I watched this beautifully shot video to prepare myself mentally for this climb (i'm 50), and I did it yesterday without stops. It's so hard and relentless, the last 2km are magical and much easier, I sprinted the last 100m to the top. Thanks, Mike for these videos.

@TheColCollective

9 ай бұрын

Huge respect!! So happy you found the video helpful too 🙏🏻

Monte Zoncolan di Ovaro has to be one if not the most epic climbs in road cycling - it is ... terrifyingly difficult - sure every climb seems to be classified that way but those words are devoid of any and all hype - I have climbed it once which in hindsight was a bit of a reprieve because you really do not know what awaits you - now that I know I am not rushing to go back - sure I hope to climb it again but it is almost pure psychological intimidation that you need to overcome to prepare yourself for THAT once again - every climb has its nasty gradient soup sections - Zoncolan seems to have been created by including every nasty gradient soup section back-back in succession from base to summit - you truly need to be prepared for that eventuality because once it hits you it just comes in wave after wave after unending wave - even when you get to the last 1km to go to the summit you expect it to ease up but it doesn't ... take this climb seriously - you MUST prepare for it or you will simply fail in an attempt made by fools - the biggest thing I soon learned to fear on the climb was a 15-20m "respite" where it dipped under 10% because I knew that a hammer-like wall of 20+% was coming up next to make up for the mountain gods "gift" - it took me 1:25:44 to summit a 10.686KM ride - often the speedo was under 5km with gravity wobbles - damn nature you scary

One of the best of my life. Just made five times since 2015 and i'm gonna make the sixt next week. Watch up: is not as simple as you show: it's very harder. A crazy, terrible suffering alla over the ten km. A wonderful joy. Great video.

The quote is from Dante. Abandon hope all ye that enter here.

What's truly crazy is how this bloke is effortlessly talking through his climb.

@gamma_dablam

4 жыл бұрын

Edited on top maybe ?

Anybody watching before the Giro stage to get hyped up

@MikeCotty

6 жыл бұрын

Jiří Toman yes we are!! 🙌🏻

@alexdelli2

6 жыл бұрын

Jiří Toman yes, this summer I'll try Zoncolan

@user-ei4ck2nj9j

6 жыл бұрын

Jiří Toman yeah. I live near this mountain and this summer i'll try to climb

Amazing video. Keep them coming Mike.

This video is a pure beauty. Thank you for that!

Chapeau! Great effort and video. Can't wait to climb this epic beast.

My legs were burning just watching this! Bravo!

Awesome & So Beautiful ! Thanks as always for great videos !

You pedal so smooth, your bars don’t move ferociously. I’m so impressed

What a great way to start 2016. I'm, glad you only questioned your sanity riding uphill and not before. Well done.

Our sport is greatest in the world because of people like you Mike. Keep up the good work. Wish I was there pulling you.

@xxiipp

8 жыл бұрын

+simon jagassar Phrasing.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+simon jagassar Thank you Simon, you're too kind by half. Would be awesome to share the road one day. Cheers, Mike

Wow, that's a BEAST!! Chapeau. Good work dude! A 'Col Collective Day' just gives me an extra kick up the bum to go and sit on the turbo for a bit!...

Amazing video of an amazing climb! Brings back all the memories of climbing it in 2014. As you said, there is nothing else like it. I had trouble keeping my front wheel on the asphalt on the steepest (22%) sections. The climb took me 1h16min, for just 10k! I thoroughly enjoyed riding it though, just a shame it's so remote ;). Thanks for showing us this, Mike & crew!

Thank you for your reports of the best,bigger,and harder cols around europe.

that was insanely cool. you're in killer shape, man. chapeau!

YOU WERE OUT OF THE SADDLE FOR THE WHOLE VIDEO!! Yeah, I just scratched that ride off my "bucket list". LOL! Intense ride, yes. A beautiful place, most definitely. Thanks for sharing these rides, Mike.

Increíble y majestuoso!!!!

You’re our Hero Mike! Thanks

brilliant video guys. beautifully shot.The Zoncolan is a monster. Loads of cycling vids around but you guys shoot them beautifully.

Welcome you!. Wow! Pleasant images to relax after a hard day.

Mike, RESPECT! What a killer climb.

Great video and inspiring work. Well done again.

The camera, the comments, music - a piece of art! Thanks for setting a pointer to that glorious climb!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Road Force Thanks for watching! :-)

True inspiration thanks

top picture top music bravo Mike and your team

AMAZING, es increible este monte y hoy se corre en el Giro; que etapa

wow, that was beautiful and at the same time relentless. That was an insane climb and what a brilliant effort there Mike. I noticed that the bug also wore your jersey colours :) ... I loved the ride through the tunnel, that was the shot of the video for me. Beautiful work done by the team, kudos.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Rahul Kotabage Thank you Rahul, its such an incredible climb. Definitely one that has to be seen to be believed! Peace. Mike

Most inspiring col yet. Excellent piece of work Mike - just love the combination of camera shots and choice of music - the juxtaposition of screaming legs and heart thumping in ones head against the serenity of such beautiful surroundings. That's exactly what climbing in the Alps is for me.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Chain Strain Thanks for your appreciation!

Why am I doing this? Then you get to this point completely opens up, you see the views behind, these mountain picks, a little bit of baby blue sky, everything makes sense again! This is poetry!

This is truly motivation video as well and all so beautiful environment.

Wuuuaaaauuuuuu.Just incredible. Amazing video Mike .Congratulations to you and all the team that makes possible this masterpiece. Now I have a extra reason to enjoy and suffer the italian alps and dolomitas.I hope soon I can be there doing my best. Once more thanks for this video.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+valentin lopez luche Good luck and enjoy!!!

Another great vid, but this one Mike is "Tremendous!!!". Thx to the Col Collective staff for such nice work!! Thx Mike fot the inspiration and the effort up there! keep rolling my friend!!!!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Fran Aguirre Thanks for watching Fran!

Thanks for another inspirational video with terrific views!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Louis Wassong You're very welcome Louis. Thanks for tuning in. Mike

your best video so far....keep going

+The Col Collective that was one insane climb there n you did very well to complete it even when the gradient went up to 22% n also some if the views were amazing same as that tunnel you went through

Amazing views, insane climb!

Man oh man !! Mike you lucky dude ! the shot across the tunnel and then the POV after it , speacheless , tears of joy ! i am going there !! it has to be that way ...

@andrewwhittaker43

11 ай бұрын

So am I in September 2023

Great work as always Mike, looks an insane climb I can only dream of completing....good job!

@BeniRaich

5 жыл бұрын

This sumer...

Thank you Brasil!

Thumbs up, Great Video!!

Every video is really enjoyed for watching

Definitely my hardest ride climb in life, done it in 2018 and hopefully will repeat it in next week or 2.

Great video once again guys. This is the first time i have seen Mike goes over 165 BPM and seems he was suffering for a little bit :D Looks like he is human after all Mike and all the guys behind cameras, you did once again a fantastic and i mean great job. Thanks for the videos.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Luis Philipe I'm definitely human Luis, the Zoncolan on the other hand is supernatural! :-)

Miss my cycling. The hours i used to put in to be able to do this to a degree, but to enjoy this. Sadly my knees ' have had their day ', now it's a change in affection to -> hitting the weights.

The drone footage at the end of the video was absolutely breathtaking! I've climbed this road twice and this just brings back all the memories.

@drewmorg.

8 жыл бұрын

+Marek Joska What gearing did you use, and how painful was it? How long did it take?

@marekjoska2099

8 жыл бұрын

+drewmorgan I did it with mostly 34/27.. there are a few places where you can shift for a bigger gear. It took me approximately 62 minutes, starting from the main road in Ovaro (10,2 km at 11.6%). And it was painful indeed :)

@drewmorg.

8 жыл бұрын

Marek Joska Thanks for sharing! I used to have the same gearing on my old bike. But now have a mid-compact up front and 11-28 in the rear. I don't think I have the gears for climbing the steep stuff anymore!

great clip, Mike

great video thanks! I was on holiday in this region, I have done this climb few years ago but with a mountain bike.It was crazy how hard the road was climbing again after every corner, no place to rest, hart rate constantly over the top, my legs did hurt for few days later....To be honest, I don't know if I want to do it again !

Another superb video with beautiful photography (drones!) but a road that looks more brutal than I imagined in spite of watching the Giro on television and seeing the pros struggle. I am a huge fan of Michael Cotty who is not only disturbingly fit but has found a unique niche in cycling, untainted by all the controversies surrounding the professionals.

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Leslie Reissner It really is a monster Leslie. It's hard to get the perspective on it, the camera doesn't show how steep it really is. I guess riding is believing ;-)

Amazing video. First time I see mike struggling on the way up in a col collective video !

@andreasantinelli7213

5 жыл бұрын

Zoncolan is the most difficult climb in europe

In case you are wondering Beautiful Scene Legitti!

Yes it's a BEAST of a climb and after doing it twice ...enough...enough now!

Wonderful video! Like most other things on a screen, it looks far less steep than in real life. Helps when you are as fit as Mike.

Because of your videos , I'm going to Zoncolan & Stelvio this summer. Thank you for inspiring me MIke ! cheers

@frankpaterson9786

7 жыл бұрын

I did both of those last year, the Zoncolan is brutal I used 34-30 gearing the Stelvio, different bag all together, plod along and you get there. Topping the Zoncolan and telling my daughter afterwards was one of the proudest moments of my life.

@TheColCollective

7 жыл бұрын

Wow that's awesome! That's exactly why we make them, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy your trip!

@cyclingserbia

7 жыл бұрын

Well, if you like, you can take a look at my video from Stelvio & Zoncolan. Once again, thank you for inspiring me.

AMAZING

Mike i am spanish and i would be very proud if you come to Spain to climb the angliru or the Covadonga lakes please

I still come back to this video to hear the beautiful soundtrack at the beginning and of course Mike has done a wonderful job with the video, Mike please let us know the composer for this :)

Go to the Hardknott Pass in the UK,very epic!

I'm going on Monday, wish me luck!

Mike, you usually make the climbs look easy. The Zoncolan looks difficult, too steep for me! Great video, as always, thanks.

@drewmorg.

8 жыл бұрын

+Ed Wood I know! I've never seen the guy slouched forward on the tops before!!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Ed Wood It's definitely difficult. No hiding on the Zoncolan!

Wow. I'm just a schmuck who commutes. I did a hills sportive this year and the final climbs were around 10-12% according to Strava, and it damn near killed me :-D . Lots of people cracked and were pushing their bikes up. And that's the EASY "warmup" part of Zoncolan?!?!? Brutal!

that looks brutal

Sei bravissimo

Brutal 🚵

Impressive climb

To date, this is the only climb I thought I wouldn't be able to complete. Admittedly, the murdering heat of 37+ degrees Celsius - I started to climb just before 1 PM, when the temperature at the bottom was already over 30 - didn't help much...

@MaxxerG

4 жыл бұрын

Had the same experience as you had to stop after 1 Mile of the real climb it was 1 PM with jet lag and went too fast. Too me 1h30 to complete. Did it again the following day in 1h10

a compact with a 11/32 cog would be nice.even a triple chainset is a good idea for this nightmare.Mike,first time in a video you give us data.163 bpm,is that near your lactate threshold?5 watts per kg (again???)... really love the drone footage.amazing stuff.

Wow! Once before I die . . . or perhaps I should say "as" I die! I think this old man is going to need the mid compact with a 32 on the back. Am I thinking right here? Thanks for this one Mike! Raison d'etre!

@andrewwhittaker43

6 жыл бұрын

Kelly Oram This old man is looking at mountain bike gearing!

@gamma_dablam

4 жыл бұрын

Mid compact being a 52/36 ? Froome used lower gears than that on this climb ! That said, he is the washing machine of pro cycling 😅

Yep, that’s my next ride on FulGaz.

Its on like Zoncolan!

Mike IDOLO

Great video once again. Have you considered making a contest fir fans, to win one of your cycling tours?

Well done mike,excelent shots,you are only crazy if you don't try.it is steep but its good for muscle memory,second time is easier .just make sure you have low gears. Its more of a mental battle ,when you return to ovaro and look up everything makes sense.

Italy, lovi'n it

hehehe !! forest on your back like a mossy rock !!! muy Loco !!!

I want ride that climb too after watching the video. :)

Was there yesterday, it's closed. The snow barrier is around 1200 m. So it isn't open all year. Hard and nice till that point.

Awesome work Mike! Just for reference, what gear ratios were you using? If pros are using 34x28, then mere mortals like us will have to resort to triple or even mountain bike. In fact I remember hearing Cipollini asking for a mountain bike when Giro first tackled Zoncolan from the other side, supposedly easier side back in the 90s. Also, if you can give us your average power or speed for the climb, then it will give us some perspective of how difficult this climb is. One of the must do's before I die... Keep up the great work!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Tourrider99 I was using a 34x28 and definitely needed it. You're right, Cipo climbed on a mountain bike (but that was more for publicity as he had no chance of winning a sprint that day). Average power and speed is a bit tricky to work out as I have to ride a few sections more than once during filming. If you can get anywhere near one hour from bottom to top then you're doing very well. That said, it's all about the ride, no matter on your time just getting to the top is the goal! Ride safe, Mike

@Tourrider99

8 жыл бұрын

+The Col Collective Thank you so much for your input Mike. Wow, you did ride some sections more than once, all on 34x28? I now have so much more respect for your riding, not that I didn't have it before. Also, just goes to show to make a beautiful film, even though it is less than 10 minutes, it takes so much effort and time. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks Mike & crew!

there is climb thats just under 20% average gradient in glacier national park in british columbia, its called Fidelity. the first 2ks are old tarmac and the rest is gravel. some sections are over 30%

Mike that was an amazing video as all of your Col Collective videos are. We are travelling from Australia next year to ride that beast. I'm just not sure if your video is 'inspirational' or 'terrifying' ;-)

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+Richard Stanton Thanks Richard. It's a tough, tough, climb but it's not a race. Take your time, keep the faith and try and enjoy! Just make sure you have low gearing, that will help a lot. Good luck! Mike

I did Zoncolan few years ago, with 39x27. I will not repeat this mistake :), the toughest climb I ever ridden. Mike when you will come to Slovenia and make a fantastic video for one of our gorgeos alpine climbs like Vršič, or Mangrt?

@dennisfoster8249

5 жыл бұрын

Wauw. That’s way too heavy geared for a climb like this

@BeniRaich

5 жыл бұрын

I did Vrsic 39/25 also nightmare

and this year Froome won the Monte Zoncolan stage with some great attacking tactics

Amazing video! what song is that one? 4:46

Ah you weren't lying in your reply on another video, a Zoncolan video was coming! This climb is number one on my stupid climb list, although it does scare me that some of the pros need a 34×28 on it, I'm going to have to lose a load more weight than I thought....and gain a lot more power. Is this the hardest ascent? I believe there's three ways up it? Great videos Mike, always inspiring!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+J90JAM You're right, the third way up from Priola is even harder! 8.9km with an average of 12.8% and max gradient of 23% Ahhhhhhmazing!

@J90JAM

8 жыл бұрын

+The Col Collective ooh nasty.....next time you're in Italy....

I did it 5 times by now, I am an average climber (VAM around 1000), but I always used the triple on front. The 6 kms in the middle are really terrible, so 30X32 is what you should use if you aren't a pro and you don't want to remember this climb like a total nightmare.

The best climb

w Italia!!!!

What song is this one? Its a great song choice for the video

qui si va sulla salita dolente, qui si va nell'eterno dolore.. lasciate ogni speranza voi che entrate.. certo che gli abitanti della zona sono proprio ospitali!

@user-ei4ck2nj9j

6 жыл бұрын

Dario De Stasio speriamo in Fabio oggi

@ReaperOfSouls83

6 жыл бұрын

Daniele Bucci ci ha fregato Froome! Aru? disperso

@user-ei4ck2nj9j

6 жыл бұрын

Dario De Stasio a questo punto proverà a vincere a Cervinia,sarebbe l'unica "consolazione". Secondo me resterà fuori anche dalla top 10. Per oggi mi gioco froome che guadagna 1 minuto su tutti

the col collective is just brilliant , can you please share with me where i can get the soundtrack for the series, its just amazing

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+MrRandomg23 Sooooo happy you're enjoying the videos! For music, we have a library of tunes (mostly produced by non-commercial artists) which means tracks generally aren't available on things like iTunes. It's a real shame as we've had some great feedback on the music selection. We tried to put a Spotify playlist together but we didn't have the rights to do that. Sorry about that. Hopefully you can enjoy them still when watching the videos. Ride safe and thanks for your support.

Looking forward to Froome blowing up on this on Saturday.

@user-ei4ck2nj9j

6 жыл бұрын

Today froome could won

@pelisinho

3 жыл бұрын

This didn't age well

Hey Mike I am purchasing knee and elbow pads to practice going up local 22% pinch’s as I crashed yesterday injuring my left knee(minor should be ok)

@TheColCollective

Жыл бұрын

Ahhh, sorry to hear that. Get well soon!!!

l'ho fatto con bici da turismo con 15kg di zavorra e a un certo punto ho visto Germano Mosconi che mi diceva "Ma che è oooohhhhh!?!?!?"

The final piano music is wonderfull. Title and composer?

hey mike was wondering if you could get me a list of the music soundtracks you use on these videos. thanks! great work on these videos btw!

@TheColCollective

8 жыл бұрын

+C Lam Glad you're enjoying the music! We've had sooooo many requests it's pleasing to know that folk are enjoying the tunes. Unfortunately, the library we use for music isn't available mainstream (e.g. on things like iTunes) which is a real shame :-( Sorry about that, M

@Charles_on_the_Line

8 жыл бұрын

+The Col Collective no problem buddy. i love the way you edit these videos. Some of the sickest most beautiful roads i have ever seen in my life. SUBSCRIBED!

5:21 Cro Miha Kiš 👌

You put a PM on, from now going forwards...??

Asking for a friend... can the double be done in a day? Ovaro-Sutrio-Ovaro? Has anyone tried the road from Priola? Is the treble, a la Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux, even possible for a pro? I am from Sutrio. I rode up the Zoncolan on a mountain bike when I was 11 years old before the Giro ever knew anything about it. I promptly crashed on the way down and I still have scars on the kneecaps where I left my skin on the tarmac... I am asking for a friend who is coming to visit.