East Lancs in the French Pyrenees

East Lancs in the French Pyrenees

The East Lancs recently embarked upon their 2015 Summer Tour, which this year was centred around the French Pyrenees.

A group of 33 members, family and friends flew and drove to Argeles-Gazost, which is 10 miles south of Lourdes in the Pyrenees region of France.

Argeles is located at the centre of most of the major climbs used by the Tour de France and it was the perfect destination for a week long cycling holiday based around climbing as many Tour de France Cols as possible.

After a relatively smooth journey from the UK, the group assembled on the first day for the 'gentle' climb to Cauteret, which only four days previously was the finish for a stage in the Tour de France. With a steady climb over 20Kms the town of Cauteret was reached and then the group pushed on to climb the Pont d’Espagne, whose summit was at 1,465m. A modest 5Km climb averaging 8.5% and ascending 555Kms.

A spkesperson said: "The National Park at the top of the climb is a stunning destination, however the ride will be remembered for the fact our group had five punctures and one mechanical problem, which fortunately were the only problems encountered all week."

On day two, the destination was the Col D’Aubisque which was the first Col used in the Tour de France over 100 years ago. The summit was at 1,709 metres reached after an 18Km climb from the village of Arrens-Marsous. To climb the Aubisque one has to climb the 8Km Col du Soulor first and then the road continues and clings to the side of a mountain for a further 6Kms before ascending to the summit. With a drop in excess of 1,000 ft directly over the side of the road, it is certainly not a ride for the faint hearted.

Day three saw the group tackle the Hautacam, last used as a stage finish in the 2014 Tour De France. This was considered the toughest climb undertaken all week. The statistics of the climb were that it was 13 Kms long at an average gradient of 8% and total ascent of 1,060 metres.

The spokesperson said: "It was a hot day and everyone was relieved when they settled into the café at the summit observatory for a well earned drink."

Day four was a rest day, when the cycling was restricted to a 'flat' ride to Lourdes along a disused railway line, which had been tarmacadamed and converted into a dedicated cycle lane, all of which was in preparation for the biggest climb of the week the following day.

Day five , acclimatisation complete and it was time for the group to climb the mighty Col du Tourmalet, which has been used in more editions of the Tour de France than any other Col in France. The day didn’t start well because there was low cloud and it was thought visibility would be too poor to attempt the climb, but local advice was the group would climb higher than the clouds and visibility would be clear at the summit at 2,117 metres. The climb was 19Kms in length at an average gradient of 7.4%, which is not that steep but it ascends 1,704 metres in total to its summit which well above the clouds as forecast.

The spokesperson said: "The climb to the café at the top took over three hours but it was well rewarded with stunning views."

Day six and the final day of the tour and the group climbed up to the ski station at Luz Ardiden, which was a stage finish in the 2011 Tour de France. This is a 13Km climb to the summit, ascending 1,010 metres and is famous for the 31 hairpin bends on the way up to the summit.

The spokesperson said: "Everyone in the party enjoyed the challenging cycling in the Pyrenees and expressed a desire to return again sometime to complete many of the remaining climbs."