Cycleinfrance.com
Rides
Flat rides, rolling hills and over 20 mountain Cols to explore, all rideable from our front door. Some groups plan their own routes, others prefer to have us guide them. We use certified and insured guides as required by law.
Col du Tourmalet
The grand Daddy of Pyrenean mountain passes, due to be used by the Tour de France for the 87th time in 2019. The western ascent and descent is my personal favourite, debatably easier to climb and more fun to descend. 2115m 7.7% average gradient. There is a Laurent Fignon route just past Barege which the TDF has taken previously. If its not your first time up the Tourmalet then this is nice addition.
Col du Aubisque
Many under rate this climb in its difficulty, personally I put it up there with the likes of the Tourmalet in difficulty. 17km in length at an average gradient of 7.2%
It starts in Laruns, passing through Eaux Bonnes (good water) and the ski station of Gourette on the way to the summit where a good lunch can be found...
Luz Ardiden
Many a tour de France stage has finished here, including Lance Armstrong's ill fated ascent where a spectators Must brought him tumbling..... A very picturesque climb with a 13km ribbon of tarmac laid on the mountain, snaking its way up to a ski station at 1720m. Gradients of just under 8% average, max of 12%. My most memorable ascent was in cloud till the very top when I rode out into the sunshine... spectacular!
Col du Spandelle
This is a delight of a climb to save for one of your hottest days as much of the road ascends in the shade of the trees on this mountain to 1378m.
A little over 10KM in length at an average gradient of 8.4%. But with two false flats meaning the gradient is not quite to be trusted.
Col du Portalet
Starting near Laruns and climbing to the Spanish border over 29KM's this is a climb to prepare well for. Main road all the way, its best to stick to riding it on the quieter days of the week... that said, the road is smooth, the gradient slight and it even gives you some respite in the middle where you can get in that large chainring! Over the top and then down into Spain for lunch......
Example Itinerary
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Saturday afternoon; airport pick up and transfer. Sort bikes and short shake down ride. 40km, Hautecam possible.
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Sunday; Ride out to the Marie Blanque (1035m), summit, on to lunch in Oloron. Return cycleinfrance, 135km, 1626m ascent.
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Monday; Lourdes-Luz-Gavarnie, col du Tente- Gavarnie Option Luz Ardiden on the way home. 145km, 2249m ascent without Luz Ardiden.
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Tuesday; Lourdes-Luz-Tourmalet, summit lunch. Bagneres, coffee-return. 131km, 2368m ascent
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Wednesday; Easy spin to Pau for lunch and back. hills on the way or flat... as you wish. 80km 250m ascent
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Thursday; Argelez-gazost, col du Spandelle-Ferriere-col du Soulor or home. 115km, 2450m ascent.
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Friday; Louvie-Juzon-Laruns, Col du Aubisque. Descend Soulor. 115km 2100m ascent
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Saturday. Transfer to airport
