Deceptively tough

Although it is not super famous and even though the statistics do not suggest that it is particularly difficult - it is - or at least, it was when I rode up it before the Tour de France came through in 2011. I became quite dehydrated and affected by the heat on the way up. Even though I have ridden statistically tougher climbs in the years since, I have never suffered on a climb like I did then. There are no shops or places to refill your bottle on the way up (on TDF day though, there were lots of opportunities though). Thanks to all the TDF fans who helped to push me up. In hindsight, I realise that my main mistake was carrying a backpack with a pare change of clothes etc - even though the backpack didn't feel heavy at the bottom, the extra few kilos really made it a chore - so I would suggest riding light for this one!