Alto de l'Angliru - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Hey-hey good people, we're back! Everything may have changed since we brought you our last video but what remains the same is the ever present mountain calling. What a place to pick up where we left off from with the fearsome and stunningly beautiful Alto de l’Angliru, one of the toughest climbs in pro cycling!
This video is completely self-filmed and funded. If you enjoyed it and would like to see more, do me a solid and give it a thumbs up, subscribe to the channel or throw me some change to keep the rubber on the road by clicking the thanks button below the video 🐮
Start: Mirador Del Angliru
Length: 8.5km
Summit: 1,570m
Elevation Gain: 906m
Average Gradient: 11%
Max Gradient: 24%
Oh, and do let me know what you think of this "on the road" style content, if you like it, and what you'd like to see more of in the future? The summer is coming which means it's time for adventure!
For channel support and brand sponsorship opportunities contact [e-mail].
Follow the Ride
Strava: / strava
Instagram: / thecolcollective
Instagram: / cottydale
Facebook: / thecolcollective
Facebook: / michael.cotty
Website: thecolcollective.com/
Website: mikecotty.co.uk/
Stay well, ride safe and thanks for tuning in.
Mike Cotty

[@cyclingbrothers7362]

HE. IS. BACK.

[@georgemacias7576]

Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!😊

[@pbalchemique]

❤

[@leroyyoder3494]

Thanks for coming back, I have missed these videos so much. I understand life and the pandemic took its toll, but glad you are back!

[@TheColCollective]

Been a journey and a half but finally back in the saddle with camera in hand, and feeling better than ever! :)

[@arcticgeneration]

Really liked the changes that you did to the format. It feels less scripted, more vlog-like and as you said more personal. And the filming and editing was superb. I'd say that this was your best video so far!

[@TheColCollective]

Whoaaaa! Great feedback, thank you so much! Spoiler alert, there was no scripting, I was wild camping in the van and just thought “I wonder if I could film one of these climbs on my own?” Glad I did it and glad you enjoyed it!! 🐮🚐⛰️

[@eamonn9882]

Wonderful edit!

[@steveng5107]

Mike I’m very glad you’re back! Your videos are some of my favorite cycling videos on KZbin.

[@chrisjenkins1]

I was just checking the channel the other day to see if there was any updates. Great to have you back.

[@TheColCollective]

Super great to be back 🙌🏼

[@dejanmasic]

I've been waiting for Years to see some new video. Good choice of a Climb. Come to Slovenia 😉 Mangart, Krvavec, Vršič....

[@TheColCollective]

Would've been capturing some content their last October but decided to crash and break a collar bone on the first day :( New plan to be back this autumn!!! :)

[@ALEX73BY]

Back again! I'm happy. We missed you. Seems your get more like one of the normal humans. You are really suffering. Years ago everything seemed to be easy for you. 😅

[@TheColCollective]

Oh yes, Angliru is a real beast! Love it! 🐮⛰️

[@williammrdeza9445]

So glad you are back, Mike! You have been sorely missed. I love your videos as they are so inspirational and look forward to what you have in store for us for the future. Thank you!

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you William, really appreciate your comment. 🙏🏻

[@Check-it-out]

MIKE IS BACK ! Absolutely awesome 👏🏼 Even though your extensive library is on every cyclist’s playlist on rainy days, new entries are, needless to say, very much appreciated. Good to see you are still going strong 👍🏼

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks so much!! Looking forward to more videos in the future!

[@kopectate2]

6 years ago your Rocacorba video inspired me to take my bike to Spain and ride the same mountain. That was really a life changing experience for me that you played a large part in. Thank you. I was bummed when you stopped posting but am so gad that your back. Looking forward to where you'll go next.

[@TheColCollective]

Wow, so amazing to hear how that video helped and inspired you. Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@fernandes950]

You inspired me for years! I am really happy to see you back! Thank you soo much for your videos!! Keep riding and inspiring us 🎉😊

[@TheColCollective]

Hearing things like this really warms my heart, I’m so glad these videos have helped you and so many. Hope to bring you some more in the future and thanks again for your donation. The content creation landscape has evolved a lot since I started a decade ago and figuring out how to fund things is normally more challenging than getting to the top of the mountain 😅

[@Stan-gu4qz]

Mike, to simply say I'm thrilled to see you back barely scratches the surface of how I feel!! You have been an inspiration to me for years, I watch The Col Collective every winter while riding on the trainer, taking mental notes of all these thrilling places I need to visit with my bike. Thank you so much! And welcome back!

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you so much Stan, really appreciate your message and support over the years! 🙏🏻

[@alastaircummins1980]

Seeing The Col Collective return has made me and so many people very happy!

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you Alastair 🙏🏻

[@RepsacZ]

Yes!! The man. The myth. The legend. The man who needs no saddle. FINALLY BACK! 🚲🏔

[@TheColCollective]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MrDerHeinz]

So good to see you back, Mike. You have done the best climb presentations by a country mile - so artistical, cinematic, atmospheric, poetic. This was obviously a little bit different, but still really nice and much appreciated. I hope that there are more works to come. I'm going to do the fantastic Nivolet in August thanks to your inspiration. Thanks a lot and wishing you all the best

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you so much. Truly grateful of your words. Enjoy Nivolet, an absolute stunner, smooth tarmac now too!! #ForTheWin 🐮

[@pauldegrandis]

Absolutely wonderful to have you back. You've been an inspiration to me and it's clear from the other comments, an inspiration to many others. Keep riding, keep filming, keep the adventure going.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you soooo much Paul. Massive appreciation to you. Hoping to be able to bring more videos to everyone again in the future. 🙏🏻🐮

[@Edwin-fw4rh]

lovely!Always enjoy your cols inspiration and sometimes watched your videos again when I am not so passionate about climbing.Hopefully I could ride those cols you presented.

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks for checking in again Edwin 👍🏼

[@ohnezuckerohnefett]

That was so missed. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@TheColCollective]

You're welcome Jan! Been too long!

[@natonic6538]

Wow! It's like Christmas in May! Love these videos.

[@paulwhitfeld4858]

LOVE YOUR WORK! Great to see you again... You would not believe the number of times over the last 5 years that as our group would start a climb on our Italian summer Dolomite holidays someone would say: "welcome to the Col Collective" 🤩😍🤗

[@TheColCollective]

“Welcome to The Col Collective”. Classic line, makes me smile thinking of you and your group. So awesome!!! 🐮

[@cwm0]

Haven't watched it yet will save it for a quiet house😊so glad your back👍

[@nigelcrane5309]

Lovely to have these videos back. Missed them. It's the only way I will ever get to the top of these mountains on a bike!!

[@TheColCollective]

Huge thanks for joining the ride Nigel 🙌🏼

[@andygrimmer5742]

Great to see the col collective back and motivating. Loving the new video

[@TheColCollective]

Cheers Andy!

[@stevebarrett8890]

Love that camper van you have Mike 😊

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks Steve!

[@krblackburnuk]

Superb to have you back!

[@TheColCollective]

Very happy to be back 💪🏼

[@dbonegtv]

Great to have you back & love the style of the new videos

[@TheColCollective]

Super cool to hear! I happy you like the new style! 😃

[@RIFIANBOY]

So happy to see you back. I've been a fan of your channel since 2016.

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks for sticking around, really appreciate it!!!

[@casellapapa3585]

Mike, it is great to see you out and about again. BRAVO!!!! on the Angliru. It and the Zoncola are on my "TO DO" list once we head back to Europe. HOOYAH!!!

[@TheColCollective]

Good luck!!!!!! 💪🏼

[@paulsampson7918]

You picked something truly iconic for your return. Thanks and welcome back!

[@TheColCollective]

Cheers Paul. Why not start with 24% gradients eh!? 😂

[@paulsampson7918]

@@TheColCollective awesome effort, the only percentages like that I can manage usually come in a glass now 😊

[@TheColCollective]

😂

[@mgranados805]

Been patiently waiting! Welcome back! Really enjoy your awesome videos!

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@d.r4489]

Yes it's been a long time. What a pleasure to see you again in a video😀😀

[@thomasroell5255]

Thanx for being back. I know, late comment. Owe you a lot for the inspiration and picking me up when I am down.

[@TheColCollective]

You’re very welcome Thomas. Truly grateful to be of service to you 🫡

[@kpb8466]

Echoing everyone's sentiments it's great to have The Col Collective and Mike back!! Love the l'Angliru video, that will be my first climb in June 2025 on my tour of 18 epic European mountain accents. Your recon has been truly helpful in my planning. Keep 'em coming!!

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you so much for your appreciation. Whaoooo! Sounds like you have an amazing adventure on the horizon!! Good luck 💪🏼

[@evajansen87]

Beyond excited for this! Watched so many of your videos, and can’t wait for all the good stuff and inspiration that is coming our way. Glad to see you here again!

[@TheColCollective]

Big thanks Eva, appreciate your support, stay tuned for more mountain and cows….always cows! 🐮

[@bitchoflivingblah]

Stunning photography - especially of the final ramps.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you for your appreciation 🙏🏻

[@mikezucarelli3572]

Glad to see you back. I enjoy your videos immensely.

[@TheColCollective]

🙏🏻

[@edgaroscarkocherneto]

Great you are back. The world has many beautiful mountains to climb. You still have a loooooot to show us!

[@TheColCollective]

Ooooooh yes!!!!!!! 🙌🏼

[@kylehall4063]

Always and continue to enjoy your personal insights into the climbs, thanks ✌️

[@RobertSmith-cv1cu]

I remember watching Contador on that last section pulling away from Froome on his final climb in his career. Fantastic.

[@talibe801]

👍👍👍💪welcome back and thanks for your amazing work.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you!!

[@derrickllewellyn1465]

Thanks for coming back Mike. I'm using your videos for extra motivation before tackling the Dolomites in September.

[@TheColCollective]

Awesome!! You’re in for a treat! Dolomites are 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@backcountryridingfriends]

I couldn't believe it when your video showed up. I'm hoping ths will be the first of many. Thanks Heaps. Brian

[@TheColCollective]

I’m hoping too Brian! 🤞🏼🐮

[@raptor17111]

Thanks Mike, great to see you back !

[@Robg652]

Delighted to see you have returned! I have really missed your videos and the cycling motivation and inspiration I get from them ❤

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks so much Rob. Good to be back 🐮

[@jaysonhernandez3720]

Yay! Col Collective Legend is back!!! 🫡🚵👏🙏

[@TheColCollective]

Big respect and thanks for being part of the ride Jayson 🫡

[@jeffcolameco7706]

Tough day at the office, come home open up KZbin and first thing I see is a new Col Collective, Thanks for some great new content!

[@TheColCollective]

You’re welcome Jeff 🐮

[@luisjoseherediaropero6667]

Thank You very much to be Back Again! I love Col Colective! It's just Amazing!

[@TheColCollective]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@peterwilliams7641]

Spectacular video Mike. Loved it,have missed your videos recently.❤

[@WowRixter]

Welcome back. I missed your videos. Had to keep rewatching old ones

[@TheColCollective]

Cheers Ric!

[@robertopaludi8947]

Whoever is in this channel and is reading this comment, admit it: Col Collective is your inner guide for a peaceful life. Thanks Cotty, missed you. ❤

[@TheColCollective]

Wow, so beautiful to read this. Honestly, if any of the content can bring a peaceful life I’d be very proud and humbled 🙏🏻

[@FaiscaaaH]

Nice to have you back Mr. Mike 💪💪💪 Ride strong Stay safe.

[@TheColCollective]

💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@aravnjak]

Great to have you back, Mike!

[@magicknight8412]

Ah glad you have returned. So relaxing and cool watching you do all the hard work in such amazing locations!

[@joseotero82]

That's the one I was hoping for ever since i discovered this channel 3 years back, almost lost hope it was ever going to happen... Now you left me hungry for more! Thanks for coming here!

[@TheColCollective]

It’s here! I was dreaming of taming Angliru for over a decade, just wasn’t able to make it out there. Glad to finally have such a beautiful and beastly climb in the library 🙏🏻

[@carlosdelmondi3742]

Sensational. We missed you! Looking forward to the next mountains !!!

[@DrJRMCFC]

Back with a suitably epic climb 😀

[@TheColCollective]

Why not start back with an absolute beast!? 😅

[@andreasantorum77]

Maaaaaan this is soooo good to have you back!! Thanks Mike 🤗

[@TheColCollective]

You’re welcome Andrea!

[@carolinacarracedo8213]

Well comeback Mike! So glad to see you again climbing in my country! I strongly recommend you to try Veleta Peak... almost 3.398m / c.a. 50kms from Granada. It's nuts!

[@TheColCollective]

Yes, yes and yes!!! Seriously want to climb Veleta, been on my list for a very long time!!!! Thanks for the reminder! 🙏🏻🐮

[@Rob_Evs]

What a nice surprise, great to have this back.

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks Rob 🙏🏻🐮

[@willmcgrane6359]

Welcome back!!! Hope you are well. Thank you!

[@adventuresinfillmore3035]

Brilliantly done, great to see new videos…worth the wait 👏

[@TheColCollective]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

oh dear....another one to add to the bucket list! Great to see you back Mike, it's been to long 👍

[@jamesgarrigan3341]

Absolutely awesome and inspirational videos Mike.Much appreciated. Peace out.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you for your appreciation James 🫡

[@darylv49]

My favourite KZbin content has returned….. Happy days! 🌞🚴😎 more ideas for the bucket list, although this one looks too tough!

[@TheColCollective]

No doubt Angliru is a beast! Good to be back 😊

[@davyfong]

So glad to see you back Mike! 🙌🏽 You've been missed.

[@martinblake1134]

I've really missed these inspiring videos, great to see you back.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you Martin 🙏🏻

[@quantapz]

Notification for this video is the best thing youtube done in 2023 so far.

[@TheColCollective]

Whoaaaa! Thank you for the big smiles!! :)

[@markmoore6077]

You're an inspiration Mike. Great to see you back. Miss your videos and cant wait to see more.

[@davidmoore6047]

Welcome back Mike! I've missed these videos. Brilliant as always... 👌

[@TheColCollective]

Cheers David!!!!

[@gfrmartins]

Welcome back. Keep bringing these great videos again! Thanks for doing this.

[@TheColCollective]

You’re very welcome 🙏🏻

[@nicholasc.niggli6307]

Wonderful to see you back, Mike! As always, thanks for the inspiration!

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you Nicholas 🙏🏻

[@joskoevoet9569]

So glad to see you back on da road! 💪🏻💪🏻

[@cgrigio9182]

Wonderful to see you back Mike. When the original Col Collective music started playing at 5:30 in, I realised how much happiness your videos have delivered over the years.

[@TheColCollective]

Aww, thank you and the k you again for your donation. Really appreciate helping to keep the runner on the road 🙏🏻🐮

[@ricardocastro8117]

Glad to see you back again 💪💪

[@riknbkr330]

Great to see you coming back. Have enjoyed your video channel for many years. Would love to see a video of your camping van setup. Looks great!

[@TheColCollective]

I’m sure I’ll show some details if that in a future video. 👍🏼

[@DisjointedR]

Brilliant to see you back Mike. Great content, as always. Stunning scenery and inspirational cycling.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you!

[@mtomlin35]

So excited to have The Col Collective back! Great new content

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you so much Matthew. Got a little something something dropping here soon! ⛰️ 🐮

[@anthonyhomercycling]

You got me started vlogging my cycling since 2016, now I’ve grown my Fb page and KZbin to almost 700k followers combined! I stream my content on fb and do blogs here. Thanks for the inspiration Mike ! Still waiting for you in Taiwan 😊

[@TheColCollective]

Whoaaaaa, that’s super awesome Anthony! Feel free to give a little shout out to your fans! Gotta try and start rebuilding this community, I hope we can help inspire more 🤞🏼🐮⛰️

[@vciarnuto]

Yeahhhh ! You are back!!!! So glad for you Mike!!!

[@TheColCollective]

Happy to be back! Next video coming very soon! 🐮

[@franklydick1105]

So glad to see you post again! This video brought back all the feelings from previous years and makes me want to watch the older ones again. It was a nice touch to see you talking into the camera a little more.

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks Frank, really appreciate it! Enjoy watching those videos from the good old years! ☺️

[@patrickmuri1344]

Thank you for being back and I personally like the "personal" approach in your video🙌 You explain it well and it's like as we would be there on the road with you. Glad you're back⭐

[@LGB2764]

Thanks! Great to see you back

[@TheColCollective]

Great to be back Lance. Thank you so much for your support and donation. Big hug to you! 🐮

[@paulmang5840]

Thanks! I saw this video then when I was in France cycling, I drove to Gijon and did this climb about 2 weeks ago. It was the toughest climb I ever done. It almost broke me. I've done lots of HC climbs in France. Did Ventoux three approaches in April and LBL Medium distance too. I try to look at your videos of climbs I plan to do. Keep up the good work! I never want to do this climb again. The area is just beautiful! Paul

[@TheColCollective]

Good work Paul. Agreed, it’s an absolute beast!!!!

[@eduardoadesa]

Yes!!! Welcome back!!! We missed you!!!

[@davidsullivan7290]

Nice to see you back on the video, Mike! And seated for a bit.

[@TheColCollective]

Ha! Yep, it’s tricky to ride one handed with a camera and be out of the saddle! Learnt that the hard way! 😅

[@estebana.miralles3619]

What a beautiful video, thanks for posting the terrain of todays battle at the tour. Without a doubt this location is expectacular. Take care of yourself and be safe on the road. Cheers from Philly

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks so much for your appreciation. Such an incredible road. We’re in for a treat in today’s stage!!

[@dosazsolt9725]

you are right. long time no see, welcome back. videos much wanted !

[@robertask9027]

So nice to see you back!

[@robertprestel]

Great to see you back !!! Hope you will follow up with these kind of high motivation vid´s

[@TheColCollective]

More to come Robert! 👌🏼

[@Dewwillrustem]

Love your videos Mike nice to see you back where you belong.

[@TheColCollective]

🐮🙏🏻🐮🙏🏻🐮🙏🏻

[@canyonfast]

Brilliant! Nice to see you back here on this channel! Best, Jonas

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks a lot Jonas 👍🏼

[@themississippikidful]

In total shock this morning when i saw this , so much i had to look when it was posted 😂 Welcome Back and Thanks !

[@TheColCollective]

Good to be back, thanks for sticking around! 🙏🏻

[@briansteele2723]

Bravo Mike, a stunning video and the music has improved a bit too. I hope to visit that area this summer fingers crossed

[@TheColCollective]

Cheers Brian! If you can get over to Asturias then definitely go, such a remarkable region. ⛰️

[@ericchristoffersen9355]

Wow! Ive got so much sympathy for this video! Thanks for sharing your time on that lovely climb! Currently working my way across the pyrenees but Im hoping i can visit asturias with my bike in a few years.

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you so much Eric. I sincerely recommend Asturias, one of Spain’s hidden gems 💎

[@raymond110]

Glad your back always great vids

[@MegaSixpac]

Nice to have you back Mike.

[@AdamJStoryDC]

You used to have someone else filming and you can hardly tell the difference in the quality of the filming. There are certain shots in the past where the views were pretty cool. Being an amateur KZbinr myself, I know how hard it is to do many of the shots you did...put the camera down, ride DOWN the hill, ride up past the camera as if you don't know the camera is there, stop, place the camera down facing the other way, ride DOWN again, ride back up past the camera as if it weren't there, go pick it up...realize that your GoPro froze...pull out the battery....do it again. Spending the entire next day doing drone shots, etc. Making a video such as yours takes HARD work before you even start editing. Kudos to you as I really liked the video and I'm glad you're doing this again. You are the OG of cycling.

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks so much Adam. It sounds like you understand the process well. It certainly takes a lot of time, the initial filming and then each layer of the edit, the music, sound, colour, graphics etc. Sometimes it feels a bit much for a one man band but the end result always makes it so worth it! Thanks for your support! 🐮

[@michaelvrignaud5053]

Yes! Finally back!

[@ChasingAlpha300]

Yes!! Have missed these videos from my favourite youtube channel. Good to see you're back and with a new format Mike 🎉👍

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you Paul. Been waaaaay too long!! 🐮

[@estebana.miralles3619]

Excellent video as always! It is very nice to have you back indeed. Cheers from Philadelphia (Gracias por todos tus videos).

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks for your appreciation Esteban 🙏🏻