Hautacam - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Deep in the heart of the Midi-Pyrénées, Hautacam may not have the length, height or prestige of the Col du Tourmalet but that’s exactly the deceptive nature it uses to lull you into a false sense of security when tackling its slopes for the first time. In fact, I’d go one step further and say that, despite having ridden it a number of times now, I never feel that I’m fully in control on this ascent. The road hits you hard from the start and continues to undulate like a roller-coaster offering moments of respite before pitching up again to over double figures, pushing you further into the red. It always gives a sense that it’s just toying with me, seeing how much I can take before turning the screw just a little bit more. In some respect this is why I like it so much, the lure of such a challenge never fades and as you approach the top the tree line opens up to reveal a new world of greatness which makes every hard earned pedal stroke all the more rewarding.
Start: Gave River Bridge (D913/D100)
Length: 13km
Summit: 1,520m
Elevation gain: 1,064m
Average gradient: 8%
Max gradient: 13%
We hope this video gives you an insight into how to tackle Hautacam. For more help and advice visit our website at 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 wonderland of the mountains.
Never miss a video, subscribe to our KZbin 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
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[@ebenjones1254]

the descent off the hautacam is insane - no cars, ridiculously fast, few cows dotted across the road

[@TheColCollective]

Eben Jones Did you see our little descending video? Sounds like you hit the nail on the head with your assessment above! Good skills!

[@Marilyn3rietveld]

These videos (with good music) are so good you don't even have to like cycling to like your videos! This is another gem

[@davidgriffiths1447]

Another great video Mike. Captures the climbs erratic pitches. Lucky enough to have climbed it twice. The second time was not long after the great flood of the Valley, in very wet conditions. It's a decent I'll never forget.

[@MikeCotty]

Thanks David. I never quite feel that I have the upper hand on Hautacam. Well worth the effort though, the views are magic and the descent beyond words!

[@backsplasher]

Hi Mike, for me you summed up Hautacam perfectly, I have said to many of my cycling friends that Hautacam is one of the toughest climbs I have ever done, getting looks of disbelief from many of them, it is the undulating nature of the climb that does me in, weighing a mere 96kgs. On the 'so called' tougher climbs like the Tourmalet/Aubisque/Marie Blanque I have been able to select a gear and keep plodding away, the Hautacam won't let you do this, you're all over the shop with gear selection. Thanks for the videos. Keep up the great work !!

[@TheColCollective]

backsplasher Absolutely! If anyone disagrees we can both have words with them. Hautacam is a brute for sure! Thanks for watching (and riding). Mike

[@dabber1]

I totally agree. I did it in 2018 and thought it was far tougher than the Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden

[@NisseOhlsen]

which is your gearing on d'Aubisque ?

[@chrisshepard7073]

Great video Mike! I really enjoy your series. Thx

[@kwacker45]

Brilliant... As always. Thanks

[@mohammedalim7958]

Thank you for making these inspirational videos.

[@ianbowden615]

Excellent video, and your assessment of the climb is perfect. Did this last summer and it is much harder than it looks, but good fun. Looking forward to your next film.

[@TheColCollective]

Good work Ian! On paper it doesn't look so bad but when you're on the slopes "BOOM" it's easily lights out if you push too hard too soon!

[@tommylanigan2197]

One of the very finest climbs in the Pyrenees. Contador considers it the toughest. As Mike shows, it is a series of unforgiving ramps where you are changing gears all through the climb. Well worth continuing on to the Col De Trammasil for truly awesome views. The descent is insane!

[@andrewreid380]

Awesome! Love your videos they have me day dreaming....heading to the France this summer with my bike and cannot wait to hit these epic climbs! Thank you for the videos!

[@TheColCollective]

andrew reid Roll on summer, let's RIDE! :-)

[@andrewreid380]

INDEED! :)

[@victorcocut528]

A very beautiful mountain road!

[@ChasingCornfields]

Love it. I see you got a drone. It's perfect for these videos. Can't wait to see more.

[@TheColCollective]

Much more to come :-)

[@_Winterz]

Amazing as always, Im planning to go there this summer. Thank you Mike and all the team!

[@TheColCollective]

Winterz691 Superb, you're in for a treat!! Roll on sumer!

[@_Winterz]

The Col Collective Can't wait!!

[@derekbiggerstaff]

I must have been on a particularly good day when I rode this; I didn't realise there were pitches of 13 per cent. Wonderful climb. Don't forget to look around and enjoy the view down into the valley.

[@oni5245]

Climb that will decide tour 2022. Can't wait today for a battle beetwen pogacar and vingegaard.

[@tiagoc_1987]

I love your videos, great work man ;)

[@TheColCollective]

+Tiago Carmo Thank you for your support.

[@Tourrider99]

Awesome film Mike. Love your Col Collective series. Looking forward to the next one. This one brought back nice memories. I did the climb way back in 2004, on 39x27 bottom gear. Compacts weren't available way back then. This climb kicked my ass and then some. Still made all the way to Tramassel. Beast of a climb, I reckon much harder than Tourmalet which I did in the same trip. Awesome view at the top. Keep up the great work! Your film makes me want to go back to Europe and do the rides again. (I live in Oz)

[@TheColCollective]

Tourrider99 Good work indeed! I remember a decade ago when I was riding all the climbs in 39x25, a different world now since compact gearing became available (thank goodness!) Stay tuned, more videos coming soon!

[@evictorr]

I rode up this one in Sep 2016, but only as far as the Hautacam, and only realised later I'd missed the most scenic part of the climb. So in June the next year, I rode up to Col de Tramassel, and enjoyed a well-earned snack and drink at the cafe there. It was in the mid-30s even at the top, so a bit of a sweatfest. Fun, though! :)

[@TheColCollective]

@PaddyWalker, Hi Paddy, the music is from a library that we have of non-commercial tunes. We're seeing if it's possible to put a playlist together on Spotify as we've had a good response to a lot of the music we've been using. Ride safe and thank you for your support!

[@paddywalker8178]

thanks that would be great! Loving all the content! Hautacam is brutal did it last summer prefer luz ardiden and tourmalet😉 better graded😃

[@weerawarakul1817]

love this

[@__kandat]

Love it !!! Does Mike Cotty have Strava ???

[@jons539]

Hi Mike, Great video as usual. One suggestion...might be nice to add in a few comments on where famous incidents have occurred on the climbs, or a bit of tdf history. For instance, in this one you could've pointed out the right hairpin where Riis toyed with everyone then attacked in 96 (and maybe also discussed his use of a smaller large chainring when discussing gearing). Just ideas, definitely don't want to put a downer on your fantastic work!

[@TheColCollective]

Service Thanks for the feedback, we considered introducing a bit of racing history into some of the climbs and may well do this in the future. Just like in racing, let's see what pans out on the road ahead :-) What we did want to try and bring to life is the essence of each ascent, it's unique points that everyone will face and the beauty they can expect whether they are a beginner, experienced rider or even a racer. Thanks again for the feedback, always open to trying to make a better and more engaging final product for everyone to enjoy. Ride safe, Mike

[@alanclayton2349]

They are mega hoops with the 25mm tyre's smooth the ride a lot on my Scott Foil. Make a big difference climbing and descending.#thxmavic

[@alanclayton2349]

Another great video Mike itching to get over there. 😉

[@TheColCollective]

Alan Clayton I'm itching to get back! :-)

[@alanclayton2349]

What wheels are you running Mike? Recently bought 2015 Mavic SLR, game changers.

[@TheColCollective]

Hi Alan, I was using the Mavic CC40's. Oooh, SLR's, gotta love that Exalith braking surface! :-)

[@alanclayton2349]

Yeah they are mega rims coupled with the 25mm tyre's smooth the ride on my Scott Foil. Make climbing and descending a lot easier.#thxmavic

[@LTPCM2013]

Beautifull vidéo again ! Good explications,music... If you can présice the gearing at every vidéo its cool,its important to Know the gearing of the other. See you on the other vidéo ! 😉✌🚴

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you! We'll do our best to highlight the gearing for you. Ride safe, Mike

[@massspike]

The Col Collective I'd also be interested in Mike's power output (assuming he has a power meter).

[@Bluesman2509]

This truly is a tough beast, Saint Andre part is very hard...3430 or 3632 recommended even for strong climbers 🥵

[@spm36]

did the climb in August...34 degrees heat....it was tougher than the aubisque the next day for sure

[@TheColCollective]

For sure, Hautacam's inconsistent gradient can be a real test for the legs!

[@turbiobikerdark9846]

I did this climb just yesterday.it was a pity because the last 5 kms were plenty of fog and rained a little bit,so i couldn't enjoy the landscape

[@TheColCollective]

@Takuya Kanda Yep, I'm on Strava, just search for my name and you should find me. Ride safe, Mike

[@spencerlong3022]

Nice work Mike..looks a tricky climb, difficult to get the breathing right?

[@TheColCollective]

Definitely a tricky climb to predict Spencer, always wants to push you deeper and deeper into the red. Man vs mountain.......mountain normally wins! But it's fun trying! :-)

[@richycoles]

if you clicked on the dislike thumb, your at the wrong place...awesome stuff as usual.

[@TheColCollective]

Richy Coles Thanks Richy, we're hoping it was clicked by accident. Ride safe and stay tuned so more videos coming soon. Mike :-)

[@paddywalker8178]

What's the music?

[@paddywalker8178]

( dramatic music towards the end)

[@TheTiobiloute62]

jai fait cette annee 1h00

[@Orgakoyd]

Now if this guy was riding a Look everything would be correct.

[@TheColCollective]

+Aryan Adibmehr Ooops, sorry about that ;-)

[@Orgakoyd]

The Col Collective French climb, Mavic wheels and kit, no Look carbon frame, can you see it?