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Other entries in France

Tour of Pyrenees (Pt 1)

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This update is being drafted part way through the ‘French Pyrenees Mountain Challenge’ bike tour being run by UK company Saddle Skedaddle.  We have had four riding days and one rest day- and have another three days of riding ahead of us before the tour ends in Perpignan, France.  We have been staying in small villages in France (one night was in Spain) and it has been difficult to get access to the internet.  I expect that to continue so am not sure when this will be posted. 

We have ridden up some major climbs, a number of which feature pretty regularly in the Tour de France - some details provided below.  The climbs are frequently longer than those I found in Italy, particularly those encountered around Riccione and Montone, and in some cases a bit steeper too.  We have completed a couple of long climbs including Col du Tourmalet which was 17kms and also some steep ones, possibly the worst of which was Col de Marie Blanque, a climb we did on our first day of riding (a bit of a rude shock !).

There are eight riders in the tour group plus a guide.  All are from the UK (although one now resides in New York).  We also have a support van which is used to move our bags etc and in which we are able to carry a day pack.  This is great as it meets us on top of the hills and enables us to put on extra gear for the descents, some of which are quite long and, as there’s still quite a bit of snow laying on the top of the bigger hills, are very cool.  FYI Col du Tourmalet was only opened about one week ago.  We stop for a picnic-type lunch each day was is quite satisfactory.

Unfortunately the weather has not been particularly kind to us:  I have been riding in arm and knee warmers plus wind vest pretty much the whole time and we have copped rain a couple of times (once consistent drizzle which turned to quite heavy rain on one of the climbs).  Anyway, the rest day has allowed us to get some laundry done and rest the legs which were getting pretty weary.

Whilst the particular details of some of the climbs are blurred in memories of sweat, tired legs etc, some of the more significant climbs we have completed are listed below (obviously principally of interest to the cyclists amongst you).  Note that where I have listed a height/altitude, this is height above sea level and not the vertical climb we have undertaken.  One of the guys has been capturing and logging that and I hope to get that from him later - I do know we climbed about 2050m on the first day.  So, the named climbs we have completed are:

Ÿ         Col de Marie Blanque (1035m) - although less distance than many other climbs completed since, this was one of the hardest as was quite steep (13%) in some sections and the gradient was irregular.

Ÿ         Col de Aubisque (1702m) - about 12kms I think and 9-10% in parts.  Freezing at the top although spectacular views.

Ÿ         Col de Soulor (1474m) - the easiest as we dropped down to this from Aubisque - great hot chocolate!

Ÿ         Col de Tourmalet (2114m) - a 17km climb although the gradient not too bad.  Again freezing at the top as cloud came in and we stayed only as long as it took to regroup, get a few photos (evidence) and to rug up for the descent.  Aubisque, Soulor and Tourmalet were all done on the one day so needless to say that was a particularly tough day.

Ÿ         Col d’ Aspen (1490m) - bit of a bugger which went on for quite a distance.  Not as cold as Tourmalet; cows grazing at the summit; a really nice descent with not too many switchbacks.

Ÿ         Col de Peyresourde (1569m)

Ÿ         Col du Portillon (1293m) - this started gradually but got steeper and was a particularly hard slog as it was done on the same day as the previous two.

Ÿ         Col de Mente (1349m) - this was tough, although not as long as some of the previous climbs it was 13% in some sections

Ÿ         Col de Portet d’Aspet (????m)- started steeply but thankfully eased off.  We stopped near the bottom at the memorial to Fabio Casartelli who was killed descending this climb in the 1995 tour

Ÿ         Col de la Core (1395m) - this would have been quite a nice climb with steady and manageable gradient for about 12km although drizzle turned into heavy rain for about 5 mins and drenched everyone.

I am told the cold weather we have encountered is not typical and should improve as we get closer to the Mediterranean.  Whilst it has been cooler than I expected and a bit wet, it has nonetheless been punishing whilst also being very rewarding.

Apologies that this update has been exceedingly cycling focused but that’s how it is at the moment.  I’ll leave it at that and hope you enjoy the photos.

PS  Have now completed the ride and staying in London a few days.  Will try and get the update for the second leg loaded soon.

Photos / videos of "Tour of Pyrenees (Pt 1)":