shots

@TheColCollective

9 жыл бұрын

Alluvial Fan Ha! I'll take that as a compliment, only he is faster ;-)

@alluvialfan294

9 жыл бұрын

Just don't wink at the camera like him though!

@MikeCotty

9 жыл бұрын

Ha! I'll remember not to do that ;-)