Luz Ardiden - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Climbing up to 1,715 metres at an average gradient just shy of 8% Luz Ardiden has been the scene of much drama over the years as the pros battle their way to the ski station summit. With a prestigious list of winners including Delgado, Indurain, Virenque, Jalabert, Armstrong and more, its close proximity to Spain means it’s one of the rare climbs that has featured in the Vuelta a España as well as the Tour de France. In fact, it was in the 2003 Tour when Armstrong had a falling out with a spectator’s musette, bringing him to the ground on the early slopes, leading to a frantic chase and eventual stage win.....fairytale stuff indeed.
Deep in the beautiful Hautes-Pyrénées, with neighbours like Tourmalet and Hautacam a quick look around and you’ll soon discover you’re in very good company. Quickly away from the bustle of Luz St Sauveur, the gradient remains constant around 7-8% allowing a rhythm to be established and for you to enjoy the odd fleeting view of the Pays Toys valley below. For the best part of two-thirds of the climb you have good tree shelter protecting you from the elements, however with 4 kilometres to go things are about to change but, before we come to that, this is also the point where the lesser known and wilder road of the D149 intersects the climb. If you’ve ridden the traditional road and fancy an alternative adventure then this ascent is an absolute treat, but beware it’s longer, narrower and steeper so make sure you fit your climbing legs in the morning.
As you pass the 4 kilometres to go sign and you get your first good glimpse at the summit, it’s here that the road opens up and the switchbacks start to flow. This is what we’ve come for. Take a deep breath and let the wonders of Luz Ardiden soothe your soul.
Start: Luz St Sauveur
Length: 13.4km
Summit: 1,715m
Elevation gain: 1,004m
Average gradient: 7.8%
Max gradient: 12%
Ridden in early October
I very much hope you enjoy our video from Luz Ardiden. If the thought of these peaks is just too much, then why not join us for our "Grand Cols" cycling tour in the French Pyrénées. For more details visit thecolcollectiv....
Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Lezyne, MyPower by InfoCrank, Muc Off, The Sufferfest, TORQ and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you're in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning :-)
For more help and advice visit our website at thecolcollectiv..., become part of our col community and sign up for our free newsletter for monthly updates.
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Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.
Peace.
Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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[@jean-mariegarcia1477]

Très belle mise en valeur de cette montée qui m'est très familière depuis plus de vingt ans. Merci.

[@brianmessemer2973]

I can hear our dear hero Paul Sherwen's voice uttering "Luz Ardiden" during coverage of past tours 😢😢😢. It is Phil and Paul who taught me (and so many others) all about this special place. Mike, of all the cycling channels yours especially aims to enhance the appreciation of the majestic mountains of cycling. I'm sure that Mr. Sherwen approves. Great work as always.

[@tryan137]

Here here well said Brian !

[@Bluesman2509]

A great great commentator talking about a great great climb.

[@pointbreak2811]

I agree. Bob Roll sucks.

[@Junior6502001]

Sensational and inspirational! Makes you want to ride more and more!

[@peterwoodford2376]

Another excellent video! Chapeau! Stayed in Luz last summer and rode Tourmalet and Gavernie, and will be back soon to ride Luz Ardiden. Looks fab!

[@therealcrab]

such high quality videos, Love Col Collective even if I never ride any of them!

[@eoincampbell-flyfishermana4737]

I cycled up Luz Ardiden in 1989 while retracing Stephen Roche's '87 Tour for charity (Multiple Sclerosis). I look back at nearly 60yrs of age and wonder how I ever did these passes... sometimes up to six in one day 🤔👌❤

[@Dominator00000]

I press like before I even watch the video :) Awesome one again!

[@themississippikidful]

Absolutely stunning ! Thanks again for another awesome video .

[@GuyPressault]

Once again thank you for the climb, the picts and the paysage. This one is on my bucket list

[@phila9288]

That memory is what inspired me ti start climbing mountains. Got to do this climb last year. What a dream. Best climb, best switchbacks, best views

[@kynasf]

Love this climb. Always quiet and a fabulous descent 👍

[@dabber1]

A great video which brings back wonderful memories from when I rode it in 2017. I just loved all those switchbacks... especially on the descent!

[@altitudemountainbikingbyju3528]

I have been watching the tour for 25 years, great memories, and battles. Greg le mond great rider , pedro delgado. To name a few. Great videos.

[@maxmichelson5649]

Brilliant 30 switchbacks what a GEM thank you Very much Mike

[@gustaylor50]

Awesome video. Did this in September 18 on a 25 degree plus day with the Mrs on an e-bike. We had the whole road to ourselves. Probably the best day I've had on a bike.

[@centrywt912]

Luz Ardiden, OMG i waited 2 years for this video, thank you so much ❤️

[@Bluesman2509]

It's one of my real favourites

[@centrywt912]

@@Bluesman2509 yeah man, i the 2003 most spectacular day and history was written there!

[@Bluesman2509]

@@centrywt912 We went to the Pyrenees last September but didn't get a chance to ride it due to landslides...can't wait until we go there this September! Basque flag will be flying 😁

[@flopietzsch262]

Another awesome video! I rode this last year having already completed the Tourmalet and still marks the bigger riding day I've ever done. Its a must if you're in the area

[@Jesus-mg9ee]

Amazing road, I climbed after Tourmalet in 2011, great memories. I want to come back.

[@MrEric5452]

Thumbs up, Mike & team...

[@grobson4]

Great work Mike and team. God bless you!

[@braddemarco8040]

Thanks again for another great video. Great inspiration especially during the winter time.

[@louiswassong211]

Great video! Makes me want to jump on my bike to explore the wonders of the world

[@albcraft27]

my first climb ever ! had done it in 1hour exactly. It still has a special place in my memory

[@SchumacherJoerg]

An other great and mindblowing video, motivating me to jump up on my bike !!!GREAT !!!!

[@plpha7262]

France is so beautiful.

[@davidevans1978]

All hail king Cotti, the mavic maestro, the col Corporal.

[@09ookami]

Yet another iconic Col. We are all suffering with you. Thank you sir

[@glennfaustino8044]

Nice, love it. Thanks Mike!

[@boomshine7]

I was there about 10y ago and also did all the known ones... Tourmalet, Luz-ardiden, hautacam and aubisque, but my favourite one was the 'pic de Tentes' in that Gavarnie valley, maybe because it went up the highest and also was the most mighty and calm climb

[@evictorr]

That's one of my favourites too. I rode up it last year and the year before. It's also the only climb in the Pyrénées where I've seen the very shy and elusive marmots :)

[@arturzieba3066]

The best as always :)

[@noch21Gramm]

as always: stellar

[@charlydegaul8737]

AMAZING

[@rocatalin88]

Words are useless! Well done, guys!

[@dalescott3942]

Amazing stuff!

[@seryjnymeteopata2162]

masterpiece :)

[@spm36]

This was my 3rd climb of the day last September...I wasn't fussed about this climb really..too much forest and less views before you hit the later section..but that might be because my legs hurt too..great vid again👍

[@evictorr]

A nice climb! I rode it last year and the year before, both times in fairly hot weather. One day, I'd like to ride up to it in cool and slightly misty weather for a change :)

[@chucklist3074]

Nice!! Just out the backdoor ;)

[@CyclingExplorers]

My list just got bigger

[@FrittenFriseurLPs]

"And there is an attack by Mayo there it is" "And look who goes: Armstrong. And look who follows: Jan Ullrich"

[@Bluesman2509]

Hehe! Classic! 😄

[@ronflores658]

I just discovered your videos, which are spectacular and inspirational. Thank you for them! The reason I am commenting, though, is to point out a hitch in your pedaling stroke. As a long time fitter, I noticed at the top of your pedal stroke on the left side, your left knee buckles inward toward the top tube as you begin to pedal downward. Perhaps you are aware of this--it's quite pronounced. Anyways, sorry for straying off topic. Loved the video

[@willeigo8468]

it looks arduous but not murderous.

[@cyclingrawvideos9436]

Really appreciate your work. I wonder if it would be worth creating 2x /3x or even much longer forms with footage you've taken with a bit more balanced background music or just ambient sounds.

[@cleggycyclist]

yes drop the music, it's not needed

[@ourwilliam2405]

Great video. What was that magic powder he was putting in his magic bottle? Lol

[@kentbridges7201]

Another great video. What is that song in the beginning?

[@railman215]

Which are the music tracks that you used in this video?

[@snookerbg]

Absolutely loved it! And this jersey is sooo hot, can it be bought seperately from a cycling tour?

[@peter_smyth]

I think Mavic do them with the mountain square pattern, but without the Col Collective logo.

[@TheColCollective]

Hi Kosio, Mavic have the jersey in their range at shop.mavic.com/en-int/cosmic-graphic-jersey-c4864.html#1028=3394. We only had a handful made for our cycling tour guests. Super happy you like it :-)

[@Rvdecwthug]

@@TheColCollective Can you do videos of The Flumserberg and Crans Montana climbs in Switzerland please?

[@larryberman3837]

Mike, love the the vid and the kit, is it possible to buy the jersey?

[@benjaminfoucard7008]

Please do the Montée des Belleville!

[@dewiz9596]

Great videos. . . but. . . I’d also be riding them wiyh a support vehicle. . . just in case tge weather went into the crapper. . . as it did for me on Port de Pailheres a few years back. . . Doesn’t mean I won’t watch, though. . .

[@smallbutheavy9664]

It's 2019 and jou still show Mr. L. Armstrong...😨

[@kellyoram6220]

See you in July Luz Ardiden. Be nice to me please! Oh, and Mike - is that the kit for your tours this year? Yes???

[@johnevanko3797]

That was the kit from the 2018 tour season.

[@fg-le8gb]

Mike, what are your sunglasses please?

[@steveeb9567]

Why is there never anyone else or cars around ?

[@okantichrist]

steveeb Early morning?

[@TheColCollective]

Luz Ardiden is a dead end going up to the ski station, int he summer there's no real reason to go up there......unless you're on a bike so it's always beautifully peaceful, much like the rest of the Pyrénées :-)

[@steveeb9567]

@@TheColCollective How about a video about what goes into filming one of these. Does it take all day ? Multiple cameras ? Multiple takes ? Bloopers reel ?

[@djfler]

i just need the music

[@grahamhaller8181]

Rode it a month ago, easy. No, bit of a tough climb, though I had done the tournament the previous day. Speaking as a 60 year old, just take it steady, watch your Hart rate and power. And if you spot them just stop and watch the marmots.

[@markusnanderod5934]

Slowmotion closeup of adjusting your cycle shorts?

[@okantichrist]

Markus Nanderöd yes all part of cycling 👍🏻

[@TheColCollective]

Of course, need to make sure the length is right for the tan lines......hee-hee! :-)