If I had 5 wishes
I have now ridden over 34 of the big climbs in France, so when I was asked which 5 climbs remain that I would still like to climb, I had to think - hard.
I know the top five climbs I would climb again, in a minute, if I could (although most would take about 85 minutes): Col du Galibier, Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aubisque, Col de la Marie Blanque, Mont Ventoux. In the United States I'd ride Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (both sides) and Cottonwood Pass near Crested Butte, Colorado.
I know the top five climbs I would climb again, in a minute, if I could (although most would take about 85 minutes): Col du Galibier, Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aubisque, Col de la Marie Blanque, Mont Ventoux. In the United States I'd ride Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (both sides) and Cottonwood Pass near Crested Butte, Colorado.
Which climbs would I like to climb in the future that I haven't climbed yet?
I would say these are the top 5 most beautiful, challenging, or meaningful climbs I have yet to climb and would love to experience:
5 rides in Europe
Passo dello Stelvio, Alps, Italy
5 rides in Europe
Passo dello Stelvio, Alps, Italy
Col de la Madelaine, Alps, France
Tour of three passes Furka-Nufenen-Gotthard. Switzerland (Alps)
Coll de Soller, Mallorca/Spain
and in Ireland Healy Pass, Co.Cork, Ireland
or, 5 rides in the United States
Going to the Sun Road, Glacier Park, Montana
Red Mountain Pass, Silverton-Ouray, Colorado
Independence Pass, Aspen, Colorado, both sides in the same day
King Ridge Road, California
I'd like to ride this climb with my nephew Kenny who won his age group and was 2nd overall at the Mount Diablo Bicycle Challenge race in 2009 at age 21, with a time of 0:47:10, and came in 5th in 2010. He also won Mt Evans Hillclimb race (SM4) in 2009 in a time of 2:05:31, but I'm not saying I want (or could) ride Mt Evans with him!
Kenny in 2009 nearing the summit of Mount Diablo
