Col de la Bonette (Jausiers) - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Climbing its way through the Mercantour National Park, at 24km in length the Col de la Bonette really is an ascent that needs absolute respect right from the start. Pacing, pacing, pacing should be circulating in your head like a broken record throughout, especially as the steepest gradients up to 15% come in the final kilometre. Flashback to the summer of 2013 and the Bonette gave me many a sleepless night as I prepared for ‘Les Alpes’ a non-stop journey from Évian-les-Bains to Nice across the Alps. The fact that this monster rises up to 2,802 metres above sea level and claims to be the highest road pass in Europe is one thing, but I was going to hit it with 11 mountains and over 450km in the legs so on that occasion the word ‘daunting’ didn’t quite do justice to how my mind and stomach were feeling at the time. As I made it to the summit I could feel an overwhelming sense of fulfillment surge through my whole body, the pain disappeared and despite everything I felt more alive than ever. That’s the true power of the Bonette and the reason why I love this climb so much. I hope this video helps you explore your own limits and adds to your mountain memories now and in the future. Start: Jausiers Length: 24km Summit: 2,802m Elevation gain: 1,589m Average gradient: 6.6% Max gradient: 15% For more help and advice visit our website at http://thecolcollective.com, become part of our col community and sign up for our free newsletter for monthly updates. If you’re able to help spread our message by sharing with your friends and fellow riders then that would be truly appreciated. Our goal is to try and get more people on their bikes and enjoying the magic of the mountains. Never miss a video, subscribe to our YouTube channel or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you. Ride safe and thank you for watching. Mike Cotty The Col Collective Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheColCol... Facebook:   / thecolcollective   Twitter:   / colcollective   Instagram:   / thecolcollective   Google+: https://www.google.com/+TheColCollective