Puerto de la Bonaigua - Esterri d' Aneu    

Didn''t seem like 1000m ascent, I think the gradient is a bit deceptive. It looked fairly flat but I was labouring in a reasonably low gear. Then again, there was a solid headwind on the long straights - something probably fairly common in this direction. It''s not the nicest climb in the world. There are some ok mountains and not much traffic. The fun bit is the switchbacks, which start about 2/3 of the way up. Even at the top, the views on the other side are ok but partially obscured. A good climb to get in the bag, due to it''s height. But to be honest not one I''m in a hurry to repeat.

Long, mentally tough stretches define the initial kilometres of this climb. The butter-soft asphalt gilds the pill. After the last bridge, a sharp turn to the left and you start on a better part that soon transforms into a long endless straight. To the right the rock face, to the left the beauty of the Spanish Pyrenees. Then you come to the hairpin bends. You swing at low gradients from one side of the valley to the other. You see some buildings but the climb takes longer than you suspect. After the hairpins, wait with the final jump, because just when you think the finish is round the bend, there is another section. A nice climb, not beastly, but long.