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Alto de Pequera  s(u) / Alto de Rabassa(ow)

Judging from the road graffiti and cyclist directed sings along the way, this is a fairly famous climb in the Vuelta d'Espagna. This explains the size and quality of the road, about the width of 3 to 4 regular Pyrennean roads, perfectly smooth asphalt - and once above the last village - no traffic whatsoever. You don't have to be a racer to like all that. Scenery is kind of interesting in peculiar way.

1.(00.0km,0690m) START-END SOUTH ALT: La Seu d'Urgell
2.(14.6km,0920m)START-END SOUTH: St Julia de Loria
3.(15.7km,1010m)junction between southern and northern approaches
4.(28.6km,1821m)TOP: La Paquera s(u)
5(41.5km,0920m)START-END NORTH: same as point 2 on southern approach


Approaches

From South. In the middle of the shopping streets, there is a sign pointing to Juberri. It  points west, but really it should just be pointing up. This first km actually is the steepest along the entire climb, and this still happens before the fork in the road between the northern and southern approach to this summit. If you do not make a conscious decision the road just leads you up the north side. Below, the street shopping canyons and apartment megaplex high rises are soon dwarfed by the size of the mountains. Up here traffic thins out as quickly, as do the inhabitants to the investment condos. Most of the condos seam just shuttered up, and waiting for interest rates to fall further, for or some national debt crisis to occur.

Switchbacks on this side climb forever through the forest. Views of the mountains are obscured by trees. There is one place where some millionare has cleared a meadow for the oaisis and his own view. It's the best scene along the way.


From North. (described downwards) This side is actually much more open and affords infinitely better views. If there is a choice of which approach to ride in good light for taking pictures, this side is definitely it. Especially one view, the only occasion the road climbs a little on the descent, in order to get across an outcrop, is very photogenic - but actually very untypical for the rest of the road


cLiCk on image , arrows , or thumbnails to advance slideshow


Sidetrip to La Rabassa s(u)

There are more switchbacks where all the last ones came from. On top of the one way climb is another part of the amusement park of some sort. Advertisments for this Naturlandia have been almost as common as the trees during the ride up.  But nobody was amusing themselves on this May day. The top is equally tree covered as the southern descent and every peak of the mountains around, and there are plenty - has to be lurked for between the trees. Even walking for half an hour or so up the ski area does not substantially improve that condition. A sign portraying the gradient of the road with various bicycle symbolism further awakens curiosity about the races on this gradient. A computer key on the sign promises to lead to an explanation.


1.(00.0km,0690m)START-END SOUTH ALT: La Seu d'Urgell
2.(14.6km,0920m)START-END SOUTH: St Julia de Loria
3.(15.7km,1010m)junction between southern and northern approaches
4.(28.6km,1821m)La Paquera s(u)
5.(32.2km,2037m)TOP: La Rabassa


Dayride with this point as highest summit:

( < Collado de Canto | Estany de Montcortes s(u) > )

La Paquera s(u) , additional out and back : La Seu d"Urgell > Sant Julia de Lloria > Juberi > La Paquera s(u) <> out and back to La Rabassa(ow) > Aixirival > Sant Julia de Lloria with bike part shopping detour > back to starting in La Seu d'Urgell: 45.7miles 4997ft 8.9mph 5:06hrs (garmin etrex30 r5:19.5.20)
Notes: the day included also a hike from La Rabassa to the next equally tree covered mountain above


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