Let me introduce you all to a great cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. The idea comes from a local club in a little french village near the coast named Bompas. It includes the eastern part of the Pyrenees, getting to the Mediterranean sea. In fact, the trip includes an amazing coastal road in the Spanish-french border, and then a stunning climb to the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery overviewing the coast. It is 676 km long and includes all 3 Catalan-speaking countries: Spain, France, and Andorra. The route includes many important climbs in the area such as Coll d'Ares, La Quillane, Puymorens, Envalira, Collada de Toses, or Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes. The highest point is Coll d'Envalira, at 2407 mts height, in fact, the highest pass in the whole Pyrenees range of mountains. The total elevation of the trip is over 9700 mts. Possible start at Ripoll, we climb Coll d’Ares then to Prats de Mollo, towards Pertús, La Jonquera to Roses and then heading north to France until Collioure and Bompàs (home of the club who suggested the tour). Then to Rivesaltes, Sournia, Prades, Sant Miquel de Cuixa, Sant Marti del Canigo, Vilafranca de Conflent. Climb to Coll de la Quillane. Mont Louis, Llac de las Bouillouses. then you have to climb to Puymorens and Port d’Envalira. Descent to Andorra and back to Catalonia then Collada de Toses and back to Ripoll. Nevertheless, there is also some additional climb that should be mentioned and included if you have time enough on a trip like this. Let me suggest one of my favorite climbs in the whole Pyrenees, which is Port de Pailheres. When to do the trip This trip is possible in summer, and also late spring or early autumn. It is also possible to do
Let me introduce you all to a great cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. The idea comes from a local club in a little french village near the coast named Bompas. It includes the eastern part of the Pyrenees, getting to the Mediterranean sea. In fact, the trip includes an amazing coastal road in the
(Updated July 2023) The Tour de France has crossed Col du Tourmalet in so many years since 1910, in which was crossed for the first time. It is the most used climb in Tour de France history. Getting the first position at the top of Col du Tourmalet is a big honour for every cyclist. Some say that it is worth a whole cycling career. Only a climber can get the first position at the summit as it is a really demanding climb. At the top of the climb there is a monument dedicated to Jacques Goddet (Tour de France director between 1936 and 1987). The Souvenir Jacques Goddet is an award and cash prize in the Tour de France bicycle race that began in 2001. The Souvenir is named in honour of the historically second Tour de France director and French sports journalist Jacques Goddet. It is awarded to the first rider to reach the summit of the 2,115 m (6,939 ft)-high Col du Tourmalet. The pioneers 1910 Octave Lapize (FRA) The first winner at the top of Tourmalet was Octave Lapize in 1910, walking aside of the bike (he did the climb half way on the bike half way walking) in a gravel path filled with rocks. He was 500 mts ahead of Garrigou who climbed on his bike all the way. When he arrived to the finish he said the famous sentence to organizers "Vous êtes des assassins! Oui, des assassins! "You are murderers!". 1911 Paul Duboc (FRA) Duboc finished second that Tour de France because he was suposed to drink a poisoned bottle of water. The leader Gustave Garrigou was blamed on that. 1912 Odile Defraye (BEL) First belgian rider to win the Tour the France that 1912. 1913 Philippe Thys (BEL) This time, Tourmalet enters in cycling history again, as that day Eugene Christophe broke his
(Updated July 2023) The Tour de France has crossed Col du Tourmalet in so many years since 1910, in which was crossed for the first time. It is the most used climb in Tour de France history. Getting the first position at the top of Col du Tourmalet is a big honour for every cyclist.
This picture was taken at Mirador de Jaizkibel. We just ended a Transpyrenees cycling trip from the Mediterranean sea to the Atlantic ocean across the Pyrenees in 8 stages, 987 km, and 18 major mountain passes. Even if there are many different ways to do the Coast to Coast Transpyrenees trip, this group wanted a demanding tour in 8 stages. And they had it! Then, instead of the classical Hendaye-Cerbere tour (720 km long), we designed a little longer one, including more kilometers but also more climbs. Moreover, the start of the trip was at the Barcelona northern coast (in Calella), then the transportation to starting point was much easier than other Transpyrenees trips. The stages Calella-Pantà de Sau (including Santa Fe del Montseny and Coll Formic) Pantà de Sau-Puigcerdà (including Coll de la Creueta) Puigcerdà-València d'Aneu (including Coll de Cantó) València d'Aneu-Bagneres de Luchon (including Port de la Bonaigua, Portillon, and Superbagneres) Bagneres de Luchon-Campan (including Port de bales, Peyresourde, and Aspin) Campan-Bielle (including Tourmalet, and Aubisque) Bielle-Saint Jean de Pied de Port (including Pierre St Martin and Chalets de Iraty) St Jean de Pied de Port-San Sebastián (including Izpegi, Otsondo, and Jaizkibel). Many highlights for a Transpyrenees cycling trip like this, but if I have to choose 3 cycling moments, they would be: Col du Tourmalet. The king, the best, the beast, and the picture at the top with Giant is an icon. Port de Bales, one of the most scenic climbs in all the Pyrenees Jaizkibel. On the arrival stage to San Sebastián we included the iconic Jaizkibel. It was a demanding bike trip, but it was not just about cycling. The 3 best non-cyclist moments were: Fantastic hotel close to Pantà de Sau (historical building by the dam) Walk at Saint Jean de Pied de Port,
This picture was taken at Mirador de Jaizkibel. We just ended a Transpyrenees cycling trip from the Mediterranean sea to the Atlantic ocean across the Pyrenees in 8 stages, 987 km, and 18 major mountain passes. Even if there are many different ways to do the Coast to Coast Transpyrenees trip, this group wanted a
Another big appointment next summer in Catalonia: La Ruta Minera. 154 km with 3800 mts elevation. A monster climb included: Coll de Pradell! This is one of the big moments in the cycling season in Catalonia. More info: http://www.larutaminera.org/en/
Another big appointment next summer in Catalonia: La Ruta Minera. 154 km with 3800 mts elevation. A monster climb included: Coll de Pradell! This is one of the big moments in the cycling season in Catalonia. More info: http://www.larutaminera.org/en/
It is very difficult to make a ranking of the most demanding cycling climbs in the Pyrenees. One of the newest climbs asphalted is Col du Portet, which was compared to the Tourmalet by the TdF director, not a joke... This new climb will have really big numbers, and deserves to be among the king climbs in the Pyrenees. There are a couple of lists you might like to know: Highest cycling climbs in the Pyrenees (asphalted): Port d'Envalira (Andorra/France): 2407 mts height Port de Cabus (Andorra, just one side) 2300 mts height Gavarnie-Boucharo (Luz St Sauveur-France) 2270 mts height Col de Portet (St Lary Soulan-France) 2215 mts height Cim de Coma Morera (Bourg Madame) 2205 mts height Cycling climbs with more elevation in the Pyrenees: Port d'Envalira 1687 mts elevation (from Ax Les Thermes) Col de Pailheres 1601 mts elevation (from Axat) Gavarnie-Boucharo 1560 mts elevation (from Luz St Sauveur) Pierre St Martin 1510 mts elevation (from Arette) Col du Tourmalet 1405 mts elevation (from Luz St Sauveur) Col de Portet 1400 mts elevation (from St Lary Soulan) Cycling climbs with the highest average gradient in the Pyrenees: Erroymendi (from Laugibar) 9,58% for 10,2 km Burdinkurutxeta (from Bassaburua) 8,76% for 9,3 km Col de Mente (from St Beat) 8,70% km for 9,7 km Artzamendi (from Itxassou) 8,61% for 10,3 km Some of these climbs are included in our trips along the Pyrenees, especially in our Transpyrenees trip. If they are not and you are very interested, just let us know and we will custom the trip for you. We are always happy to include the most demanding and nicest climbs in the routes!
It is very difficult to make a ranking of the most demanding cycling climbs in the Pyrenees. One of the newest climbs asphalted is Col du Portet, which was compared to the Tourmalet by the TdF director, not a joke… This new climb will have really big numbers, and deserves to be among the king
We are glad to have new climbs in the Pyrenees included in Tour de France 2018 route! Col de Portet, 2215 mts, 1390 m elev. This is a BIG climb! Possibly we will make a reckon this autumn before the snow covers the mountains... #tdf2018 #climbsbeforeyourdie #coldeportet #pyrenees
We are glad to have new climbs in the Pyrenees included in Tour de France 2018 route! Col de Portet, 2215 mts, 1390 m elev. This is a BIG climb! Possibly we will make a reckon this autumn before the snow covers the mountains… #tdf2018 #climbsbeforeyourdie #coldeportet #pyrenees
