Hors catégorie

Doing a little light Googling and I was a somewhat surprised- there are a lot more "beyond classification" climbs than I thought.

What would people (preferably people who have climbed them) put as the top five?

(Purpose of this listing is a possible cycling holiday this summer)

This can be based on history/romance value and so forth as well as the actual climb/view/cafe at the top.

The ones I can list without recourse to Wiki are:

Alpe d'Huez
Galibier
Hautacam
Tourmalet
Ventoux

Col d'Aubisque
Hautacam

I'm certain there's a lot more than this.

Alpe d'Huez isn't all that.

Ohw, you already put Hautacam. But yes, there's a few!

My French top five would be;

Ventoux
Galibier
Iseran
Tourmalet
Madeleine

Have you ridden them all Andy?

Yes. And many others in France.

Don't forget Lavender Hill. I came out of the Falcon one night, and it was so steep I couldn't get up it on all fours.

Are there any in and around, Auzances in the Massif Central?

The Puy de Dome?

Will look. The inlaws have a broken down house out there, it's in massive need of work. The dream is that it'll be ready soon.
le sigh.

80Kms away. Doable.

This famous image is from the Puy de Dome;

They are putting some kind of tram line up it, so bicycle access will be limited in the future, which is a real shame.

Ah bollocks, I read about that I think. It's never going to be on the tour again is it?

Why on earth is this in M&M?

It hasn't been on the Tour since 1988 I think.

Been up the Puy de Dome in the bus they used to run up there. Playing the weirdest music over the stereo.

This is no time for acid flashbacks.

Ok, in terms of a logical order, and including Zoncolan:

1. High speed pilgrimage to Lourdes, put bikes together
   
2. Tourmalet
   
3. Transit to Avignon
   
4. Ventoux
   
5. Transit to Chambery
   
6. Galibier
   
7. Recovery
   
8. Madeleine
   
9. Recovery
   
10. Iseran
    
11. Recovery
    
12. Transit to Udine
    
13. Zoncolan
    
14. Fin
    

I suspect that this might be taking things too far, the schedule looks like a killer.

Maybe a few fewer climbs, bit more flat/hilly stuff.

Why on earth is this in M&M?

Does not belong in rides and races (yet, planning innit) could not think where else to put it.

I suspect that this might be taking things too far, the schedule looks like a killer.

Maybe a few fewer climbs, bit more flat/hilly stuff.

^Massive blouse.

Do the Alps or the Pyrenees, not both.

It would make it a lot easier to drop Tourmalet- but, it's one of the greats.

Hmm, we could do that next year I suppose.

It's been there for millions of years, it isn't going anywhere.