Cycling Climbs

Cycling uphill is always hard, and cycling all the way to the summit of a mountain can be excruciating, yet road cyclists from across the world have long embraced the hairpin bends, steep gradients and thin air of mountain roads. This book of 20 cycling climbs from across Europe, the USA and South America offers a glimpse into the allure of reaching the high mountains by bike. Each climb includes a dedicated drawing by Nigel Peake – which can be detached and framed – and a description of the climb, including details of its height, length and gradient. Notorious stories of each climb's inclusion in the great cycling races, such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, are also told, as well as tips for following in the tyre tracks of the greats and taking these monsters on yourself. This is a complete guide to 20 legendary cycling climbs and a unique document of the suffering and reward that cyclists seek up in the cols and passes of the mountains.