Storming the Bastille

[maxn]

ok maybe "flailing my way up" would be more accurate. The bastille is a local climb known for it's steepness. Maybe not Vuelta steep, but steep enough to get the Badger off his bike. I have ridden up it a few times: once mildly buzzed at night with a buddy on MTBs, and then more recently when I met up with some local expats who promptly spat me out the back. The first ramp is almost comically steep... and then it gets worse. By the end, even 15% grades are a welcome respite from the serious parts. But somehow I did not remember this when I was deciding where to go for my lunchtime ride. I guess time dulls my memory of extreme pain, but it came back very quickly. The steepest parts make it hard to even keep the front wheel on the ground, and standing up is more or less out of the question. Some photos:

http://maxnanao.com/bastille/Images/1.jpg
http://maxnanao.com/bastille/Images/2.jpg
http://maxnanao.com/bastille/Images/3.jpg
http://maxnanao.com/bastille/Images/4.jpg
http://maxnanao.com/bastille/Images/5.jpg

painful, but a pretty unique and cool climb

[David Kirk]

that looks fantastic!

dave

[FlashUNC]

My quads hurt just looking at those switchbacks.

Looks stunning.

[thwart]

http://maxnanao.com/bastille/Images/4.jpg

Now that looks really nasty. I'd guess that ramp in the foreground is over 30%.

[that guy]

Awesome photos.

[crownjewelwl]

or is that how it really looked?!?!?!

amazing either way

[Joel]

going up looks crazy...but talk to us about coming down...was it terror?

[maxn]

thanks guys. Instagram: yes, but if anything it looked cooler than that. It was a pretty misty today with great light.

Not sure about the percentages -- I've heard mid to upper 20's in places. I'm glad I have a compact. At least it is a pretty short climb.

video of the Blaireau on the climb (The Bastille starts around 0:49):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alNJ6pwQrNo

[maxn]

the descent was no problem because I was stopping to take so many pictures. I'm not sure I would recommend it with carbon clinchers though!

Also, a plant I have been looking for for some biochem. studies happens to grow prolifically up there so I stopped to gather some for a while. A working lunch :)

[SpeedyChix]

Beautiful (though had to be painful)