Col du Tourmalet
Originally included in the Le Tour in 1910 at the suggestion of a friend of the race organiser as he wanted to ensure those competing, were considered legendary. It was added to the tour along with three other peaks in the Pyrenees: the Peyresourde, Aspin and Aubisque, to form part of a 326-kilometre mountain stage known as the “Circle of Death.” For many, the addition of the Pyrenees marked the true beginning of the Tour.
It is certainly iconic within the cycling world. There are obviously harder climbs, but the Alpe is….. well …. the Alpe!
It has often been the decisive Queen stage in the Tour de France. We will not be riding 326kms today, settling for the 17km climb from Saint Marie de Campan. Here in the town square is a statue of Eugène Christophe broke his fork on the Tourmalet and repaired it himself at a local forge. These days we only worry about the odd puncture.
The Road to Tourmalet
The very first rider to cross the Tourmalet was Octave Lapize, before going on to win that year’s Tour de France. Conditions for us will be much better as they were on unmade roads, that resembled little more than goat tracks. We meander off on gentle gradients along the valley passing through small towns, that are little more than a house or two. Its beautiful countryside, with the ever-growing shadow of the back half of our climb. After 5kms the gradient begins to grow, and as we reach the end of the valley, we realise we are on one of cycling mighty climbs.
9kms int the ascent we hit our first switchback on this climb and immediately the gradient goes to another level. From here the needle crosses the 10% gradient level for much of the remaining kilometres. Keep your eye out as cattle and goats do roam freely in the Pyrenees and have been know to prop in the middle of the road.
Looking for La Mongie.
We pass through some beautiful Pyrenean wilderness, only broken up by a series of snow tunnels, that protect the road. As we pass out of the final tunnel, we run up on the ski village of La Mongie. A little like Las Vegas popping up in the Nevada Desert, La Mongie, does seem out of place in this wonderful wilderness. However, it does mark that we have only 4kms to go.
From here the road commences to snake its way up the remainder of the climb. Keep an eye out for flocks of goats and sheep and listen on the wind for the complaints of the rider from 1910 on the wind. Eventually we make the final right-hand turn, and we can charge to the finish as you catch sight of the statue dedicated to a gasping Octave Lapize.
Now make sure you get a photo at the summit, a coffee and a souvenir, as you never know if you will get to conquer the mighty Tourmalet again.
You can come with us to ride the Col du Tourmalet on our French Connection – Pyrenees
