New Cars Are Normal Goods

Coll d'Ares-Montsec Observatory, surrounded by stars

(Published in the journal n.35 BB. Photo: Sergi Ros)

Few sensations comparable to discover a new rise. In the forums Internet this port had already earned its reputation and level of Catalunya few new ports have caused such excitement. Maybe Serra Seca (Tour over for him) to be at its height.

is a well-known port name: Coll d'Ares. But today we will discover it has nothing to do with other ports in the same mythological name (Ares was the god of war in Greek mythology). Coll d'Ares have in Girona, Catalan side with their born in Camprodon and lasts from French side of Molló Prats and the port of Mars (or Confrides by the other side) in Castellón.

But it is in the Sierra Montsec in Lleida and has been recently paved (2007). It is a narrow road that has no doubt been paved to allow access to Astronomical Observatory has recently been opened and part of the promotion Montsec the Consortium is doing to make known their natural charms. Surely the sky is one of Montsec strengths and there are directing their efforts.

We can not refer to the tourist attractions of Montsec without reference to Mont-Rebei Congosto formed by the river Noguera Ribagorçana to cross the Montsec . E l is one great gorge de Catalunya that is more or less virgin without the cross any road, railway or power line. Only one road passes through partially excavated in the rock that allows you to enjoy this place in a spectacular way. The gorge walls reach up to more than 500 meters vertical drop. Too bad Hence we can not get the road bike, only with the mountain. Now that winter has arrived if the wheels change us fine for the fat can be an excellent alternative.

The scheduled departure was no less spectacular. It was not just discover Coll d'Ares and Astronomical Observatory, but also the incentives of Montllobar and Castell de Mur. 100 km very completito. On this occasion, moreover, I looked grupete had his joke. Jordi Fonollosa , ideologist of the output and an expert area, Dani, Uri and Juan Carlos Cariñena former professionals. A grupete luxury to be in poor condition. A day to enjoy cycling could quickly turn into a day of suffering. Fortunately, the fact allowed to go taking pictures go regrouping. That and the good people who are these cracks in the bike and fans of the climbs.

If the output was trying to find a place to admire the night sky Lleida, which afforded us the destination was a day perfect climatically. The sky was clear, the air had blown the day before had left the atmosphere limpia como pocas veces, y con el marco del Montsec, la verdad es que no podíamos sentirnos más afortunados.

El lugar de salida fue Cellers, pequeño pueblo a sólo 12 kilómetros de Tremp y junto al pantano de Terradets. El hotel es el lugar ideal para dejar los coches y a la vuelta poder comer algo antes de volver a casa. La salida la hacemos dirección sur hacia la localidad de Ager, donde nace este pequeño coloso de Coll d’Ares con sus 14 kilómetros de longitud que a través de una carretera estrecha nos llevará in just over three miles Observation Center of the Universe (COU), an entertainment area that features interactive multimedia planetarium dome observation 12 meters in diameter. That's where there is usually a permanent exhibition and is a center more scientific outreach. The road continues to climb steadily, the pavement in perfect condition and fence wood protection is a luxury. The road draws curious shapes which can show off our photographer Sergi and permanently offers a great view of the valley.

Once crowned Coll d'Ares, we have a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees and the valley. To the right is a paragliding launch area. The scenery is breathtaking. Vertigo. The Montsec is isolated and while one hand is seen in the Pyrenees on the other we can see even the mountain of Montserrat, and very close to Barcelona. And everything from a relatively modest altitude, such as 1,534 meters to crowning the port. But to get to the Astronomical Observatory will still need a little more effort and overcoming the toughest of the ramps, concrete and up to 20%. Spectacular.

The decrease is longer, going down Alsamora has more than seventeen miles, and maintains the same vein as the rise, asphalt in good condition except for a kilometer with a floor badly damaged if not bad solemnity, and his departure brought down Dani. What happens when you bend too much and the soil is full of gravel. How it should be for it to fall Dani, a guy I've seen up in the middle two wheels and take off the legs folded up ...

Shortly after we Montañana Bridge and go toward Tremp, capital of the region of Pallars Jussà, climbing the 10 km of Montllobar. There rediscover what we already know. Our sport does not reward the genes, not simply reward good physical condition, but are excellent. Cycling rewards effort, sacrifice, hard training. And this can happen that I see going up the side of a runner capable of winning three Climbing to Montjuic to U23. I love John Carlos, a former professionals that without training or motivation does not have the miles in the legs enough to require the maximum. Here are the rest of the grupete and the rest of the club to convert to an excellent professional with no fortune in your step for cycling, a great companion of cyclists battle that will surely help us to enjoy even more of the bike outings. A couple more outings like this and we will have in the boat, hooked back to suffer but also to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that offers the mountain. without the stress of competition, just for the pleasure of overcoming it.

What other ports can combine this ascension? In our case we did a route of 100 km Ares, Montllobar and Castell de Mur, an output 2300 meters of altitude and probably in a professional test phase would not be a queen, but I assure you would hit more than one. There are other possibilities as Fontllonga, port road and not too wide gap but with excellent views of Marsh Camarasa. Even is interesting to note the rise to Llimiana and then to Hostal Roig.

The year 2009 welcomed the first edition of Marx's Montsec, which explores exactly all these ports. Long version reaches 156 km and climbs all: Port d'Ager, Coll d'Ares, Fontllonga Montllobar and a cumulative drop of 3,100 meters , almost nothing. If you want to crush early July, and what you can aim for next year.

Tremp In the area also include the conclusion of the march cyclist "The Pallaresa" which is mostly played in early September and has a tour classic and up the grueling Coll Singing and the most modest of Boixols Coll, sometimes in one direction and sometimes in opposite directions. Coll d'Ares also be combined with these increases if you want to squeeze thoroughly.

In short, although not a Centre with the recent cycling history Calar Alto and especially the size of the Roque de los Muchachos, this small observatory has characteristics that other attractions, and how, to cicloescalador.

Finally we had to agree with the daytime sky, it is not enough, although we were not seeing the stars in the sky Montsec. While the stars well thought I had at my side. How I can define but people who walk as Dani, Uri, John or Juan Carlos?