I'd spotted the Alpe Loccia while searching for new routes around lake Orta in Italy. According to the mountain bikers it is an uber steep climb with sections over 20%.

Seriously, I'd vowed not to come back after last year but here I was, struggling up the first killer wall out of Monte Buglio cheered on by the usual assortment of deranged Italian cani.

I'd never cycled up to Scareno before and to be honest, there isn't much reason to. It is a long way up a big of a rough road.

There is a heatwave at the moment and many people on Strava were complaining about the temperatures. At the same time the weather service predicted afternoon storms.

This must be close to my limit for sustained climbing.

General DescriptionThe climb to Quarna Sotto is 400 meters of vertical over 5km giving an average gradient of 8%. The switchbacks at the end are steeper.

General DescriptionThe climb is 14% over 5km for 700 meters of climbing. The climb through the village of Montebuglio is very steep but afterwards settles down to 12-13% with a series of steep ramps.

A long ride up the valley from Omegna on a road that gets steeper and steeper. There is a cafe at the end. Monti Capello is the trail head for walks into the mountains. Road is not too busy.

This challenging climb begins in the center of Omegna. Following the lake initially you traverse the hamlet of Cireggio.

The col de Chamrousse (1795 m.) can be climbed by road bike from 3 sides. By far the hardest is the tiny but ueber steep route from Sechilienne.