CLIMB A NEW MOUNTAIN
“They will be memorable miles”
If you’ve been lucky enough to travel to Europe to ride your bike in the past, chances are you’ve already ticked off a famous mountain or two from one of the Grand Tours. Well, they keep finding new ones to inspire you to try. Sure, grinding up a European mountain isn’t the quickest way to progress towards 5,000 miles but it’s certain to be the most memorable.
Monte Kolovrat, Italy
This climb on the border with Slovenia is 10km long and averages just a hair under 10%, making it fully worthy of its first category classification when it appears on stage 19 of this year’s Giro. It’s a mostly wooded ascent to 1,145m but the fleeting tree-framed views out over the mountains to the north should keep your spirits up.
Vetriolo Pass, Italy
To the east of the town of Trento in Italy’s north lies the Passo del Vetriolo. The Giro has climbed it from the south many times, perhaps most memorably when Andy Hampsten won an individual time trial up it in 1988 on his way to overall victory. This time, on stage 17, is the first time the northern road up will be used. Averaging 8% over its 11km there are some steep sections in the climb’s first half before it settles down.
Colláu Fancuaya, Asturias, Spain
It’s only 6.5km but there are sections at 16% on the way to its summit at 1,088m. The road was only paved in 2019 and is narrow but benefits from glorious wide vistas – this does mean you’re exposed in poor weather though. The even more brutal Angliru is not very far away so you can tick that off your list on the same trip.