From the Col du Tourmalet to Alpe d’Huez, from Mont Ventoux to Luz Ardiden, Simon Warren rides, photographs, describes, maps and profiles the 100 greatest climbs of the Tour de France, the beating heart of the race. Technology may advance, training and diet may evolve, but these mountains are constant. They have witnessed triumph and despair, courage and heartache, they are where champions are made and where dreams are shattered. And yes, the greatest arenas of the world’s greatest race are open 365 days a year for every one of us to ride. So take up the challenge, emulate your heroes and make your mark on the 100 greatest cycling climbs of the Tour de France. For each of the 100 climbs this guide includes a detailed description of the climb and photograph, a detailed map with directions to help you find it, a factfile with altitude, height gain, average gradient, it’s tour debut and category, and a difficulty rating. Its everything you need to tackle these world famous climbs.

SIMON WARREN has been obsessed with cycling since the summer of 1989 after watching Greg Lemond battle Laurent Fignon in the Tour de France. A few weeks later he rode his first race, a 10 mile time trial on the A1 from Newark to Grantham and back. Although not having what it took to beat the best, he found his forte was racing up hills, and so began his fascination with steep roads. His quest to discover Britain's greatest climbs resulted in the bestselling 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, followed by Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Hellingen: A Road Cyclist's Guide to Belgium's Greatest Cycling Climbs and 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of the Tour de France: A Cyclist's Guide to Riding the Mountains of the Tour. Simon works during the day as a magazine art editor and lives in Walthamstow, east London with his wife and two children.