Just How Hard is the Galibier? (Two Amateurs Attempt Tour de France Cut-Off Pace)

[@MitchBoyer]

This was such a fun ride! I’m glad we filmed it so I could see what the top of the climb looks like-I was so deep I only saw the road in front of me 😂😂

[@CamNicholls]

The next day was the one that hurt me the most!

[@MitchBoyer]

@@CamNicholls me too 😵 excited to start editing that one!

[@ryangolder705]

“Sorry Mitch, is it alright if I call you a dickhead?” Classic hahahaha

[@Lillee1969]

At least he asked politely 😆

[@global_nomad.]

rode the galibier in the Etape 2022 - 1hr 37 and 2.6w/kg av Watts 212W for the segment on strava - i was 54 at the time....seeing this just reminds us that when watching on tv, it's really hard to do justice to the speed the pros are going up

[@timpattydaechsel5988]

Awesome! I also rode the 2022 L’Etape ….. , got up the Galibier fairly easily, around 3 watts/kg….. but struggled mightily going up the Alp D’Huez at about little over 2 watts/kg …… the pros just don’t seem to get tired as Sepp Kuss set a new KOM AFTER doing Galibier and Col de Fir and it was as hot a day for them as it was us …… that’s incomprehensible next level

[@global_nomad.]

@@timpattydaechsel5988 ha ha, dont talk to me about Alpe d'huez...had to stop several times on the way up on both etape and marmote

[@gourami7]

They really looked like they were flying up, especially Pogicar

[@LukeSkywalker-io2bh]

​@@timpattydaechsel5988They've got lighter bikes, better gear, a team taking care of them and their inhalers. Use to think they were awesome. Not anymore.

[@rsam346]

More of this content Cam! This is great. So good to see you having fun with it

[@GCPerformance18]

Cam got that 90 cadence, love to see it

[@MitchBoyer]

Wait until you see his cadence the next day on Alpe d'Huez

[@PixelVibe42]

My favourite climb! Have completed it 8 times now, but thankfully only ever felt the impact of altitude once - and that was a surprise when it happened. Best day on a bike was doing the Galibier with my son, we enjoyed it so much we turned around at the bottom and went straight back up again!

[@altern8tive]

The other side from Valloire is more a challenge but your main view is limited somewhat by a wall of mountain lol. The landscape on the Lautaret side, especially looking over the Meije glaciers and down the valley to Briançon are to die for 👍

[@CamNicholls]

We did that the following day. I believe today they’re going up this side, hence the choice for this video 👍

[@deanluke2182]

The views are awesome. Thanks to the both of you for keeping it real.

[@Real28]

Mitch absolutely sending his HR so far north of 190 for so long is crazy. Cardiac tissue got a nice workout but DAMN.

[@vaughanc4919]

Love it. The altitude is a very real 'thing'! I live at 1200m so am acclimatised to riding high, however when I return from a couple of weeks at sea level just climbing stairs is labourious

[@CycoWarriorx]

Great video Cam… those views… 🔥🔥🔥…. I’m still 🤣🤣🤣 over that penetrated breathing… 😂😂😂

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

This was a great report! Well done for the attempt, guys! In June 1989 I retraced Stephen Roche's '87 Tour for charity and climbed the Lautaret & Galibier on the stage that started with the Glibber, then Madeleine and finished in the historic La Plagne ski resort. This took me right back. I'll be 60 in September and will attempt to redo this stage next late spring/early summer... Such torture we put ourselves through for the love of this 'activity'... and yet, what incalculable reward! 👌🇮🇪☘😉

[@klein-concept]

Wicked episode guys. Good to see you both together 🫶

[@rolandmarichal1250]

My opinion, this is by far your best vid!

[@FitnessSynthesis]

Thanks for the video. that view from the top is amazing.

[@bike-minded]

Wow, the scenery is awesome - pure gold.

[@struancochrane753]

Great video, it just shows what Cav and others have to do today......not to mention the 2000meters of elevation gain they have done before the start this climb.

[@robjones7556]

Great video Cam. Done a couple of trips to France (Alps and Ventoux) this summer and this was definitely the most scenic. I know it is the easy side but definitely worth doing, although that last km does have a nasty kick!

[@shannonparker7404]

Bloke. Seriously. When you reflect on your start on the Yoootoobs and then you create this mad content, it must be hard to believe the journey you have made. Bravo. Nice work. Holding over 320 watts for 12 minutes is no average effort. Swap to Marlboro menthols?

[@derfx89]

Excellent video, love the banter and self-deprecating humor! 1:08 calling Col du Galibier a hill is certainly a first 😁

[@Swampster70]

Well, that side is a hill, in comparison to the other side. :P

[@Dav0London]

Wow, it hurts to watch this video. Kudos to you both for reaching the peak. Peace.

[@joegamas1194]

Talk about an epic ride, well done, well done 👍 awesome video 👏💪

[@casparwhittey]

super entertaining - really cool content and super fun to actually see a decent competition for the top

[@jamesfearn]

Great and funny video. Love the collaboration!

[@CrescentRollCarl]

I live in the US at just over 8000 feet in the Rockies. A similar altitude to the top of the Galibier. I always love watching sea level guys come up here and try to do some of our climbs. Altitude sickness is real. That said, you guys did great. Loved the video.

[@TheBassallyear100]

great job! love seeing you both collaborate

[@Jamesashleycoyle]

Killer edit! Love the crossover content ❤

[@gemmumma8354]

Great vid, Cam. Really enjoyed.

[@michaelb1716]

Fantastic video! This puts into perspective how the likes of Mark Cavendish and the other sprinters are incredible climbers capable of beyond what the vast majority are able to do. When then makes the true climbers seem even more freakish! You fellas are miles above average and rode a great climb! 💪

[@benduncan4027]

If this is grupetto, then what the GC guys are doing 😳

[@stevengordon-head2420]

Simon Yates was tempo at 450w a few weeks ago then he took off for the stage win

[@carl-axelhallgren9401]

Likely above 7w/kg 😅

[@serdiezv]

Contador said that to be in top form for the Tour he aimed for 7 w/kg in the FTP test

[@thedronescene7474]

I see both of you are using the Coros Dura. Surprised 😮

[@philipk4475]

Yeah this is gruppeto pace, eg big sprinter boys like Jacobsen are doing this with weeks of racing in their legs

[@n22pdf]

Brilliant guys love this kind of vid.. hard ride man wow well done dudes.. altitude looks like a killer.. Pete 🚴🏻👍💪🚴‍♀️

[@hunters641]

The joys of altitude without acclimation. Very entertaining 😊

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Probably the two most likable guys on KZbin. Very interesting premise, and then to see live data during the ride. I WILL NOT be trying this 😀

[@kennedystuart5685]

Way to go guys. You guys are beasts on the bike. Truly inspired by the climb. Time to get my ass moving. Lol.

[@Quivivravelo]

OMG you came to my country haahah can't believe it !!!

[@Mr_Zzzeee]

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!?!

[@choanlpoto]

@@Mr_Zzzeee like almost 0 right ??? who would came to France to road bike

[@tt-tk9076]

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@goodcompanycoffee]

Sick editing and choice of music

[@kevinteig8693]

That was a good watch!

[@shaunluckham1418]

A school friend and I did the Galibier same week as we did Alp D’Huez and I’d say I found the Galibier more fun, maybe I was better prepared than when we did Alp D’Huez. We were both in our 40s when we did them.

[@richardggeorge]

If you want a cycling altitude challenge try riding Idaho Springs (altitude 2208m) to the summit of Mt Evans (4307m) in Colorado. 45km climb of 2208m! Took me 4 hours at fat ass 93kg (sprinter). It certainly was a shock to the system after flying in from Australia !

[@richardggeorge]

Love your work! Stay safe over there. I found it was quite easy to crack 100km/h at altitude.

[@TESTA-CC]

Quality Lads, Thanks from the UK 🖖

[@JanKowalski-pe9lo]

That Mitch cassette... Bigger than mine mtb one xD. He did prepared himself for sure ;).

[@nicholkid]

What a beautiful climb, would love to do it.

[@veloperformance]

So much fun, love it.

[@FaiscaaaH]

Welcome to the alps 💪💪💪 Galibier said hello

[@CamNicholls]

I am still feeling the French Alps. I think I am sick TBH hahaha. The day after this one Mitch and I did a 188km loop. Almost killed me.

[@FaiscaaaH]

@@CamNicholls You are a tough one, you can handle it !!! Chapeau mate

[@newday89]

What a great production.. so entertaining and inspiring.. great job guys

[@bitminerbob6731]

Great vid. Got to admit that descent would have worried me, with those wet corners!! That looks sketchy af.

[@songfta]

I rode the Galibier 5 days after you and that last bit after the tunnel is definitely hard! I maintained about 3.1 w/kg over the whole distance from the Col du Lauteret and it was a LOT. It's a helluva climb, though, and the scenery distracts from the pain.

[@jerrycampion]

Great spin guys lots of suffering!

[@zingleraster9124]

Awesome ride & video. On my Wishlist….

[@duanebosch9508]

My wife and I took 3 1/2 hours to get up Monte Grappa. The record is less than an hour.

[@rodcosta2345]

Damn boys, great day!

[@dominicbritt]

More Alpine mountains please - my happy place.

[@davidanderson215]

A few years back I drove from sea level to Lone Pine. The next day I climbed Mt Whitney (8,000' to 14,505'). Interesting experience.

[@Seanobb]

oomg... imagine if they had chest cameras on some riders during a stage like this during the tour. that would be insane!

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Awesome to see the ride. I have planned to do the Zwift version tomorrow. I just need something to simulate the altitude.

[@iddn]

Cigarettes

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

@@iddn Racers used to smoke, not anymore.

[@fastestmilkman3840]

Try col de croix de fer from Vaujany side, the view is even more special.

[@CamNicholls]

We did a that the following day. It was a 190km loop I’ll never forget haha

[@grantmcalpine6364]

That was awesome.

[@chriswitek9455]

drove from around 640 feet of elevation where i live to colorado where the start of pikes peak is like 7400 feet and rode to the top of that. 4 hours at 55rpm and like 170bpm later i "sprinted" at the top with like 600w cuz thats all i had left

[@clint9470]

scenery is amazing ♥

[@DaveWills23]

Just done Le Marmotte up it last week, horrific but incredible climb.

[@5teve85]

Absolutely fantastic video and music, well done! Will you get over to col de la Croix de fur / glandon? My favourite day on the bike, highly recommend!!

[@NeilKasselman]

I guess don't come to the Andes then... We start a 31km, 6% climb at 3000m and it summits at 4600m..thats the biggest road pass in my area though we have some bigger, higher gravel climbs.

[@clairenelson3095]

Ryan is in trouble on return!

[@Greg.Sutton]

Ridden that segment back in summer 2020 (yes lockdown) as guy i used to go to school with, owns a B&B is Le Bourg D'Osains and i stayed with him. I managed a whopping 54:33 @ 2.2wkg - trouble is i stopped for a further 8min 40secs so it was actaully 1hr 03min to cover the segement. Altitude really kicked my butt, i have to say, and this was the first time i felt it properly as had ridden a few "deux millie" cols prior but nothing this high.

[@hernanhernandez3861]

Wout van Aert is also around 78 kilos. Imagine the watts he had to hold when he won on Mont Ventoux (2x ascent!). I like Mitch's "boom boom" move at the end....

[@philipk4475]

420 W +- 5% is my guess

[@xuchenglin6256]

Yeah the altitude is real! The first time I encounter that was when I went for a cycling trip to Qinghai Lake (3000 meter above sea level). When I was just ride along with family it all feels good except you become more easily out of breath. But later when I tried to do some effort... that is crucial... it mostly just moves your threshold. 250 watts feels like 300, which is about my threshold at sea level. And it takes way more effort to recover. It hurt me so much both physically and mentally so that I didn't bother sleep that night but went to do some researching into the impact of altitude to cycling performance. It turns out that at 3000m you should expect a 20% loss in power. However because the air is less dense, you should expect not as much a speed drop at flat. However it didn't feel exactly that way either... Lung just explodes! BTW there's an UCI stage race there and a lot of research data on altitude is from this race -- not so many pro races take place at this high altitude. However it's very different to feel it first hand even if you thought you know the theory. It's devastating! Plus side is when you return to your sea level, you'll have your super power, for... about 2 weeks. For me it's threshold pace becomes easy-ish pace and you'll suspect your watch's broken.

[@jaydeister9305]

[@nicholasc.niggli6307]

@MitchBoyer - Thanks for sharing this great ride and superb landscapes! What selfie stick is this, that you can attach to the front of the roadbike ? Thanks!

[@AdamEwart]

I think the star of the show here is your lower jaw, Cam. Holding perfect extreme trauma pose the whole way up! 😅 (and you at least managed to avoid any traffic fines 😉)

[@englishteacherdon]

This is what cycling looked like before EPO in 1991. People actually got tired.

[@briansteele2723]

You should sign up for La Marmótte guys, you get to do Croix de fer, Mollard, Telegraphe, Valloire, Galibier then Huez! I'm 51 and made it, just!

[@CamNicholls]

We did that the next day. Pretty much. Mitch will have a video up soon. You’re right, it destroyed me.

[@mikemiller5052]

I did that in 1987. Without planning to do it. I just happened to be in the area with my bike and decided to sign up. Very dumb move. Took me about 10 hours to get back to the base of Alp DHuez. I bagged it at that point.

[@burgess_and_his_bike]

Makes you appreciate the dudes sitting at the back. I think this provides perspective. Sprinters aren’t just phoning it in

[@dominicbritt]

Did Mitch bin the gruppetto run to save for the race?😁

[@-P-Z-]

Legends!

[@tariqcollins2609]

9:14 yo this looks so sketchhhhhh my goodness I’d be scared

[@reddiver7293]

Striking difference in handlebar width. The narrower one seems too close for proper breathing on sustained, intense climbs. Props to both riders, though!

[@lukacalov1988]

Amazing video Do Tourmalet next

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Mitch needed a full bidon full of ketones

[@ronnyhormann262]

... es ist ein harter anstieg !!!

[@adamweb]

0:13 This is the first time I've heard penetrate used as an adjective LOL

[@onlyonecjb001]

Nice one gents 👌🏻

[@Allthingsblaise]

Cam, tell us about your strength program. Your quad looks like that of a bodybuilder

[@MeMurphy10Feb]

Nice great video and these are always the best to compare the TDF guys to mere mortals (albeit A grade mortals) 😂

[@shepshape2585]

I'd feel bad for you both, but alas, while not being able to keep groupeto pace up the climb, you still got to ride in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I'd rather ride up that climb at a super easy pace and enjoy the scenery than suffer up it and not be able to enjoy all of that.

[@andrewcaligiuri2722]

How did you mount your insta360 camera? I have an S5 Cervelo which have wide/flat intergraded handlebars (similar to the BMC) and have struggled to find a mount that is secure enough to hold the weight of the camera with similar set up (carbon pole)

[@barriobarranco]

At sea level oxygen is 20.9%...at 2,600m you're down to 15% or so.... I live at 300m and train between 3-600m(19-20%), always have a bit more "oomph" down at sea level when visiting the folks! (Could be worse on Everest it's 6.9%....)

[@grahamricketts-bq1ft]

It’s a wonderful climb but you should have dropped over The Telegraph down to St Jean du Marauene (spelling) and then climbed back up the Telegraph and The Galibier, that’s one hell of a climb !!

[@global_nomad.]

stage 4 TdF 2024... UAE smashing it up the Galibier...awesome show of strength

[@andrewgooding8134]

I love the lack of car safety barriers, that would never be allowed to happen in Australia, which speaks volumes about a combination of drivers on our roads and nanny state authorities.

[@rof8200]

Impressive

[@ohadrefael42]

whar we learned kids ? pro riders are from another planet !

[@adamjd7645]

So Mitch, what was going through your mind? "My heart!" (190+bpm for the last few minutes... the definition of suffering)

[@Tubesmaney]

Thanks to you guys for showing us what it’s like to climb the fearsome and legendary Gaulibier! Non-cyclists have little idea how much of cycling involves real, painful suffering. You really have to love cycling to do it as a hobby. What the Professional do is off the charts and nearly unimaginable by us mere mortals.

[@Hekyeh]

“Penetrated” 🤣🤣🤣

[@daviddjerassi]

When i looked at the drop off the roadside into oblivion i thought you Guys are on your own i wouldn't even drive up there ,love the video but that place is to dangerous for words.

[@JAViewer]

Do you have a video explaining % and degrees?

[@petekligman1458]

Fantastic scenery, couldn't watch it to the end because of the horrible music. Would have been nice to have an altitude meter along with all the other data you were showing. I was most interested in that, since that was the one big thing affecting your performance

[@lodvaessen]

Are you on Galibier today?

[@CamNicholls]

Yes in the Visma back car / van

[@JonReid]

I know you had to go hard right from the beginning, especially with the altitude effect, but I find it so much more doable negative splitting these longer climbs. Start at 280 and work into your effort to average 320 for the entire effort

[@samuelabbott5181]

Does anyone know what he uses to overlay the data on his videos? What equipment to get the data and what software to overlay it?