Tag Archives: climbs

Epic Climbs: Mount Teide, Tenerife (Canary Islands)

The Col Collective break down this classic ride in Tenerife, a monster climb from sea level to 2250 m ride up the active volcano, Mount Teide. The volcano’s summit is at 3,718 m (12,198 ft). The summit is only accessible on foot or by cable car.

A Ride Up the Tallest Mountain in Spain

Mike Cotty (The Col Collective) leads you through this epic climb, from the coast through rugged lava fields and up to the plateau at the foot of Mount Teide. He rides a short route from El Médano on the south side, but it’s still 51 km, so you need to pace yourself.

The first half of the climb is around 4-6%, nothing too brutal. At the half way mark of Vilaflor things pick up to 11%, you’ll thank yourself if you kept your pacing in check on the first half.

The ride ends at the Parador de las Cañadas hotel, where you can reward yourself with food and drink while you soak up the stunning view. 

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A Spectacular Ride Up America’s “Mont Ventoux”

A beautiful introduction to America’s “Mont Ventoux,” Pike’s Peak in Colorado. With your ride summiting at 14,115 ft, you’re going to be gasping for air most of the way up.

Sadly, Pike’s Peak was only recently opened to cyclists in 2013. It’s a pity because is one of the most spectacular climbs in the United States, perhaps the world.

Pike’s Peak Vital Statistics

Start: Pikes Peak Gateway
Length: 19 miles / 30.5km
Summit: 14,115ft / 4,302m
Elevation gain: 6,315ft / 1,925m
Average gradient: 6.5%
Max gradient: 13%

One for the bucket list!

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The Top Ten Cycling Climbs in the US

Let’s face it, sprinting is fun, descending is thrilling, but the real action in cycling happens in the hills. When the road turns skyward, the gloves come off. If sprinting is a duel, over in a flash, climbing is a vicious, bare-knuckled slugfest that intensifies the agony and drags on, leaving everyone battered and bruised, even the victor.

And yet this brutal battle takes place not in a back alley, but in some of the most spectacular places on earth, heightening the drama and the spectacle.

We have a great selection of climbs here in the US, from the short and brutal, to the longest paved climb in the world (34 miles).

Courtesy of GCN, here’s the Top Ten Climbs in the US.