#mike cotty

via Michael Cotty

As the Tour leaves the French Pyrénées and heads towards Spain and Andorra, today rider's face a tough challenge right from the start as they tackle the 19km Port de Bonaigua climbing up to 2,072m elevation. With five climbs on the 184.5km stage it's the back end of the course where things could get interesting. The steep and erratic gradient on the Col de Beixalis may put some in difficulty before the long, and often windy, final ascent to the 2,240m high mountain top finish at Arcalís ski station. I rode this for the first time last year and although (on paper) it's not the toughest climb in the Tour, coming after the Pyrénées and four proceeding climbs on the stage could catch a few riders out. Fortunately I was joined by former Cannondale and now Etixx-Quick Step pro Dan Martin to get a real racing insight into the climb. Check out the video from The Col Collective and tell us who you think will be triumphant at the end of the stage? Enjoy! - Mike Cotty. #mavic #TDF2016 

#BreatheMoreLife 

Within a stone's throw of the beautiful Costa Brava and Pyrénées, the medieval town of Girona has been home to many of the world's professional cyclists for close to two decades, offering the perfect environment for a cyclist looking to hone their form on quiet roads and with favourable year round temperatures. There are a few of these 'pro havens' scattered around Europe, each having their own self proclaimed testing ground - usually involving a steep slither of road well off the beaten track where riders can test their form as season goals approach. While Nice is famous for the Col de la Madone and Lucca the Monte Serra, Girona has its very own secret amongst friends, just 20 kilometres north of the old town. Named after the 12th century Santuari de Rocacorba that sits just shy of the summit this is a climb that, although not as well known as some of the more popular peaks, has a significance all of its own - especially for one rider in particular. A pro for 18 years David Millar's turbulent career has been well documented, most notably in his books 'Racing Through the Dark' and 'The Racer'. Having moved to Girona a decade ago Millar is part of the history of Rocacorba, in fact the climb had such significance to the Scotsman that it's woven deep into the tapestry of life well after racing and now as a social bike rider with the creation of Velo Club Rocacorba. I'd bumped into David in an airport a few months ago which got me thinking about how to really unlock Rocacorba's heritage the way I'd like to. Naturally that involved Millar himself. Thankfully the stars aligned and a few weeks later we were sat outside the Aquarium cafe in Banyoles - the same cafe Millar used to stop at before hitting the climb hard as a pro. Fortunately for me those days are behind him now so I got to see the climb at a social pace which meant I didn't have to grind my teeth or chew my stem (this time). Leaving the tranquil lakeside setting of Banyoles and casually rolling out of town we picked up a sign for Pujarnol, it's here you'll see the first sign for Rocacorba too but don't be tempted to hit the gas too soon. It's not until you've covered 2.9km and cross the small bridge over the Matamors river that the proverbial clock starts ticking. From here the road starts to ramp up, its changing gradient makes finding a rhythm harder than you'd expect from a relatively short 13.8km ascent at an average of 6.5%. If you're not out to simply enjoy the view then the secret to riding Rocacorba lies in riding the easier sections hard, where we'd normally encourage you to eat, drink and get back in the green. The sight of the radio masts signals you're approaching the summit and, whilst we can't guarantee you'll get a welcome like we had from the Velo Club Rocacorba (this is a once a year special) we can say that if you pick your day well then the views from the top are well worth the discomfort on the way up. Start: Banyoles Length: 13.8km Summit: 970m Elevation gain: 881m Average gradient: 6.5% Max gradient: 15% Ridden in March For more info and advice on the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrénées visit http://en.costabrava.org. Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, TORQ and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you're in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning :-) For more help and advice visit our website at http://thecolcollective.com, become part of our col community and sign up for our free newsletter for monthly updates. Never miss a video, subscribe to our YouTube channel or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you. Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching. Mike Cotty The Col Collective

via The Col Collective  /  thecolcollective.com

From Saint-Lary-Soulan the vallée d'Aure is gentle for the first 9.5km, allowing you time to warm your legs. It’s at Fabian where the climb really starts, as the road narrows and the gradient fluctuates through a dense forest of mountain pine. Relax, deep breath, the lack of road markings can make it hard to track your progress. Focus on the three sets of switchbacks to gauge your effort and where you are on the climb. Starting with the Lacet des Écureuils (squirrels hairpin) with 6.3km to go, followed in quick succession by the Lacet des Myrtilles and the ancient bends of the Lacet des Edelweiss. It’s here where your heart really starts to pound as the scenery starts to sing in a way that’s less familiar than you may have come to expect from the Pyrénées. Rugged rock strewn landscapes, the Lac d’Orédon, Aubert and Aumar are all worthy of exploration but today we’re headed toward the Lac de Cap-de-Long, with its 100 metre high dam, holding back a gargantuan 67 million cubic metres of water, it’s the largest reservoir in the Pyrénées and a true spectacle beyond many. This may be an ‘out and back’ route but it’s one that will enrich your soul, put you back in the present and instil the simple feeling of freedom within. On a clear blue day I can think of few better places to be on the planet but, to be honest, not even the autumn rain could spoil the moment such is the mystique of the the Route des Lacs and sensational Cap-de-Long. Start: Saint-Lary-Soulan Length: 22.7km Summit: 2,161m Elevation gain: 1,361 Average gradient: 5.9% Max gradient: 13% Ridden in October Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, TORQ and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you're in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning :-) For more help and advice visit our website at http://thecolcollective.com, become part of our col community and sign up for our free newsletter for monthly updates. Never miss a video, subscribe to our YouTube channel or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you. Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching. Mike Cotty The Col Collective

Seeing as it's Christmas we thought another new video might just be in order before the year is out. Since the we launched The Col Collective just over a year ago, we've had a barrage of requests for this climb, so we thought we'd answer the call and go check it out, and the Großglockner High Alpine road really does not disappoint. Today we take a look at the ascent starting in the chocolate-box town of Heiligenblut up to Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe where you are graced with possibly one the most spectacular mountain views ever. The eternal ice plain of the Pasterze Glacier and Austria's white giant, the mighty 3,798m high Großglockner! Without question absolutely one of the most scenic roads you’ll ever ride. Have you conquered the Großglockner? Let's see your photos and hear your stories. Enjoy! http://bit.ly/Großglockner_TCC At 3,798 metres high Austria’s white giant is every bit as imposing as it is intriguing, enveloped by an aura of natural beauty that’s beyond imagination. Originally built to showcase the true delights of the Hohe Tauern National Park, and to bolster the country’s flailing economy after the First World War, the Großglockner High Alpine Road excelled all expectations bringing over 50 million tourists to the area since it opened in 1935. Starting in Heiligenblut you initially trace your way through lush Glockner meadows as the gradient pitches up and holds its form at over double figures for the first 6km. A moment of respite gifts you an extra heartbeat to savour your surrounds before the final push, past the powerful Fensterbach waterfalls, towards the eternal ice plain of the Pasterze Glacier and the foot of the legendary Großglockner itself. Without question absolutely one of the most spectacular roads you’ll ever ride. And breathe….. Start: Heiligenblut Length: 16.4km Summit: 2,369m Elevation gain: 1,069m Average gradient: 8.1% Max gradient: 12% Ridden in June Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, TORQ and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you're in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning :-) For more help and advice visit our website at http://thecolcollective.com, become part of our col community and sign up for our free newsletter for monthly updates.Never miss a video, subscribe to our YouTube channel or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you. Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.Mike CottyThe Col Collective

It gives me great pleasure to show you a few moments from Season Two of The Col Collective to hopefully whet your appetite. This year we’ve been fortunate to explore some incredible mountains both in Europe and the USA with guest appearances from Cannondale-Garmin pro Dan Martin along with former pro’s Timmy Duggan and Craig Lewis. When I watch this it’s crazy how less than two minutes can invoke such an emotion inside, it’s only when we started to put this video together that the pieces of the puzzle seemed to really make sense, the simplicity of cycling, the journey we can all share together or the freedom of the open road alone. I’ll be honest, The Col Collective has been part of me for a very long time, a dream that started two decades ago when I experienced the serenity of the mountains for the very first time. Sometimes when I’m in the moment I don’t always realise the extent of what I’m doing, such is the fast pace of life - get the job done and move on to the next. It’s only when I take a moment to reflect on the season gone that I realise how this dream has evolved into a reality and that if you have a true passion, desire or calling to do something then anything is possible, you are in control of your life more than you may think. Cycling has been a saviour for me, something to focus my energy on in a positive way when at times the world around me has felt dark. It’s only when I look back I truly realise that this is what I live for, this is my life, and I’m so grateful to be able to share a small part of it with you all. Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially to Mavic and Cannondale, who believed in me from the beginning and continue to do so. Without your support The Col Collective may still be just a dream. And finally, thank you to everyone reading this now. Ultimately you are who these videos are for. I hope you enjoy Season Two as much as we’ve enjoyed bringing it together. Peace on the road. Mike Cotty