derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
Have just booked a week in France to play on the Tourmelet. Was going to be the Stelvio. But I got out voted. Am riding with a load of whimps. 
Col du Tourmalet
- Thread starter derrick
- Start date
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Racing roadkill
Guru
The Tourmalet is great fun.
andrew_s
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucester
You could always just say "let's carry on up" at the top of the Tourmalet, and ride up to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the observatoryAm riding with a load of whimps.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/pic-du-midi-de-bigorre-anyone-ridden-up-there.213577/post-4667802
The rideable track ends at just under 2700 m; the top is at just under 2900 m.
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Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
That's a shame, Stelvio is an incredible climb, probably my favourite of all time. I did its west then east sides in 1 day in June 2017, it was exhausting but heaps of fun. I know my reply is very late, but I was having a nostalgia attack for the Alps. Did you enjoy the Tourmalet? I've ridden its west side 5 times and its east side once, and really enjoy that col.Have just booked a week in France to play on the Tourmelet. Was going to be the Stelvio. But I got out voted. Am riding with a load of whimps.
OP
OP
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
We dont actually go until July, But we have a training camp in Calpe in February. A week in the Spanish mountains is always fun, August i am doing a support ride to Brussel, I can ride part of it if i fancy it, But i get paid to do that one, Three days of paid fun. Will probably do our annual ride to Bruges at some point in the year. I love my life.
ianbarton
Veteran
Last year I cycled up it on Bkool, thinking it would be a good intro to Alpine passes. I went from thinking I was going to die, to wishing I was deadHave just booked a week in France to play on the Tourmelet. Was going to be the Stelvio. But I got out voted. Am riding with a load of whimps.
However, I did it without stopping and would love to cycle up it in real life! My heart rate was almost maxed out for the whole climb.
MasterDabber
Über Member
- Location
- Surrey and the Lot in France
If you're going up from Luz St Saveur take the diversion off to the right after Bareges - the Voie Laurent Fignon - the original old road. A beautiful diversion which rejoins the current road about 4kms from the summit. This old road is closed to all traffic except cyclists, the road surface isn't perfect but not bad, all the old names painted on the road from the race are still there... faded. Well worth doing.
Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
How can you tell if it's open for cyclists? The last time I rode up that way, there was a rope strung across the road not far past the "Voie Laurent Fignon" sign, so I turned left onto the main road at that point, because I wasn't sure if the road was fit for cycling.
MasterDabber
Über Member
- Location
- Surrey and the Lot in France
You just duck under the barrier.... trust me it's allowed. I was with a local. You'll see the Col Collection folks recommend it http://thecolcollective.com/col-collection/col/col-du-tourmalet
Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
Thanks!
I'm riding in the Pyrénées for a month next year, so this time I'll try the alternate route for a change.
