Whatever way you look at it, the Stelvio is a spiritual cycling experience like no other. First featuring in the Giro d’Italia in 1953 its long history and sky high credentials make it a mountain of legend and unique lure for every rider that dares to tackle its serpentine slopes. Not only is it the highest road pass in Italy at 2,758 metres above sea level but it’s also the highest finish of any Grand Tour stage. That aside, it’s the architecture of the climb that really makes it famous and sets it apart from the rest. Bend after bend with a relentless gradient, jaw dropping waterfalls free-falling on a non-stop trajectory towards the valley below and a vast expanse of mountain mystique the higher you climb. That’s the real beauty of the mighty Stelvio, a true test of physical and mental strength all the way to the summit.
I’ll never forget the first time I rode the Stelvio from Bormio, in true Cotty fashion this was meant to be a “transition day” to get over the delights of a day of travel. We set off late in the afternoon with the original idea of spinning our legs out for a few kilometres just to loosen things up for the days to come. The higher we climbed the more inspired the ride became. When it was time to turn around neither my buddy or I had it in us to say let’s stop. I mean, they’re the rules right? “Don’t start something you don’t intend on finishing”. As the light began to dwindle and the temperature took a sharp dip, unintentionally we made it all the way to the top just in the nick of time as the final shops were shutting their doors for the night. The wind was bitter and we were well under dressed for the occasion. No time for selfies at the summit but just enough money for two cotton caps and a couple of copies of La Gazzetta dello Sport to stuff under each jersey to help against the wind chill (Giro style…..or so we thought). Watch out, the tunnels on the way down are dark and damp, even worse when you’re shivering like Frosty the Snowman. What a ride, what a climb, what a memory. Wouldn’t change it for the world!
Start: Bormio
Length: 21.5km
Summit: 2,758m
Elevation gain: 1,533m
Average gradient: 7.1%
Max gradient: 14%
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Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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37 Comments
Great video! Did the climb myself and this video realy made me relive the experience. By the way, what's the name of the remix in the beginning?
I really love your videos! I live in Switzerland and get the addiction with the Cols,(have already 45 in 4 summers done), just this Summer went to France to do the Route des Grandes Alpes…great Tour, I go with tent,pack and sack, but stil is amazing all where we can go and do by cycling. Thanks for the videos and wish you safe rides!
Great video, what month did you do ride it? Thank you
Just absolutely top notch cycling content. Your sponsors should be very, very pleased with everything this channel provides.
What a wonderful video!! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. From the captivating views accompanied by the pleasant sound track, along with the great information your bring to the screen. It made me want to jump on a bike and go for a ride! Thanks for the experience!
"Mike's using 34×25 gearing for this climb". Well screw you, Mike! I did that with 34×28 and nearly died. "Gradient alert! The final 3km are the hardest, averaging 10.3%" – and don't I know it! That's what nearly did me in, my airways narrowed because I was breathing so hard, I had to creep up gasping for air, barely rolling, dizzy and with tunnel vision until the airways opened up a bit again. And the bugger is going up that TALKING. Once you're on top however, it's more than worth it. Epic.
Mortirolo
I did it just two weeks ago…we had beautiful weather ….btw great videos very inspirative…keep it up:-)
Beauuuutiful !!! after you posted this short film , it really inspired me to go there ! in July last year I made it ! it was the first climb of a few Legendary "Puertos de Montaña " I have riden now , it open the door to a new level of riding for me , thanks for making a difference Mr Col Collective , see you out there on the lonely roads , it has to be that way ! good luck always ! Andreas Carmona.
Wow! Just wow. I would love to do this ride. I'm in awe of your riding. What kind of training do you do to stay out of the saddle on so much of this climb? You are really an inspiration. Thanks for the videos.
Hi Mike, hope you've had a great few weeks doing the Hautes Routes. I was watching this fantastic video for the umpteenth time today, and was wondering what the piano music you used from 5:27 to the end of the video was? I would love to learn to play it myself. Keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to your Nivolet video. Cheers, Rob.
Great video. Did the Granfondo Stelvio this year pasing Teglio, Mortirolo and finaly Stelvio. Great to see that weather can be other then rain truning to snow at the top.
Keep coming back to this video. The Stelvio is just magical.
What wheelsetS are those? They look nice!! I want to buy one.
awesome video, makes me want to ride every friggin day
Why bother with a saddle on your bike.😝
awesome job Mike
🙂 so beautiful. Thank you for inspiration! 🙂
How is possible 8 didn't like this video or any video that you make?Anyone who likes cycling,mountains,nature and watching this should be motivated and inspiring.That being said tomorrow morning I'll make my bikeride not in the mountains but in the center of Athens/Greece,it will be great though.
All of your films are fantastic as a cyclist you have expired me to cycle all over Europe yes aim doing Passo dello Selvio next year keep up the Fantastic filming
I just watched this video again, it never gets old, particularly since I rode this side of Stelvio in late June last year (followed by the Prato climb later that day). I love Stelvio, and hope I get to revisit it one day.
Riding Stelvio this year, but my god, what is that soundtrack?
are you really out of the saddle for most of the climb???? With a 25 on the back probably yes. Amazing! Fantastic vid cheers!
Please please tell me the name of the first song (dubstep) it is so good and really motivates me
cool!
I can thoroughly unwaveringly say that Europe has the prettiest ,the most soul-soothing and mood-uplifting landscape on the Earth and Italy is the prettiest pearl of Europe ! Wonderful video !
Doing this in a few weeks. What time of year did you do this?
In all of these videos you always see this gentleman out of the saddle more than in the saddle! It would seem he can stay out of the saddle more than Alberto Contador!!
I come back often to this film, to relive my ride up the Stelvio. I’m a religious man and don’t use the word spiritual lightly but I think you’re right Mike, it is a stirring experience and the mountain reaches into you in an indescribable way . What a glorious place what a spiritual ride.
Re Stelvio ,💂🏻🏅💂🏻
I did it this year. With 7 kg. luggage. From St. Motritz, to Zernez and the over two passes before taking the last one to Passo dello Stevio. I was devastated and emotionally exhausted. I fully enjoyed eating and drinking till I couldn’t take more and sleeping warm and cozzy in the hotel at 2764 metres😀😀. In total 18 mountain passes done this summer – about 1173 km in the Alps.
I did it in 2021, with luggage, from St. Moritz, doing 3 passes on my way up to Passo dello Stevio🚴🏻♂️🙂
Who is still watching this fenomenal videos today? Where is Mike this days?
Does this guy ever sit on his saddle??
Great video ! Stelvio is definitely on my bucket list.
Wow!! What a climb!!
Fantastic videos, always inspirational. Pity I'm at work at the moment, got itchy feet after watching that 😊