Britains biggest climb with the biggest amount of ascent

When you search for Bealach Na Bar in Google here’s what comes up….

“WHEN cyclists have nightmares they dream of the Bealach na Ba - the longest, toughest road climb you can attempt on a bike anywhere in the UK

Bealach-na-Ba (Pass of the Cattle) is the UK’s biggest road climb. It rises from sea level to 2053ft altitude in 6miles.

Simon Warren's book “100 Greatest Cycling Climbs Cycling Hills” rated every one out of ten; this one rated eleven!”

The western ascent is the toughest, starting gently for the first mile and then getting steeper and steeper as it approaches the top with the last kilometer reportedly averaging over 20%.

It had to be attempted! Dad and I waited for the sunniest day so that we wouldn’t be riding in the clouds at the top. The sign at the start sets the tone - all of a sudden a couple of training runs to the “Rattlesden Alps” didn’t seem nearly enough.

The road is single track. In some parts you can squeeze past a car on the road in others the road is no wider than a 4x4 making the passing places essential.

The climb started steadily for the first mile or so and we were both feeling good. By three miles the gradient was really ramping up, we were half way (15 mins 10 secs), but starting to feel the gradient. Into the fourth mile it was steeper still, the temperature dropping, our lungs burning and legs filling with lactic we ploughed on. People shouted words of encouragement as we rode past the passing places and wound our way ever upwards. I have never ridden a bike so slowly, but bit by bit we were getting there. Approaching the hairpins near the top, we could see the cars were almost stationary as they negotiated them. Sticking to the outside of the bend we got round OK, eventually pushing over the final rise and sprinting to the sign in the small car park at the top. (45mins 12 secs – 30 mins for the second 3 miles!) . I fell off my bike – dizzy and tired. When I got up, the views across to the Isle of Skye were fantastic.

Me at the top with Skye in the Background – quite happy!.

Next the decent – the biggest free wheel in Britain at over 5 miles. We were going to find out if the frog leg brakes on our cross bikes really are as bad as people say. It’s fairly twisty at the top and with cars coming up the single track road we were on the brakes continuously for over two miles. Then it started to open out and we could fly. With the wind whistling in my ears and the highland scenery flying past it was so much fun. A couple of sharp bends before the end slowed us a bit as we dropped down into Applecross and stopped in front of the pub. (59 minutes 47 secons – 14 mins 35 secs for the decent). We had made it up and down in under an hour – fantastic!