L’Angliru
Just uttering its name sends a shudder through many who have experienced its gradients. It is possibly the most feared climb in professional cycling. It is L’Angliru!
We’re not animals and this is inhuman!
Former Scottish pro David Millar famously refused to finish a 2002 stage that culminated at the climb’s peak, stopping his bike just before the finish line and taking off his rider number in protest. He was eliminated from the race for not finishing the stage. “We’re not animals and this is inhuman,” Millar said at the end of the brutal stage.
It is undoubtedly a tough climb, but it is an achievable climb. This is one that telling others will give you the limelight as you regale your tale of this climb. Your key is being sensible, having enough gears and ride within yourself. So lets have a look at this brute of a climb.
What’s all the fuss about.
Our 12.5km climb commences once we reach the town of La Vega. As we start rolling through past the small houses, you can be excused for thinking, well this is not so bad so far. Our first 5 kilometres averages just a 7.5% gradient. It is funny to say ‘just 7.5%’, but this will get so very much tougher. As we turn off away from the main road, and head for Angliru, the road flattens out to a false flat. This is the quintessential calm before the storm.
This might be your last chance for a bite to eat and something to drink because the next six or so kilometres, it becomes nigh on impossible.
This is where Hell Begins.
Like an unexpected slap in the face, the road rises to over 10% almost immediately. Thank me later for the gearing advice. This kilometre averages some 14%. This will become the norm for the next 6 kilometres. Head down we continue on. The further we go the more rural it feels.
As we reach the 8km mark we reach our first switchback of the climb. These are not like normal switchbacks. Usually we long for the switchbacks. That momentary lull in the gradient that gives the legs some respite. Not these ones hombre. The gradient in the switchbacks often jumps up to nearly 20%, but it’s only momentary before we are back to just 12%. We still have at least 4km to go.
Our next 4kms are the same. The road becomes tighter. The surrounding environment is more rural and the gradient averages 12-14%. Keep your eye out for grazing cattle and lots of cow manure on the roads. Some really tough ramps unfold, even breaching the 20%, but don’t stress because hell is nearly over.
At the summit there is not much more than an amazing view of the surrounding mountain ranges. Just incredible.
