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Hardest Mountain Passes?
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| larsaliknt |
Posted on 22-08-2016 15:25
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I would like to ask for your opinon on which are the hardest mountain passes in the world, regardless on wether they have been included or not in professional races.
Also, if you are a professional or amateur cyclist, I'd like to hear about your personal experiences at climbing those passes. Which climbs proved too difficult for you to complete? Which segment was the hardest? |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 15:43
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Considering the hardest climb I've done has been Pra Martino, Im probably not the one you were looking for
But you can always look for Italy. Mortirolo, Stelvio, Finestre.. its stuff of legends and you'd probably want to try some of those out if you are a passionate cyclist who likes climbing.
More extreme, Scanuppia. I think you'd have to climb it by MTB. |
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| emre99 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 16:13
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Me neither, hardest climb I've done (couldn't finish  ) which is in Turkey. 17km, 7.5%, well considered HC, stopped before last 4..
https://www.strava.com/segments/684378
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| larsaliknt |
Posted on 22-08-2016 16:19
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Riis123 wrote:
Considering the hardest climb I've done has been Pra Martino, Im probably not the one you were looking for
But you can always look for Italy. Mortirolo, Stelvio, Finestre.. its stuff of legends and you'd probably want to try some of those out if you are a passionate cyclist who likes climbing.
More extreme, Scanuppia. I think you'd have to climb it by MTB.
Scanuppia seems like an absolute monstrosity. There's a Youtube video showing a guy climbing it and at some point he has no option but to stop for a second.
I've heard of a certain pass that has been used in Vuelta a Colombia. "Páramo de Letras". It doesn't feature steep segments whatsoever but it lasts for 80 excruciating kilometers.
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| Martii_Scots01 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 17:06
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Hardest climb to be included in a pro bike race? Has to be Madonna di Ghisallo which was in Il Lombardia in the 60s and I'm pretty sure they use it now as well. |
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| matt17br |
Posted on 22-08-2016 19:10
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Martii_Scots01 wrote:
Hardest climb to be included in a pro bike race? Has to be Madonna di Ghisallo which was in Il Lombardia in the 60s and I'm pretty sure they use it now as well.
That's nowhere near the hardest
In the same race, even la Colma di Sormano is probably harder:
Since 2014? il Valico di Valcava is not done anymore, but it's also a lot harder:
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| Martii_Scots01 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 21:24
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matt17br wrote:
Martii_Scots01 wrote:
Hardest climb to be included in a pro bike race? Has to be Madonna di Ghisallo which was in Il Lombardia in the 60s and I'm pretty sure they use it now as well.
That's nowhere near the hardest
In the same race, even la Colma di Sormano is probably harder:
Since 2014? il Valico di Valcava is not done anymore, but it's also a lot harder:
Damn. Should've checked first, I meant Sormano. Being getting those two mixed up for a while now. |
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| Martii_Scots01 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 21:29
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Although there is different definitions to hard climbs in different countries for example the UK would call Beleach nà Ba a hard climb (6ks at 8%) whereas that would be considered quite easy in other countries when compared to climbs like Hautacam, Alpe d'Huez and the L'Iseran amongst others |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 21:49
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Hardest climb I know of in Europe is the Col du Jandri/Glacier de Mont de Lans. It starts with the normal ascent towards L2A but continues on gravel roads untill over 3100 metres above sea level. The last 15 kms are gravel roads at over 10% average with kilometres at over 15%. In total the climb goes from 800 to 3100 m altitude in 26 kms.
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 22-08-2016 21:53
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In any case, the hardest pass to be included in a big pro race would probably be Monte Zoncolan in the Giro. There have been tons of tough climbs in the Vuelta but they tend to be dead ends rather than passes. I guess there's an argument to be made that the early passes in the tours were tougher because of the road surface (and the equipment).
Hardest climb I've done is Monte Grappa via the Bocca di Forca (though again not technically a pass): 
Came very close to stopping and it was pretty fucking agonising but managed it. Nice challenge.
If you've got low enough gears then you get up most stuff if you're an OK rider.
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 22-08-2016 22:47
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Worst feelings i've had on a climb but not the hardest is the Croix De Fer in France the change in altitude and length plus the consistent ups and downs were a real killer |
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| nils erik |
Posted on 22-08-2016 23:21
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The hardest passes in Europe is likely to be well known in stage races throughout the alps/pyrenees (Stelvio, Mortirolo, Tourmalet, Grossglockner). There are a lot of harder climbs of course, but they are not passes (only one way up) and therefore more difficult to include in races and therefore often hidden beauties with some exceptions.
The only climb I've failed at riding is the Koppenberg, because of the steepness, and not so good shape at that moment... The hardest I've done is Juvasshytta, with Mont Ventoux coming in second. Juvass is hopelessly steep, 10 % average in 13.4 kms including two flat/downhill sections. Many ramps on 16-17 %, so much harder than Ventoux I would say; even if the riding time is about 20 minutes shorter. |
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| Strydz |
Posted on 23-08-2016 06:56
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The hardest climbs I've ridden have to start with Mt Baw Baw, the whole climb is 12.5 k's @7.7% but the real kicker is the last 6 k's that average out @13% with some of the corners peaking above 25%
Here is the last 6 k's
Mt Monda doesn't look that hard until you realise it's on a rough gravel/dirt road then ends on what can best described as a goat track. It works out to be 4.6 k's @10% and all done on a road bike with 23 mm rubber https://www.strava.com/segments/982202
This section is over 12%
And this beautiful hairpin
Then we have these 2 which aren't mountains but sure make the legs work
Terrys Avenue is only 3.2 k's @6.9% but look at the 1st and 2nd sections.... OUCH!
Mast Gully Road is just around the corner from Terrys and works out at 2.3 k's @9.8% but the last 1 k averages 18-20%... I love this climb!
Edited by Strydz on 23-08-2016 07:17
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 23-08-2016 09:11
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I can't believe that no one hasn't mentioned L'Angliru yet! That has to be up there for the last 6.5km alone
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 23-08-2016 09:46
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Spilak23 wrote:
Hardest climb I know of in Europe is the Col du Jandri/Glacier de Mont de Lans. It starts with the normal ascent towards L2A but continues on gravel roads untill over 3100 metres above sea level. The last 15 kms are gravel roads at over 10% average with kilometres at over 15%. In total the climb goes from 800 to 3100 m altitude in 26 kms.
Yeah, thats a beast.
Mont du Chat is also quite hard. Calle Fauniera is pretty handsome two! |
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| larsaliknt |
Posted on 23-08-2016 13:01
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I'm enjoying a lot with your replies. You're making me discover some passes that were unknown to me. Thanks a lot to everybody! |
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| Selwink |
Posted on 23-08-2016 13:20
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A while ago I read something that the Finestre was the hardest climb in used in GTs due to its terrain (gravel), altitude, length and average percentage. I have no clue at all where or when I read it, so no source unfortunately.
Hardest road climb I've ever done is probably a bridge or so
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| larsaliknt |
Posted on 23-08-2016 20:52
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I think no one has mentioned this one. It's in the Canary Islands and apparently some consider it to be the hardest pass in Europe.
El Pico de las Nieves:
28 kilmetres, 6'73 average steepness, several segments over 20%. I don't know if it's harder than Zoncolan but seems a tough challenge regardless. |
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| matt17br |
Posted on 23-08-2016 20:58
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BTW I believe this site might be useful, it provies an index of the most difficult climbs in the world which you can filter by nation and mountain range, as well as I think find climbs within a certain distance from one you're interested in: https://www.climbbybike.com/most_diffi...climbs.asp
This is useful too, but might need to be translated as it's in Italian: https://www.salite.ch/struttura/defaul...?Ultime=10
la-flamme-rouge.eu, made by daily user and award winning stagemaker emmea, will soon feature a climbs map which is not available yet, you can read more about it here: https://pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread....st_1185651
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| Shonak |
Posted on 23-08-2016 21:06
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Hardest climb in Hawaii, maybe Hawaii is worth a trip when I get married one day after all - after 4.000 meters, my future wife shouldn't expect sexual activtiy from me for at least a week tho
Hardest climb I ever personally did is hard to say, since it always is daily condition. From climbs in my area, Kitzbühler Horn is pretty much a beast but not a "pass" per se.
Mont Ventoux was mentioned here. I didn't think it was that difficult although the mid-section without serpentines (southside) is pretty tough indeed. The last 6 kilometers are pure bliss tho, when you overtake sunday riders on their struggle up the top and the iconic moonscape inspires you give your best, like Pantani. What Mont Ventoux has definitely going for it is that it's probably the best descent I ever did. It's perfect road set up, always a great view and great insight into the road, and you can enjoy it all the way. That is to say when there isn't a auto-queue going up down from the Tour de France stage the same day.
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