Ride Across the Pyrenees !

The cycling trip of a lifetime

... 1000 miles

... 100,000 feet

... 12 days of riding

... August 27 to Sept 11 - 2024

Ahead of us the high mountains and our route back to the Atlantic.  Again the trick is to always take the roads less travelled, and also because it is France, always well paved.

Ride Across the Pyrenees

Atlantic to Mediterrean and back

1000 mi. -  100,000 ft. -  12 stages

Stage 5: Let's get ready to rumble !

Stats for Stage 5.
Stage start/finish
# of Mtn. passes
Mileage
Elevation gain
Ride time
Collioure - Quillan
4
91 mi.
8465 ft.
 6.5 hrs

The "topo-map" view of stage 5.

And the corresponding profile of stage 5.

Now it is off to the high mountains as we begin our journey back to the Atlantic. This day exposes us to some longer climbs though nothing yet truly intense. The last climb of the day does have a grade of 9%. Pace is always the determining factor to up the difficulty, and usually everyone has a competitive urge so it's punchy. Plus everyone wants to test their recovery and challenge themselves after a day off the bike.

The second climb of the day.  The col des Auzines marks the west edge of the Catalan region.  Bye bye Mediterranean.

Nearing the top of the final climb, glancing back towards east.

The second climb of the day.  The col des Auzines marks the west edge of the Catalan region.  Bye bye Mediterranean.

Nearing the top of the final climb, glancing back towards east.

Overview of the first 4 stages of the tour, from Biarritz (on the Altantic Coast) to Collioure (on the Mediterranean sea).  The black line represents the border of France and Spain.  Day 2 includes the Col d'Aubisque in the beginning of the day.

These are the 8 stages returning from the Mediterranean sea to the Atlantic, all in the high mountains.  Again the black line is the French/Spanish border