Col Agnel (Ville-Vieille) - Cycling Inspiration & Education
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Despite being the third highest road pass in the Alps, after the Col de l’Iseran and Passo dello Stelvio, the real beauty of the Col Agnel is its relative unknown status amongst the greats, making it a quiet giant linking the Hautes Alpes in France with the Italian province of Cuneo. I’ll never forget the first time I rode the Col Agnel many years ago. A friend and I had arrived in Briançon so decided that a ‘leg-loosener’ was in order to shake out an early start and day of travel. After ascending the northern side of the Izoard and descending towards Ville-Vieille we saw the sign for Agnel / Italy and in our youth (or perhaps naivetéy) started plugging away not really knowing what we were letting ourselves in for. Of course, you can’t start a climb and not finish it (they’re the rules) especially when it’s as perfect as the Agnel. The vast expanse of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, abundance of nature and a deserted road that looks like it’s been stitched to the side of the mountain with a needle and thread instills a sense of freedom and well being that’s difficult to beat. It was only when we met an English school teacher at the summit, and admired the view, that we really understood how magical the Agnel is. 2,744 metres high and with a character like no other, this is one mountain journey you really can’t afford to miss.
Start: Ville Vieille
Length: 21km
Summit: 2,744m
Elevation gain: 1,736m
Average gradient: 6.6%
Max gradient: 10%
Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, La Fuga, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, Torq Fitness and USE for enabling us to bring these truly spectacular 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 :-)
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Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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On reste sans voix! C'est beau à pleurer. Les paysages sont exceptionnels et que dire de Mike: On pense à un oiseau prenant son envol. Un modèle d'esthétique, de grâce et d'élégance. On aimerait voir de telles images sur le Tour de France. Chapeau bas à tous ceux qui ont participé à ce moment de bonheur!
Did this last week followed by Izoard. Your film and the film by Bike the World were massively helpful. It’s kind of nice and distracting to recognise parts and features, I always thought it would take away from the adventure but actually it makes it even better! I’d recommend to anyone- it is quiet, beautiful and delightfully isolated with a cracking descent as well
I'm off in 4 weeks to cycle this truly amazing mountain pass, it's been on my bucket list for many years. Thank you for the insight. 😊
You’re very welcome Philip 🙏🏻
An impressive Peak is waiting for everyone...🙏♥️☀️💪
Yesterday, i ‘ve done this climb. And yes, it was fantastic. And yes, it was cold on top. There was a fresh amount of snow overthere!
Simply Stunning Mike. My son and I are coming up from New Zealand to follow the tour this summer and this has just been added to the list of "must conquor" climbs whislt in Europe. Thanks for giving us antipodeans much to dream about! Please also eat some pies you skinny bugger!
Superb! Good luck Tristan, the Tour + big mountain peaks = happy days!!
Stunning views
Unreal...another beautiful video of another stunning climb. This one is on the bucket list! Reminds me of the movie 'into the wild' just being at one with nature, awesome. Thanks Mike!
andrew reid Beautiful Andrew. That's such a good analogy. Stay well. Mike
Again great filming and commentary, watching these video's really makes one appreciate the beauty of cycling. Keep them coming !
Brilliant to hear Nick. Thank you! Mike
Wonderful snippet of a beautiful climb...From the grassy greens to the bitter whites...that ride really looked like a journey worth taking...Another bit of cinematography that I liked when Mike Cotty almost looked as if he was not moving since the camera was moving at the right pace with him...That is a video awe moment for me :)... Thanks for bringing another awesome climb to us...Cheers.
Rahul Kotabage Massive respect for your appreciation for all the little details. Ride safe. Mike
Very nice ! BRAVO !!!!
Stunning views, looks like a fantastic climb.
beautiful
It's a pure and amazing joy !!
You are inspiring this 59 year old to do a few of these beautiful climbs some day. Thanks! I live in Utah in the Rocky Mountains so I have no excuse not to train a bit! Keep this beautiful work of yours coming.
+Kelly Oram Amazing stuff Kelly! Reading messages like this inspires us to keep going! Thank you for watching. Take care, Mike
Have you done a video on the Rettenbachferner in Austria?
Truly epic. I must have watched this at least 10 times since you all published it yesterday! Looks like there's also been some enhancements in video quality and cinematography. Thanks much for letting us see Mike reach the summit. Sensational :)
Super happy you enjoyed it Wayne. Often it's the climb that really brings the moment to life. We just point, shoot and ride! ;-)
another fantastic edition - love these videos, keep it going Mike & team!
JamaicaPlain Thanks so much for your support! Mike
Love this climb, the summit view is the wallpaper on my laptop, I just love the way you can see the road winding up the mountain for miles and miles. Well worth the 42km of effort from Guillestre if you ask me. Oh, and the refuge just before the summit does a great soup and croutons ;-)
Rob Phillips Amen Rob!
After watching this video i rode it was just amazing i had never heard of it best climb ever, i did the Galibier and the Izoard on the same trip the Agnel is number 1.
Le col Agnel est un col magnifique et peu connu. Il est très dur du côté français, encore plus dur du côté italien! Et les paysages sont magnifiques par les deux versants
Oui je confirme ! En août 2012, allant faire en alpinisme la Punta Gastaldi, nous sommes partis du bas de la route dans un virage en épingle côté italien pour remonter une interminable vallée. Course faite, au retour absolument impressionnés par la remontée en voiture au col vers la France : incroyables lacets très raides, sans protections en plus, et j'ai eu bien du mal à tenir la seconde ! Ca doit être qq chose en vélo. Cette route restera gravée dans ma mémoire (quand même pas mal de monde au col l'été)
We did it last saturay, it was great and beautiful weather.
Just wow..
This video is just sick, pretty unreal!!! Amazing. I'm a terrible at climbing, so this would destroy me, right now. But, this video has inspired me to continue to improve and get stronger at riding overall.
LaMarr Datcher Glad you enjoyed the vid! Good luck with your riding, you can conquer the Agnel, we have every faith in you! Mike
Fabulous, just fabulous! I am so inspired after watching yet another of your epic Alps climbs. Thanks to your vid the Col Agnel is now a must do.This summer I will be staying in Le Bourge d'Oisans the first week and Briancon for 5 days after. Can you suggest the best approach? I will have a car. Thanks Mike! love your videos!
gguisto I'm from Briancon, I guess I can answer your question. If you are strong enough I would recommend to climb the Izoard from Briancon ( 19.5 km), then Agnel as shown in the video from Chateau Queyras (21km) and finnaly the south side of Izoard (16km) on your way back to Briançon. It is only 120 km but 3 superb climbs.
If you are not willing to endure 3 high mountains pass, then I would advice you to go to Guillestre by car from Briançon and climb from the begining of the Guil Valley, the road is pretty nice following the river along the gorges. (80 km all together)
Denis Faure-Brac Great info. Thanks so much! The mind is willing to attempt the 3 passes but not sure the body is!
In the summer it is crowded, with motorbikes and Classic cars...but nonetheless beautyfull and for me pretty hard...
Mike do the italian side please please please...much more tough and much more rewarding!
Mike, another stunner! Thanks for the amazing insights. What is your inspiration for making and sharing these journeys? Either way, keep them coming! Any plans to cross the pond and ride some of America's climbs?
+LeRoy Yoder The mountains are my inspiration. Every time I ride in them I get a feeling of well being so I thought I'd try and share that with others to hopefully bring them one step closer to feeling it for themselves one day. Funny you should say about crossing the pond. We just returned from a short excursion to Colorado (amazing!) so keep your eyes peeled for U.S. climbs in Season Two of The Col Collective :-)
Covid19 makes me realise how much i miss the reality of this, its like meditation on wheels.every mountain is different,its like it has its own conciousness hope thats not too deep.people say its hard but really with the views ,fauna and flora who's to complain, just get on your bike and ride keep it simple.
I am gonna do it again, as Isoard, la Bonnette, Vars, Granon !
It ages well
Awesome, looks tough but fun. You climb like a mountain goat dude. Great video. I have an EVO, what's your set up? More videos please.
Ha, ha! I'll climb like a mountain goat any day in my dreams! I'm on the EVO Hi-Mod with Mavic CC40's and Di2 9070. Absolutely love it!! More videos on the way soon ;-)
Brazil
The fog and the ice, how did you take the temperature on summit????
Luckily we didn't have any ice, but it was definitely cold at the summit. Didn't hang around for long up there I can tell you!!
Brilliant clip. What is the name of the second track? Shazam couldn't help me.
Did you get an answer? I was wondering about the first track as well.
Heey mike,
What date did you ride the agnel?
September....
10 days...
What about the italian side of that giant? Way more demanding!
No problem to admit that the Italian side is one of the hardest of the alps!!! From the Town of Casteldelfino
You do climb like a marmot, what are you talking about!
Matthew Holberton Ha! I still think they have an extra gear in reserve when the gradient really cranks up! Rapid little critters!
Very nice ! BRAVO !!!!