Mike: I have been infatuated by the Bonette ever since the Tour crested it in 2008. It and the Galibier are the two passes that attract me the most in the Alps and I cannot wait to fly across the pond and tackle them in hopefully the not so distant future. You really seem to have captured everything great about it. I wait with anxiety for every new video and absolutely love the work that you and the crew at Media24 do. I too have the itch to go uphill, and know that it's a true passion of mine due to the fact that I can't properly make sense of why it is that i enjoy it so much. Pain, sweat, suffering, etc... there's just something about pushing yourself beyond what you once thought you were capable of that brings me such a feeling of joy knowing that there is always another mental world waiting to be discovered. That being said, I am also inspired by your endurance undertakings like Les Alpes and RTMB. I am planning on doing one of my own in the coming 1.5-2 years (also on a Super Six Evo I might add) to truly mark a full recovery from hip surgery I had this past year and open up a new world of my own. I am 24 and I am an engineer with a passion for things that are far beyond the realm of my current career (I believe you were in a similar position if I'm remembering a podcast interview correctly), and seeing what you have put together with Col Collective has only further inspired me to think about my future from a passion and joy perspective rather than focusing purely on financial growth. Keep up the excellent work. The Col Collective is the ultimate service to the cycling community simply due to the inspiration it gives us to follow in your footsteps and get lost in the hills. Thanks for everything.
+Dan McNamara Hi Dan, thanks so much for your appreciation. If you need any help or advice when you come to plan your challenge then just drop me a line. I always had a certain draw towards the mountains, a feeling inside that was stronger than anything else inside my head is what led me towards this journey. I'm so grateful for the support towards The Col Collective. It's been a burning ambition of mine for so long it feels so good to be able to bring a small essence of why we ride to life and to share it with others in a way that really means something to me. Good luck for the future, ride safe and keep the faith. Mike
These climbing clips are becoming beautiful little movies which express the passion of the makers of it. very well done again. Every time i come back, tank a little passion again, and train some more to get ready for some cols in th summer. Keep it up!
Keeping it real, as always thanks bro' im almost back to full health so bike has had a service after lounging in my spare room for four months. Your uploads have kept me sane!!
Simply superb, the music was perfect on this...every time it was building up to something....the last minute of this ride gave me goosebumps...wow loved it ..Cheers Mike Cotty for fantastic work and wonderful ride that you shared with us.
+The Col Collective Thank you Mike! I wish you as many kms in 2016 as Strava allows, go as fast uphill as Froome and as fast downhill as Sagan on Col de Manse, and, of course, exploring new mountaintops all around the world!
I climbed this side of the Bonette this summer, starting from Vinadio and climbing first the Colle della Lombarda and Col de Larche as the last climb. A fantastic ride, enchanting places. The music in the video at the beginning what is it called? There is very good with the images! Greetings from Italy
Got to love this man and his style. I've just come back from the Pyrenees (let me tell you about jet lag from France to the Antipodes sometime). He makes it look so easy and effortless, which is really an inspiration to do more training and lose a bit of weight. Oh, to be in France again - but without the 40C we experienced! Thanks, Mike.
lautoka63 Hope you enjoyed your time in the Pyrenees, I have a personal affection for that mountain range, absolutely stunning and so peaceful. Thanks so much for your support. Ride safe my friend. Mike
***** Hi Rob, it's a great point. At the moment I don't use a power meter. I found I was looking at the little box on my handlebars too much and not at the surroundings I was lucky enough to be passing through. Maybe I'll address that in the future. From past experience I'd estimate the sustained wattage to be between 250 and 330 approximately (higher if there's a particularly short and steep ramp). Hope that helps. All the best, Mike
Brent McCord Hi Brent, it really all depends on the climb. The Bonette from the south is much quieter than the north. Alpe d'Huez, Ventoux, Stelvio (e.g. the big guns) are generally very busy with cars and bikes as are the Dolomites in the summer. To avoid the traffic as much as possible it's best to try and ride out of season, or very early / late in the day. Smaller, less well known or slightly out of the way climbs are a lot quieter, sometimes we're the only ones on the mountain which is just perfect :-)
Amazing video as always, Mike. One question - are you willing to share your shooting dates for the videos? I'm curious because I would believe that the waterfalls would be running stronger in the spring and early summer rather than in August or September. Depending on when you have gone, and what you see, it helps with some "follow in the footsteps" travel planning. What do you think?
What time of year was this filmed do you remember? Planning on doing this from Nice at the end of October which should make it interesting to pack for.
perwiratempur Absolutely! I posted some details of the bike spec over at mikecotty.co.uk/portfolio-items/road-mont-blanc-bike-prep-tech/?portfolioID=40. The only main difference is the wheels (I've been using the CC40 clincher from Mavic). If you need any specifics let me know. Stay well. Mike
***** Well I live in flat part of the world, it's actually quite nice to roll along again after riding in the mountains. I think it makes the next visit feel even more special! :-)
This is the spirit , just you, your bike, nature, and enjoy the ride. Mike you did it again
Luis Philipe Peace to you Luis :-)
A stunning climb. I can not wait to climb it. Also mike cotty and col collective you guys are the best.
I've been there in 2018 (by bike): they are refurbishing the Champ des Fourches. Great video as usual. I seem to live again the experience every time.
Mike:
I have been infatuated by the Bonette ever since the Tour crested it in 2008. It and the Galibier are the two passes that attract me the most in the Alps and I cannot wait to fly across the pond and tackle them in hopefully the not so distant future. You really seem to have captured everything great about it.
I wait with anxiety for every new video and absolutely love the work that you and the crew at Media24 do. I too have the itch to go uphill, and know that it's a true passion of mine due to the fact that I can't properly make sense of why it is that i enjoy it so much. Pain, sweat, suffering, etc... there's just something about pushing yourself beyond what you once thought you were capable of that brings me such a feeling of joy knowing that there is always another mental world waiting to be discovered. That being said, I am also inspired by your endurance undertakings like Les Alpes and RTMB. I am planning on doing one of my own in the coming 1.5-2 years (also on a Super Six Evo I might add) to truly mark a full recovery from hip surgery I had this past year and open up a new world of my own. I am 24 and I am an engineer with a passion for things that are far beyond the realm of my current career (I believe you were in a similar position if I'm remembering a podcast interview correctly), and seeing what you have put together with Col Collective has only further inspired me to think about my future from a passion and joy perspective rather than focusing purely on financial growth.
Keep up the excellent work. The Col Collective is the ultimate service to the cycling community simply due to the inspiration it gives us to follow in your footsteps and get lost in the hills. Thanks for everything.
+Dan McNamara Hi Dan, thanks so much for your appreciation. If you need any help or advice when you come to plan your challenge then just drop me a line. I always had a certain draw towards the mountains, a feeling inside that was stronger than anything else inside my head is what led me towards this journey. I'm so grateful for the support towards The Col Collective. It's been a burning ambition of mine for so long it feels so good to be able to bring a small essence of why we ride to life and to share it with others in a way that really means something to me. Good luck for the future, ride safe and keep the faith. Mike
Fantastic 👏 . Thank you 😊 .
Looks stunning.
These climbing clips are becoming beautiful little movies which express the passion of the makers of it. very well done again.
Every time i come back, tank a little passion again, and train some more to get ready for some cols in th summer.
Keep it up!
speedsweets67 Thank you and good luck with the training and mountain riding! Enjoy! Mike
Awesome as always mike....
Very informative, beautiful pictures, good music. Very good video indeed. Keep them coming :-)
More on the way! :-)
Keeping it real, as always thanks bro' im almost back to full health so bike has had a service after lounging in my spare room for four months. Your uploads have kept me sane!!
Welcome back, happy to hear you're on your way to full health again. Perfect timing to enjoy some summer miles :-)
Your videos are top notch. Very inspirational. It makes me want to do some many climbs.
As always WOW...
☀️👍👍👍☀️💯 WOW !
GOOD STUFF!
Simply superb, the music was perfect on this...every time it was building up to something....the last minute of this ride gave me goosebumps...wow loved it ..Cheers Mike Cotty for fantastic work and wonderful ride that you shared with us.
Thank you sir. I'm so happy it brought that feeling to you, that's exactly what I was hoping. Take care. Mike
Mike Cotty Oh you did, surely did =)
Beautiful
Amazing video Mike with amazing scenary . Thanks a lot for showing us all this incredible mountains . I wish one day I can follow your routes.
valentin lopez puche Thank you Valentin, good luck when you do hit the mountains! :-)
Amazing video as always, so beautifully captured and dramatically edited! Can't wait for the Dolomites!
your videos are amazing, very inspiring... since I´ve found your channel, I can´t stop watching it...
Thanks... from Brazil
Ricardo Luiz Turatto Fantastic, thanks so much for watching Ricardo! More videos coming soon :-)
Great! Watching it from Sofia, Bulgaria and want to climb it one day! :)
BGmorthens Happy to hear that! Enjoy!
Watching this on January 1st while thinking about New Year's resolutions...couldn't get a better idea for a one :)
+Ilina Popova The Bonette is such a special climb, you won't be disappointed. Happy New Year! Mike
+The Col Collective Thank you Mike! I wish you as many kms in 2016 as Strava allows, go as fast uphill as Froome and as fast downhill as Sagan on Col de Manse, and, of course, exploring new mountaintops all around the world!
Nice climb
Deifnitely doing this one this summer. Nice-Bonette-Nice in a day 250km round trip
+Miles Darrington Go BIG!!!
I climbed this side of the Bonette this summer, starting from Vinadio and climbing first the Colle della Lombarda and Col de Larche as the last climb. A fantastic ride, enchanting places.
The music in the video at the beginning what is it called? There is very good with the images! Greetings from Italy
Got to love this man and his style. I've just come back from the Pyrenees (let me tell you about jet lag from France to the Antipodes sometime). He makes it look so easy and effortless, which is really an inspiration to do more training and lose a bit of weight. Oh, to be in France again - but without the 40C we experienced! Thanks, Mike.
lautoka63 Hope you enjoyed your time in the Pyrenees, I have a personal affection for that mountain range, absolutely stunning and so peaceful. Thanks so much for your support. Ride safe my friend. Mike
Another great video, thank you for that.
How about some swiss climbs? For example the Col du Sanetsch or the Lago del Narèt. That would be awesome.
Nutzername3866734986 Absolutely, we're hoping to visit some Swiss mountains in the future. Thanks for the tips, very much appreciated! Mike
Hey Mike, another excellent video. For future videos, would you consider mentioning your wattage, effort, etc. on the steep parts?
***** Hi Rob, it's a great point. At the moment I don't use a power meter. I found I was looking at the little box on my handlebars too much and not at the surroundings I was lucky enough to be passing through. Maybe I'll address that in the future. From past experience I'd estimate the sustained wattage to be between 250 and 330 approximately (higher if there's a particularly short and steep ramp). Hope that helps. All the best, Mike
brilliant as ever..
hope to tackle it this Sunday- the road looks empty of motorbikes and Porches!?
Great video again Mike! Is this rare to have so little traffic on these climbs? I saw no other cyclist, and maybe spied 2 vehicles. To me... perfect!
Brent McCord Hi Brent, it really all depends on the climb. The Bonette from the south is much quieter than the north. Alpe d'Huez, Ventoux, Stelvio (e.g. the big guns) are generally very busy with cars and bikes as are the Dolomites in the summer. To avoid the traffic as much as possible it's best to try and ride out of season, or very early / late in the day. Smaller, less well known or slightly out of the way climbs are a lot quieter, sometimes we're the only ones on the mountain which is just perfect :-)
Thanks for the great information Mike! Sounds like bliss having it all to yourself!
Amazing video as always, Mike. One question - are you willing to share your shooting dates for the videos? I'm curious because I would believe that the waterfalls would be running stronger in the spring and early summer rather than in August or September. Depending on when you have gone, and what you see, it helps with some "follow in the footsteps" travel planning. What do you think?
Great video as always! Anyone knows the First song?
sooo loveeee dis ^_^
Soo very nice.. Tho I wonder Mike, do you like the Ups or Downs more ?? 😎
lee a dorney Ooh, tough choice. I think both compliment each other perfectly. Dig deep on the way up, let it flow on the way down! :-)
+The Col Collective You are the worst cyclist of all time !
Eddy Merckx der Beste That's really funny, seriously! now grow up fast and come back when you can make sense of life!
Inspiration ;)
Hi Mike, thanks for the great uploads and the effort.
Could you tell me around what time you begin your rides and the months?
Thanks
👍👍👍👍😀
What time of year was this filmed do you remember? Planning on doing this from Nice at the end of October which should make it interesting to pack for.
5:37 if you like South Park look at the left wall. enjoy
Mike, anyway for you to share your bike setup and details?
perwiratempur Absolutely! I posted some details of the bike spec over at mikecotty.co.uk/portfolio-items/road-mont-blanc-bike-prep-tech/?portfolioID=40. The only main difference is the wheels (I've been using the CC40 clincher from Mavic). If you need any specifics let me know. Stay well. Mike
Mike after riding all these beautiful scenic mountains riding in a city environment or on the flat roads must feel really boring for you.
***** Well I live in flat part of the world, it's actually quite nice to roll along again after riding in the mountains. I think it makes the next visit feel even more special! :-)
Robert Miller 1993 enough said
My name is ETIENNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!