Col du Galibier

The biggest and the best. The whole mountain feels like taking a tour through a corridor in the museum of cycling. It's a historic climb, and for good reason. We've climbed it from both sides, and you've really got to do it from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne in our opinion.

There is technically a peak that you'll reach before the Galibier called the Col du Telegraphe, but we prefer to view the entire climb as one singular beast. The benefit, we suppose, of making a mental note that you have summited the Telegraphe is that it marks the start of a downhill roll, lasting around 4km, through to the village of Valloire - which is as good a spot as any for a quick coffee and pain au chocolat before what's still to come.

And there is a lot still to come. If (like us) you're not used to climbing north of 2000m above sea level, it can get cold fast. On a dry day, the temperature can drop by around 1 degree for every 100-200m altitude gain. And when you're heading all the way up to 2642m on this climb, it's worth keeping that in mind and having at the very least a buff and one extra layer stuffed in your back pocket.

The air gets thinner too. Which is a comfort to remind yourself, when you start blaming your underwhelming pre-holiday training or your lack of fitness for how fatigued you begin to feel in the last 5km once you've gone past that 2000m altitude mark. Just pace it sensibly, enjoy the jaw-dropping views as you look back at the switchbacks you've danced around, and take it one pedal stroke at a time.

The Chalet du Galibier café and souvenir shop at the top is a must, especially for the blankets that they leave beside every table to help you warm up while you're waiting on your drinks. Recommended menu choice from us would be the raspberry tart washed down with a mug of their sensational hot chocolate. Mission accomplished in terms of reaching the peak, but we strongly suggest factoring in an extra hour or so to drop down to the Col du Lautaret on the other side. Simply because we've never seen a view like it. The drop down to the Lautaret won't lose you too much altitude (less than 600m) and it is the most enjoyable 8.5km descent we've ever ridden. Words don't do justice to the views - it's a dream. Yes, you'll have to climb back to the summit of Galibier afterwards, but it's well worth it. And, sure, it gives you an excuse to drop back into the café one more time.