Cycling, Wine and Cultural Tours in the Dordogne, Pyrenees and Southwest of France.
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Conquer the Pyrenees
Chateau de Pitray
Trip cost: 2800 Euros.
Dates: Aug 27 to Sept 11.
Dates: Aug 27 to Sept 11.
- Cols of the Pyrenees Ride:
- Puerto Otxondo - 602 m
- Puerto de Artesiaga - 996 m
- Collado de Urkiaga - 890 m
- Col d’Iraty - 1135 m
- Col Bagargui - 1327 m
- Col de Suscousse - 1216 m
- Col de Soudet - 1540 m
- Col de Marie Blanque - 1035 m
- Col d’Aubisque - 1709 m
- Col de Soulor - 1474 m
- Col du Tourmalet - 2115 m
- Col d’Aspin - 1489 m
- Col d’Azet - 1737 m
- Col de Peyresourde - 1569 m
- Col du Portillon - 1320 m
- Col de Mente - 1349 m
- Col Portet d’Aspet -1069 m
- Col de Catchaudegue - 893 m
- Col Latrape - 1520 m
- Col d’Agnes - 1570 m
- Port de Liers - 1517 m
- Pas de Souloumbrie - 911 m
- Col de Mamare - 1361 m
- Col de Chioula - 1431 m
- Port de Pailheres - 2001 m
- Col de Palomere - 1036 m
Ride Across the French Pyrenees - Coast to Coast - and Back !
1000 miles, 94000 ft climbing, 12 days riding + 2 rest days.
August 27th to September 11th - Yearly. (Only 2 spots remain 2012)
The following is a collection of photos from the 2010 Pyrenees trip. These photos are in chronological order, and represent 12 days of riding, 1000 miles and 94,000 feet of climbing.
Day 1 begins, sunny and beautiful, and everyone's belly full with excitement. I lead the group casually up the foothills.
This is the second climb of the day, and we are actually in Spain.
Sheep along the road and in the mountains will be a common site throughout the mountains.
Jack, Chris and Kurt.
Kim, the only woman in this year's group. Her experience with long multi-day rides, like "Ride Across America," was obvious.
Steve and Kurt.
A little end of the day bike tuning and maintenance before dinner.
Outside of the town of Saint Jean Pied de Port, in the French Basque country.
Above: end of day 1. Cheese in the Basque country is typically sheep cheese, and served with jam...delicious Below, start of day 2.
Jeff makes his way thorough the valley before reaching the first climb of the day, Col d'Iraty. The morning looks a little hazy, but that is because the photo was taken through the car windshield.
The beginning of the Col d'Iraty. Note the pavement quality has improved!! Gordon on the bike.
Earl on the Col d'Iraty.
Horses, along with sheep and cattle, are allowed to wander and graze all about the upper Pyrenees mountains. Chris on the bike.
The view in the mountains as the morning fog burns off.
Jeff and Kurt make their way up the Col d'Iraty.
I'm driving the van today.
The white dots along the mountain side are sheep.
Jeff reaches the summit of the Col d'Iraty.
Descent of the Col de Bagargui.
Chris near the summit of the Col de Soudet.
The summit of the Col de Soudet.
Some local traffic along the Cod de Soudet.
Start of day 3 below.
I have yet, in the 4 years that I have done this trip, to have overcast or bad weather on day 3, which includes the Col de Marie Blanque and the Col d'Aubisque.
As usual we make our way along small back roads with little to no traffic.
If you ever have the chance to come and ride your bike in the French Pyrenees, you will marvel at the quality of the roads. Pavement does not get any better than this.
The morning of the 3rd day of riding and so far everyone looks relaxed and rested. The end of the day will be marked with happy but tired faces.
Summit of the Col de Marie Blanque, which end with a 13% grade.
As you make your way east down the Col de Marie Blanque you eventually come upon this view of the Col d'Aubisque and the valley up to the village of Laruns.
At some point in the day and prior to lunch I have to find a bakery to buy fresh bread for lunch. Mission accomplished.
In the village of Laruns looking up in the direction of the Col d'Aubisque.
Earl acting like he's already at the top of the Col d'Aubisque, when in reality he still has 4km to go.
Lunch and a rest at the summit of the Col d'Aubisque. Earl and Kurt.
View at the summit of the Col d'Aubisque (pictured above and the following 2 pictures.
These oversized bikes, 20 times the size of a regular bike, were put up about 3 years ago, and now they are part of the celebration and constant reminder of the Tour and the Col's participation in both past and future years to come.
Looking east from the summit of the Col d'Aubisque, and once again more sheep filing by onto greener pastures.
The descent east from the Col d'Aubisque towards the Col de Soulor.
Classic, the animals in the mountains have "right of way" always, and they sure do take their time.
Looking west from the Col de Soulor in the direction of the Col d'Aubisque.
Someone is boxed in by recently sheered sheep, Col de Soulor.
Above: end of day 3. Below: start of day 4.
The town of Argeles Gazost, and the beginning of day 4. The Col for the upcoming day are the Tourmalet and Aspin.
Kim makes her way to the Tourmalet, but before she climbs the Tourmalet she gets lost and climbs another pass not on the day's agenda. Did she really get lost, or did she plan it that way. Bottom line, she had more miles and elevation than anyone else in the group that day. She must have been eager to try out her new bike!!
I make my up the Tourmalet and yell to the our van for more Goo!.
Gordon and me part way up the Tourmalet.
The view from the summit of the Col du Tourmalet.
Well, like I mentioned, she got lost earlier and climbed the Tourmalet on her own without the group, but that don't make no difference because she is still all smiles on a perfect day.
Chris takes on the descent of the Tourmalet down the east side.
Sites along the climb of the Col d'Aspin.
Jack climbing the Col d'Aspin.
The view from the summit of the Col d'Aspin, looking east and at the road for the upcoming descent.
Some German children at the summit of the Col d'Aspin test their luck and greet the locals.
The view from the summit of the Col d'Aspin, looking east and at the road for the upcoming descent.
The view from the summit of the Col d'Aspin, looking east and at the road for the upcoming descent.
End of day 4, with the decent of the Col d'Aspin. Below, Earl, Jack and Steve do laundry on the first rest day.
Start of day 5 of riding.
Jack up the first of 5 climbs...this is a long day with 98 miles and 12,000 ft.
A ski complex across above the town of St. Lary de Soulon.
The group makes its way up the Col d'Azet. Above Chris and Jack, below me, Earl, Gordon, Kurt.
Steve and Kim.
Summit of the Col d'Azet with the Col de Peyresourde behind us, which is the next climb of the day.
The east side and descent of the Col de Peyresourde.
Below, start of day 6.
Sites along the way of the beginning of day 6 on the bike, outside of Saint Girons. We are a little more than halfway to the Mediterranean sea.
Another small back road, no traffic, great pavement and beautiful scenery. Jack.
Chris makes his way up the Col d'Agnes. Many in the group said that this pass may have been the most unforgiving, but by now everyone is a little delirious with all the riding they have done. The legs are tired.
View from the summit of the Col d'Agnes looking west. Below, Kurt, Jeff and Earl.
You can draw your on conclusions about this gathering.
View from the Col d'Agnes.
25 km's of descending to get to our destination for the day, the town of Tarascon.
Below, start of day 7 of riding.
Looking back at today's progress, day 7 of riding.
The climb up the Col de Pailheres.
View from the summit of the Col de Pailheres, looking west.
Me waiting for the riders.
Kurt summits first and alone the Col de Pailheres.
Jack and Steve atop the summit of the Col de Pailheres.
From the looks on their faces you would think they've had an easy day of it so far.
Jack eats his lunch and prepares for the descent down the east side of the Col de Pailheres. Another beautiful day.
Summit of the Col de Pailheres looking east.
Descent of the Col de Pailheres, with evidence of the passing of the Tour.
Below, start of day 8 in the town of Font Romeu.
The town of Font Romeu in the morning, and more blue sky's for today's ride!!
The day starts with 45 km's of descending, and eventually we have to start pedaling again...so here we go.
The eastern end of the Pyrenees are much dryer in climate, but the mountain passes do not get any easier.
And now the Mediterranean sea is in sight, though that may not be such a good sign as it means we are more than halfway done with our trip.
Below, the town of Collioure on the Mediterranean coast, and also the location of our second and final rest day of the tour.
Our ride home begins, 4 days to get back to Biarritz and cover approximately 400 miles.
It looks like Coyote country, don't you think? The ride back to the Atlantic ocean takes us north of the Pyrenees.
...through rolling hills
...and sleepy towns.
It's too bad but we missed the sunflower fields as the plants are all harvested. Imagine these hills covered in yellow.
If you ever come on this epic journey you will discover this road and this brutal short climb, at about mile 90 of 120 miles. Jeff leads the way.
The real mountains are never out of our site, and we shall return to them at the end of the 11th day.
Earl flashes by.
Things work best and most efficient when the group works together.
Above, almost to the destination for the day, Castlenaudary. Rain was immanent, but it did not start until we had safely reached the hotel. And below, day 10 of riding.
Below, the last day and stage of the trip, destination Biarritz.
The last day of the trip, everyone together. No one knows what day of the week it is, nor do they care. At this point, daily long hard rides are just routine and to be expected. Too much run.
...and back to the Mediterranean Ocean. 1000 miles, 94,000 ft in 12 days of riding. Epic!
