Mike Cotty takes on the Alps, 36 hours non-stop

British rider Mike Cotty is attempting to ride 666 kilometres non-stop through the French Alps, taking in 16,000 metres of climbing including many of the high mountain passes made famous by the Tour de France.

Cotty will set off on Monday, August 5, and will face the Col de la Colombière, Madeleine, Glandon, Croix de Fer, Télégraphe, Galibier, Izoard, Vars, Bonette and Madone on his southerly route from Evian Les Bains to Nice.

As the effort is non-stop, several of these passes will have to be tackled at night. Cotty hopes to finish the route within 36 hours.

"A bicycle is more than a means of getting from A to B. It's an expression of one's self. A moment of

freedom and a chance to explore," said Cotty.

"Every rider is unique in their motivation. The desire to discover both physical and mental limits in search of new experiences comes from deep within. Life is not a race, it's a journey. Sometimes on familiar roads and other times following a path into the unknown."

Cotty's attempt will be live tracked via Map My Tracks, you can follow it via Cotty's website.