Epic Cycling Climbs
The magic and passion of cycling in the mountains. I love sharing my passion for cycling and mountain climbs can hopefully inspire others to enjoy it as much as I do.
Discover Epic Cycling Experiences
I love cycling in the mountains with all its emotions, grand scenery, freedom and have put together this site with iconic mountain routes, climbs and cycle experiences.
I have included tried and tested travel tips to optimise your cycling trips.
There is practical guidance on training, bike maintenance and access to resources for cycling enthusiasts I found particularly useful.
But first: Why do we ride?
Why we ride
Passion for cycling in the mountains
Cycling up mountain passes is a physically and mentally demanding experience, and I have asked myself many times, “Why do I cycle?”
Is it the desire to overcome physical challenges — the burning legs and lungs, the strain of the effort, and the battle against fatigue?
Is it the need to stay focused and develop the mental toughness required to silence doubts and push through the pain?
Long climbs demand sustained concentration over extended periods and there are moments when your mind questions whether you can make it to the top.
Yet when you reach the summit, the intense focus on effort and struggle melts away, replaced by a powerful sense of achievement that makes all the suffering worthwhile.
The scenery around you is breathtaking and becomes a strong source of motivation.
For me, cycling in the mountains is a test of endurance, willpower, and resilience. It is a blend of pain, beauty, and triumph that leaves you with a profound sense of accomplishment and a deep connection to the landscape.
The history and stories of the mountains provide the canvas upon which every ride unfolds. The transformation of the Alps throughout history—from an inhospitable obstacle, where dragons were said to live, into the mountains we know today—offers countless stories that bring meaning and colour to the landscape and its inhabitants.
I have come to believe that without understanding what created these magnificent views and the very ground we ride on, you might as well be riding in a gym. It is the landscape and its history that give riding in the mountains its magical quality and make this activity truly unique.
From prehistoric trails to modern tunnels, the mountain passes of the Alps have shaped the continent’s history. They are more than mere routes through rock and snow; they are memories in stone, witnesses to migration, conflict, commerce, and curiosity. As both gateways and guardians, the passes of the Alps endure — linking past and present, challenging and inspiring all who traverse them.
There is an symbiotic relationship between cycling and the mountains. "To conquer them demands a slice of your soul. As a cyclist you leave a little of yourself on every mountain you ride" (Mountains - Epic Cycling Climbs,)
Travel
Practical advice for planning your cycling adventure in the mountains. Either staying in one place or bikepacking.
To make the best of your time in the mountains, I hope these tips and insights go a long way and help you to enjoy your travel as much as I do.
Iconic Mountain Passes
Detailed descriptions and riding experiences of famous mountain passes.
Ever since I started riding, I am hooked on riding in the mountains, especially the high mountain passes.
Travel Resources
Practical advice for planning your cycling adventure in the mountains. Either staying in one place or bikepacking.
To make the best of your time in the mountains, I hope these tips and insights go a long way and help you to enjoy your travel as much as I do.
Training Resources
Getting fit for riding in the mountains does not happen from the couch. It requires preparation and training, strength and stretching. Often these rides push your boundaries in ways you have not imagined before.
Maintenance & Tyres
Essential tips for keeping your bike in perfect condition for your journeys and what tyres to choose.
Even if you are not mechanically minded, fixing the basics on your ride can go a long way. Keeping the bike in good nick makes riding more enjoyable.
Discover the open road
I came to cycling during the COVID years and have never looked back. Cycling in the mountains and climbing passes in particular is the most addictive and rewarding activity. I put this site together to share my passion for the sport, and maybe inspire others to start riding their bikes. I started riding in Hong Kong and am now exploring the roads of Europe and the UK.
Always remember, you can have fun on virtually any bike, any place.
I hope you find this site interesting and you can get in touch sharing your own riding experience, comments or questions.
Get in touch
Share your stories, suggestions and experiences riding your bike.
