This route will be ridden during the 2010 Tour de France by the participants in the Ronan Pensec Travel Performance bike tour - The Pyrenees Stages. We will make a detour via the Col du Soulor before tackling the Col du Tourmalet - one of the most famous climbs in cycling and the highest road in the Pyrenees. We start in Lourdes where our hotel is located and ride 23.7 miles to Ferrieres, where starts the ascent to the Col du Soulor, a very scenic climb that appeared on Le Cycle Magazine's list of the 30 most beautiful Cols in France. Looking to the western side, you have a great view over the Col d'Aubisque and the Cirque du Litor.

Col du Soulor - Height: 4,836 ft.; Length: 13.7 miles; Average: 4.9%.

From Soulor, the route slopes down to Argeles-Gazost 12.4 miles away. Relax your legs as the real challenge is ahead... After Argeles we ride southward to Luz-St-Sauveur where starts the ascent to the Col du Tourmalet. We will climb the steepest side (the western side).

Col du Tourmalet - Height: 6,939 ft.; Length: 11.5 miles; Average: 7.7% (max.: 10.2%).

In Gascon patois, Tourmalet means "bad detour". A number of great moments of the Tour de France took place on the Col du Tourmalet, which was the first pass to rise up to more than 2,000 meters to be climbed by the Tour's riders. The first rider over was Octave Lapize back in 1910, who went on to claim the yellow jersey in Paris. The pass was so difficult that he was forced to get off and walk his fixed-gear bike up part of the way. The Col du Tourmalet is a difficult climb but one you feel a great sense of achievement for making. On the way to the top, you will also enjoy a wonderful panorama, especially on the Pic du Midi. We then advise to ride back into Lourdes via Bagneres-de-Bigorre, a lovely thermal town surrounded by mountains with a river running through the centre. Here you will find a great choice of cafes and restaurants. For a shorter ride, you can also ignore the Col du Soulor and ride directly to the Col du Tourmalet via Argeles-Gazost. The total distance will be 61 miles.

For more information about this Tour de France travel, visit Ronan Pensec Travel - The Pyrenees Stages.

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