More Than 21 Bends

Most cyclists get Normandy wrong. Normandy Cycling. You arrive expecting flat roads, grey skies, and a quick ride between famous D-Day beaches. But if you ride here long enough, you realise something different. Normandy isn’t about chasing climbs or smashing big distances. It’s about understanding the landscape. The small roads through the bocage.The constant change of wind off the Channel.The quiet villages where every café stop has a story.

Most cyclists get Normandy wrong.

Normandy Cycling. You arrive expecting flat roads, grey skies, and a quick ride between famous D-Day beaches. But if you ride here long enough, you realise something different. Normandy isn’t about chasing climbs or smashing big distances. It’s about understanding…

7 Mistakes to Avoid at the Etape du Tour (Before You Reach the Start Line) Planning to Ride L'Etape du Tour 2026 ? Whether it’s your first time riding in the Alps or your fifth sportive of the season, L'Etape du Tour is different. Longer climbs. Bigger exposure. Higher pressure. More emotion. And every year, strong riders arrive fit — but still make avoidable mistakes that cost them their day. I’ve spent 17 years…

7 Mistakes to Avoid at the Etape du Tour (Before You Reach the Start Line)

Planning to Ride L'Etape du Tour 2026 ? Whether it’s your first time riding in the Alps or your fifth sportive of the season, L'Etape du Tour is different. Longer climbs. Bigger exposure. Higher pressure. More emotion. And…

L'Etape du Tour 2026 : Don't make these 7 mistakes ! YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

Doing the L'Etape du Tour 2026 ? : Don't make these 7 mistakes !
youtu.be/g2KdC8_3CDs

#etapedutour #etapedutour2026

Pas de la Confession Cycling: Escape the Alpe d’Huez Crowds If you’re planning to ride in the Oisans and everyone keeps talking about Alpe d’Huez, here’s something most riders overlook. The Pas de la Confession. A quieter, north-facing climb above Bourg d’Oisans that gives you spectacular views, steady gradients, and none of the chaos of the famous 21 bends. In this week’s video, I ride the full loop from Bourg d’Oisans via Allemond, up through Villard Reculas, across the Pas de la Confession, and then descend part of Alpe d’Huez back to the valley.

Pas de la Confession Cycling: Escape the Alpe d’Huez Crowds

If you’re planning to ride in the Oisans and everyone keeps talking about Alpe d’Huez, here’s something most riders overlook. The Pas de la Confession. A quieter, north-facing climb above Bourg d’Oisans that gives you spectacular views,…

Cycling Oisans: My Confession Revealed YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

One of my personal favourites just off Alpe d’Huez. If you are doing the Étape du Tour and are arriving early or staying later this is a must do ……

Cycling Oisans: My Confession Revealed
youtu.be/HhHl0wNCJJI

Col du Solude: Cycling Off the Beaten Path in the Oisans if you think you know cycling in the Oisans, the Col du Solude will quietly prove you wrong. Tucked away above Bourg-d’Oisans, this little-known climb trades hairpins and crowds for silence, exposure, and raw mountain character. Narrow roads fade into gravel, the valley drops away beneath you, and halfway up you’re forced through a pitch-black tunnel where breathing, effort, and nerves all sharpen at once.

Col du Solude: Cycling Off the Beaten Path in the Oisans

if you think you know cycling in the Oisans, the Col du Solude will quietly prove you wrong. Tucked away above Bourg-d’Oisans, this little-known climb trades hairpins and crowds for silence, exposure, and raw mountain character. Narrow roads…

Brittany GPX Files 7 GPX files from my Brittany cycling video. The files are contained within a ZIP file. All routes include some unsurfaced roads.

Brittany GPX Files

7 GPX files from my Brittany cycling video. The files are contained within a ZIP file. All routes include some unsurfaced roads.

Col d’Ornon: Beautiful, Quiet… and Worth Respecting

When people think about cycling in the Oisans Valley, they usually think of Alpe d’Huez.But some of the best rides in the French Alps are the quieter ones. The Col d’Ornon is often suggested as a rest-day climb: smooth tarmac, gentle gradients,…

Col d’Ornon: Oisans most Beautiful Climb and Dangerous Descent? YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

The Col d’Ornon looks like the perfect Alpine climb.
Beautiful views in the Oisans.

Most riders assume it’s safe but this is the same road where my son was hit by a car
That’s why I always talk about the descent.
Not to scare people — but to help them ride smarter in France
youtu.be/bvKomp6-GdU

It Took Me 17 Years to Learn the Roads of L’Étape du Tour 2026 I’ve spent the last 17 years riding, supporting, and working on these exact Alpine roads — long before they became the Étape du Tour 2026 route. On paper, the course looks incredible.In reality, it’s far more complex, demanding, and unforgiving than most riders expect. I’ve just published a clear, rider-focused guide that explains: where the sportive really becomes hard (and why),

It Took Me 17 Years to Learn the Roads of L’Étape du Tour 2026

I’ve spent the last 17 years riding, supporting, and working on these exact Alpine roads — long before they became the Étape du Tour 2026 route. On paper, the course looks incredible.In reality, it’s far more complex, demanding, and…

Oisans Cycling: The Easier Alpe d’Huez Warm-Up Nobody Talks About YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

I’ve cycled in the Alpe d’Huez region for 17 years - and this quiet loop surprised me immediately ….

Oisans Cycling: The Easier Alpe d’Huez Warm-Up Nobody Talks About
youtu.be/_pabmXFN28A

L'Etape du Tour 2026 Your Ultimate Guide YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

I’ve been riding and supporting cyclist for 17 years on the roads and climbs of the Étape du Tour 2026. Check out my guide and free map

L'Etape du Tour 2026 Your Ultimate Guide
youtu.be/ndJ6FlEM2hw

Col de Sarenne 2026: Should the Tour de France Really Go Here?

The Col de Sarenne is one of the wildest and most beautiful mountain passes in the French Alps. Narrow, exposed, and perched high above the Oisans valley, it feels far removed from the busy climbs most cyclists know. In 2026, however,…

Alpe d’Huez: The Truth Behind the “21 Bends” (New Video Release)

For decades, cyclists have been told there are 21 bends on Alpe d’Huez. It’s the legend. The myth. The badge of honour. But after riding the climb myself — and filming every turn — I realised something surprising: There are More Than…

What Cycling 100 km Every Week Has Taught Me Since Christmas 2024, I’ve kept a simple promise to myself: ride at least 100 km every week.

What cycling at least 100km a week has taught me #cycling #commuting

open.substack.com/pub/morethan...

16,000 Amateurs + TDF on Col de Sarenne… Smart or Risky? YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

16000 amateur riders and then the Tour de France pros in the same week. An ecological disaster for the Col de Sarenne and Oisans valley ? #tdf2026

youtube.com/shorts/66vxJ...

New Ride, New Page — and a Personal Movember Mission Before I dive into today’s new cycling content, I want to share something personal.This month I’m taking part in Movember, raising awareness and funds for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and cancer support. It’s a cause close to me, and if you enjoy my videos or find my guides useful, I’d be incredibly grateful for any support — even the price of a coffee makes a difference.

New Ride, New Page — and a Personal Movember Mission

Before I dive into today’s new cycling content, I want to share something personal.This month I’m taking part in Movember, raising awareness and funds for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and cancer support. It’s a cause close to me, and…

Cycling in France: The 6 Best Regions for Every Rider Cycling in France is an experience like no other. From gentle riverside paths to epic mountain climbs, the country offers routes for every rider — whether you’re a casual tourist or a seasoned road cyclist. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where’s the best place to cycle in France?”, you’re not alone. There are so many regions to explore, each with its own charm, history, and cycling challenges.

Cycling in France: The 6 Best Regions for Every Rider

Cycling in France is an experience like no other. From gentle riverside paths to epic mountain climbs, the country offers routes for every rider — whether you’re a casual tourist or a seasoned road cyclist. If you’ve ever asked yourself,…

What’s It Really Like to Cycle Over the Pont de l’Île de Ré? YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

Would you cycle over this French bridge? #cyclingfrance

youtu.be/YZ9zy2RzAY0?...

Beautiful

Where’s the Best Place to Cycle in France? | Loire, Normandy, Alps, Pyrenees & More YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

Where’s the Best Place to Cycle in France? | Loire, Normandy, Alps, Pyrenees & More
youtu.be/VZmuJhp0zec

Wow

Four Mates, Three Mountains, One Insane Alpine Cycling Adventure YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

Four mates. Three mountains. One brutal, beautiful ride through the French

#cycling

youtu.be/pzgsdPfsJU0

Cycling to the Château de Brissac: The Giant of the Loire Valley If you’re exploring the Loire Valley by bike, the Château de Brissac is a stop that shouldn’t be missed. Rising seven storeys high with over 200 rooms, it’s officially the tallest castle in France — and it certainly lives up to its nickname: the Giant of the Loire Valley. A Brief History of the Château de Brissac The château’s origins date back to the 11th century, but its grand Renaissance look came later, when René de Cossé purchased it in 1502.

Cycling to the Château de Brissac: The Giant of the Loire Valley

If you’re exploring the Loire Valley by bike, the Château de Brissac is a stop that shouldn’t be missed. Rising seven storeys high with over 200 rooms, it’s officially the tallest castle in France — and it certainly lives up to its…

Most cyclists miss this hidden Loire Valley gem – here’s why you shouldn’t YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

Gravel, vineyards & history in the Loire Valley 🇫🇷
62km to the Giant of the Loire – Château de Brissac, the tallest château in France (8 stories, 200+ rooms!).

Cycling in France doesn’t get better than this.

📹 Watch the ride 👉
youtu.be/wShuRSGACKQ

#cycling #LoireValley #gravelbike

Conquer the Alps Like the Dublin 18 What happens when 18 determined cyclists from Dublin take on the giants of the French Alps? Three unforgettable days, legendary climbs, and memories to last a lifetime. Day One: Straight Into the Deep End The challenge began with the mighty Col du Glandon, before rolling straight onto the breathtaking twists of the Lacets de Montvernier. Tough gradients, stunning scenery, and spirits sky-high.

Join us in the French Alps for a cycling holiday of a lifetime — Alpe d’Huez, Croix de Fer, Montvernier & more, fully supported & unforgettable.

Dublin Cyclists Conquer more than Alpe d’Huez : More Than 21 Bends Cycle Tour YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

18 Dublin cyclists. 7 legendary climbs. 3 epic days. 1 mountain they’ll never forget: Alpe d’Huez. 🚴🇫🇷
youtu.be/4TIZ2gV7GRo

#cyclinginfrance

Cycling Adventures in France: Gravel Loops, Hidden History, and Fairytale Castles

One of the best things about cycling in France is the sense of freedom it gives you. You don’t always need a plan—sometimes the best rides happen when you just clip in, start pedalling, and see where the road (or…

Nice

Hidden WWII Battery on a Gravel Ride in Normandy | Barfleur Loop YouTube video by More Than 21 Bends

Hidden WWII Battery on a Gravel Ride in Normandy | Barfleur Loop
youtu.be/I2I7Jf-Q7SA