Pyrénées – Day 4

The week has been building to a single climb. A climb that is the most iconic in the Pyrénées.

The legendary Col du Tourmalet has featured in the greatest bicycle race in the world…the Tour de France…more than any other climb. 2019 will be its 87th appearance. This Col could have been purposely designed for bicycle racing.

The Col du Tourmalet is a true mountain pass, the highest paved mountain pass in the Pyrénées. We started the climb at Luz Saint Saveur after riding up the Gorge de Luz. Taking on the Tourmalet from the west the climb is 19 kilometres long with an average gradient of 7.5%. This takes the rider up to the rarified air at 2115 meters above sea level. This single climb lifts the rider more than 1400 meters from the start at Luz Saint Saveur.

The gradient through the climb is fairly consistent on paper. There are some ramps over 13% with the steepest part being, cruelly, in the final kilometre. The last five kilometres is where you really start to feel the gradient the most, this is where the altitude starts making its effects felt.

We were very lucky with the weather as it was bright and clear all the way up the climb. This gave us all the chance to appreciate the surroundings of the Tourmalet. It became harder to appreciate the views as the climb reached the final stages when the physical effects became all encompassing.

Having ridden with Kirill, Deb and Mike for much of the way I found myself finishing the last 600 meters or so on my own. Kirill put in an incredible performance with a completely non stop ascent, keeping back enough to go past me in the final kilometre. A fantastic ride.

I was completely empty as I got to the summit. The very steep final 400 meters at that altitude was absolute agony…followed almost immediately by the ecstasy of finishing. I was exhausted.

Seeing the photographs afterwards I was very moved by the sympathetic faces of Mike and Deb…just look at their faces. Bless them.

After a sandwich and well earned Cokes we headed down the mountain towards home. I took a more conservative approach to the descent after the climb as I still felt a bit ‘wobbly’.

To reach the top of this mountain was an incredible achievement for everyone. It takes a huge amount of effort, courage and determination. Well done to the whole team and thanks for all the support from the team at The Col Collective.

Just the small matter of the Hautacam tomorrow! A bientot!