Stage 6: You asked for it ! Wham !
| Stats for Stage 6. | |||||
| Stage start/finish |
# of Mtn. passes
|
Mileage
|
Elevation gain
|
Ride time
|
|
| Quillan - Saint Pierre | 2 |
79 mi. |
8652 ft. |
5 hrs | |
The "topo-map" view of stage 6.
Today we have a difficult climb called the Porte de Pailheres. We leave the hotel and have about a 20 mile uphill run in a canyon with steep rock faces before we reach the base of the Pailheres. There the grade switches from 4% to 6% - 10%, and about a 9 mile climb. As of now your only exposure to a serious climb was the Col d'Aubisque on day 2. From here on out it's all about long climbs. The ride starts at 1000 feet elevation, and the summit of the Porte de Pailheres is 6560 feet. Therefore, in the first 30 miles of the day you will climb 5560 feet. Yowza. And the day is far from over. None of the rides up to this point have been easy, but as of now it's significantly harder riding. Enjoy!
And the corresponding profile of stage 6.
Base of the Porte de Pailheres climb ... attitude and pace strong, but keep it in check. It is a long way to the top.
The beginning of Stage 6 from the town of Quillan takes us about 20 miles up the steep canyons to reach the foot of the Col du Porte de Pailheres.
Glancing down the Porte de Pailheres, about mid climb.
Top of the col du Porte de Pailheres. I've ridden up this climb 6 or 7 times and it never fails to kick my ass.
