THE ONLY WAY IS UP
The imposing mountains of Europe are challenging enough for local French, Spanish and Italian riders, but for British cyclists raised on the relatively flat roads and rolling hills of home, they are understandably even more intimidating. While Box Hill in Surrey, quite possibly the most-climbed hill in Britain, is a paltry 224m high, the Col du Galibier in the French Alps soars to 2642m. The infamous Hardknott Pass in the Lake District may snake uphill for 2km, but the Passo dello Stelvio in Italy dishes out the pain for 24.3km. No wonder British cyclists head to Europe with a mix of exhilaration and fear.
“Training for 30-to 60-minute European climbs can be a challenge in the UK,” admits Phil Paterson, an endurance coach at the Athlete Lab Performance Centre in London (athletelablondon.com). But here’s the good news: the gradients of our own climbs are often much steeper, which means your local climbs are still useful training grounds for grander adventures.
“When we think of continental climbs, we think of switchbacks winding up stunning terrain. European roads are built to allow the path of least resistance up enormous
