Skip to main content

Hi everyone,

Not sure if this interests anyone, but as a cyclist and follower of pro cycling it's well accepted that big mountains are among the most revered challenges.  The origin of KOM was from TdF as one example - when the award was ONLY for summiting a mountain.  

For me personally, I have a list of about 30-40 of the most iconic mountain climbs that I want to accomplish.  Many of them appear in the major stage races, and/or offer the most stunning scenery.  I've done about half so far.  Each of these is an amazing experience, and I plan a few every year.  

Is anyone interested in this topic, and want to discuss and share our experiences, as well as possibly having Strava acknowledge in some way those of us that have done this?  I bet there are many, many among us who have climbed these mountains and experienced the satisfaction and exhilaration of summiting.  Not to mention the thrilling descents.

Richard Forzani

Hello @Forza 


Thanks so much for your post.  For sure the big mountain climbs from the TdF are some of the most iconic.  I love watching the Pros climb Alpe d'Huez with all the switchbacks, and probably my second favorite is Col du Galibier; I agree, the scenery looks amazing, even on TV.  Haven't done any of them personally.


Which ones have you done so far and what do you have planned for this coming year?  Also - if you had to pick your top three favorites, what would they be?  

Hi Jane,

Thanks for your friendly note, and your interest.  

I'm a long-time fan of professional cycling and have followed races over the years (gulp, decades) and admire the challenge, both physical and mental, of climbing big mountains.  I also am captivated by their natural beauty.  For myself as an older rider I can no longer ride them fast, though I revel in the overall experience, and the satisfaction of reaching the summit.  The ones that have given me the most satisfaction considering several criteria would be the Stelvio Pass (Dolomites);  Sa Calobra (Mallorca); Mt. Washington (NH, USA).  These come time mind first, though there are numerous others. 

What are your favorite activities and any you'd recommend?  I'd like to connect on Strava but I dont know your last name!  hahah

Richard Forzani 

Hi Jane, sorry, it's me again.  You also asked which big mountains I'm planning for this year 2023.  As of now my plan is Colorado in July to do both Mt. Evans and Pike's Peak.  In September I plan to climb the Col d'Iseran in France, and Colle del Nivolet in Italy.  

Richard Forzani

Hello @Forza 


Thanks for getting back to me.  That's an impressive lineup.  I'm familiar with Pike's Peak, I had to look up where Mt Evans is.  That's a pretty long climb.  How do you find the reduction of oxygen at that kind of elevation?  


I know a bunch of people who have done the Mount Washington climb - I've heard it's common to have nice weather at the bottom and gale force winds at the top!  Did you encounter that?  Coincidentally, I heard on the News this morning the storm that heading towards New England this weekend is going to cause windchills of -90F at the peak of Mount Washington.  


 

Mt Washington summit recorded a record -108F windchill this past Friday.

Reply


Terms & ConditionsCookie settings