The French Alps are home to some of the most epic and challenging climbs in the world. Some of which are even included in the Tour de France!
In a quest to find, arguably, the most beautiful climb on the planet, Hank and Manon head out to the Alps and find a gem of a climb – the Lacets de Montvernier!
00:00 A climb that every cyclist needs to do!
00:25 The Lacets de Montvernier
01:04 Facts about the climb and stunning scenery
03:20 Why and how was the road built?
04:06 Reaching the top of Montvernier and final thoughts
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43 Comments
Well said – it might not be an "epic" climb, but a rewarding one indeed! One to include into the future french tour of one's own 🙂
Very nice, i live in Réunion Island and here we have also big climb with very beautifull landscape and vue.
Well done to you both. Hat tip to Manon who says she isn't a climber.
Is this a climb you'd like to ride?
Since I have the Alps in my back garden… it's OK. But far from the most scenic. I think Lukmanier, Grimsel and Furka are way nicer.
Go Manon go 👍
Rode it last year, very enjoyable 😊
Lysebotn, Norway
2 best presenters on one of the prettiest roads EVER
Although this video is well done and thank you for showcasing this road, I have to say that you may have missed a perfect opportunity to dispel the common misconception about climbing hills (Monon!). Climbing can be no tougher than riding flats, IF YOU HAVE THE CORRECT GEAR INCHES. I noticed that both of you are going slow and spinning easily at 80 rpms? Talking, gabbing, enjoying the view. Basically, I bet both of you were putting along in your ZONE 2? I'm also betting that both of you could have easily done that climb 3 more times. With the right gear setup, anyone can elevate their HR to 80% of MAX and truck along for 3 hours or more. Zone 2! Even at 8% grades. Nicely done though. Perhaps another video? Do that HC again and challenge yourself to not exceed 80% HR Max. See how slow and easy you can make it. Perhaps a "reverse" competition of who can climb that and use the least amount of effort. The lowest GRIT score!
Unfortunately, cycling the Lancets feels less scenic than this (and other) drone shots suggest. Because of the many trees and bushes between the hairpins, you don't have a real view on the street below. For scenic hairpins, I'd rather suggest Val Tremola (cobble stone section of the Gotthard pass) or the Stelvio.
I haven't done Alpe du Huez yet, but last year, I did Lacets de Montvernier instead, up to the top (Col du Chaussy), where you can see Galibier on the other side. 😍I then went on to the Col du Sapey. It was amazing! Sometimes, I have to come back here and ride the other side of the valley (Col de la Croix-de-Fer). I can fully recommend this climb. 👌😊
It looks better than it rides, but the last section up to the chaussy makes it worthwhile.
Col de la Madonne. With the sea views there are few better.
Good video…great drone shots…especially at 2.45 🚴👍
Its beautiful, but pretty short. I did it last year, going further up to Col de la Madeleine..great ride
Im with Manon; not a fan of climbing, but NOW knowing the grades are around 8% and it's not as long as i thought it was i wouldn't mind giving it a go one day. I'd especially like to try it going down!
Woww I want to do.
Great piece of cycling journalism, thanks so much to both of you for sharing the love of cycling.
Come and ride gata loops in ladakh India
He did say what I think he said?…didn't he?…
I'm just warming up for a short race , st. Lary Soulan to Pla d'Adet. Only 900m over 12km so not really a proper climb. Gonna treat it like an FTP test. Starting at 7pm
Looks beautiful, haven't heard of it.
When I was driving to Alpe d'Huez, I went over the Col du Glandon and fell in love with this climb. I am glad that I could conquer it on my bike some years later.
Looks awesome
How do I join the channel membership? I don’t see a link anywhere.
Love it! Great vid guys. This would make a good training video to play back on the turbo!
Climbing has no interest for me, I find it to be an over rated side of cycling. Descending is another matter – a test of skill, not fitness.
Most beautiful climb on the planet… Have you never been to Yorkshire?
So many mistakes in this commentary, three main one's – It's not a Col. It links the Maurienne Valley with Montvernier and ….. it's closed to spectators for the TdF.
been there ,done that ,got the pictures, but the ride is magnificent. Not as hard as the Alpe D'huez though.
It's a lovely climb. I raced some friends up it a couple of days after the 2015 etape as part of a 'recovery ride'… The col du chaussy (also part of that year's etape) is also a lovely climb esp toward the top so I would recommend keep going at the top of the lacets!
I reckon Illi Gardner could beat the female kom time. I know that you have invited her on your show before so think that it would be great if both Illi and Andrew Feather could both try for the records on a future episode – if they are interested
well hats off to both of you, who cal talk normally on a 8% average climb and enjoy the views. Especially for someone who call themselves "not a climber"!
Thanks JLW , Manon , and crew . Great drone shots !!
Hank, on what???? 5:08
This style of climb is quite frequent on Mallorca. The Col de Soller for example not as steep but with 5 kilometers a bit longer.
It’s at the top of my hairpin bucket list!
Yes that climb will be on my bucket list now.
Hank and I?
It is an absolute beauty of a climb. One of my favourites and should feature on everyone's bucket list of Alp ascents.
Spectators were not allowed on that climb IIRC. Too narrow.
The first time that the Tour went up that climb they didn't permit any spectators on the climb because of safety fears.
Why do you have to talk and cycle? Just say what you wanna say and show your pics. Also, the lady should try to speak less squeaky and lower her voice. Hard to cope with.