Climbing the Tourmalet looks wonderful! Not that steep, just a bit long. Take your time, and enjoy the view.
Do we have a UK hill to compare? I'm doing "The Pass of the Cattle" next year.
{Split from the Pyrenean Crossing topic }
Have you cycled up Bealach-na-ba?
Bealach na Ba - Applecross
Mick F. Cornwall
The view's bloody marvellous though! 
- Good pub in Applecross when you've whizzed down t'other side. 
Mick F wrote:I wonder if that pub in Applecross does accommodation?
There is plenty of accomodation on the western side of the peninsula.
I quite fancy staying in one of the wooden "wigwams" on the campsite at Applecross.
http://www.wigwamholidays.com/Applecross_Wigwams
Mick F wrote:I was thinking of staying overnight at Lochcarron, doing the Pass without luggage, doing round the top, past Loch Torridon and back to Lochcarron.
Yep, that's a good one. The Lochcarron - Applecross penninsula - directly back to Lochcarron makes a for good few hours of energetic cycling.
Beware of the northern coast of the Applecross peninsula. It is one tough S.o.a.B. Relentless ( and seemingly endless ) sharp climbs and drops with little level ground.
If you want to go really beserk you could try the BIG loop.
http://strathpuffer.co.uk/Bealach-na-Ba/Event_route.htm
. . . which is the route of the the new cyclosportif event . . 90 miles of . . er, fun?
http://strathpuffer.co.uk/Bealach-na-Ba/event_BNB.htm
Accounts of the survivors . . . .
http://strathpuffer.co.uk/Bealach-na-Ba ... s_pics.htm
Or you can do a slight variation by cutting cross-country between Glen Torridon & Glen Carron using the Coulin Pass between Loch Clair & Achashellach.
Too rough to ride one of your lightweight steeds though. It makes a nice walk just pushing the bike. No good for a trailer.
Mick F wrote:However, I MAY consider doing the Pass fully loaded. More of a challenge, eh?
Yep, entirely possible with a low enough gears. You might make it up without walking.
It was the descents ( in both directions ) that frightened me !!
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Gearoidmuar
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I did the Pass of the Cattle 18 years ago in a '73 VW camper with the wife, four kids, a large dog and a trailer. It was hell, but halfway up we crammed in a knackered German fraulein and her bike.
She was a big, strapping girl - think Tamara Press for those old enough to remember - and I was much gratified to find that she was a PE teacher. It cured me of a long standing hatred of PE teachers to discover that a wet Pass of the Cattle renders them mortal. Nowadays, many years on, I just dislike them
She was a big, strapping girl - think Tamara Press for those old enough to remember - and I was much gratified to find that she was a PE teacher. It cured me of a long standing hatred of PE teachers to discover that a wet Pass of the Cattle renders them mortal. Nowadays, many years on, I just dislike them
I drove it with the family + two dogs in the early 80s. We rented a cottage for a week near Kyle of Lochalsh and did a bit of touring. A wonderful drive over the Pass and down to Applecross. I remember us and the kids and dogs paddling in the sea, it was warm and clear and shallow - we went out for miles!
We drove on north, then around the shore of Loch Torridon.
I WILL Cycle it!
We drove on north, then around the shore of Loch Torridon.
I WILL Cycle it!
Mick F. Cornwall
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treejamie
