100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of the Tour de France: A cyclist's guide to riding the mountains of Le Tour (100 Climbs)

Sometimes with a book like this it is easy to skip the text and just check out the numbers and the graphics. But that would be a mistake with this one.Simon Warren writes entertainingly and informatively in the introduction and for each entry. There's a great little bit about the Marmotte too. So, take time to read what Simon has written. Its good. Chapeau Simon.As for the graphics themselves they are excellent. All the technical detail you need are there to give you a taste of what to expect. In combination with the text it really does whet your appetite. I've done quite a few of these climbs already but this book made me want to go back and pay more attention.I also really like the images. They are not photoshopped to show skinny athletes enjoying the 10% gradient in lovely sunshine. No, these images show cloud, loads of switchbacks, a glimpse of road surface and no frills or enhancements. Oh, and a bit more cloud. These locations don't need flashy photography. The cloud and the view if there is one, is enough to get a feel for these special places :-)I think in the text somewhere it would have been good to include a bit of advice about what to carry on a big day climbing in the Alps for those doing it for the first time. Also it might have been useful to stick in a few details about what to do in France in an emergency.So if /when you buy this book, just check out who to contact in the event of a crash or any other medical emergency and make a note in the book itself. There are some high and lonely places ion these climbs but then that is what you are going for isn't it? :-)

I'd have this just for the Tourmalet as that's top of my 'to-do' list when next in France. But of course there's so much more to it than that. As with all Simons guides, this is well set out and informative. Each climb is described so well you really feel as if you're there, the pain of every pedal stroke is real.In the centre of the book is this lovely bonus section ' The Spectators Guide to a Day in the Mountains' - all about how to get the most from being at the Tour, all done in a lighthearted way and very colourful.Please keep them coming Simon

This perfectly pocket-sized guide highlights some of the greatest and most inspiring mountain climbs in cycling, covering the main areas of the Tour de France. Humerous and insightful commentary from the author accompanies the factfile and directions for each climb, enabling the reader to compare, contrast and simply marvel. The spectator's guide is a colourful addition, and there's a neat ticklist to finish. A must-have for the would-be climber.

Pocket sized - ideal for setting personal goals or just marvelling at the pros

This book has been invaluable for planning my cycling trip to France this summer. Simon Warren has personally selected, and ridden, all 100 of these climbs and so his insights are absolutely spot-on and really give you a feel for what awaits you on your chosen climb(s). I particularly like Simon's humour throughout the book. Simon gives you all the necessary practical information, but the best parts are his descriptions of the climb and how he felt while riding them. His descriptions are clear, concise and very realistic - he doesn't sugar-coat how hard it's going to be. Something else I really like is that the photos weren't all taken on sunny days, so it gives you a realistic view of how the climb will look in the grey/rain, which can be likely! The book is a convenient pocket size to take on your travels. Looking forward to ticking off as many of the 100 climbs off the list as possible!

A brilliant little pocket book. It contains all the information required to find and ride the 100 climbs.Each climb has a double page spread with a photograph and a fact file containing the information required to find the climb and what gradients/distance to expect. Although I think the photos could have been better it is hard to make a short section of tarmac look appealing.To compliment the fact file and photos there is a paragraph describing the climb which gives more useful information from the author who has actually ridden the climb. There is also humour in much of the book especially the section “a spectators guide to the tour”.The book provides essential information as well as inspiration and a handy tick list at the back. I’d love to see a coffee table version with updated photos at some stage in the future.

If you love cycling, specifically the Tour De France and you love the mountains then this is the book for you! Originally published in 2014 and now republished in 2024 this pocket sized book has 100 climbs covering areas such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Vosges, and Massif Central. Each of the 100 rides has 2 pages, one is a picture the opposite page has a short write up and 2 small maps and gradient and other key facts. Even if you don’t intend to ride every one of these rides the book will be a great armchair guide to the forthcoming TDF and also an inspirational guide to future trips. The author adds his own humorous commentary to the rides it isn’t just a book of directions I particularly liked the spectators guide to watching a mountain stage particularly the part about fighting the locals for freebies from the publicity caravan. Improvements for future guides could be larger print and slightly more detailed maps but these are minor issues.