Cycling is Britain’s biggest boom sport and nowhere is the boom more evident than on the road: once seen as the preserve of serious racers, the road bike has recently found a new lease of life due to the popularity of challenge rides and Sportives. It is now possible for cyclists of all abilities to ride a well marked, well marshalled event just about any weekend of the year, usually based around one, two or sometimes as many as ten fearsome hills. For the first time, here is a pocket-sized guide to the 100 greatest climbs in the land, the building blocks for these rides, written by a cyclist for cyclists. From lung busting city centre cobbles to leg breaking windswept mountain passes, this guide locates the roads that have tested riders for generations and worked their way into cycling folklore. Whether you’re a leisure cyclist looking for a challenge or an elite athlete trying to break records stick this book in your pocket and head for the hills. To watch a video of Simon Warren in action click here

A narrative guide to the most scenic and inspiring cycling climbs in the French Alps. The Alps are a place of legend for cyclists, road racers, and enthusiasts alike. Home to one of the most demanding sections of the Tour de France, the mountains offer some of Europe’s most glorious cycling climbs through Geneva, Chamonix, Annecy, Chambe´ry, Grenoble, Le Bourg-d’Oisans, and Barcelonnette. In this comprehensive guide, Graeme Fife, author, teacher, and passionate cycling enthusiast, presents the greatest mountain routes of the Alps. Aided by Peter Drinkell’s beautiful color photography, Fife reveals each journey with historical snapshots, humorous observations, and stirring stories from cycling’s past, detailing the challenges of each climb and the key features to look out for along the way. A selection of photographs of the routes and stunning scenery is included in each chapter, and illustrated maps document the climbs of each region. Whether planning a weekend tour or an epic cycling adventure, this beautifully illustrated guide is essential reading for cyclists of all stripes.

Cycling uphill is always hard, and cycling all the way to the summit of a mountain can be excruciating, yet road cyclists from across the world have long embraced the hairpin bends, steep gradients and thin air of mountain roads. This book of 20 cycling climbs from across Europe, the USA and South America offers a glimpse into the allure of reaching the high mountains by bike. Each climb includes a dedicated drawing by Nigel Peake – which can be detached and framed – and a description of the climb, including details of its height, length and gradient. Notorious stories of each climb's inclusion in the great cycling races, such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, are also told, as well as tips for following in the tyre tracks of the greats and taking these monsters on yourself. This is a complete guide to 20 legendary cycling climbs and a unique document of the suffering and reward that cyclists seek up in the cols and passes of the mountains.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS Mountain High is a book for cyclists of all interests and abilities - from experienced club racers to enthusiastic amateurs looking for the world's greatest cycle challenge. Packed with practical route information and advice on each climb, Daniel Friebe's beautifully written text explains why each mountain pass merits inclusion in the top 50 with superb descriptions of the majestic scenery, the heroic deeds of cycling's legendary riders or the sheer endeavour and exhilaration of reaching the summit. With over 250 specially commissioned photographs taken by specialist cycling photographer Pete Goding, this really is the ultimate guide to Europe's 50 best climbs. Featured rides include: Tour de France icons Alpe d'Huez, Col du Galibier, Mont Ventoux, Col de l'Izoard and Col du Tourmalet; the Passo dello Stelvio, Passo Fedaia, Le Tre Cime di Lavaredo and other sacred summits from the Giro d'Italia; plus Spain's formidable Alto de l'Angliru, Austria's Grossglockner and forty more mountain legends.

Longer! Higher! Steeper! Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Simon Warren's follow-up to his original bestselling 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, is packed with another century of stunning ascents. Featuring the same winning and inspirational formula as the other books in Simon's 100 climbs series, inside you'll find killer hills from the tip of Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland, via East Anglia and the Isle of Man. Tackle roads such as the cobbles of Gold Hill in Dorset, Gospel Pass in South Wales, Mam Nick in the Peak District, the mighty Great Dun Fell in Cumbria and the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye. Just when you thought it was safe to go back to riding on the flat, here come another 100 climbs. This second edition is fully updated for 2024.

The fifth book in the series of eight UK regional cycling guides from author Simon Warren takes readers (and their bikes) to the shores and skylines of South-West England. Plot a route between any two points in this region and its profile is likely to resemble an upturned saw blade – together, the Cotswolds, the Mendips and the exquisite Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks form a perfect hill climber’s playground. In quiet Cornish fishing villages, on top of Bodmin Moor and cresting the Salisbury Plain are legions of punishingly beautiful roads eager to meet their cycling match, and the very best are between these pages. With a list including the dramatic Cheddar Gorge, Gold Hill, Haytor Vale and the fearsome Porlock, this region is one to relish.

In this road cyclist's guide, cycling enthusiast and bestselling author Simon Warren presents 60 of the greatest cycling climbs in London and the Home Counties, including classics like Box Hill in Surrey ('the Alpe d'Huez of the South-East') and London's Swains Lane, the capital's stiffest climb. From the rolling vistas of the Chilterns, through the twisting lanes of the Surrey Hills all the way to the rugged white cliffs of Dover, the South-East is littered with tough climbs. Many have now become household names such as the mighty Box Hill or Ditchling Beacon, but many others lie hidden, gems just waiting for you to discover. So whether you live in London Fields or the Kentish Weald there will be a climb inside this book, right on your doorstep, just waiting to be conquered.

The eighth and final book in a series of UK regional cycling climb guides from the author of the bestselling 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. Previous regions covered include South-East England, Yorkshire, Wales, the Midlands, South-West England, Scotland and North-East England, and now Simon Warren takes readers into North-West England. The book presents new challenges for existing fans of the 100 Greatest series, as well as providing the perfect introduction to hill climbing for new readers in the area.

The fourth in a series of eight new cycling climbs guides from bestselling author of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Simon Warren. Spanning the width of England, the Midlands contain numerous (literally) breath-taking climbs. The isolation of the Lincolnshire Wolds and the desolation of the Long Mynd are home to a myriad of challenges, and no matter where you look, you’re never too far from an absolute killer. Highlights include the infamous Mow Cop, the rugged Michaelgate and the savage Asterton Bank. Add to these the famous ascents of the Peak District – Winnats Pass, Curbar Edge and Monsal Head – and you are truly spoilt for choice. So, what are you waiting for?

Simon Warren's 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of the Tour de France is the ultimate cyclist's guide to the iconic climbs of Le Tour. From the Col du Tourmalet to Alpe d'Huez, and from Mont Ventoux to Planche des Belles Filles, these climbs are the beating heart of the world's greatest bike race. Technology may advance, training and diet may evolve, but these mountains are a constant. They have witnessed triumph and despair, courage and heartache; they are where champions are made and where dreams are shattered. And, yes, the greatest arenas of the world's oldest and most prestigious Grand Tour are open 365 days of the year for every one of us to go and ride. So, take up the challenge and emulate your heroes on the greatest cycling climbs of the Tour de France. This second edition is fully updated for 2024.