The Biggest Alpine Climb And You’ve NEVER Heard Of It

[@gcn]

🚴‍♂ Was it motivating to see Manon out of her comfort zone? 🏔 Let us know your reactions to this climb down in the comments below!

[@sssxxxttt]

Magnificent! Appreciated Your team work, not forgetting the cameraman.

[@amandanorth6526]

Great work, Manon, and awesome encouragement from Hank. Gorgeous views, too. The descent would have been unreal!

[@alinapopescu872]

@@amandanorth6526 I wouldn't have descended on those roads, if they'd paid me.

[@alinapopescu872]

I wouldn't go down there... Not if they paid me.

[@JanneRasanen2]

I wish kg health allowed feats like this. Well done Manon and GCN for riding and extending kill Hank to her 🎉 Now for the rest of you who do not break bones on flat grass. Some Tour riders just do not have the skillz to ride. Hard places or anywhere... 😂

[@steveschmidt2690]

I'll miss Manon. Maybe come back to gcn someday. You would be welcomed back

[@TheChaadr]

Hey, I live and work for the ski resort of Les 2 Alpes. It's technically forbidden for anyone to go up there lately cause of the construction work, but in reality, there's quite a lot of people going though. I hope that you didn't have too much dust through your lungs tho, it's quite the fine dust up there.. It would have been better if you went on a saturday or a sunday, cause there is no more construction traffic except the exceptionnal maintenance truck. I Hope you'll come back, as the construction will be done this year, it was the replacement of the main lift that goes all the way to the glacier that's being built. Exceptionnal challenge you've put yourselves againt. I keep telling the company I work for that we need to make a gravel event with that exact challenge. I have transferred that video to them to show them how cool it is. Loved your show as always.

[@goldenretriever6261]

They're building a glacier?

[@fatblokediets9648]

That’s really flood to know, thank you!

[@lexistential]

@@goldenretriever6261 "(the main lift that goes all the way to the glacier) that's being built" dont be pedantic

[@TheChaadr]

@@goldenretriever6261 SOrry, English is my second language.

[@goldenretriever6261]

@@lexistential of course, but this is the Internet

[@Tomcat6541]

This is why GCN will always be the gold standard of cycling channels. Manon's USA gravel race won me over, this one proves she's still setting the GCN standard. Hank, I think we all hope for a riding coach like Hank! His challenges have continued to set the bar for this wonderful channel. Great Job! Stay on top!

[@mclc001]

Manon + Hank = here for this duo every time!!!

[@henriks5008]

Hankon are super.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

​@henriks5008 "Hankon" is definitely better than "Mank".

[@chrisscott8362]

Hankon👍

[@K1989L]

Oh it feels so long when we were here for Si and Matt 😢

[@babygerald4645]

This was one of the best challenges yet and I'm massively impressed by Manon's staunch determination. Hank's the perfect wingman for these way-out-of-comfort-zone challenges-- his positivity is electric. What a reward at the top to be able to enjoy the view and then descend that massive grade back into town. Hope you enjoyed the well-deserved coffee stop at the end. And GCN - more Hank/Manon team-ups please.

[@mommamooney]

I started watching GCN for the banter, photography, and seeing cool places. This video did not disappoint

[@Seppster58]

Kudos to Hank and especially Manon for this epic ride. Also, props to the camera man too for taking in this journey. This was so well done, I thought I was watching one of those GCN+ documentaries.

[@nicholastaylor4437]

I think you were watching one as it happens. The DNA is unmistakeable, and given the circumstances, I'm pretty sure it is one.

[@KoenMiseur]

So much respect for Manon, not only the climbing but also talking to camera all while climbing, I could maybe do the climbing but not the talking!

[@FoobsTon]

True Pro !

[@NinjaElephant]

Actually the Pico Veleta in Spain with 3396 m is higher, it is accessible by classic road bike, it has an elevation gain of 2800hm and a stunning view over Sierra Nevada. Looking forward to a GCN story about that climb. 😉

[@Jorge-Fernandez-Lopez]

One day... one day maybe, I might try Pico Veleta

[@NinjaElephant]

@@Jorge-Fernandez-Lopez you definitely should! It is beautiful and there is a snack station half way up!

[@malcolmjcullen]

They do say it's the biggest Alpine climb (unless they've changed the title).

[@NinjaElephant]

@@malcolmjcullen you should listen to the first 20 seconds of the video.

[@Jorge-Fernandez-Lopez]

@@malcolmjcullen Alpine adjective could mean anywhere in the world. The title suggests that's only in the Alpes. However, the audio says exactly: "Can we reach the highest accessible point in Europe?"; for a road bike, it is probably Pico Veleta.

[@matt_acton-varian]

The challenge, the cinematography, the editing, all screams out GCN+. Another masterpiece of filming and another brilliant ride from Hank and Manon. We'll done to all involved.

[@cmira5811]

I'm clicking everytime these two are together. Hank, stop pushing Manon into traffic.

[@kristenbrook897]

Omg. That looked soooo tough! Good on you Manon, you did it without throwing all your toys out of the cot which is what I think I would have done 😂. Congratulations to both of you and thanks for making it a video!!!

[@nicholastaylor4437]

That zone 2 work paying off handsomely!

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Such amazing content gcn! Breathtaking (literally) video editing.HUGE respect to Manon!!! This great challenge/personal best stuff is what keeps me coming back! Love Manon's honesty and grim determination in the face of this beast and love Hankspaniel's chipper yapping! (of COURSE he went for the snow) This video and the Carspiracy one are what convinced me to get a membership! Please, please,please keep doing stuff like this!!

[@toddcrowdis2650]

Always love the adventures take you have taken the public on. Thanks

[@jennybrennan7177]

Well done Manon. Showing the ladies that with power and determination you can do anything. Great effort ❤

[@deangreenwood6065]

Great video, both smashed it, Hank is a machine, Manon what a great ride. I think everyone needs a riding partner like Hank

[@mohamednemazie704]

Top marks to Manon and Hank, not only for making the climb, but for another superb video in every way - chapeau! Now … will we see Andrew Feather attempt a world-record KOM up this climb?

[@nemobobber4574]

lovely guys, Hank's positive support for Manon, out of a velodrome, was just really nice. Well done both, another properly entertaining vid, cheers! Lets get Si up that climb on a fixed wheel and Conner on the giant bike!

[@andrewgillman6327]

Awsomely positive and encouraging. Spot on! ❤

[@55Reever]

That wasn't a ride, that was a slugfest. Way to go Manon and Hank!

[@GlennMalek]

Loved this video. Hanks positivity kept Manon going!

[@ExpressDjs]

Hank and Manon are the best presenters, Manon perfectly demonstrated how i feel on long climbs. The reward of the top is always pulling you along . great video

[@derekkuhl]

A general rundown on the equipment both of you used would be super nice. We all would love to learn from your experience. Awesome video and what and epic adventure. Chapeau!

[@JasonDrury-ui9hn]

Great seeing Manon out there taking on the challenges, would love to see you guys take on the Three Peaks Falls creek event in Aus 235K and 4000+ vert

[@stephenfarrant6439]

I impressed by how fresh you both looked at the top of the climb! Not a drop of sweat in sight. And so clean despite all that dust!

[@treyquattro]

... and that was the last anyone saw of Hank ... until he surfaced in a water barrel outside of his house. Seriously, impressive effort by Manon & Hank. What a team!

[@JonCannings]

😂😂😂

[@bobabout256]

Good job Manon. My Garmin bleeps at me when I’m going full gas on a steep hill and it assumes I’ve stopped 😂😂😂

[@terrycollingwood5512]

Oh the passive aggressive Garmin pause. It's like "Oh you're resting? I'll just stop for you. Don't you worry about it!"😄

[@biketrybe7071]

Thank you for taking us to these beautiful places. Kudos to Manon for pushing on. I felt every turn of her pedals and appreciated her persistence.

[@samm8500]

This really makes me want to plan a ski trip.

[@garymmx]

Chapeau Manon bloody awesome effort.

[@rickmagee1918]

This was awesome, and a thousand thumbs up to Manon for going so far out of her comfort zone. I love the Hank/Manon dynamic, too: it reminds me of some epic rides my wife and I have done.

[@mnbv5555cxz]

Great to see Manon doing these adventure climbs!

[@roadcyclist1]

She was forced to. Her passion for bike riding is gone. Time for a female who actually wants to ride and do these challenges to take her spot.

[@brundelfly1]

Give it a rest, fella. You're all over the comments repeating the exact same sentiment. It's clearly not shared by many who see her transition from track cycling in a different way.

[@prestachuck2867]

Great job, you two! Excellent video, and big props to Mannon for pedaling outside of your comfort zone! Also, Hank… great job with providing motivation, with a gentle touch. You sounded like a medium-sized Mark Beaumont! Rock on, GCN!

[@acegard7801]

Incredible ride. Manon has become a goat and well done for pushing.

[@roadcyclist1]

She has no interest in riding bikes anymore. It's disheartening

[@wandering_pete]

@@roadcyclist1 Why do you say that?

[@anthonycordeiro3205]

Congratulations Manon that was a hell of a climb 🎉🎉🎉

[@PaulsWanderings]

Well done Manon and Hank. Hanks pep talk to Manon about all the work that she has done though they have more to go he talks about the view. I feel a similar way when I am hiking and I want to turn around and head back to the car. I think about all the effort that I have put in up to that point and what the reward will be when I reach the summit.

[@fwod1867]

Manon and Hank look so cute 😊 nice cycle team

[@kimdecker8901]

Just watching this raised my heart rate AND blood pressure! I kinda feel it's not often you see a video where a mission-accomplished outcome isn't predetermined; but this adventure had me on the edge of my seat the whole time: Are they gonna make it? Are they?! They DID!🙌

[@DuhRev]

great video - love Manon for keeping it real - and Hank & Manon is a killer team! thanks for sharing the journey!

[@GaryColman]

14:01 Hank: "Alright, you ready?" Manon:

[@folcobanfi4370]

Thanks Hank and Manon for suffering through this, so that we could see these beautiful images. Congrats to the cameraman, too!

[@davidaspden3553]

Wow Manon absolutely brilliant. Insane climb.❤

[@TheBigCK510]

Manon went deep for victory! Great challenge and really enjoyed Hank's support along the way. I hope Manon and Hank enjoyed the descent, incident-free, with a fantastic re-fueling meal awaiting them at the bottom.

[@dcv9460]

Chapeau Manon 😎❣💯 and to Hank 🤘🤘🤘

[@clintonshiells3095]

I don’t usually comment but that was a very impressive effort by both of you. My heart goes out to Manon for the sacrifice. I thought Stelvio was hard but this one is a real monster.

[@cage57]

Hey GCN! I just learned to ride a bike by watching one of your old videos, all I wanna say is that you guys make great videos and thank you for posting that video without that I would've known how to ride a bike!

[@CEUOTC]

Outstanding, epic and well outside the comfort zone! Loved it guys, well done Manon and Hank, you both make a great team and love watching your content.

[@SkylarsRnD]

Way to go Manon and Hank!!!! That looks like a BRUTAL climb and you both rocked it!

[@larryvaught3053]

BRILLIANT VIDEO YOU TWO !! Thank You Manon and Hank for this interesting, eye opening clip of somewhere that was totally unknown to me! Thanks for suffering as much as you did to bring quality cycling content to all of us out here ! Thumbs Up to the Crew for their part in this one. CHEERS TO ALL INVOLVED !! 👍💯👏💜 😎

[@chinaskibukowski7747]

That "Jesus Christ" at 15:01 is something all cyclists can relate to! Well done Manon, you're an absolute beast!

[@DougSemisch]

I think it was the bleeped out word before the “Jesus Christ” that really eloquently described that part of the challenge for her and is something us mere mortal cyclists would have been shouting the whole way up!

[@jennabrenchley5931]

I love this! Manon….You are so close to becoming a different type of cyclist altogether. You are on the right terrain. In the mountains on dirt and in an area that although is accessible to everyone very few people(when compared to the overall cyclist community) will ever dare go and you are left in awe of the epic views along the way. Now you just need a different kind of bike to finish the experience. Going up was grueling and an awesome challenge. It will be a memorable experience for sure. Yet it will be darkened some by either not riding back down or worrying about safety if you do. Going back down that’s where the fun is. You need to get a mtb!

[@alistaircassidy]

Forget my last comment. This was the best video. Fantastic effort by you both but particularly Manon! Well done. I'm enjoying this series from the Alps.

[@dandalstraphotography]

Loved this video and I’m so proud of Manon for giving it a go! I loved how Hank basically left her behind for most of the climb. What a guy! 😂

[@Professor_sckinnctn]

Amazing. Hank and Manon… you're both an inspiration!

[@leighdickinson8299]

Brilliant effort Manon & Hank, well done both of you

[@happymystic9800]

My highest respect for the both of you 😮 … Manon deserves an extra applause. 👏 … what an ascent😮 almost like a pass in the Himalaya. 😊

[@debreczi2]

That was SOOO awesome! Huge chapeau to Manon, great thumbs up for Hank. You are really inspiring us to just get going and going and going!!

[@notacenter_]

massive respect for Hank and Manon, you guys are amazing!

[@EijaLeino-h4y]

Hats off to both of you!! Manon, thank you for being such a great inspiration to us ladies! 👏

[@mommamooney]

I absolutely relate to Manon. Long climbs are my weakness. I’ve had a lil mini meltdown like that on my longest climb.

[@WarHammerWH]

Manon: “That was epic”. Yes Manon, yes it was. Good going both of you.

[@schrodingerthecat]

Hank and Manon are a great team! Way to go!!! Loved this challenge!

[@apriljohnson6191]

Thanks, Mannon, for doing this challenge. 🎉. It’s inspiring for me to keep going out of my comfort zone the day after my first century. Can’t wait to see what you do next!

[@chrisscott8362]

Manon Fan Club! Go girl 👍

[@derx6666]

Common Manon... This'll be fun he said... Then see the despair in Manon's eyes... Well done to the both of you. 👏👏👏

[@darcyducharme1981]

Great video Hank and Manon! When Manon said "NO its hell, its hell" I was thinking I would be saying the exact same. I also love the comment from @TheChaadr

[@jrcollings]

As usual, appreciate Manon's down to Earth honesty! I'd struggle to get up there on an ebike, well done both!

[@thomastrevelyan192]

When my wife's dad used to take his little daughter up Snowdon, he used to call her "My little mountain goat", so that's what this reminded me of - but the two of you are so tough it takes my breath away, even at sea level.

[@smeraldoderosa7556]

Awesome you guys! Wish I could something like that. Too old now. The highest and longest climb of my cycling career I did in my youth , from Chieti to the Block haus on my beautiful Olmo three speed. Zig zaged most of the way. Epic! The descent was scary , touring bike, steel rims, a little rain. Hardest part was the last three or four kilometers up to Chieti, there was nothing left in the tank, and it was past dark. Can't remember what came first the smack up side the head or the hug of relief she gave me but all I could think of was food and sleep. But mamma, I told you I was going for a ride!!! Epic!

[@duathlete827]

Wow, what an effort you two made. That's borderline cruel and unusual punishment by an employer lol. Most would not be able to ride that. The views were incredible. My favorite line, "you enjoying the challenge? NO, it is hell, it is hell!" Looked like a hell of a lot of bugs up there to deal with also. 26 percent is insane guys. I was really looking forward to hearing how you actually got back down.

[@markmiller4414]

Manon is a beast! Hank is pretty respectable too. Great work you two 🎉.

[@oeylille]

Well done Manon. Hope you managed to stay in zone 2 😉

[@roivosemraiva]

Manon & Hank, you two climbed this BEAST, so we would not have to; climb it. I enjoyed the video immensely. Epic climbs gets my heart and lungs talking. What gearing were you using for a 23% climb on a Gravel Bike. On cycling, there is no Comfort Zone, only challenges!!! Beautiful Vistas of the moon surfaces while pedaling. Thank you, you two...

[@emi_lano]

Cheers to Manon and Hank ! I haven't the strength for long ascents yet, but the local group rides are getting longer and more challenging. One day I want to travel to the Alps and make the climb.

[@aarondangelo6313]

bikes! gearing! tech breakdown!! Well done Manon and Hank!

[@timroden6617]

Time?

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Yeah, I want to know about the suspension fork Hank is running. But I get that this video is about the climb, and the mental grit it took to get up it. Tech details should be a separate video.

[@simasoliva]

Pico Veleta in Sierra Nevada, Spain, is the highest climb in Europe. And with better road, you can climb it on normal road bike.

[@KevinAxt-om5on]

Very well done both of you and seriously impressed, Manon! Those dinner plate gears came in useful.

[@franckt.1449]

every time I see Manon and Hank, I feel the need of riding my gravel bike (just take that damned thing)...big thumbs up for your performance 👍

[@dianahellman9254]

Way to go, Manon, for pushing on and completing the climb!!! That looked brutally hard. Hope you felt super-accomplished at the top! Also, I'm sure Hank was happy to have a normal bike for this one. Hope he didn't have any lasting effects from the Alpe d'Huez climb on that awful bike!

[@tonzo8]

Amazing, beautiful! Well done!

[@johnlieto8906]

You guys are the best, warriors! Such a an epic effort!

[@jriddell7070]

Go Manon! That was awesome. I felt the same way climbing Mt. Ventoux in June-the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever undertaken (the Bédoin route)!

[@justsomedude7556]

Outstanding effort Manon and Hank.

[@mikebutcher1984]

Well done Manon, you did amazing to keep going, i'd have given up a long time ago and left Hank to go it alone

[@peterdecupis8296]

In Italian western Alps there is the "Colle del Sommeillier" pass in the surrounding of Bardonecchia that is 3009 m high over the sea level; in 2005 I performed a non-stop bike climb from the Susa valley at 400 m. After Bardonecchia ( at 1450 m) the last 19 km of the trip have to be run on a gravel road.

[@ErwinPfuhler]

Incredible and jaw-dropping to see you conquer that monster!

[@felixfelucci6955]

Great effort! And teamwork, bravo Manon for pushing your limits :D

[@tuscanred]

Fantastic effort Manon, chapeau!, I think you deserve for your next challenge to rate the top 10 bike stop cafes in the UK

[@01FozzyS]

Manon and Hank, you guys are beasts! Well done!

[@chrisduffill5248]

Well done on this , nice to hear about the all road one in Spain , look forward to hearing about this on as well ….

[@TroyMustey-me2sp]

Awesome ride by both of you, well done a great video to watch.

[@James-J-J-J]

Wow that looked tough. Well done to you both. ❤

[@itsianwood]

Lordy! Grim!🤣Manon's cute noises made it watchable though (and the view at the top).

[@derickcastillo9083]

Great job Manon! I just saw you on Strava as a local legend. Hank, look like you had a lot of fun.

[@ksieck4679]

Great video, we’re those rental bikes or your own personal rides? Hank is always tough, but the more we see Manon in challenges, she’s the Terminator, she does not quit, does not stop.

[@bikemirror6620]

Is this Manon's last GCN video?

[@markgreer1975]

Top effort to you both .one way to really get outside your comfort zone. 😊

[@patrickevans1632]

Kudos to both of you (and of course a nod to the cameraman) I was knackered just watching that lol