In a way you have to be perfectly mad to attempt this cycle ride - from Atlantic to Mediterranean going straight across the Pyrenees. I covered some of the highest of the mountain passes, including Tourmalet , a pass that even Tour de France riders far.
It took me 13 days and my the end of it I was as fit as I ever was or ever will be.
Kilometers |
Total ascent |
Time on road | ||
| Details of the bike and equipment used | ||||
| Why I made the Pyrenees trip | ||||
| Day 1 | St Jean de Luz - St Jean Pied Port | 46.2 km | 4hr 22 min | |
| Day 2 | St Jean Pied Port - Isaba | 43.3 km | 4 hr 37 min | |
| Day 3 | Isaba - Oloron Sainte Marie | 22.6 km | 2 hr 39 min | |
| Day 4 | Oloron Sainte Marie - Argeles | 66.5 km | 5 hr 05 min | |
| Day 5 | Argeles - St Luz St Saveur | 55,1 km | 6 hr 46 min | |
| Day 6 | St Luz St Saveur - Arreau | 42.9 km | 3 hr 18 min | |
| Day 7 | Arreau - Luchon | 47.8 km | 5 hr 37 min | |
| Day 8 | Luchon - Baquera | 34.8 km | 254 m | 3 hr 07min |
| Day 9 | Baquera - Sort | 44.8 km | 963 m | 4 hr 22 min |
| Day 10 | Sort - La Seu | 83.4 km | 1313 m | 6 hr 00 min |
| Day 11 | La Seu - Puigcerda | 45.0 km | 655 m | 3 hr 06 min |
| Day 12 | Puigcerda - Vernet les Bains | 62.0 km | 855 m | 4 hr 33 min |
| Day 13 | Vernet les Bains - Argeles | 83.4 km | 382 m | 4 hr 38 min |
I manage to loose the Garmin readings for ascent in the first week - a pity as they were quite impressive