Departure: Bossost
Length: 8.2 km
Altitude: 1,292m
Height Gain: 574m
Average Gradient: 7.0%
Maximum gradient: 17.8%
Category: 2
Spain's Eth Portilhon, or the Col du Portillon from the French side, provides a convenient passage between the two countries. Comparatively short and heavily forested, the route over the col was once a popular passage for smugglers during decades gone by.
Cycling-wise, no matter what you call it or from whatever side you climb it
from, you’ll still leave a lot of sweat behind you on the road. Geographically much closer to other passes and valley
towns on the French side of the border, the col has appeared significantly more
often in the French tour than the Vuelta a España.
Having ridden more than 150 kilometres through the heat
and humidity, I was expecting a more gruelling climb than my previous ascent,
from Bagnères-de-Luchon,
just 12 months earlier. Yet, if anything, I’d underestimated it.
Slightly
steeper but shorter in length, the Spanish climb is less interesting than its
French counterpart, more exposed too, especially the first 4 kilometres of road which steadily
winds its way up to a lookout facing the high peaks to the south. With the
sun’s haze tarnishing the view I’d seen better panoramas in a snowstorm, but
truth be told, I simply needed an excuse to get off my bike. Rarely, if ever, had I stopped for a break on
the way up a climb but my feet were on fire inside my shoes. Sometimes it
doesn’t matter how well your blood might be circulating around your body, it
just doesn’t always make it to your toes, especially when they’ve been in a
fixed position for most of the day.
The rest
of me felt great, well as great as a 59-year-old body can feel. Almost like
sipping a warm fortified wine on a cold day, it was surprising how quickly the
ache disappeared once I restored my circulation. The remaining few kilometres
to the top of the climb, averaging between 7 and 8%, weren’t painless but they
were at least through delightful woodland and I could still feel my feet.
Downhill all the way, from the moment you roll over Eth
Portilhon’s summit, it's just a matter of moments before you're gliding through
the streets of one of the most quintessential towns in the French Pyrenees,
Bagnères-de-Luchon.
Next:
My 9th Most Difficult Spanish Climb - Alto de la Rabassa
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