The nature is rough and very green but so beautiful but the last 6 km you can hardly enjoy it because your tongue hangs between your frame. The col is often hidden in a layer of fog and the weather is rarely sunny despite the summit being at an altitude of barely 1500m. The most legendary duel was fought between Nibali and Horner in the Vuelta and won by Horner. The older cycling fans will remember the images of David Millar who, a few meters before the finish, threw his bike into the abyss in protest against what the Vuelta organizers did to the riders during the first climb of the Angliru in their Tour.Ĭontador won there 2 times and the last time was during his last stage race and actually last stage of value ever. Among others, the Spanish Kelme team broke their chase car on it but many professional cyclists also broke their tracks on it. The goat trail is over 3 km long but from km 6 on you won't get below 13％percentages.
The infamous part has gradients up to 26,7％. The road in the steep part has been paved especially for the Vuelta because originally it was a goat path or " camino de la cabra " as the Spaniards call it. The average gradient of 10,2％ does not reflect the real difficulty of this climb because the first 6 km are barely 7％ uphill. My mates didn't do this last bit, so technically didn't do the climb !Īccording to many professional cyclists, this climb is the toughest in current cycling and in the Tour of Spain. Now, the climbing is done, but there is a sort section of easy descent around the mountain that takes you to the car park and the official end of the climb. And you know you're in for a battle when you see a section where the average is 13％, and you're relieved it's easing off!Īs you crest the rise (with some great views behind you) you think you're at the end. If you don't have the right gearing, you will end up stopping and it's almost impossible to get back on and start riding again. You need you easiest gearing (my 30 cassette broke and could only use a 28!). I like to think that climbs are as difficult as you choose to make them. Now it's narrow, steep and a bumpy surface covered in cow crap! Then the second section hits and you're smacked in the face almost immediately with the gradient, as well as the change in road surface.
The first 'easy' section is on good roads, at a fairly steady gradient (around 7％ / 8％), and you're settling in and wondering what the fuss is all about.
The only reason I travelled to this area was to take on Angliru.ĭefinite climb of two halves. Without a doubt, the hardest climb I have done.
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