If you’re a velo fan you can’t help but be inspired by this collection of cycling posters. From famous climbs to legendary tour winners there’s something for every cyclist.
Pay homage to the iconic Giro d’Italia Maglia Rosa with this beautiful cycling art print. This poster is a perfect gift for cycling fans and a great motivational piece to hang in your pain cave.
Alpe d’Huez
The iconic Alpe d’Huez first featured in the Tour de France in 1952, and it has made champions and broken hearts. The iconic climb is 13.8 kilometres long and features 21 hairpin bends. The first five of the bends are particularly challenging, with a gradient of more than 8%. The gradients become more forgiving as you climb higher up the mountain, so it’s important to pace yourself. It’s also important to take water with you – there aren’t many places to refill your bottle.
A self-proclaimed ‘island in the sun’, Alpe d’Huez is famous for its clear air and spectacular views of the Oisans massif. It is a popular destination in both winter and summer, with skiers, hikers, and cyclists. The resort is also home to a number of events, including the International Comedy Film Festival and the Megavalanche downhill mountain bike race.
Col du Tourmalet
One of the most iconic climbs in cycling, Col du Tourmalet features regularly in the Tour de France. First included in the race back in 1910, the pass has played a key role in numerous stages and earned itself a place in the pantheon of great climbs.
Initially, the route to the summit is fairly gentle and has only a 2.3% inclination. However, the mountain gradually becomes steeper and the slopes reach 7% after about 5 km.
The Tourmalet offers a magnificent view from its summit. It’s an unforgettable experience for any cyclist. The feeling of achievement, joy and emotion is indescribable.
The climb can be approached from two sides – Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Campan. The western side is longer and has a maximum gradient of 10% while the eastern one has a slightly lower average gradient. Both sides of the mountain offer an amazing ride experience that encapsulates the spirit of road racing. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, the Col du Tourmalet is a must-do for any road cyclist.
Vuelta a Espana
La Vuelta a Espaa is the youngest sibling of the Grand Tours and was founded in 1935. Former cyclist Clemente Lopez Doriga and Juan Pujol, director of the newspaper Informaciones, envisioned it as a way to boost circulation and increase cycling’s popularity in Spain.
This year’s race began in Barcelona with a short team time trial. This early indicator of power and strategy will give a good idea of who’ll control the overall classification.
The second week is set to bring the peloton to the Pyrenees where two back-to-back mountain stages will test riders. The stage from Aubisque to Tourmalet will include not one but several legendary climbs while the stage from Sauveterre-de-Bearn to Larrabe-Belagua will be a brutal high-mountain day with three first category climbs.
In addition to the general classification, there are other categories for climbing, points and combinations. This means there are plenty of opportunities for breakaway riders with strong climbing skills to take the top spots in the coveted red jersey.
Tour de France
The Tour de France is the oldest of the three Grand Tours and one of the most prestigious bicycle races in the world. It is held every year in July and ends on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. It was first organized in 1903 by Geo Lefevre, a journalist for the daily sports newspaper l’Auto, and Henri Desgrange. The race has many features that make it a grueling test of human endurance.
The race includes a number of time trial stages, where each cyclist competes against the clock. The rider with the lowest cumulative time is awarded the coveted Yellow Jersey. The winner of the Tour de France is announced at the conclusion of the final stage in Paris.
The Tour also includes a series of mountain climbs. These are a particular challenge for competitors, who need to be both fast and fit. Climbers have a special set of skills and physical traits that enable them to conquer steep mountains.cyclist print