Cotty’s Col Collective expands into cycling tours

Monday, 6 March 2017 Mark Sutton

Mike Cotty’s Col Collective is to step beyond teasing us with videos of the world’s most aspirational cycling climbs, announcing that the firm will now offer a select number of guided tours.

Based out of Cotty’s French Pyrénées headquarters, beginners right through to experienced cyclists are now invited to experience the mountains alongside The Col Collective.

“It’s been a hugely satisfying journey over the last couple of years, we’ve had such a heartfelt response to our videos from all over the world that we wanted to try and create an experience that helps bring riders even closer to the mountains, giving them one-to-one guidance, support and sharing our knowledge wherever we can to help you become more accomplished in the mountains while creating a really personal and unique experience with The Col Collective that will live with you forever,” commented Mike Cotty, founder of The Col Collective.

From the Grand Cols that are etched into the history of cycling – the Col du Tourmalet, Aubisque, Hautacam, Peyresourde, Luz Ardiden, Aspin and more – The Col Collective will now offer week-long jaunts in the mountains.

The beginner is catered for with an Introduction to the Mountains, which Cotty offers as a one-to-one trip, offering real world tips, techniques and support, both on and off the bike, to help you to the summit and back down again safely.

For the more savvy cyclist a summer Tour de France Experience is offered. Combining peaceful, yet challenging, ride days with the spectacle of the world’s biggest bike race, those signing up can ride the climbs and then watch the pros battle it out on the same slopes the very next day.

For those wanting a bit more time to amble up the climbs and take in the views, Explorer and Explorer Mini escapes allow riders to target the cols that matter most with expert route planning, help and advice from The Col Collective.

Located in the heart of the Hautes Pyénées, The Col Collective HQ is the perfect base for cyclists looking to tackle the most prestigious hors catégorie climbs, gentler rolling roads or even flatter farmlands that give the area so much charm and character. With five beautifully appointed en-suite luxury guest rooms, heated pool, mountain views towards the Pic du Midi and Montaigu and an exclusive Col Collective mountain essentials kit bag and equipment worth over €875 the firm is now ready to welcome guests into an area it is proud to now call home.