When we arrived in The Alps the first few climbs up the Cols came as a bit of rude awakening. Now we have ridden up quite a few of them, they are no longer such a shock to the system although I do still have a love / hate relationship with them some days. But I thought it may be useful to share what I have learned along the way:
1. If there is still alot of snow on the ground or cloud up there, it is going to be cold at the top. Take something to wear up the top while waiting for everyone else – or just make sure you are last up so there is no waiting around.
2. Most times you will need to take an extra layer for the descent. Also fingerless gloves aren’t so great when you can’t feel your brakes on your way down.
3. Forget about your average MPH back home. They will go straight out the window as you will be climbing for an hour and a half plus on most climbs.
4. It becomes very quiet while climbing. Chatting becomes impossible as the huffing and puffing takes over.
5. Don’t look at the KM stones.
6. Ok, you looked! Try not to look at every one. They go past too slowly. The count of the hairpin bends can be a lottle more frequent but still seem too far apart.
7. If the percentage on the KM stone says anything less than 6% don’t fall for the trap. It doesn’t mean you’ve got an easy KM ahead. It means in the next KM there is a bit of downhill or flat and then it goes REALLY steep for the rest of the KM.
8. If the KM says more than 11% it is perfectly acceptable to let out a little whimper.
9. Singing helps. Making up lyrics about conquering hills does to.
10. Fellow riders may prefer you to sing in your head.
11. When the scrawny man passes you on his bicycle making it look really easy, just spinning away, try to say “Bonjour” as cheerily as possible as though you are just out for a gentle spin. Not that you are trying as hard as possible and are in fear of gasping your last breath.
13. Remember to look around at the stunning mountains surrounding you, not always just at your front wheel.
14. Don’t forget to take photos – even if it does ruin your Strava attempt. There are so many “pro’s” that ride these Cols you are very unlikely to get a KOM or QOM anyway.
15. ALWAYS take a photo by the Col’s peak signpost. That way you have secured a reminder of the altitude you reached that you can check out when you descend to normal oxygen levels.
16. The fun bit – the downhill. Let off your brakes and have some fun – you’ve earned it.
17. Try to look around those hairpin bends and not down the vertical cliff face you could fall down if you get the cornering wrong.
18. Don’t be dissapointed when your average MPH still looks really low at the bottom, despite you descending like a thing posessed at 40MPH. You probably spent three or four times the amount of time climbing at a snail’s pace as you did descending.
19. Descend at your own pace – don’t try and keep up with “the boys”. You need to judge every corner yourself with regards to the traffic, your brakes, how much you can feel your hands braking etc. And don’t forget about the stupid car drivers on the wrong sides of the road. There’s always one.
20. Don’t get too addicted and expect a Col to be conquered in every ride. Sometimes it is just a really, really big hill that isn’t classed as a Col. Don’t worry, it still counts as elevation on your Strava challenge.
I hope this provides some useful tips for riding in the mountains. They are really stunning and worth the adventure / torture !
