When you start cycling, in the Netherlands you usually start with a local lap. After an hour or an hour and a half of cycling, you plop down on the terrace. Satisfied, proud of your achievement. Most cycling clubs then immediately start planning the wildest tours. One thing comes to the fore: hairpin bends. Switchbacks. Serpentines. In the Netherlands, in most places it's pretty hard to climb for more than five minutes, let alone encounter a hairpin, exceptions left there. Just across the border in the Ardennes you already have a better chance. But the really nice sections are a little further afield. We've made a quick selection. Here are 5x hairpin bends to drool over.
Monte San Biagio - Maratea
This climb in Italy's Basilicata province is certainly not the steepest or the longest. But with a location like this and the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the summit, much is reminiscent of a certain statue in Brazil. The climb there, however, is different. The climb of Monte San Biagio is over nine kilometres long in total and rises an average of 5.3 per cent in it. An excellent challenge for basically anyone, even if you are just starting out in cycling.
Malojapas - Switzerland
On many instagram channels, these pictures of Switzerland's impressive Malojapas pass pass by. Anyway, you will find many architectural gems in Switzerland. It is beautiful to see and the 32 kilometre long pass in the canton of Graubünden will keep you busy for a while. It climbs to 1815 metres altitude and averages under five per cent. This is no problem for the fit cyclist. The pictures could go straight into an album.
Gotthard Pass
The old Gotthard pass (many know only the tunnel) is on a bucket list for many. Not only because of its beautiful winding curves, but also because of the fact that there are cobblestones or cobblestones on the road. The classic variant from Airolo in Ticino gives you beautiful views and images that will make you want to jump on your bike right now. The 13.5-kilometre climb is on the tough side, though. For the novice cyclist not immediately an apples-to-apples challenge. At almost 7% average it is steep, but the cobblestones make it even harder.
Lacets de Montvernier
These shoelaces in France have only recently become all the rage. Rightly so? Yes indeed. This is a shorter climb of four kilometres, but the hairpin bends give away a lot: it is a tough steep challenge. With 7.6% of average ascent and an outlier to 11.5%, you have a tough climb ahead of you. Again: the pictures are truly to drool over.
Col de Turini
One that will also turn many heads is the Col de Turini. Another stunning turner just outside Nice in the south of France. Famous for the Monaco Rally, it is also popular with cyclists. It's a bit busier than usual here in summer, but oh well, that shouldn't spoil the fun. The Turini does pose another real challenge, as you climb to 1607 metres altitude in almost 15 kilometres of climbing. That this gets you over 1100 altitude metres means that, at 7.3% average, the climb is not an 'easy coffee ride'.
