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Mike Cotty Alps video 2 - 1Video: Mike Cotty's 674km, 34-hour, 16,000m Trans-Alps epic, part two
In one of the more bonkers endurance epics of a summer that seemed to be full of them, on August 5 and 6 Mike Cotty rode 674km from Evian-les-Bains to Nice in under 34 hours, crossing 17 passes and climbing 16,000m on the way.
Shortly after, his sponsor Mavic released the first of two videos of the ride, covering the section from Evian-les-Bains to the top of the Galibier.
In part two we rejoin Mike just as dawn breaks over the Alps and he contemplates the 2,800m Col de la Bonette.
Mike says: “When I put the plan together I wasn’t sure I had the ability to do it, but part of the fun is just trying. I get a lot of satisfaction from pushing myself and seing if I can rise to the challenge.”
Rise to it he did. Chapeau!
John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.
He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.
Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.
John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.
He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.
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23 comments
In absolute awe, amazing personal achievement that very few people could complete or even dare to attempt. Lovely camera work and captured the ride perfectly.
I tip my cap to you sir, chapeau
Stunning
What a ride and rider an amazing challenge. That 'Blaze' rear light is on my commuter shopping list!
A fine choice! Just be careful not to turn it on whilst looking directly at it (as I did). Retinas took a little time to recover
33 hours of riding the alpes and as fresh as a daisy.
Unbelievable.
I don't think I've ever had that much adrenalin in my body, and certainly not for that long!!!
Stunning views, filming and achievement. I wonder if at some point you stopped seeing the scenery Mike but I guess it was pretty unavoidable! Some of those shots had the hairs on the back of my neck standing. It amazes me that we saw it fit to build roads over such terrain (and then climb them on a bike!).
Respect to the two skateboarders too!
PS: what bike lights were you using on the front and back?
Although I didn't stop much, I made sure I took in the views all the way! Simply beyond words or comprehension at times!
I had a Reflex on the bike and Joystick helmet light. On the back I used the Blaze (all by Exposure). I guess the Galibier by night is a pretty ok test for them!
Ride safe.
Mike
Chapeau from the Antipodes! You're world famous, Mike.
Thank you. You're too kind by half. M
This is all kinds of crazy awesome. Chapeau, brilliant stuff. Thanks for the video, pretty inspiring!
chapeau.
inspiring, awesome just a couple of words come to mind off to do the raid pyreneen tomorrow makes that look like a sunday club run!
well done mike
Best of luck! Enjoy every second!
absolute top lad. amazing. (love the socks)
what a superb effort some stunning scenery to go along with a once in a lifetime achievement. Take a bow sir
Thanks for all the support everyone! Really appreciate the positive comments. It truly was a very, very, special ride and one that will live with me for a long time.
Safe riding to you all!
Mike
Congratulations, a super lifetime achievement to be proud of, well done Mike!
Amazing. Many congratulations Mike, that was quite a ride...
It was all going so well until he put yellow socks on!
Come on Mike - im sure you were delirious and all but..................
Beautiful film and beautiful achievement.
Ha! I like my yellow socks!
Top ride Mr Cotty, Hat! Cracking photography too.
Thanks Rupert! Won't be forgetting that one for a while!
Yes indeed Mr Cotty, "HAT" to you sir!