One of our favorite destinations is Col du Tourmalet, possibly the most famous cycling climb in the world. Barcelona Tourmalet is a great cycling tour that links the beautiful catalan city with the big mountain in the Pyrenees. It has been climbed so many times in the Tour de France. It is full of history, but it is also a very hard climb from both sides, being the Luz St Sauveur side, being the Santa Mari de Campan side. One of those mountains that has it all: the terrible slopes, the mythical bar and souvenir shop at the top, the secret passages as the Voie Laurent Fignon, the ski resorts on both sides (La Mongie on the Campan side and Bareges, on the Luz side) The Tourmalet is one of those big passes in the Pyrenees, a mandatory pass in a Transpyrenees trip! Col du Tourmalet gets 2114 meters and is the pass below the might Pic du Midi (which you can reach on a mountain or gravel bike from the Col du Tourmalet). The iconic image of the Geant du Tourmalet (the statue at the top) has become one of the most important souvenirs you will get in your cycling career! We are organizing our Barcelona-Tourmalet cycling tour next July 2022. 5 stages to get to the most important climb in the cycling world. Coll de la Bonaigua, Portillon, Peyresourde, Aspin and Tourmalet are in the menu! We provide: hotels including breakfast and dinner (6 nights) support van with a fully dedicated driver, transportation back to Barcelona. As usual, limited places as it will be a small group. Contact us if interested!!
One of our favorite destinations is Col du Tourmalet, possibly the most famous cycling climb in the world. Barcelona Tourmalet is a great cycling tour that links the beautiful catalan city with the big mountain in the Pyrenees. It has been climbed so many times in the Tour de France. It is full of history,
A few weeks ago we introduced a nice cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. But climbing the eastern Pyrenees has many other options. Now, let me show you another version of a cycling trip in the eastern Pyrenees. In this trip we include some very nice climbs, quite known in the cycling world. It is 5 stages long and start/finish is in the french/Spanish border, at Cerbere. This is our suggestion: Stage 1 Cerbere-El Pertus. Start direction north, and in Banyuls sur Mer we lead inland to climb the short but very steep Col de Banyuls. After the long descent, we head north at the very border to climb a dead-end climb called Pic Neulós (literally Misty peak, in Catalan language), via Col de l'Ouillat. Then descent to El Pertus to stay overnight. Stage 2 El Pertus-Arles sure Tech. This stage includes a couple of nice unknown border passes. They are La Vajol (a former pass for Catalan exiles people during the Civil war in Spain) and Alt de Costoja, a nice wide climb crossing villages as Maçanet de Cabrenys and Tapis. No more than 90 km but plenty of climbing in solitaire roads. Stage 3 Arles sure Tech-Camprodon. One of the main Catalan border passes is Col d'Ares, which is the main pass at this stage. It is very demanding on the north (french) side. Not the same from the Catalan side. The stage could lead straight to Camprodon, but the route heads to a very nice and demanding loop, climbing a couple of short but very steep mountains. Absolutely wonderful area for cycling in tiny solitaire roads. Stage 4 Camprodon-Puigcerdà. Camprodon is a nice mountain village. This stage starts with the climb to the pretty known Vallter 2000. This climb,
A few weeks ago we introduced a nice cycling trip in the Catalan Pyrenees. But climbing the eastern Pyrenees has many other options. Now, let me show you another version of a cycling trip in the eastern Pyrenees. In this trip we include some very nice climbs, quite known in the cycling world. It is
When you think you knew the most beautiful climbs in the Pyrenees, then you still can discover another climb that is even better than your favorites. I already had climbed Cirque du Troumouse, the amazing views of Gavarnie heading to Col du Boucharo, not to mention the stunning Cirque du Litor on your way to Aubisque. And then you know Port de Bales and it speeds up to first position. Port de Bales was included in Tour de France 2007 for the first time. It was not possible before because the Mauleon side was still not asphalted. In 2010 Tour de France at Port de Bales took place the most important fact of the whole tour, when Andy Schleck had a problem shifting gears and then Contador attacked and finally won the Tour de France. In 2012, 2014 and 2017 the Tour de France took again this big climb. Then Vuelta a España 2013 got again this amazing climb in a very tough stage with 232 km and some very long and steep climbs. Both sides are similar but if I have to choose one I take the Mauleon side (see elevation profile attached). The whole climb is beautiful in a narrow 3 m wide road, without any painting. No traffic at all. Cycling paradise. But the best is from about 3 km to the top. After a bend to the right you get an amazing view of green grass over a huge mountain with just the road in grey in the distance. Spectacular. In Mauleon they know how lucky they are. Watch the picture above "Port de Bales, 19 km de bonheur" (Port de Bales, 19 km of happiness). That's all.
When you think you knew the most beautiful climbs in the Pyrenees, then you still can discover another climb that is even better than your favorites. I already had climbed Cirque du Troumouse, the amazing views of Gavarnie heading to Col du Boucharo, not to mention the stunning Cirque du Litor on your way to
(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.
Next July Montefusco Cycling is organizing the Transpyrenees cycling trip. It is composed of 9 cycling stages, 10 nights, 800 km, with 15 HC or 1st category climbs included. Our tour is for the keen cyclists, but do not worry, we are thinking a demanding but doable tour with stages no longer than 100km and normally 1 or 2 climbs (except the queen stage!) Hondarribia-St Jean du pied de port 88 km St Jean du Pied de Port - Bielle 99 km Bielle-Luz St Sauveur 72 Km Luz St Sauveur-Bagneres de Luchon 96 km Bagneres de Luchon-Valencia d'Aneu 77 km Valencia d'Aneu-La Seu d'Urgell 85 km La Seu d'Urgell-Ribes de Freser 90 km Ribes de Freser-Girona 99 km Girona-Tossa de Mar 83 km The most famous climbs included in the trip are: Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Portillon, Bonaigua, Cantó, Collada de Toses, etc. The meeting point is in Hondarribia the day before the start. Hondarribia is a perfect place to have a welcome meeting and a pintxos dinner (a classic in Basque Country!) This Transpyrenees cycling self-guided trip includes guidebook (maps, GPS tracks), fully dedicated supporting van, transporting luggage, bringing drink and food (light lunch at the main climb of the day including bars, fruit, sandwiches, etc.) and mechanical support. 10 hotel nights including dinner and breakfast (hotels 3-4 stars), transportation from Tossa de Mar to Barcelona on the last day.
Next July Montefusco Cycling is organizing the Transpyrenees cycling trip. It is composed of 9 cycling stages, 10 nights, 800 km, with 15 HC or 1st category climbs included. Our tour is for the keen cyclists, but do not worry, we are thinking a demanding but doable tour with stages no longer than 100km and
Today we climbed one of the nicest climbs all over the Pyrenees: Port de Pailheres, at 2001 mts height. More than 15 km to get to the top of this amazing climb, which has been included in the Tour de France route in several editions. The last 4 km of the climb are just superb with steep parts and fantastic views. At the top it is very usual to see some wild horses around. The road sign with height is in a small building on top. The steepest side (and the one used by Tour de France) is from Mijanes, then descending to Ax Les Thermes, most of the times to finish in Plateau de Beille or even at Ax 3 Domains (Plateau de Bonascre). There are a couple of loops we strongly recommend. First one the loop including Port de Pailheres and Col du Pradel, with 83 km and 2700 mts elevation, and another loop with Col de Chioula and Port de Pailheres with very similar numbers. Amazing rides both of them in the heart of the Pyrenees with very scarce traffic and stunning landscapes. Pailheres in the Pyrenees should be on your trip if you ever cycle along the Pyrenees, and especially if you ever do the Transpyrenees cycling route!
Today we climbed one of the nicest climbs all over the Pyrenees: Port de Pailheres, at 2001 mts height. More than 15 km to get to the top of this amazing climb, which has been included in the Tour de France route in several editions. The last 4 km of the climb are just superb
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
This is the most famous climb in cycling world. No doubt. It is not the most difficult climb, nor the most steep. It is not the highest. Not even has the best scenery. Not sure other climbs have more history. It is the combination of it all, that makes Tourmalet so special. Year after year Le Tour de France pays tribute to this special climb and host hundreds of thousands people watching cyclists struggling to get to the top As a cycling fan, once you get to the top, you must make a picture beside "Le Geant du Tourmalet", the silver statue of a cyclist (said to be Octave Lapize, first cyclist to cross the col in 1910 Tour de France). This statue is removed during winter, and is kept in Gedre, beside Bagneres de Bigorre. Only beginning of each June, the giant comes back to its place, in an every time more popular congregation of cyclists, joining the geant in its way back. You should also stop at the mythical bar to eat something or drink a coke, but also to watch the old pictures on the walls, the old bikes hanging up there and smelling the cycling history. You must also enter the souvenirs shop and buy some shirt, pin or small gadget that after many years will make you remind you were there. Join our Barcelona Tourmalet trip next summer! More details here: https://roadcycling.barcelona/tours/barcelona-tourmalet/
This is the most famous climb in cycling world. No doubt. It is not the most difficult climb, nor the most steep. It is not the highest. Not even has the best scenery. Not sure other climbs have more history. It is the combination of it all, that makes Tourmalet so special. Year after year
