La Route des Crêtes - Cassis

Undiscovered Gem. I found this climb by accident whilst out on a morning training ride for l,etape du tour. Quite simply one of the most brutal ramps i;ve ever ridden. I was heartbroken when I had to put my foot down for the first time ever on a climb. I felt slightly better afterwards when I realised just how steep it got. It starts around 15 and quickly ramps up over 30 until your heart rate explodes. Simply spectacular views if you can raise your eyes off that ramp. Go out of your way to find this little bad boy. Brilliant

My personal climb rating:

i climbed this mountain too ! first i am very surprised that this climb is so unknown even in france ! its probably one of the hardest. the first part is approximately an average between 25/30% during 2 kilometres, quasi impossible to not put a foot on the ground. at the top you have to follow the road with 2 possibilities, one to an aerial and the other one to la ciotat ; the both are very hard too, i guess an average at 10/15% during 2/3 kilometres. this road is in fact the road between cassis and la ciotat, 10 km on the highest european cliff with big bends and fantastic views of the see ! extraordinary experience ! from la ciotat is a little bit easier but hard too !!

My personal climb rating:

I discovered that climb by looking on a regional map, I saw a road near of where I live with 3 arrows (which means >13%). I immediately wanted to check that, and I wasnt disappointed. It begins with a 15% part along 500 m which is already pretty tough. Then comes a berm where one can rest a bit but it lasts only 300 m. And then the final tough part appears like an impassable wall, seen from the bottom. It goes for 500 m at around 20-25% with some parts as steep as 30-35%. The whole challenge is to climb that up without putting foot to ground. I made it with a 28x28 gearing and had to put foot to ground several times. Short yet tough climb.

My personal climb rating: