I would pay monthly. It's one of the channels providing real, genuine, info, and you can see the dedication in how it's filmed. Always a pleasure to watch, re-watch, set next targets! Well done, The Col!
Bravo for another masterpiece ! Awesome landscapes, superb explanations and obviously, great enthousiasm. Again , you raised the bar for the greatest channel out there! That said; i'm going to call-in sick 07/25/18 ! This stage will be remember forever.
goosebumps right now!! take me to france on july 25, 2018 !! i'm here in taiwan!!!!! so inspiring Cotty!!!! sharing this to all my friends! who knew they would donate me some plane ticket funds!!!
Great video, brought back good memories. I went riding in the Pyrenees for the first time this September, absolutely loved it! We went up the other side. The crepe shop at the top of the Peyresourde was the perfect break before the fun of a nice long decent back into Luchon where we were based. Can't wait to get back.
Incredible stage...no work getting done that day...eyes will be glued to every second of the action. The gravel sections make it...they just cannot take them out.
I'm a real terrible climber (sprinter) but I have an unexplained urge to get on a plane and ride these mountains every video I watch. Just absolutely beautiful cycling! Please keep making more videos.
Hi Steve, it doesn't matter about your ability, with the right gearing and mindset the mountains are there for everyone to enjoy. Super pleased our videos are helping to get you motivated. If you ever fancy riding together with the full support of The Col Collective then check out our cycle tours at thecolcollective.com. Would be awesome to ride with you one day. All the best, Mike
love it ! I always get so super inspired by this short films , we have to go Mike !! love this stage !! must be in the next Tour we do !!! Bravo The Col collective you are the best !!!
Andreas Carmona You should come on our Tour de France cycling tour next year, we’ll ride this stage in full and watch the pros in action! Can’t wait, it’s going to be amazing!! 🙌🏻
Yet another fantastic production Mike. I totally agree with your comments about how this stage will play out. There are going to be fireworks for sure :-)
OMG this is extraordinarily tough - I tried to do it today but turned back before getting to Pla d'Adet because I just couldn't take any more (first time ever - very humbling). Already feel sorry for the sprinters and any rider injured or ill at the start of this stage.
Another great video, Mike. It brought back great memories of my starting in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, then riding up the Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin then Col de Peyresourde in September last year, before finally stopping in Bagneres-de-Luchon for the night. A great day's riding! :)
Pla d adet is rough from the bottom to the right-hand turn to the Portet....long sections of 9+% with no turns . I did it with the backing sun off the rock walls, I was so glad the clouds rolled in and the climb to the Portet was pleasant. In this video the road is gravel, however, it was paved well to the summit.
Only 65km long stage - I'm already worried about how densely packed the spectators are going to be on such a short stage!!! Imagine getting a flat and trying to get a team car to you. I also read that they're doing a grid start with the top 20 in GC order, so no starting as a team bunch. On narrow roads that should make for a crazy start. Should be amazing, can't wait for stage 17!!!
great for the TDF to go through this climb. I've climbed it in 2014, definitely the hardest climb in Hautes Pyrennees even compared to Tourmalet. You start with steep climb on the road to Pla d'adet and then you go to the road of Portet or i would say the track to Portet as the road is no more maintained since the beginning of 90. So an advice i you want to go before they paved it for the TDF better to use a mountain bike.
What you's dont know is that Mike wears this very outfit in the clubs, goes down a storm ;) - only joking Mikey, double thumbs up for pulling this out the bag - this'll get bags of views from the pro's im sure. Their really is something to these vids, you capture the ambiance of mtns when theirs no one there...
Great video Mike, looks amazing. I noticed you're using disc brakes. I'm thinking about my next bike and can't decide on rim versus disc, what's your view? Thanks.
Hi Matt, as an old school traditionalist I was always happy with rim brakes, I started using my SuperX disc on the road more and then when I went back it was like night and day. I built up an EVO Disc for the summer and I absolutely love it. The power, modulation and overall performance is just so good. Definitely no going back to rim brakes for me unless I'm doing a hill climb where I want to shave a few grams and I'm not worried about the descent afterwards! Hope that helps. Ride safe, Mike
Hey, the final climb is not tarred, it's will became the french colle della finestre, i wonder if she will still be not tarred or not when the tour de France will ne here, think you and congratulation
Am I right in thinking that the portet has been fully surfaced since this was filmed? Am heading out there next summer and this is on my "must do" list
Yep, it was resurfaced for the Tour de France in 2018 but to be honest the tarmac they used isn't that great so there's a fair chance it's bit bumpy again now! All rideable though on a normal road bike. Enoy!! Mike
Great vid Mike. Will you be doing an Etape recon for the Annecy stage? Last year's really helped with my prep. The one Nico Roux has done with Schleck is mainly in French and useless to me!!
Great video as always. I really hope they keep the gravel sections. Do you think we will see any of the pros running tubeless next year due to the increased puncture protection on a stage like this?
Mark Vogler I reckon tubulars with sealant or tubeless would be a very wise decision if they keep the gravel, which I’m praying they will do. While we were filming I felt the rim donk a few times when I hit a pothole and I thought “ey-up, here we go, pinch flat on the way” but it never happened. I think for everyday use the new Mavic road UST is spot on. I’m a light rider but I often find myself tackling terrain that’s much more suited to a CX bike (all in the name of fun) and the puncture resistance has been outstanding.
Excellent footage and commentary. Makes me want to fly straight over there and start riding. What was the month you rode there ? Seems to be cooler weather but still dry conditions. Top notch stuff mate. Keep up the great work.
Hi Mike, great video... as always. I see you have a new bike with hydraulic disc brakes... was it a positive thing during descending? Did you have more confidence?
Great question, the short answer is yes, definitely more confidence in all conditions with disc. I've just uploaded a video taking a look at my bike and why I use what I do, you can check it out on the channel now. Hope it helps! Mike
J90JAM It’s a surprisingly small team. One videographer and one graphics guru that both work with us part time. My better half (Deb) does all the photos, aerial images, logistics and support and I do the riding, presenting and final editing. Aside from that Deb and I manage everything else. Very pleased you appreciate our production value, there’s a heck of a lot of midnight oil that’s burnt to create each video ;-)
Phaidrus Yep, I’m running the new Yksion Pro UST 25mm tyres. Normally I’ll put 75psi in the front and 78psi in the rear. For this stage I dropped it a few psi to accommodate the gravel. Hope that helps. Mike
Thanks for replying. I've ordered this very wheelset (due to arrive this week, hopefully) and I'm somewhat worried as Mavic indicate max pressure 87psi with the 25mm Yksion Pro UST tyres. At 75kg will such low pressure be enough for "competition" use and/or fast Strava climbs? We'll see...
Phaidrus Honestly I think the pressure will be fine. Run them at the recommended pressure and I’m sure you’ll feel how fast they are but also how much control you have. I run my tyres way lower than I ever used to, my old school mentality always thought hard is fast but it’s not the case. You need to be able to corner in control too. Ride safe and enjoy!
Thanks again for replying. You're right, pressure should be fine. Since last November I've been running the non-UST version of this wheelset (Cosmic Pro SL Disc) and I'm totally happy with it.
Said it before I’ll say it again; this channel needs to be publicly funded. This is a superb public service.
Boëthius M thank you for your appreciation.
100% agree! Captivated me throughout the whole video, thank you!
Sufferlandria training video- I have the hi-mod Synapse as in the older ones except disc drakes
I would pay monthly. It's one of the channels providing real, genuine, info, and you can see the dedication in how it's filmed. Always a pleasure to watch, re-watch, set next targets! Well done, The Col!
The production quality of your videos is outstanding, always a great pleasure to watch you and see how unused your saddle seems to be!
Love this. Near the end with the sunset silhouette shot of Mike on the gravel sending a stone flying off with a cloud of dust. Simply epic!
Bravo for another masterpiece ! Awesome landscapes, superb explanations and obviously, great enthousiasm. Again , you raised the bar for the greatest channel out there!
That said; i'm going to call-in sick 07/25/18 !
This stage will be remember forever.
I always get goosebumps when I watch your videos....Thanks again for this quality content....
goosebumps right now!! take me to france on july 25, 2018 !! i'm here in taiwan!!!!! so inspiring Cotty!!!! sharing this to all my friends! who knew they would donate me some plane ticket funds!!!
anthony homer ulsa Come on over and we’ll ride these climbs together!!
Great video, brought back good memories. I went riding in the Pyrenees for the first time this September, absolutely loved it! We went up the other side. The crepe shop at the top of the Peyresourde was the perfect break before the fun of a nice long decent back into Luchon where we were based. Can't wait to get back.
What a stage this promises to be. Great film Mike.
Absolutely stunning production! Everything about it!
Amazing as always! Shots like 15:27 and 16:35, love it!
no words to express. I am overwhelmed by it
Incredible stage...no work getting done that day...eyes will be glued to every second of the action. The gravel sections make it...they just cannot take them out.
Your vids just get better and better. Well done Mike!
For me one of the most beatiful videos on the Channel. Amazing.
Thank you for your appreciation. Personally I'm very proud of this video. Ride safe, Mike
Excellent vid. Those views are astonishing! Beautifully shot.
Roll on July when we visit the Pyrenees and get the chance to ride Col de Portet the week before the Tour!
Looks incredible.
What an inspiration! The best video so far... Also one big like for the Disc brake bike!
Who is still here six years later? Such beautiful roads! Cannot wait to return.
Can't stop watching it. Stunning video!
excellent Mike and the Collective well done beautiful ride lovely area
Really nice video...probably the most enjoyable of them all...thanks Mike and your team for doing this..
Thanks again Mike. Every video is a dream with eyes opened!
Just stunning. And you somehow managed to magic all the cars away!
Another wicked video Mike.
Fantastic video, Mike.
Great video. Thanks for the enthusiasm that you put in your videos
Incredible video! I was there this summer and it reminded me how awesome the Pyrenees are!
Col de Portet looks like an absolute stunner!
It is that and more!! Soooo goooood!!
I'm a real terrible climber (sprinter) but I have an unexplained urge to get on a plane and ride these mountains every video I watch. Just absolutely beautiful cycling! Please keep making more videos.
Hi Steve, it doesn't matter about your ability, with the right gearing and mindset the mountains are there for everyone to enjoy. Super pleased our videos are helping to get you motivated. If you ever fancy riding together with the full support of The Col Collective then check out our cycle tours at thecolcollective.com. Would be awesome to ride with you one day. All the best, Mike
Thanks for replying Mike. I am looking into a tour (I'm from Australia) this year so I'll certainly take a look at yours. Cheers.
Super! If I can help more in anyway just give me a nod any time. Ride safe, Mike
love it ! I always get so super inspired by this short films , we have to go Mike !! love this stage !! must be in the next Tour we do !!! Bravo The Col collective you are the best !!!
Andreas Carmona You should come on our Tour de France cycling tour next year, we’ll ride this stage in full and watch the pros in action! Can’t wait, it’s going to be amazing!! 🙌🏻
This video is a true piece of art thank you for the inspiration.
Can't wait for going there myself this summer
Yet another fantastic production Mike. I totally agree with your comments about how this stage will play out. There are going to be fireworks for sure :-)
Excellent video and production quality. Am very pleased to find 'The Col Collective'. I may have to bring my bike (from Aus).
Congratulations, good job. It is really pleasure watching you.
A really good video could be the best cycling video I have seen yet. Booking the ferry now!
What a brilliant video. I'll be out in the Pyrenees either next year or the year after - this looks like a must-do.
Who’s watching this on the rest day July 23rd 2018? Spectacular video!!!! I’m so stoked for this upcoming stage.
I'm seeing it the day before
Just rode the Portet this past summer, and it's paved all the way to the top now
Simply superb!
Inspirational! Great job again Mike and team - superb video - thank you.
OMG this is extraordinarily tough - I tried to do it today but turned back before getting to Pla d'Adet because I just couldn't take any more (first time ever - very humbling). Already feel sorry for the sprinters and any rider injured or ill at the start of this stage.
Another great video, Mike. It brought back great memories of my starting in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, then riding up the Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin then Col de Peyresourde in September last year, before finally stopping in Bagneres-de-Luchon for the night. A great day's riding! :)
Fantastic production level on these video's
Greatest job Mike
Looks awesome. Can't wait for the 25th.
Ahhh. So enjoyable Mike. Thanks
Best video yet!
Fantastic video
outstanding video.
Stunning Visuals/ And I am siding with you to let the gravels at its place. New dimension to the TDF
Enjoyed every second !!!
What a superb video guys
Damn, can't wait to watch this stage next year!
Excellent video, thanks.
Nice, congratulation Mike !
Nice new team edition bike you got there
Luke Stockton Absolutely loving the discs! Soooo gooood!!
Wonderful!
Only January and alredy getting hyped for TdF!
Nice vid as usual :) Guess I need to come back to do the Col de Portet afterall!
Pla d adet is rough from the bottom to the right-hand turn to the Portet....long sections of 9+% with no turns . I did it with the backing sun off the rock walls, I was so glad the clouds rolled in and the climb to the Portet was pleasant. In this video the road is gravel, however, it was paved well to the summit.
Great video....wow, the dude can ride.
Yesssssss. This will be epic.
Can't wait for July 2018!
great video as ever... or even better!!!
Amazing cinematics...props to your editor!
Private _HS Thank you kindly. I put massive effort into every detail of the editing.
Only 65km long stage - I'm already worried about how densely packed the spectators are going to be on such a short stage!!! Imagine getting a flat and trying to get a team car to you.
I also read that they're doing a grid start with the top 20 in GC order, so no starting as a team bunch. On narrow roads that should make for a crazy start.
Should be amazing, can't wait for stage 17!!!
WOW, JUST WOW.
Damn cool video.
going to watch it a few more times while I follow along on google maps
great for the TDF to go through this climb. I've climbed it in 2014, definitely the hardest climb in Hautes Pyrennees even compared to Tourmalet. You start with steep climb on the road to Pla d'adet and then you go to the road of Portet or i would say the track to Portet as the road is no more maintained since the beginning of 90. So an advice i you want to go before they paved it for the TDF better to use a mountain bike.
great scenery ;)
Great video. I sense a CF solo breakaway just like stage 19 of the Giro..., assuming the asthma isn't flaring up. Lol
This is el piriiii 😍👏👏
Good Job!!!
Gravel in tdf ! Can't wait
What you's dont know is that Mike wears this very outfit in the clubs, goes down a storm ;) - only joking Mikey, double thumbs up for pulling this out the bag - this'll get bags of views from the pro's im sure. Their really is something to these vids, you capture the ambiance of mtns when theirs no one there...
As good as ever :D
Great video Mike, looks amazing. I noticed you're using disc brakes. I'm thinking about my next bike and can't decide on rim versus disc, what's your view? Thanks.
Hi Matt, as an old school traditionalist I was always happy with rim brakes, I started using my SuperX disc on the road more and then when I went back it was like night and day. I built up an EVO Disc for the summer and I absolutely love it. The power, modulation and overall performance is just so good. Definitely no going back to rim brakes for me unless I'm doing a hill climb where I want to shave a few grams and I'm not worried about the descent afterwards! Hope that helps. Ride safe, Mike
Thanks Mike, great advice, I tend to agree. I'm taking on Glandon, Galibier and Alpe d'huez next year and your videos are a real inspiration.
Matt Howroyd Allez, allez, allez!!
Great. Brilliant. Jealous!
But....where is the Col de Pailheres!!? Still waiting 😀
Alluvial Fan Coming soon, working through a huge library of mountains at the mo. Keep ‘em peeled!
Hey, the final climb is not tarred, it's will became the french colle della finestre, i wonder if she will still be not tarred or not when the tour de France will ne here, think you and congratulation
Am I right in thinking that the portet has been fully surfaced since this was filmed? Am heading out there next summer and this is on my "must do" list
Yep, it was resurfaced for the Tour de France in 2018 but to be honest the tarmac they used isn't that great so there's a fair chance it's bit bumpy again now! All rideable though on a normal road bike. Enoy!! Mike
@@TheColCollective thanks Mike
Great vid Mike. Will you be doing an Etape recon for the Annecy stage? Last year's really helped with my prep. The one Nico Roux has done with Schleck is mainly in French and useless to me!!
Unfortunately not, I was filming Stage 17 while the other guys at Mavic checked out the Etape route. Sorry about that. Mike
Great video Mike. Should make for compelling viewing given what Froome did in the Giro. Will you be riding stage 10 in advance of the Etape?
Great Video. Could you name the soundtrack titles?
Beautiful! Curious: are the roads always that empty? Were you permitted to have a "rolling road block" for your crew?
Great video as always. I really hope they keep the gravel sections. Do you think we will see any of the pros running tubeless next year due to the increased puncture protection on a stage like this?
Mark Vogler I reckon tubulars with sealant or tubeless would be a very wise decision if they keep the gravel, which I’m praying they will do. While we were filming I felt the rim donk a few times when I hit a pothole and I thought “ey-up, here we go, pinch flat on the way” but it never happened. I think for everyday use the new Mavic road UST is spot on. I’m a light rider but I often find myself tackling terrain that’s much more suited to a CX bike (all in the name of fun) and the puncture resistance has been outstanding.
Please don't tarmac over the gravel ASO! It adds to the spectacle. Great video 👍
Excellent footage and commentary. Makes me want to fly straight over there and start riding. What was the month you rode there ? Seems to be cooler weather but still dry conditions. Top notch stuff mate. Keep up the great work.
Hi Mike, great video... as always. I see you have a new bike with hydraulic disc brakes... was it a positive thing during descending? Did you have more confidence?
Great question, the short answer is yes, definitely more confidence in all conditions with disc. I've just uploaded a video taking a look at my bike and why I use what I do, you can check it out on the channel now. Hope it helps! Mike
Thanks, Mike! Did check it... cool video and well explained. One more question. Do you also ride a MTB/ATB or is just on the road?
I ride on and offload, started with cyclocross 25 years ago, then MTB, then road, now everything :-)
Amazing. Keep up the good work!
Wow, 65 brutal kilometers..
How big is the Col Collective team? Great production values, as ever.
J90JAM It’s a surprisingly small team. One videographer and one graphics guru that both work with us part time. My better half (Deb) does all the photos, aerial images, logistics and support and I do the riding, presenting and final editing. Aside from that Deb and I manage everything else. Very pleased you appreciate our production value, there’s a heck of a lot of midnight oil that’s burnt to create each video ;-)
Didn't know Luis Leon Sanchez spoke English so well.
Another excellent video, thanks Mike! Btw, are you running Yksion Pro UST tubeless 25mm tyres? If so, what pressure F/R?
Phaidrus Yep, I’m running the new Yksion Pro UST 25mm tyres. Normally I’ll put 75psi in the front and 78psi in the rear. For this stage I dropped it a few psi to accommodate the gravel. Hope that helps. Mike
Thanks for replying. I've ordered this very wheelset (due to arrive this week, hopefully) and I'm somewhat worried as Mavic indicate max pressure 87psi with the 25mm Yksion Pro UST tyres. At 75kg will such low pressure be enough for "competition" use and/or fast Strava climbs? We'll see...
Phaidrus Honestly I think the pressure will be fine. Run them at the recommended pressure and I’m sure you’ll feel how fast they are but also how much control you have. I run my tyres way lower than I ever used to, my old school mentality always thought hard is fast but it’s not the case. You need to be able to corner in control too. Ride safe and enjoy!
Thanks again for replying. You're right, pressure should be fine. Since last November I've been running the non-UST version of this wheelset (Cosmic Pro SL Disc) and I'm totally happy with it.
Phaidrus if you like the non UST version I’m sure you’re going to love these!
nice video, but why does he ride in his pyjama?
@mike cotty you smashed it on this ride. No struggle detected, or is that clever editing?
Just slip a bit of slow-mo in when I start to gasp for air? ;-)
Tom Dumoulin!!!!!
Awesome 👍
Mike ....who is this clown?
Cotty looks like he's wearing a track suit.
I personally think this is to short to be a stage
They can't resurface road................. You may as well do the stage on Zwift if they do.
james butler Totally agree! #SaveTheGravel
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