Col d'Aspin (Campan) - Cycling Inspiration & Education
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- čas přidán 14. 10. 2024
- It may not be the highest, hardest or longest climb in the Pyrenees but that’s not to say the Col d’Aspin should be totally overshadowed by the more prestigious peaks in the area. Starting from Sainte Marie de Campan you face a 12.8km climb at a moderate 5% average gradient. Unlike the steep pitches of Hautacam or the Col de Portet d’Aspet, the Aspin is gentle in comparison, initially meandering alongside the Adour de Payolle river before the road starts to rise with 5km to go. It’s for this reason that the Col d’Aspin is a perfect ascent if you’re new to the mountains and want to tackle something a little less daunting but equally as iconic. First used in the Tour de France in 1910 the Aspin has been used over 70 times in the race, often acting as the ‘middle man’ linking the Tourmalet and Peyresourde. Smell the rich pine aroma, fill your lungs with mountain air. The Aspin is like a good friend, there to encourage you to enjoy the day at your own pace and without the nervous prospect of a hammer to the head moment that can so often sit in the back of your mind and distract you from fully appreciating just how wonderfully mellow the mountains can be.
Start: Sainte Marie de Campan
Length: 12.8km
Summit: 1,489m
Elevation gain: 649m
Average gradient: 5%
Max gradient: 9%
Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, La Fuga, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, Torq Fitness and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you're in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning :-)
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Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.
Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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After watching this great video several times, I decided to go for it last summer when we were on holidays in France. I had never climbed before and weighing in at approximately 120kg, this was a massive challenge. I cursed, I died a couple of times but I didn't quit and thanks to all the cheering of my daughter and wife I succeeded.
So thank you for this great video and for, in some way, helping me to achieve my goals.
Once again, the Col Collective delivers....with spectacular views, a bit of historical lesson and of course, Inspiration. Merci, Danke, Grazi, Gracias and thank you
Nice one, Michael. The descent as you carry on over the top, towards the Peyresourde was my favourite in the whole area. A pure joy :)
Bravo !!
I was young at the time (teens) but heavy into cycling riding my all steel and very heavy Schwinn World. My brother called me into the living room to let me know the TDF was on. At the time cycling be televised was the equivalent of seeing a blue moon. This was the first time I've seen actual pro cycling other than magazines.
I walk into the room and it's Phil Liggett and Sam Posey commentating and on the TV screen the camera was on Greg Lemond starting the Col D'Aspin.
Thanks for bringing back that memory Mike - ride on !
What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing, that's made my day and brought a huge smile to my face :-)
Always and all the time is really
pleasure waching video by
The Col Collective.
Thanks, great way for me to start the weekend
kwacker45 BOOM, now time to ride some bikes! :-)
God must live in these mountains. Great video, great athlete and great music. Thanks.
Ricardo Rosales Thank you for your support Ricardo, it's truly appreciated! Peace, Mike
perfect video for me! Climbing, awesome scenery and music.
The scenery its freaking awesome!
Climb more mountain Mike!
evilrich1 For sure Rich, the more mountains the merrier that's what I say! Mike
Hey Mike, lovely video as always, thank you. :)
Now i've seen you have climbed Aspin, Peyersourde, Tourmalet and Aubisque, what about to do a video one day about the legendary stage Luchon - Bayonne from the Tour de France 1910 ?
Super work again The Col Collective ....Peppy music to the serene one by the end of the video... beautiful work with the camera, wonderful scenery to look at, the info bits were nice...Small climb in comparison but part of Vuelta, nice! .... Well done Mike Cotty ...superbly inspiring video...did not seem like a 6 mins piece...way longer ...Cheers :)
Rahul Kotabage Thank you so much for your support and appreciation Rahul. So, so, happy you're enjoying our videos :-) Mike
Nice view at the end...
omg~~ the scenery frm the top make me say "WOW" !! good job man!!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
Loving the videos! come to italy...lots of great climbs
Beautiful between the pines
Another great video - thanks Mike. It's worth noting that at Payolle, with 5km to go, there are a number of restaurants so finding something to eat is not an issue. It's also well worth putting on fly spray, particularly if it's hot, as with all the cows roaming free at the top there can be absolutley clouds of flies - really unpleasant.
Pretre69 Excellent tips! Thankd for your input! M
damn this is some epic cycling footage.
Well done.
Another awesome film! Can you tell me how you manage to get such good audio from the bike? I can't see any mic set up and can't imagine it comes from the camera when it shows a long shot. Movie magic. And very nice Outro too.
JohnBertrand Hi John, we use a little radio mic (which is in my back pocket) and the mic itself clips to my collar. Works a real treat......especially when I'm breathing heavily! ;-)
beautiful
Brilliant series! Will you be doing the Col de Pailheres anytime? That's the only one I've done 😉
Alluvial Fan We're hoping to bring many more climbs in the Pyrenees to life. Fingers crossed we can make it to the Pailhères. Last time I rode it it was a block headwind and it nearly brought me to a standstill so I feel there is unfinished business to be had with it ;-) Thanks for watching. Mike
Nice to see some climbs that are not all Montirolo's! Your Mavic wheels look quite deep section for climbing wheels Mike, what model are they are I am after some new wheels since my Dura Ace C24's failed? They seem to work well for you.
Hi Neil, I was riding with the Mavic CC40, a versatile wheel for valleys and climbs. If you need any more help just ask. Mike
Hey Mike, thanks for another inspiring video. If I may ask, are your tires 23 or 25mm?
Phaidrus I prefer to use 25's as they offer a touch more comfort, confidence on the descents and lower rolling resistance. Thanks for your support! Mike
Cool
How do you like Di2? Much better than the mechanical one right?
Personally I absolutely love Di2. Used it for the last few seasons in all conditions and it's been faultless.
Mike Cotty great, because I am sick of derailleur problems all the time. they don't run smoothly needs adjustments all the time if you ride a lot. I will switch to di2 this week, local bike shop quoted me around $1700 for ultegra version
Enjoy the ride!!
Music tracks Mike Cotty?
Todd Perrett Hi Todd, we have a large library of non-commercial music that we work with to try and find the right tone, tempo and feeling for each climb. To the best of my knowledge the music isn't available through the usual sources like iTunes. I was trying to see if we could put a play list together but unfortunately we don't have the rights to do that :-( Sorry to not be able to help more. Best wishes, Mike