Cycling in the Pyrenees - Anyone know Bagnères-de-Luchon?

[littleandy0410]

I'm off to the Pyrenees on Friday, flying into Lourdes, and staying for a long weekend at Bagnères-de-Luchon. Has anyone on here cycled in the area before? Can anyone recommend routes not to be missed, or any routes that are a disappointment? Any good mid-ride cafes that are worth a visit for a spot of lunch/cake?

We have 2 full days in the saddle (Sat/Sun) plus a shorter day on the Monday before the flight home. I think we have plans for A ride up to Col de Tourmalet on one of the days, which looks to be about 100 miles plus 5000m of climbing! Eek!

This will be my first experience of mountainous riding, with the exception of riding Sa Calobra in Majorca last May, and Velothon Wales last month. Any hints/tips/advice gratefully received! Thanks in advance!

[ALawson]

I will look through previous Cyclist magazine copies for any routes.

Only advice for that combination of distance and elevation would pace yourself on the climbs with sensible gears, keep fluids and food topped up and enjoy it!

Out of interest what were the £ logistics/transfers like?

[Cagey]

I was in The Pyrenees for a week at the end of June and stayed in Bagneres for 1 night so finished 1 ride there then rode out the following day. To the North you could do Port de Bales which we approached from the Northern side (I believe the Southern approach is the classic TDF side). Long, hard climb but rewarding. Super-Bagneres is just a short ride out of the town. I didn't do it myself but a couple of the other guys I was with said it was their favourite climb of the week.
The one I enjoyed the most during the week was Route des Lacs which starts from Saint-Lary-Soulan to the west of Bagneres. Just a stunning road to climb.

https://www.strava.com/activities/332634744
https://www.strava.com/activities/331969967


If you want to pop across into Spain you can do the Portillon - the border is right at the top of the climb and the descent down to Bossost is on the best maintained roads I've ever ridden on.

Whatever you do there you'll have a great time (although you'll be thoroughly depressed coming back to the UK...)

Edit: some much better pics of Route des Lacs here: http://www.cycling-challenge.com/lac-de-cap-de-lon...

Edited by Cagey on Sunday 19th July 17:19

[Cagey]

Rubbish pic from Bales


From Route des Lacs

[littleandy0410]

ALawson said:

I will look through previous Cyclist magazine copies for any routes.

Great, thanks, that would be good - I have had a look through the issues I still have, but not found anything.

ALawson said:

Only advice for that combination of distance and elevation would pace yourself on the climbs with sensible gears, keep fluids and food topped up and enjoy it!

Good advice, thanks - I'm normally pretty good on longer rides at remembering to stay fuelled and hydrated, but the extra climbing means I'll need to stay topped up.

ALawson said:

Out of interest what were the £ logistics/transfers like?

The mate I'm going with knows the people who run the chalet where we are staying, so we've got the room, breakfast, evening meals and tranfers for an absolutely bargain price. Mates rates, and all that! The flights to Lourdes are with Ryanair, and we are therefore not taking any hold luggage, so will be packing light! I think flights were about £180, but that's because I only booked a couple of weeks ago - I think it was about £26 one way, and £150odd the other way!

Cagey said:

Whatever you do there you'll have a great time (although you'll be thoroughly depressed coming back to the UK...)

I suspect you're right there - I had the same issue last May after riding Sa Calobra in Majorca. Living in the Fens leaves me pining for proper spectacular riding!

Cagey said:

http://www.cycling-challenge.com/lac-de-cap-de-lon...

Brilliant link, thank you so much! Just the sort of thing I was after. And those photos you posted look amazing, it looks like a stunning place. The 60+mph top speed on your strava feed is exciting/scary looking!