Col du Tourmalet is one of the most famous climbs in cycling and the highest cycling Col in the Pyrénées. Today was just a dream day on the bike.
Col d’Aubisque was part of the famous 1910 stage where Octav Lapize called the race organizers “assassins.”
Broadly speaking, the famous climbs of the Pyrénées can be split into two categories:
Old mountains routes & Purpose built roads up to newish ski stations.
Today’s ride was one of each type.
I really wanted to cycle this famous climb, but it didn’t fit into the schedule. Unless …. I added it as a second ride on Day 1.
I was like a kid in a candy store.
Today’s ride passed at least 10 Cols (mountain passes) - I have photos of 9, missed one sign and got lost off road at a likely 11th. Fun!
I just couldn’t resist.
While skiing at Le Grand Bornand a few days ago, I kept looking towards Col de la Colombière and wondering if I could reach the top with a bike - without waiting until June for the road to open.
The climb to Col des Gliéres is one of a very few big climbs that I think is actually better (more fun!) in the winter.
It’s tough to say much about Alpe d’huez that hasn’t been said a hundred times before. But I will say that October is a fantastic time.
One of the best rides from Chamonix. And getting above 2200 metres (over 7200 feet) meant it was full winter gear.
A pretty epic day!
There are loads of truly great climbs in central Switzerland which I have yet to explore. But today I rode two of the highest - amazing.
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