That one is too big for me Si , Ive started training with the thought of maybe its my last time to do the Etape .... 2024 might be it. When I built my bike for my second Etape I knew the weight of every component , I even knew I could save a few grams with some Titanium bolts. My Scot Addict was perfect, Ultegra Di2 weighing in @ 6.8kgs ready to roll, thats how marginal I thought my attempt would be. I would be surprised if your bike was under 7.8kgs while sounding not much extra , over such distances and climbs it really makes a difference. Amazing result with a 4th finish very well done ......... Thankfully I'm far too old to even consider that event !!!
The Fred Whitton - I've done the first half of the route as far as Braithwaite, but need a step up in fitness (& maybe some lower gears?!?) to do the full loop.
What a week for GCN epics!! Ollie's Tour de Stations, Mark and Hank's remotest pub ride, and now Si's Inferno. Chapeau to the camera crews for capturing all of these!
@@gcncome to India and do the Manali to Leh route, crossing 5 high altitude passes starting at 3 over 5,000 m and other 2 over or nearly 4,000m. Alas, non Indians are not allowed to “Umling La” (highest motorable pass). But you can go to “Khardung La”, now the second highest motorable pass.
@@gcnPico Veleta....the highest paved road in Europe. 43km at 6.2% or 30km @ 7.8%. Tops out at 3400 metres. For real torture come in August and start at 40 Celsius in Granada City.
I bumped in to Si at the top of the Col de Galibier while he was doing the Inferno and have to say what a bloody lovely chap he was. Bearing in mind the mileage he'd ridden that morning and how tired he was, he took the time to chat with me and take an interest in my ride and explain to me what he was doing that day (and the next day) and laugh at the fact that we'd bumped into one another at the top of a mountain in France even though we both live not too far from one another in Bristol!...Also, I couldn't help noticing that his ankles don't look that fat in real life!
Totally. There must be some serious training behind the scenes for the presenters lately. Also, what about the woman finishing 3rd overall!? Now that is a feat!
I can’t comprend how someone can manage to climb only one of those hills, let alone all of them, and ride for that many hours for that many days. I’m just back cycling after a 40 years break at 58 and just riding a 40k on a flat surface is a challenge. Starting 2 months ago I have 630km done with a goal of 1000km for the summer. And If I do that it would be like an ultimate goal for me turning 59. So watching you ride those hills is something out of this world for me. But I ll get better with time for sure. Thanks for the inspiration and the motivation for surpassing myself.
What a beautiful video and congrats Si for this epic accomplishment. I love these videos where we see our favourite presenters go through gruelling events seeing how they handle the mental barriers. Very inspirational for us normal humans.
what a fantastic video. Appreciated Si 's humilty and honesty at managing the difficulties we all face during long, hard rides and the sheer enjoyment of being in such stunning terrain. Really inspiring. Thanks
I was really looking forward to watching the video about this. I was the motorcyclist who talked with Si and the camera guy just after the descent of the Col de la Bonette.
When i saw someone in full GCN kit flash past me in Annecy while I was pootling around on my little city hire bike, I didn't quite realise the significance 😅. Good job!
I saw this film on GCN+ and signed up straight away for this year's event. Every time im on my bike now i think how far into the inferno i would be. Im not a climer, and the time cut worries me, but the film was so inspirational I just have to try.
Honestly, this might have been my favorite video from GCN. Very, very well done Si and crew. What an incredible and beautiful ride. I would like to do the exact same thing but perhaps in 3 days instead. This was also very personal because I used to live in a very mountainous area with many epic climbs which I loved. But now I live in a relatively flat area where I consider it even too dangerous to ride on the road for several reasons. To be honest, watching this made me quite sad but it also filled me with joy because I kind of got to feel that feeling again just by watching it. Especially reminding me of my treasured predawn rides up a mountain. Like you said, all of your other senses being heightened in the dark. And then the long descent as the sun came up. Those were my favorite. Thanks for doing this.
Great to hear that you enjoyed the video so much! We really enjoyed this shoot, It was a tough yet beautiful ride. You're right there is something special about riding in the mountains. Do you think you'll ever head back? 🏔
I cycled a similar route in opposite direction in 1990: Nice -> Cime de la Bonnette -> Col de Vars -> Col d'Izoard -> Col du Galibier -> Col du Telegraphe -> Col de L'Iseran -> Col du Bonhomme -> Chamonix. Continued to Switzerland -> Austria -> Yugoslavia -> Greece -> Turkey. On a ~ $1000 Giant road bike with a 39:26 "low gear" and fork panniers and large handle bar bag.
GCN introduced and influenced me to do The Rift gravel race in Iceland. I said never again do a long ride like that (200K). And then this video. The Inferno will be in my top 3 next summer. Thanks, Si and GCN for your fantastic videos.
Wondering if maybe Manon doing the BIG Gravel races in the US shamed the boys into doing some of these big races. This year we have seen Connor do Unbound, Si do the Inferno and Ollie do the Tour des Stations.
tbf ollie was always the epic endurance monster of the main crew, and he was very clearly building up to the 1000 ever since the last TdS when he dropped a grand tour champion
Drove through Vars/Bonnette just a couple of weeks ago for work. Wow. Genuinely, wow. As someone who has lived in the northern Alps for 15 years, I have never made it down that far (despite having friends who live in PACA and having also done the Etape that finished on the Izoard). I was frankly blown away by the two valleys, the climbs, the quiet, the views. Oh, and for someone who lives at the foot of Mt Blanc, the lack of cars. I did an out and back in one day, and between Briancon and Auron, I passed no more than 20 cars/campers on the climbs. That's almost 100kms. Brilliant. I took a million photos and video and sent them to my cycling buddy. We have planned to do much the same route as Si Autumn next year, but starting in Saint Gervais Les Bains (Stage 16 finish of this year's Tour) and will bike-pack the route unaccompanied. Oh, and we will likely drive back via Italy just so we can have pizza. Can't wait. This video is a brilliant tutorial and intro to what we can expect. Thanks @gcn
Sy, this might be your best video yet. You summed up the joy and difficulty of every epic ride I've ever done. I so wanted to be pacing you up the last hill, shouting encouragements. Well done sir!
I was a few days ahead of Si on this route. The pictures took me right back to those spots on the route. I felt the same at times; spent. Thanks for making this Vid brought all the memories back in an instant. Great effort and the filming is equally inspiring.
I love that Si stopped to talk about trees here! Great job finishing so high in the race! Looks like a beautiful ride to do. I'd love to give it a go but.... over the course of probably more like a week and a half. Such nice sights, why rush it and my legs, eh?
Si, you have made me cry, returning from crossing from Thonon les bain to Menton, as a bucket list, the video has made me see from a different angle and brought back beautiful memories. And yes, descending for 45 minutes will bring your skill up ;)
Fourth place after narrating everything you went through, even the dark times. Certainly a ride I could not consider, other than via GCN. Well done m'lud chapeau.
Thanks for using the 16:9 format GCN producers. Hope you’ll start doing this for all your videos given the overwhelming majority of mobile devices and TVs utilize this format now.
Such high expectations of yourself Si you smashed it by finishing, let alone 4th!!! Fantastic achievement chapeau. This is such good content personal challenges revealing what we love about GCN presenters their genuine heart and soul passion about cycling Thanks GCN xxx
Thanks Si for talking about the Turini and the Cime on the way down back towards Nice. I visited there in 2022 and it was epic, came up the other way from Menton via Col de Braus and it was mind blowing. Felt like a million miles away, considering I live in California.
That last climb is great - I really enjoyed the descent off it. And its where they shot the opening scene of "The Italian Job"* * Cockney Cain voice: "Not a lot of people know that"
This was fantastic, Si is such a good presenter and rider and this event (which I’ve never heard of!) is now going straight to the top of my bucket list!
Kudos to Si and the GCN crew, The Inferno organizers, and to Moots! Man, that was a very relaxing video. Hope to challenge my abilities someday like how Si did this. Cheers to all!
I was fortunate enough to ride a good chunk of this route in July with a brilliant group of people with Marmot Tours. Chapeau Si and thanks GCN for such a great video which really showcases those fantastic climbs and descents.
Those climbs bring back memories. I've done 7 day Haute Route Alps 2 different years and did most of these climbs you did but at most 3 cols a day. Also climbed Mt. Ventoux 3 days in a row from all routes with first 2 days having 80+ miles 10K feet climbing. The forest climb is my favorite. The hardest days in the Alps were Col Des Saisies -> Courchevel then finish at top of Col de la Loze on day 2. Madelaine -> Glandon then Alpe D'euz top finish on day3. I dunno how you climbed all of those Cols in 2 days. Chapeau!
Amazing route amazing ride from Simon. 4th place ! Wow! The old boy still got it!😂😂😂. This is my dream ride! One day soon I'll be there! Thanks for the video! Brilliant!
What an amazing race and great video. You definitely make it look amazing. I rode the madeleine, telegraph, galibier and izoard this year in September and October and it brought back great memories. Your description of climbing nirvana is perfect. I had all those same feelings.
Hi Si, I did the route des grand alp for my retirement 4 years ago. I don’t know how you managed all those climbs in 2 days !! It brought back fantastic memories- cheers mate. (John Goodsir)
Great video. That is such a great accomplishment. I have a Vamoots RCS with 12 speed Campi super record group set that just loves to climb. They make such great bikes. I’m glad I had the opportunity and wherewithal to get one.
Did exactly those climbs starting from Switzerland ending in Nice in 5.5 days. 18'000 m of amazing climbs and decents. Highlights were certainly descent of izoard and bonnette leading in those beautiful valleys. Turini descent just breathtaking. Hefty riding you did. Congrats!
There is some amazing cinematography in this film 👏 Another GCN film where I wished I started watching on the big TV rather than my phone! 🤦 PS - nice ride, Si!
I love Si and, of course, the rest of the staff of this channel. Awesome video as usual, you all inspire me to ride again. I stopped for nearly 5 years and I'm back at it again.
Awesome! Thanks for the kind words 🙌 So cool to hear you are back on the bike! We did this great video that might help 👉 ruclips.net/video/5x-XgZiTcyM/видео.htmlsi=puI5igmpkl8tZqQ7
@@gcn awesome! Thank you for the tips on that video. I'm glad to be back cycling and I built 2 bikes specifically for gravel, but I have these 2 to go against each other to see which one I'd prefer most. I was a Roadie for over a decade but I'm done with road because my aero position risked comfort over performance so my hands and rear are done! I'm sending that bike to my cousin out of the country, so I'm testing out 2 bikes for leisurely cruising yet still have the capability to catch up quick to the young bucks. My new/used Roadie with Teravail Washburn 700c x 38c on carbon forks VS my MTB hard tail with Duro 26" x 2.1c on typical front suspension forks. The new Roadie is nice and dampens the shock from the carbon fork and slightly wider gravel tires, but nothing takes away road vibration like a front suspension with large gravel tires on an MTB. I'm leaning towards my MTB but my only issue with it is that I was spoiled by my first Roadie due to its lightweight aluminum technology. It's aluminum, but it weighs nearly like a carbon bike. Phenomenal bike. I will stick with my MTB yet still, because it's so much easier on my body, but picking it up for racking in and out on vehicle mounts after a long ride adds up physically and mentally. I'm also on a budget and don't plan on getting a high end frame so I'm sticking with it. Still, though. My love for cycling has been reignited and this channel has "channeled" that love for it again. See what I did there? Haha! Anyway, thank you for the response! That would be cool if Si himself saw my comment and responded. I hope all is well at GCN. You guys are great and yes, the camera crew does a phenomenal job filming!
I don't normally go for or follow racing, but Si, you got me hooked! This is the best: rider vs. course/mountain. It's what I love about gravel races but you did it on road. I would actually consider something like this! Amazing job Si! Thanks for digging deep and taking us with!!
Loved this video, did the Col de Vars and I'zoard at the 2017 Etape du Tour (the other way round I think) and this brought back some great memories, if you are thinking about riding an Etape go for it you will not regret it.
I loved the video! It reminded me of the Cent Cols Challenge and similar emotions one experiences over such long days. Si should give CCC a try sometime!
Okay - big birthday next year (60), I think you've just provided inspiration for my celebration/gift from my family (the entry fee / race package). TBC
Anyone who gets out of bed at 3.30 am can only be going on an epic bike ride! Loved the video, really well shot, and the use of the word 'survivally', does it exist??! Well done Si
I can only thank you for making these fantastic achievements available to the likes of me that couldn’t dream of attempting them. They certainly inspire my own small triumphs (and Triumph 😅) though and that’s what counts 😊
Looks amazing. Top top effort so well done you. All very inspiring. 4th place very impressive! I’d stand no chance and my back doors would be left half way up the first climb!!!
Alpine climbing is a beautiful slog, descents being so long i find exhilarating but tiring as so much concentration is required and upper body / core strength to keep the bike well controlled
Which epic rides are on your cycling bucket list? Big or small, we'd love to know 👇
That one is too big for me Si , Ive started training with the thought of maybe
its my last time to do the Etape .... 2024 might be it. When I built my bike for
my second Etape I knew the weight of every component , I even knew I could
save a few grams with some Titanium bolts. My Scot Addict was perfect,
Ultegra Di2 weighing in @ 6.8kgs ready to roll, thats how marginal I thought
my attempt would be. I would be surprised if your bike was under 7.8kgs
while sounding not much extra , over such distances and climbs it really
makes a difference.
Amazing result with a 4th finish very well done ......... Thankfully I'm far too
old to even consider that event !!!
Sella Ronda is my bucket list ride. Really want to see those Dolomite views, and the Stelvio
Hardknopp Pass just been the Lakes and walked up it and yes I need to peddle it , walked up Scalfell pike which was amazing 🤩
The Fred Whitton - I've done the first half of the route as far as Braithwaite, but need a step up in fitness (& maybe some lower gears?!?) to do the full loop.
Mauna Kea climb in Hawaii is my bucket list ride sea level to 4200m
I can't believe Si was able to squeeze those glasses through those narrow roads! 😂
This should be the comment of the week!
I have those same ones 😅
Wow u killed it
Top comment.
I need to know what brand and model these are 😍 can someone tell me please?
What a week for GCN epics!! Ollie's Tour de Stations, Mark and Hank's remotest pub ride, and now Si's Inferno. Chapeau to the camera crews for capturing all of these!
It's been epic! What and where shall we go next? 🤔
You should invite random viewers to join you on some of those adventures 👀👀😊
@@gcncome to India and do the Manali to Leh route, crossing 5 high altitude passes starting at 3 over 5,000 m and other 2 over or nearly 4,000m.
Alas, non Indians are not allowed to “Umling La” (highest motorable pass). But you can go to “Khardung La”, now the second highest motorable pass.
@@gcnPico Veleta....the highest paved road in Europe. 43km at 6.2% or 30km @ 7.8%. Tops out at 3400 metres. For real torture come in August and start at 40 Celsius in Granada City.
@@gcnThe Rockies in Colorado would make for an epic ride with any of the GCN presenters
As a disabled person then just to ride a bike again is bucket list for me. Don't take any ride for granted and enjoy every moment!
Hope that you do get to ride again !
You are so right
Totally agreeing with you…. And sincerely hoping you get back on a bike very very soon
I bumped in to Si at the top of the Col de Galibier while he was doing the Inferno and have to say what a bloody lovely chap he was. Bearing in mind the mileage he'd ridden that morning and how tired he was, he took the time to chat with me and take an interest in my ride and explain to me what he was doing that day (and the next day) and laugh at the fact that we'd bumped into one another at the top of a mountain in France even though we both live not too far from one another in Bristol!...Also, I couldn't help noticing that his ankles don't look that fat in real life!
Si is just the best. I love how he presents, his passion for riding and his ability to make me want to get on my bike. Well done Si, keep being epic
Seeing how much Si was suffering in this one makes Ollie´s 1000km ride in Switzerland look even more mind blowing... Well done both 👏
What is it?
Both smashed it! 💪
@@oumtaha3834 This is Ollie's epic ultra! 👉ruclips.net/video/dpa9FZHOdwY/видео.htmlsi=Bx4g4FWscZSgth77
Totally. There must be some serious training behind the scenes for the presenters lately.
Also, what about the woman finishing 3rd overall!? Now that is a feat!
they are all serious cyclists. most of all ex pro's...@@nluisa
I can’t comprend how someone can manage to climb only one of those hills, let alone all of them, and ride for that many hours for that many days. I’m just back cycling after a 40 years break at 58 and just riding a 40k on a flat surface is a challenge. Starting 2 months ago I have 630km done with a goal of 1000km for the summer. And If I do that it would be like an ultimate goal for me turning 59. So watching you ride those hills is something out of this world for me. But I ll get better with time for sure. Thanks for the inspiration and the motivation for surpassing myself.
What a beautiful video and congrats Si for this epic accomplishment. I love these videos where we see our favourite presenters go through gruelling events seeing how they handle the mental barriers. Very inspirational for us normal humans.
It's great to hear it's inspired you, means a lot to us! 🙌
what a fantastic video. Appreciated Si 's humilty and honesty at managing the difficulties we all face during long, hard rides and the sheer enjoyment of being in such stunning terrain. Really inspiring. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it! Can you think of Si's next challenge?
I was really looking forward to watching the video about this. I was the motorcyclist who talked with Si and the camera guy just after the descent of the Col de la Bonette.
Nobody suffers like Si. Scenery - breathtaking. Hats off to the video crew and editing pros. Well done.
What can we say! Si loves to suffer 😈
When i saw someone in full GCN kit flash past me in Annecy while I was pootling around on my little city hire bike, I didn't quite realise the significance 😅. Good job!
Hahahah spotted in the wild! 👀 - Inferno on a city bike is next year 😉
Amazing ride Si. Your camera cine guys have done a superb job shooting and putting this together for GCN. Their skills are top notch.
I saw this film on GCN+ and signed up straight away for this year's event. Every time im on my bike now i think how far into the inferno i would be. Im not a climer, and the time cut worries me, but the film was so inspirational I just have to try.
Honestly, this might have been my favorite video from GCN. Very, very well done Si and crew. What an incredible and beautiful ride. I would like to do the exact same thing but perhaps in 3 days instead. This was also very personal because I used to live in a very mountainous area with many epic climbs which I loved. But now I live in a relatively flat area where I consider it even too dangerous to ride on the road for several reasons. To be honest, watching this made me quite sad but it also filled me with joy because I kind of got to feel that feeling again just by watching it. Especially reminding me of my treasured predawn rides up a mountain. Like you said, all of your other senses being heightened in the dark. And then the long descent as the sun came up. Those were my favorite. Thanks for doing this.
Great to hear that you enjoyed the video so much! We really enjoyed this shoot, It was a tough yet beautiful ride. You're right there is something special about riding in the mountains. Do you think you'll ever head back? 🏔
@@gcn I sure hope so. But I have my own family now and need to do what’s best for all of us. But hopefully someday.
Brilliantly cycled Si one of the best videos I’ve seen on GCN . The sightseeing views amazing. Oh the bike was brilliant. Top ride .
Loved this video so much….I’m in for Inferno Race 2024….on my TCR though…..
I cycled a similar route in opposite direction in 1990: Nice -> Cime de la Bonnette -> Col de Vars -> Col d'Izoard -> Col du Galibier -> Col du Telegraphe -> Col de L'Iseran -> Col du Bonhomme -> Chamonix. Continued to Switzerland -> Austria -> Yugoslavia -> Greece -> Turkey. On a ~ $1000 Giant road bike with a 39:26 "low gear" and fork panniers and large handle bar bag.
GCN introduced and influenced me to do The Rift gravel race in Iceland. I said never again do a long ride like that (200K). And then this video. The Inferno will be in my top 3 next summer. Thanks, Si and GCN for your fantastic videos.
Hahahah sorry not sorry! Enjoy the ride it's an epic! 🙌
Wondering if maybe Manon doing the BIG Gravel races in the US shamed the boys into doing some of these big races.
This year we have seen Connor do Unbound, Si do the Inferno and Ollie do the Tour des Stations.
tbf ollie was always the epic endurance monster of the main crew, and he was very clearly building up to the 1000 ever since the last TdS when he dropped a grand tour champion
We all love a big challenge here at GCN! The great thing about the presenters is they push themselves 🙌
I love to lay down on the couch, Sunday morning, grab a coffee and watch an epic ride adventure. Thank you guys!
😂😂😂
Drove through Vars/Bonnette just a couple of weeks ago for work. Wow. Genuinely, wow.
As someone who has lived in the northern Alps for 15 years, I have never made it down that far (despite having friends who live in PACA and having also done the Etape that finished on the Izoard). I was frankly blown away by the two valleys, the climbs, the quiet, the views. Oh, and for someone who lives at the foot of Mt Blanc, the lack of cars. I did an out and back in one day, and between Briancon and Auron, I passed no more than 20 cars/campers on the climbs. That's almost 100kms. Brilliant.
I took a million photos and video and sent them to my cycling buddy. We have planned to do much the same route as Si Autumn next year, but starting in Saint Gervais Les Bains (Stage 16 finish of this year's Tour) and will bike-pack the route unaccompanied. Oh, and we will likely drive back via Italy just so we can have pizza. Can't wait. This video is a brilliant tutorial and intro to what we can expect. Thanks @gcn
The best of all: Simon's pleasure and joy of riding. That is my north: enjoying it as much as I can. No numbers, smiles!
Sy, this might be your best video yet. You summed up the joy and difficulty of every epic ride I've ever done. I so wanted to be pacing you up the last hill, shouting encouragements. Well done sir!
Si does a fantastic job of taking you on his journey. Thanks great video.
I was a few days ahead of Si on this route. The pictures took me right back to those spots on the route. I felt the same at times; spent. Thanks for making this Vid brought all the memories back in an instant. Great effort and the filming is equally inspiring.
Best GCN video I've watched; camera work, scenery, humour, emotion, struggle and achievement - great stuff!
I love that Si stopped to talk about trees here! Great job finishing so high in the race!
Looks like a beautiful ride to do. I'd love to give it a go but.... over the course of probably more like a week and a half. Such nice sights, why rush it and my legs, eh?
This is fantastic, amazing work Si and team.
Si, you have made me cry, returning from crossing from Thonon les bain to Menton, as a bucket list, the video has made me see from a different angle and brought back beautiful memories. And yes, descending for 45 minutes will bring your skill up ;)
We like to take people through all the emotions on GCN videos 🙌 45 mins of descending is tough work!
Fourth place after narrating everything you went through, even the dark times. Certainly a ride I could not consider, other than via GCN. Well done m'lud chapeau.
Thanks for using the 16:9 format GCN producers. Hope you’ll start doing this for all your videos given the overwhelming majority of mobile devices and TVs utilize this format now.
Such high expectations of yourself Si you smashed it by finishing, let alone 4th!!! Fantastic achievement chapeau. This is such good content personal challenges revealing what we love about GCN presenters their genuine heart and soul passion about cycling Thanks GCN xxx
'I'm going slow, but it doesn't matter'. This is my mantra! Beautiful film. Congrats to all involved. 👏♥️
Wow Si that was just beautiful from all points of view. 🎉
Thanks Si for talking about the Turini and the Cime on the way down back towards Nice. I visited there in 2022 and it was epic, came up the other way from Menton via Col de Braus and it was mind blowing. Felt like a million miles away, considering I live in California.
I think this is one of your best videos. SI's honest comments mare me feel like I was going through it with him
That last climb is great - I really enjoyed the descent off it. And its where they shot the opening scene of "The Italian Job"*
* Cockney Cain voice: "Not a lot of people know that"
🏆 for Underrated comment❤
When you crack, and keep going. And again. And again. That is the best (worst?), coolest thing to go through. Well done!
This was fantastic, Si is such a good presenter and rider and this event (which I’ve never heard of!) is now going straight to the top of my bucket list!
Enjoy! Make sure you get the training in early... it's a tough one 🥵
Kudos to Si and the GCN crew, The Inferno organizers, and to Moots! Man, that was a very relaxing video. Hope to challenge my abilities someday like how Si did this. Cheers to all!
Oh this looks like a Marmotte beating option for 2024. Chapeau Simon, that looked truly epic, thank you for sharing this ride and congratulations.
Goose bumps ... Literal goosebumps when Si talked about those decents 😮
Hahahah! Are you a climbing or a descending?
I was fortunate enough to ride a good chunk of this route in July with a brilliant group of people with Marmot Tours.
Chapeau Si and thanks GCN for such a great video which really showcases those fantastic climbs and descents.
I loved this video, only second to the Himalayan video !
I have an eleven year old Moots , still looks like new and rides like a dream.
Those climbs bring back memories. I've done 7 day Haute Route Alps 2 different years and did most of these climbs you did but at most 3 cols a day. Also climbed Mt. Ventoux 3 days in a row from all routes with first 2 days having 80+ miles 10K feet climbing. The forest climb is my favorite. The hardest days in the Alps were Col Des Saisies -> Courchevel then finish at top of Col de la Loze on day 2. Madelaine -> Glandon then Alpe D'euz top finish on day3. I dunno how you climbed all of those Cols in 2 days. Chapeau!
Amazing route amazing ride from Simon. 4th place ! Wow! The old boy still got it!😂😂😂. This is my dream ride! One day soon I'll be there! Thanks for the video! Brilliant!
What an amazing race and great video. You definitely make it look amazing. I rode the madeleine, telegraph, galibier and izoard this year in September and October and it brought back great memories. Your description of climbing nirvana is perfect. I had all those same feelings.
Way to go Si. You are a beast. Well done.
Thanks for sharing your journey. Just beautiful!! I hope to experience such a ride some day. Ride on!!!!
Fantastic video Si. I would love to ride these mountains. I'm sure it would take a few more days but I know I can get there. So Beautiful.
Hi Si, I did the route des grand alp for my retirement 4 years ago. I don’t know how you managed all those climbs in 2 days !! It brought back fantastic memories- cheers mate. (John Goodsir)
Great video. That is such a great accomplishment. I have a Vamoots RCS with 12 speed Campi super record group set that just loves to climb. They make such great bikes. I’m glad I had the opportunity and wherewithal to get one.
WOW, I'm so impressed by Si's results! Fantastic video.
Did exactly those climbs starting from Switzerland ending in Nice in 5.5 days. 18'000 m of amazing climbs and decents. Highlights were certainly descent of izoard and bonnette leading in those beautiful valleys. Turini descent just breathtaking. Hefty riding you did. Congrats!
There is some amazing cinematography in this film 👏 Another GCN film where I wished I started watching on the big TV rather than my phone! 🤦
PS - nice ride, Si!
Just completed the Routes des Alpes this summer, and thanks for the immages I couldn't take :) I am still feeling the Turini in my leg
Hats off on that, tremendous achievement. You had to make stops and still came 4th!. The ride looked brilliant.
I love Si and, of course, the rest of the staff of this channel. Awesome video as usual, you all inspire me to ride again. I stopped for nearly 5 years and I'm back at it again.
Awesome! Thanks for the kind words 🙌 So cool to hear you are back on the bike! We did this great video that might help 👉 ruclips.net/video/5x-XgZiTcyM/видео.htmlsi=puI5igmpkl8tZqQ7
@@gcn awesome! Thank you for the tips on that video. I'm glad to be back cycling and I built 2 bikes specifically for gravel, but I have these 2 to go against each other to see which one I'd prefer most. I was a Roadie for over a decade but I'm done with road because my aero position risked comfort over performance so my hands and rear are done! I'm sending that bike to my cousin out of the country, so I'm testing out 2 bikes for leisurely cruising yet still have the capability to catch up quick to the young bucks. My new/used Roadie with Teravail Washburn 700c x 38c on carbon forks VS my MTB hard tail with Duro 26" x 2.1c on typical front suspension forks. The new Roadie is nice and dampens the shock from the carbon fork and slightly wider gravel tires, but nothing takes away road vibration like a front suspension with large gravel tires on an MTB. I'm leaning towards my MTB but my only issue with it is that I was spoiled by my first Roadie due to its lightweight aluminum technology. It's aluminum, but it weighs nearly like a carbon bike. Phenomenal bike. I will stick with my MTB yet still, because it's so much easier on my body, but picking it up for racking in and out on vehicle mounts after a long ride adds up physically and mentally. I'm also on a budget and don't plan on getting a high end frame so I'm sticking with it. Still, though. My love for cycling has been reignited and this channel has "channeled" that love for it again. See what I did there? Haha! Anyway, thank you for the response! That would be cool if Si himself saw my comment and responded. I hope all is well at GCN. You guys are great and yes, the camera crew does a phenomenal job filming!
I don't normally go for or follow racing, but Si, you got me hooked! This is the best: rider vs. course/mountain. It's what I love about gravel races but you did it on road. I would actually consider something like this! Amazing job Si! Thanks for digging deep and taking us with!!
It's a super cool event! You'll love it 🙌Great to hear you loved the video, will you be starting your training soon?
I just love watching Si on a bike he's just got a such a perfect position... theirs nowt like a GCN video like this, with Simon 💪😎
Awesome effort Si, Great Ride, very scenic. I want to fly you up the flagpole and give you a BIG SALUTE!
Fly him up a flag pole... that sounds like it would hurt 🤕
Loved this video, did the Col de Vars and I'zoard at the 2017 Etape du Tour (the other way round I think) and this brought back some great memories, if you are thinking about riding an Etape go for it you will not regret it.
I loved the video! It reminded me of the Cent Cols Challenge and similar emotions one experiences over such long days. Si should give CCC a try sometime!
Well done Si you still made the climbing look a hell of a lot easier and faster than I could have done it - 4th Place Chapeau 😁
Si never fails to deliver! Top notch effort and video blog!
Okay - big birthday next year (60), I think you've just provided inspiration for my celebration/gift from my family (the entry fee / race package). TBC
Anyone who gets out of bed at 3.30 am can only be going on an epic bike ride! Loved the video, really well shot, and the use of the word 'survivally', does it exist??! Well done Si
Always enjoy your challenge rides, Si...Great effort and success on this one as well. Chapeau, YOU!! 😉
Love these story pieces. It’s always fun to see tech and all of the comparisons, but the reality of these is relatable.
Absolutely smashing Si! Love these videos! So inspirational and such a beautiful ride!
Insane and epic ride Si! Beautiful and serene views as well.
4th! Amazing! I'd love to do this race one day but I'll be glad just to finish
I can only thank you for making these fantastic achievements available to the likes of me that couldn’t dream of attempting them. They certainly inspire my own small triumphs (and Triumph 😅) though and that’s what counts 😊
Well done, Simon and GCN crew!
Fantastic film. This has gone straight onto the to do list.
Saw it all in awe and delight. Amazing!
Just wow! Epic viewing and mega well done Si! 😊👏
Thanks Mike
Always love your videos. Very inspiring. Keep up the good work x
Stunning event, stunning video. Absolutely loved it. Well done. That’s a hell of a ride.
Another wonderfully inspirational video guys.
Congratulations Si, epic ride to finish 4th, chapeau young in. 👏
It's actually encouraging when even GCN guys are kind of bonking on these massive rides. Riding hard isn't hard, but nutrition is.
incredible bike. Not a massive disc brakes fan but the titan colour combo with steel discs looks so good.
GCN content is pretty good in general, but damn... Si stuff lately is another level, well done mate 👏
That was a great result :)
loved the video too.
This felt like a gcn+ special, great show!
Looks amazing. Top top effort so well done you. All very inspiring. 4th place very impressive! I’d stand no chance and my back doors would be left half way up the first climb!!!
pre race day nerves have me up late enough to catch a vid post. Been loving your stuff since getting into the sport, keep it up!
Bucket list!!! Om at a loss for words. Epic ride and Epic presenting of it!!!
But again words is not enough to give it credit!!!
Alpine climbing is a beautiful slog, descents being so long i find exhilarating but tiring as so much concentration is required and upper body / core strength to keep the bike well controlled
WONDERFUL SHOTS AND COLOR GRADING ESPECIALLY ON THE GALIBIER I AM FLOORED I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS A RUclips VIDEO
Well done Si, looked awesome.
Great vlog, Si was a bit of hero, great effort.
Well done Si phenomenal effort and great content really enjoed this.
Beautiful route. Beautiful bike! Immediately signed up for the newsletter for next year….
@IJMX13 Great insight into your Vuelta preparations, all the best! It’s going to be a great battle 💪🏼
Definitely a bucket list ride for my next life.
Congrats on a huge ride and result Si. I have celiac too, and know how tricky it can be to refuel at rest stops.