Your favourite road

pblakeney

Dorset_Boy said:

Thne bike path around Lake Annecy is another good one, particularly if you deviate and go up the Col de Forclaz which has spectacular views back across the lake towards Annecy.

Nice but busy in town. Shows what a proper bike path can be. Trouble is proper bike paths get busy outside of dawn. 😉

paulbnix

pilot_pete said:

Yes, I’ve done The climb from Errwood reservoir up to Derbyshire Bridge out of the Goyt Valley is one of my favourite in the U.K. beautiful.

I agree. I cycle that road frequently.

I’d add the waterfall behind the car park to the list of attractions. I’ve seen it frozen solid in the winter.

Also extending the ride over Axe Edge and down past Dalehead and Buxton speedway leads you to Earl Sterndale and the Quiet Woman pub.

10 miles of virtually car free road.

yorkshireraw

Europe - the start of the Col du Pourtalet from Laruns in the Pyrenees towards Spain - you leave the town on a slight uphill (if I recall correctly) and the road splits - the left turn is the start of the Aubisque.
If you carry on right you start climbing into a tree lined gorge with a stream on your right and high rock face on your left, with trees up both sides as you begin the 29km ascent to the border at the top. It's the 3rd big climb on the 'Quebrantaheusos' Fondo so my experience was doing it with lots of others and no traffic. Really got me the first time. The descent on the Spanish side is most of the Formigal climb (before they turn off the main road for the last few Km) from last year's Vuelta.

UK - probably for childhood memory reasons, and despite the appalling surface, the run from Thwaite / Muker down Swaledale (in the Yorkshire Dales) to Reeth. It's net downhill (although doesn't always feel it) and starts after you've come down off Buttertubs - was part of stage 1 of the 2014 TDF. It's quintessential 'old' Dales villages (Gunnerside, Low Row, Healaugh) etc and not as touristy as Hawes side.
After Reeth you can crack on down to Richmond on a pretty decent surface or take on the 'pleasure' of climbing Grinton Moor.

Would love to be able to go to either at the moment!

angry_bird

ugo.santalucia said:

Oh dear...

UK one: probably the road that connects Rhyader with Devil's Bridge in the Cambrian mountains, national cycle route 81

Good choice, it's a stunner.

pilot_pete

paulbnix said:

pilot_pete said:

Yes, I’ve done The climb from Errwood reservoir up to Derbyshire Bridge out of the Goyt Valley is one of my favourite in the U.K. beautiful.

I agree. I cycle that road frequently.

I’d add the waterfall behind the car park to the list of attractions. I’ve seen it frozen solid in the winter.

Also extending the ride over Axe Edge and down past Dalehead and Buxton speedway leads you to Earl Sterndale and the Quiet Woman pub.

10 miles of virtually car free road.

Absolutely. Often climb up past the raceway from Glutton Bridge. This was last summer...Chrome Hill in the background, just before the climb starts up through the gorge.

paulbnix

pilot_pete said:

This was last summer...Chrome Hill in the background, just before the climb starts up through the gorge.

Lovely picture especially in the middle of all the bad weather and pandemic.

dangardner27

Due to a dodgy knee I cycle when the family have skied in the Pyrenees in Feb half term. The valleys around Saint Lary Soulan (where we have stayed) are spectacular on a sunny day. My favourite is the road between Arreau and Genos.

wavefront

I could deliberate a few choice roads in the Alpes, but my favourites are undoubtedly when I go home to the highlands, either by car or bike. I’m emotionally attached to the area. It’s a tough call between the Cairnwell climb up to Glenshee from the south, taking in Devils elbow is just stunning, or road from Fettercairn to Banchory over the Cairn O Mount - the most amazing 18miles of tarmac whether you go quick or slow!

pilot_pete

paulbnix said:

pilot_pete said:

This was last summer...Chrome Hill in the background, just before the climb starts up through the gorge.

Lovely picture especially in the middle of all the bad weather and pandemic.

Yes, I have been furloughed since March. Ruptured appendix at start of lockdown meant I was hospitalised for a week then spent a couple of months recovering. Cycling has been the ONLY thing that has kept me sane, and as you can see, it’s easy to socially distance around here on a bike!

After a slow start back from illness it only took a month or two with all my availability, to be doing long days out in the saddle again. Culminated in a 250mile ride in August!

PP

pblakeney

dangardner27 said:

Due to a dodgy knee I cycle when the family have skied in the Pyrenees in Feb half term. The valleys around Saint Lary Soulan (where we have stayed) are spectacular on a sunny day. My favourite is the road between Arreau and Genos.

Nice. And too good for a simple "like".

piker2

pilot_pete said:

The climb starts at the reservoir on the left here. The scenery just getting to that point is wonderful!



Then the climb starts through the woods with the steep sided Goyt valley off to the left...



It opens out and you get above the tree line...



But there is still a long way to go...



Even at Derbyshire Bridge there is more climbing...



The top is at the famous Cat & Fiddle, in the distance here...


It has an awful lot for the UK - picturesque, sheltered valley, steep sided drop off to the left on the one way road up. Nice surface, wooded start up to the tree line, then exposed moorland, stream, bridges, then barren exposed, and can be windy as hell top with great views across the Cheshire Plain to the west and the Peak District to the East. It’s challenging but not overly steep all the way. On a sunny day it is sublime.

PP

This should be in the nostalgia thread for me. It is a long while since I rode up there . In my youth I lived SE Manchester and spent every minute I could on my bike in the Peak District.

navrig2

The A83 Arrochar to Campbeltown, simply because it goes nowhere. Great memories of motorbiking down there. Plus you have the option of pulling off to Skipness and to one of the finest seafood shacks in the country.

Non UK - Coll de sa Batalla in Mallorca. I've ridden it 3 or 4 times and every time it has been a sweetspot ride. Not sure if it's been the right day of the holiday or if it's easy (others didn't find it so) or perhaps it's just the right profile for me. Plus the views are lovely.

Least favourite - Colle San Carlo on the Italian/French border. 11km of 10% hell. Done it twice and I want to do it again.

ugo.santalucia

navrig2 said:

Least favourite - Colle San Carlo on the Italian/French border. 11km of 10% hell. Done it twice and I want to do it again.

Kind of local for me, when I head down to Italy... although I normally go down in April,
and San Carlo is still a bit too high (1900 mt or so)... so I normally do Col de Joux and Col St. Pantaleon, which top at 1600 mt and are snow free in late spring.

Maybe 2021... as it looks like spring in Italy will be impossible... might head down in summer if at all possible.
But yes, relentless monster...

navrig2

ugo.santalucia said:

navrig2 said:

Least favourite - Colle San Carlo on the Italian/French border. 11km of 10% hell. Done it twice and I want to do it again.

Kind of local for me, when I head down to Italy... although I normally go down in April,
and San Carlo is still a bit too high (1900 mt or so)... so I normally do Col de Joux and Col St. Pantaleon, which top at 1600 mt and are snow free in late spring.

Maybe 2021... as it looks like spring in Italy will be impossible... might head down in summer if at all possible.
But yes, relentless monster...

We were based in La Rosiere so after Carlos we still had the PSB to do. First time I was fecked and actually walked my cleats off on Carlos. Had to buy a new set in Bourg. Second time I didn't walk but stopped twice. Next time I won't stop but I'm getting older and need to do it soon. Wont be 2021. Maybe 2022 but more likely 2023.

ugo.santalucia

navrig2 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

navrig2 said:

Least favourite - Colle San Carlo on the Italian/French border. 11km of 10% hell. Done it twice and I want to do it again.

Kind of local for me, when I head down to Italy... although I normally go down in April,
and San Carlo is still a bit too high (1900 mt or so)... so I normally do Col de Joux and Col St. Pantaleon, which top at 1600 mt and are snow free in late spring.

Maybe 2021... as it looks like spring in Italy will be impossible... might head down in summer if at all possible.
But yes, relentless monster...

We were based in La Rosiere so after Carlos we still had the PSB to do. First time I was fecked and actually walked my cleats off on Carlos. Had to buy a new set in Bourg. Second time I didn't walk but stopped twice. Next time I won't stop but I'm getting older and need to do it soon. Wont be 2021. Maybe 2022 but more likely 2023.

Here's a tip... as you descend PSB towards Pre St. DIdier, take the right turn to "Parco Avventura Mont Blanc"... you reach a flattish gravel road, which is doable on a road bike and leads to the sky walk over the Orrido gorge... stunning views, totally worth it

navrig2

ugo.santalucia said:

navrig2 said:

ugo.santalucia said:

navrig2 said:

Least favourite - Colle San Carlo on the Italian/French border. 11km of 10% hell. Done it twice and I want to do it again.

Kind of local for me, when I head down to Italy... although I normally go down in April,
and San Carlo is still a bit too high (1900 mt or so)... so I normally do Col de Joux and Col St. Pantaleon, which top at 1600 mt and are snow free in late spring.

Maybe 2021... as it looks like spring in Italy will be impossible... might head down in summer if at all possible.
But yes, relentless monster...

We were based in La Rosiere so after Carlos we still had the PSB to do. First time I was fecked and actually walked my cleats off on Carlos. Had to buy a new set in Bourg. Second time I didn't walk but stopped twice. Next time I won't stop but I'm getting older and need to do it soon. Wont be 2021. Maybe 2022 but more likely 2023.

Here's a tip... as you descend PSB towards Pre St. DIdier, take the right turn to "Parco Avventura Mont Blanc"... you reach a flattish gravel road, which is doable on a road bike and leads to the sky walk over the Orrido gorge... stunning views, totally worth it

I've cycled passed that 4 or 5 times!! Next time we will stop and have a look. The Google maps photos make it look great. Cheers!

molteni_man

This!

Taken from Strava Photos of the year - looks fab - I just want to ride it now!




Can anyone tell me where it is please?

molteni_man

N0bodyOfTheGoat said:

For simply the rare excellently smooth tarmac up around the western side of the South Downs, the ~2 mile minor road known as Longwood Dean Lane, just north of Upham.

https://www.strava.com/segments/2662747

It's always had a good quality road surface since I found it in 2017, but bizarrely (when there are loads of roads that desperately need re-surfacing up there, including Old Winchester Hill Lane), it was re-surfaced in summer 2019... Someone high up the council food chain must live along there!

One of my very favourite roads too NobodyOfTheGoat! Absolutely fab, quiet and my favourite way to get North out onto the South Downs. Always a pleasure. Love the stretch after you turn right at the red post box from the Milburys along 'Windy Ridge'. Was chilly up there yesterday with a fresh breeze, but stunning views!.

mrb123

molteni_man said:

This!

Taken from Strava Photos of the year - looks fab - I just want to ride it now!




Can anyone tell me where it is please?

First thought was the Struggle seeing those walls either side but might not be.

Charlie_Croker

mrb123 said:

molteni_man said:

This!

Taken from Strava Photos of the year - looks fab - I just want to ride it now!




Can anyone tell me where it is please?

First thought was the Struggle seeing those walls either side but might not be.

Funny you should think of 'The Struggle' when I first saw this picture I thought it was the other side, Brothers water to Kirkstone Pass.
But no, it's in the Yorkshire dales (as alluded to in the text of the Strava page) but I don't know the exact location. Looks like a good one to decend! Great shot with a lone rider

elbowloh

To me "The Struggle" is the local name of a steep footpath I had to ascend every morning and descend every afternoon to first, middle and secondary school.

I went down it on my bike once (about 10 years old) when it was raining, came off and headbutted a lampost. An old lady found me and walked me and the bike home. Got taken to one of the neighbours who was a paramedic and he put some stitches in (butterfly).

mrb123

https://www.yorkshirevelotours.com/challenge-rides

You could always email these lot if desperate as they seem to have a pic of the same road on their homepage, but I can't see that it says where it it.

Charlie_Croker

It looks a bit like this...




Which is Park Rash difficult to say, I could be wrong. We need a Yorkshire lad to put us right, cos I'd like to know now

Ben6899

The photo is of Park Rash

molteni_man

Charlie_Croker said:

It looks a bit like this...




Which is Park Rash difficult to say, I could be wrong. We need a Yorkshire lad to put us right, cos I'd like to know now

Just had a look at the photos and videos from your link re Park Rash Charlie - looks superb. The link takes you to a great website!