22-12-12, 08:24 AM
Hi steve
That is the north side m8, best ridden upwards as the hairpins are fecking unbelievably nadgery with a great change in elevation. The south side is much more flowing with spectacular views both up and down.At one point its like riding down the grand canyon. All bikers should get to ride it at least once in their life. I have been lucky to do it 4x now, and believe me, it still will catch u out if its not treated with utmost respect.
At the top are some quaint bratwurst stalls, even buffalo sausages one time I think ! Its a slightly carnival atmosphere as literally hundreds of bikes come and go all the time. I love the alps, the people, the bikes, the culture.I could ( and will) write a book of my biking anecdotes which get added to every time I go there. I put it down to the sheer number and diversity of bikes and people who visit the alpine areas. I have met up spontaneously with so many bikers ( and non bikers) from all over europe whilst on tour , and the welcome is always the same.
By contrast I find spain to lack this culture...its rugged and wild, but very sparsely populated, so its all natural beauty...though at just one third the altitude of the alps, and a dry climate ...it never will somehow have that unique majesty feel and awe about it. Maybe its a bit of fear too, cos riding alps, particularly in cold wet fog is a truly focusing time, not something I look forward to , but sharp in my memory.
That is the north side m8, best ridden upwards as the hairpins are fecking unbelievably nadgery with a great change in elevation. The south side is much more flowing with spectacular views both up and down.At one point its like riding down the grand canyon. All bikers should get to ride it at least once in their life. I have been lucky to do it 4x now, and believe me, it still will catch u out if its not treated with utmost respect.
At the top are some quaint bratwurst stalls, even buffalo sausages one time I think ! Its a slightly carnival atmosphere as literally hundreds of bikes come and go all the time. I love the alps, the people, the bikes, the culture.I could ( and will) write a book of my biking anecdotes which get added to every time I go there. I put it down to the sheer number and diversity of bikes and people who visit the alpine areas. I have met up spontaneously with so many bikers ( and non bikers) from all over europe whilst on tour , and the welcome is always the same.
By contrast I find spain to lack this culture...its rugged and wild, but very sparsely populated, so its all natural beauty...though at just one third the altitude of the alps, and a dry climate ...it never will somehow have that unique majesty feel and awe about it. Maybe its a bit of fear too, cos riding alps, particularly in cold wet fog is a truly focusing time, not something I look forward to , but sharp in my memory.