#the tourmalet pass

[postcard-from-the-past]

Mountain cabin in the Tourmalet Pass, Gascony region of France

French vintage postcard

[oneminutefiftysixseconds]

ANQUETIL, ALONE

Anquetil Alone by Paul Fournel // A group in the 1957 Tour de France passes through the Pyrenees, Jacques Anquetil in yellow. // Rouleur journal The case for Jacques Anquetil // A young Anquetil wins the 1953 GP Des Nations // High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr. // Anquetil climbs the Tourmalet during the 1957 Tour de France // Anquetil poses with his bike ahead of the 1959 Giro d'Italia // Anquetil racing in 1960 or 61 // Eurosport Re-Cycle the 1963 Vuelta // Individual time trial at the 1964 Tour de France // Richard Willams Review of 'Anquetil Alone' // Catullus 85 // L'Equipe playing card, 1960 // Commemorative stamp, 1969 // Tour de France 1961 magazine // Commemorative stamp, 1972 // Anquetil prepares his bike for a track event in London, 1964

[pinkpogiclub]

if you're up for it i would LOVE to hear a full account of your day yesterday, your videos were so great !!

Hi!! <3

I’m always really happy to yap about cycling so this isn’t a hardship at all! I hope you don’t mind me using your ask as a way to do just that! Thank you @tourmalet ❤️‍🩹🫶🏻

First of all! Let me preface this by saying that im really really lucky because my family has always been very into cycling (my grandpa used to cycle back in the forties and the fifties when Coppi and Bartali were racing and he passed his passion onto my dad, his son): they’re the literal best and the reason why im the way I am right now.

That being said, we never managed to be spectators for the Tour because it wasn’t as easy to reach as the Giro, always too far away: which is why we decided to go as soon as we learnt that the first stage of the tour would be starting here, it really was a no-brainer.

So we made a plan and yesterday morning we packed our backpacks and took my uncle’s car to one the final climbs of the stage, operating on stress levels that could have powered a jet engine. Anyways. Now, I’ve been to numerous Giros, but BOY was the atmosphere different yesterday: SO SO many people from different countries (a couple near us came all the way from the Czech Republic just to cheer on Jan Hirt, which he probably needed after what happened yesterday) and generally you could just tell something big was happening. We also spoke a bit with Alfio Vandi (now 69 years old) who was, back in 1976, the first rider to ever wear the white jersey during the Giro d’Italia: definitely trippy to think about him riding alongside Merckx, I’ll admit I was kind of starstruck lmao!

We then hiked a bit (like a couple of km’s, nothing major luckily) to get to the spot my father had in mind, the same one he always passes by whenever he rides that climb like every Sunday (love u dad). We waited there from 11am to 4:30pm-ish and, while the company was great (group of 70 year olds watching motogp and formula one on their phones, very loudly bitching and moaning about ferrari) the weather was just shit from start to finish. SO humid it felt like breathing in mist and also very very warm: just this fact alone made me genuinely wonder how the HELL the riders could bear it for more than 100 kms while I was almost dying just staying still and laying around 😭

And THEN. When riders started coming it was as if everyone there suddenly reverted back to their kids selves: people cheering and clapping and laughing, literal seventy year olds jumping up and down at the sight of jonas and tadej passing by them!!!!!! SO CUTE!!!!!!! I had promised myself not to be TOO biased but I started screaming WOUT!!!! as soon as I saw him (he kind of made a face at me? I think? Idk im choosing to believe he did) which also means I didn’t even see G, Remco, Egan and basically every other GC contender until I watched my videos back. Lmao, talk about tunnel vision. This also goes for Mathieu, who probably saw me cheering like a little kid, waving and all. Sorry pal💀

Jasper arrived later, almost alone, and I was the only one cheering for him for some reason? Beloved war criminal in criminal team ❤️ And how was I repaid for my love and affection? This bitch spat on my backpack!!!! DISMANTLE ALPECIN RN!!!!!!!!

While we were waiting for Mark (Cavendish) to get there the silence was SURREAL; there weren’t that many people there and so the only noises you could really hear were the bikes and some of the scattered riders talking amongst themselves. It was kind of insane, in the sense that I’ve always associated the tour with loud cheering and large crowds, but right then it was a very tangible and human experience, I don’t even know how to explain it. Very real, very raw.

Eventually Mark (and Fabio!) arrived and you could tell they were both exhausted beyond reason but were still, somehow, pushing on through. Mark used to be my absolute fave when I was a child so BET I cheered him on like there was no tomorrow. FORZA MARK FOREVER!!!!!!! (he also has a really cool bike and I was kind of giggling at him sporting a big ass 300k sponsor watch while clawing his way up that climb. Suffering in style I guess, slay)

Overall, the day was extremely tiring but SO worth it: I would do it again another hundred times and I genuinely think everyone should experience the tour at least once in their lifetime. I feel like it’s one of the very few instances where you can actually realise how INSANELY talented the pros are compared to “regular” people (just to put it into perspective: my father is by no means a pro cyclist, but they rode the same climb as him in a THIRD of the time. CRAZY). They withstand scorching heat, gruelling climbs and every sort of injury for three weeks straight, experiencing a level of fatigue i don’t think I could even imagine lmao (the way jonas and pogi were climbing was actually scary: literally riding like they were on a Sunday outing with their friends. Managed to shock my dad. 10/10).

So yeah, all of this to say: I had a lot of fun and I absolutely love this sport to bits. I really wish all of y’all moots could have been there with me, truly😮‍💨❤️‍🩹

NOW. I’m wrapping all of this up with a few bonuses:

- a guy from total energies, whose name I can’t figure out for the life of me, giving me his bottle for no apparent reason other than the fact that I was yelling at him to push cause the hardest part was done (love you king)

- gifted polka dot jersey tee thrown by sponsor bus

- a sunburn from hell I will probably feel for a week

- American woman sporting a GC Kuss shirt: QUEEN

- a beer and food truck near the summit: you wouldn’t believe the amount of people day-drinking themselves silly in 30+ degrees heat

- VAI PACEJ (which I guess is a combination of Pogačar and Tadej?)

- BINI!!!!!!!

- the view from where I was <3

Thank you all for listening, if you managed to stay up until here im giving you a big kiss on the forehead🫶🏻

[secondskin007]

"Sam Bennett in the descent of Tourmalet pass during stage 14 of TDF 24" by Hugo LUC is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

[dimensionsvelo]

Corratec passe à la vitesse supérieure !

Corratec entend bien continuer son implantation dans l’Hexagone. La marque se dote ainsi d’un nouveau country-manager pour la France, Rémi Laffont, et présente une bonne partie de sa gamme Chez Octave, au pied du Tourmalet ! Corratec est une marque allemande moins connue en France que ses compatriotes mais qui mérite le détour. Ces produits sont techniques et souvent avant-gardistes. N’oublions…

[lsundarinfo]

Conquering the Peaks: Top 10 Motorable Mountain Passes in France

France, a country synonymous with romance, boasts not just charming cities and historic landmarks, but also breathtaking mountain ranges that beckon adventurous drivers. Winding roads snake through majestic peaks, offering stunning vistas and unforgettable experiences. Buckle up and get ready to explore the top 10 motorable mountain passes in France:

1. Col de la Bonette (French Alps): Claiming the title of the highest paved road in Europe at a staggering 2807 meters (9,209 ft), Col de la Bonette is a must-do for driving enthusiasts. The ascent is challenging with tight corners and switchbacks, but the panoramic views of the Mercantour National Park are simply unmatched. Be aware that the road might be closed during winter due to snow.

2. Col du Tourmalet (Pyrenees): A legendary climb in the Tour de France cycling race, Col du Tourmalet sits at an impressive 2115 meters (6,936 ft). The route offers diverse landscapes, from lush valleys to barren moonscapes. Keep an eye out for the iconic stele commemorating the Tour de France champions at the summit.

3. Col de l'Iseran (French Alps): Connecting Tignes and Val d'Isère ski resorts, Col de l'Iseran stands at a height of 2341 meters (7,680 ft). The drive is known for its gentle slopes and wide open spaces, making it a scenic and relaxing journey. This pass is a great choice for families or those new to mountain driving.

4. Col du Galibier (French Alps): Another iconic climb in the Tour de France, Col du Galibier reaches a height of 2365 meters (7,760 ft). The route features dramatic switchbacks and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, including the majestic Mont Blanc. Be prepared for unpredictable weather conditions at this high altitude.

5. Route des Grandes Alpes (French Alps): More than just a single pass, Route des Grandes Alpes is a scenic route spanning 700 kilometers (435 miles) that traverses the French Alps. This epic journey connects Lake Geneva to the French Riviera, offering a diverse landscape of mountains, valleys, and charming villages. Be sure to factor in multiple days to fully appreciate this incredible route.

6. Col de la Madeleine (French Alps): Lying at an altitude of 2083 meters (6,834 ft), Col de la Madeleine is another challenging climb for cyclists and drivers alike. The route features 21 hairpin bends and stunning views of the Beaufortin Valley. This pass is a popular choice for those seeking a scenic yet demanding drive.

7. Col de Cayolle (French Alps): Nestled in the Mercantour National Park, Col de Cayolle sits at a height of 2326 meters (7,631 ft). The route offers a mix of forested areas and open meadows, with opportunities for wildlife spotting along the way. This pass is a great choice for nature lovers seeking a more tranquil driving experience.

8. Col de Porte (French Alps): Connecting the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys at an altitude of 1325 meters (4,347 ft), Col de Porte is a relatively low-altitude pass compared to others on this list. The route is known for its gentle slopes and wide open spaces, making it a great choice for a relaxing drive with scenic views. This pass is also a popular spot for paragliding enthusiasts.

9. Col de la Forclaz (French Alps): Located near Chamonix, Col de la Forclaz sits at a height of 1525 meters (5,003 ft). The route offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding glaciers. This pass is a great starting point for exploring the Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley, a paradise for hikers and nature lovers.

10. Col de la Schlucht (Vosges Mountains): Situated in the Vosges Mountains, Col de la Schlucht stands at an altitude of 1139 meters (3,737 ft). The route is known for its dense forests and charming villages. This pass is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts and offers beautiful scenery year-round.

Tips for Driving in France as a Foreign Tourist:

Exploring France's mountain passes by car is a truly unforgettable experience. With breathtaking scenery, challenging roads, and charming villages along the way, it's a journey for the adventurous soul. Be sure to plan your trip carefully, obtain the necessary permits, and follow safety precautions while driving in the mountains. With the tips provided and a bit of research, you can embark on an epic road trip and conquer the peaks of France!

[nta2023]

Introduction:

France, a country known for its picturesque landscapes, exquisite cuisine, and rich cultural heritage, is also a paradise for car enthusiasts. Imagine cruising through the charming French countryside, with the wind in your hair and the roar of a powerful engine beneath you. If you're a fan of high-performance sports cars, your dream can become a reality with the Lamborghini Huracán. In this blog post, we'll take you on a virtual journey to explore the thrill of driving a Lamborghini Huracán in the beautiful landscapes of France.

Unveiling the Lamborghini Huracán:

The Lamborghini Huracán, named after a legendary fighting bull, is a masterpiece of Italian engineering and design. With its sleek aerodynamic body, powerful V10 engine, and cutting-edge technology, the Huracán symbolizes luxury and speed. Stepping inside the Huracán feels like entering a cockpit designed for high-speed adventures. The scent of fine leather, the touch of premium materials, and the engine's roar create an unforgettable sensory experience.

Cruising the French Riviera:

Start your Lamborghini adventure in the glamorous French Riviera, a stretch of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea known for its stunning beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Picture yourself driving along the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the azure sea on one side and elegant buildings on the other. The Huracán's powerful engine purrs as you accelerate, turning heads and leaving onlookers in awe.

Conquering the Serpentine Roads of the French Alps:

For thrill-seekers, the French Alps offer a playground of winding mountain roads and breathtaking scenery. Imagine navigating the hairpin turns of the Col du Galibier or the Col du Tourmalet, with the Huracán's precise handling and exceptional grip ensuring a thrilling driving experience. The panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys make every twist and turn even more exhilarating.

Exploring the Charming Vineyards of Bordeaux:

France is renowned for its exquisite wines, and what better way to explore the vineyards of Bordeaux than in a Lamborghini Huracán? Cruise through the picturesque countryside, passing vine-covered hills and historic châteaux. Stop at renowned wineries to taste world-class wines and indulge in gourmet cuisine. The Huracán's elegant design and powerful performance perfectly complement the sophistication of Bordeaux's wine culture.

Roaming the Historic Streets of Paris:

No visit to France is complete without experiencing the enchanting streets of Paris. Drive your Lamborghini Huracán past iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Champs-Élysées. Feel the blend of history and modernity as you explore the cobblestone streets of Montmartre and the grand boulevards lined with designer boutiques. The Huracán's agile handling makes navigating the bustling cityscape a seamless and exciting adventure.

Conclusion:

Driving a Lamborghini Huracán in France is not just a journey; it's a symphony of power, elegance, and adrenaline set against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful countries. Whether you're roaring along the French Riviera, conquering mountain passes in the Alps, savoring fine wines in Bordeaux, or exploring the romantic streets of Paris, the Huracán elevates your driving experience to unparalleled heights. So, gear up, hit the road, and let the Lamborghini Huracán lead you on a memorable adventure through the heart of France.

[celuloideycarbono]

Moments from 10 to 18:

11. Luchon - Mourenx, Tour de France 1969. Eddy Merckx has already won the Tour de France, but he breaks away in the Pyrenees while passing through the Tourmalet. There were more than fifty flat kilometers remaining from the descent of the Aubisque.

12. Road World Championships in Verona, 1999. The completely unknown Óscar Freire surprises everyone in the last kilometer of the World Championship.

13. Amstel Gold Race 2019. One of the most dramatic, spectacular, and surprising finishes in memory. The most brutal comeback by Mathieu van der Poel to the front of the race.

14. Critérium du Dauphiné Liberé - Bordeaux-Paris doublet, 1965. Anquetil wins the demanding week-long race through the Alps and the marathon of the classics with less than 24 hours in between.

15. Liège - Bastogne - Liège 1980. Hinault's most memorable victory, under intense snowfall.

16. Chiesa in Valmalenco - Bormio, Giro d'Italia 1988. Another brutal snowfall, perhaps the most inhumane day cyclists have ever had, with a crazy ascent and descent of the Passo di Gavia.

17. Jaca - Val Louron, Tour de France 1991. The beginning of Indurain's dominance, breaking away with Claudio Chiappucci.

18. Périgueux - Bergerac, ITT, Tour de France 1994. Miguel Indurain's second most memorable time trial, with a significant lead over his rivals.

top ten remarkable moments in cycling history (i would like to updated it)

I like history, I like lists, and, of course, I like cycling.

In 2019, I proposed creating a collaborative list on Twitter to select the 10 most remarkable moments the history of cycling (yes, ambitious, I know). People chose their 10 moments, and in the end, after counting all the lists (about 40), these were the results:

Merano - Aprica, Giro d'Italia 1994. Battle between Pantani, Berzin and Indurain in Passo dello Stelvio, Valico di Santa Cristina, Mortirolo and Aprica.

Saint-Gervais - Sestrières, Tour de France 1992. Epic ride by Claudio Chiappucci in the Alps, through Iseran, Mont Cenis and Sestrières, in a brutal stage of 254 km.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial - Ávila, Vuelta a España 1999. Frank Vandenbroucke's mad attack on the Ávila walls, after destroy the concurrence in Navalmoral.

Venaria Reale - Bardonecchia/Jafferau, Giro d'Italia 2018. Chris Froome took the maglia rosa after a 80 km solo ride, with a powerful attack on Colle delle Finestre.

Versailles - Paris / Champs Elysées, Tour de France 1989. Dramatic time trial with Greg LeMond tacking the maillot jaune to Laurent Fignon by only 8 seconds.

Grenoble - Les Deux Alpes, Tour de France 1998. In the Tour of doping scandals, Marco Pantani took the maillot jaune to Jan Ullrich after an attack on Col de Galibier.

Charleroi - Liège, Tour de France 1995. Miguel Indurain attacks in the Ardennes with Johan Bruyneel on his wheel.

Saint-Jeanne-de-Maurienne - Morzine, Tour de France 2006. Floyd Landis did a Landis through the Alps. Saisies, Aravis, Colombière and Joux Plane were in the menu. In a few days after the Tour, Landis tested positive in testosterone.

Luxembourg, ITT, Tour de France 1992. Maybe the most brutal ITT performance in Tour history, done by Miguel Indurain (perhaps now is Combloux 2022...).

Road World Championships in Duitama, Colombia, 1995. Abraham Olano wins the rainbow jersey in the most hilly world championship ever. He arrives at the finish line with a flat tyre.

As you can see, the list was dominated by events from the 1990s, as many people who participate had lived those times in their childhood or adolescence. It was also a list in which Spanish or Spanish-speaking moments predominated, since most of the people who participated were from those backgrounds.

Now, I would like to update that list and give it a more 'international' view, with your colaboration. I believe many things have happened since 2020, don't you think? La Planche 2020, Granon 2022, Combloux 2023, some Lièges by Remco or Strades by Pogi, the duel between van der Poel and van Aert in Ronde 2020, the Pogi's Ronde...

So, here is my proposal: feel free to choose the 10 moments in the history of cycling that you consider to be the best—10 epic battles, 10 close sprints, 10 cute moments, 10 controversial moments, whatever. Whether it's women's or men's cycling, road, cross, or track, it doesn't matter. Moments you have experienced firsthand, or not, perhaps you have watched it on tv or even you read about it because they happened before you were born.

You can share this post by adding your list, or even include it in the tags. In a month, I will compile the results and I will also publish them here and on my blog (in Spanish). Thank you for your collaboration.

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Monday 30 July 1838

8

11 10

alas! my watch had not gone long after my mishap last night – I fear it is over with it the while – I cannot stand this – I must have a good substantial steady going London watch – fine but dull morning – F65 ½° at 9 am read ½ hour vol. 1 Chaussenque breakfast at 9 ½ to near 11 having read the paper as usual and eaten strawberries which do me more cooling good than anything – from 11 to after 12 wrote the last 7 lines of p. 297 and the whole of the last p. and so far of this alas! my watch –stood again at 11 am –– Luz, Gèdre and Gavarnie (told Charles to inquire of M. Sarrat the maitre of Luz)contain 2700 inhabitants (including the bergers who all leave their mountains and retire to the 3 towns in winter) – It must have been 12 ½ before the horses came – A- came just about then having put some more colour on her view of the Marboré (vid. Saturday) – stood talking it over – I had been making notes of the mountains etc. en route from here to Barèges (from Chausenque vol. 1) – A- had an egg beaten up with our English Madeira off at 1 ½ to Barèges – pass Istère good village a little above the road (right) and a short distance from Luz – at 1 55 turn (right) up the hill to Viella small village and there in 6 minutes – then down again into the high road and soon afterwards leave it and turn up again to [Betpouey] and there at 2 ½ - nice good, neat, white-stuccoed village built on the slope of the hill – a woman brought the key, and we went into the pretty little church dedicated

SH:7/ML/E/21/0157

to St. Laurence who stands over the centre altar (gilded à l’Espagnole) holding  a branch of palm in his right hand and a large grid iron in his left – a little altar in a little transept on each side the centre altar – 4 or 5 minutes in the church – thought it would be a nice little interior for A- to sketch – a civil woman who came with the one who brought the key asked me to give something towards the church .:. put  a dix sols piece into the box – Betpouey the capital of Barèges – went forwards down the hill into the high road again – on the other side the valley nearly opposite Betpouey on a highish plateau village of Viey – and soon after in the same line but nearer Barèges, the village of Sers and on butte high above it, a little temple-seat where used to be the hermitage of St. Justin – the rocky mountain above Viey and Sers called (as pronounced) Cowey de Sers, and the high vallon close on the Barèges side of Sers called Bat de Sers – Cowey they say is a provincial name – don’t know the meaning of it – bat signifies a high vallon subject to avalanches – at 3 pass right a little above the road on the hill the Baths of Pontis – looking like a couple of good cottages – a little way from Barèges the new baths (left) of Mr. Barzun pharmacien de Barèges – on our return met 2 ladies in chaise à porteur returning from these baths – before coming to Barzuns baths –opposite to the baths of Pontis on the hill (mountain) plateau (just above the baths of Pontis) plateau de Sooriche which extends to some distance beyond Barèges – at Barèges at 3 ¼ - left Pierre to look for Charles the botanist and baigneur white [on] Charles and we rode forwards ¼ hour and stopt on the hill side on a little knoll on the road from which we could see the Tourmalet all but covered with fog – stopt 5 minutes standing with our faces towards the Tourmalet, looked up vallon de Linz (right) – on the Tourmalet side of this vallon the pic d’Eredslitz – on the Barèges side La carrée de Barèges a large beech wood, un bois prohibé – the safety of Barèges against the avalanches on that side – the chaussée de [Lonvois] is  a common rough looking bur-wall against the Bastan and beyond at this end of the town – 2 girls aetatis 15 each lost last winter by an avalanche – all the avalanches fall about opposite the baths where the houses little shops etc. are put up slightly with boards every year – we walked back to the town where A- remounted but I walked forwards to the poste aux letters. a little circulating library and grocers’ shop, and where A- bought 3 sheets of drawing paper – very civil people – bougies 2/60 per lb. – a newspaper directed to ‘the earl of Leitrum poste restante à Barèges’ and a letter to ‘Mademoiselle Aylesbury’ ditto ditto ditto – left A- there where I went and sat 1/2 hour with Madame Gassie Verger – very civil and glad to see me and asked me to go often and to take my soup with her – her daughter and son in law there – introduced me – hoped I should go soon again and talk of Mademoiselle Gassie, and Mademoiselle Sophie, and Madame de Bourke – A- and I off from Barèges at 4 ½ - alighted in ¼ hour at 4 ¾ - A- walked 50 minutes and I an hour to near Luz – home at 6 – had thought of going to the ball tonight – ordered dinner sooner – dinner at 6 20 in about an hour – A- lay down on the bed-sofa – I came and wrote all the above of today except the 1st 12 lines till I suppose near 0 – no! 8 ½ - A- poorly – not very fit for a ball – had Josephine – she said the ladies were now going to the ball en mantilles (black silk scarf-cloaks) and white straw bonnets – a little while with A- then from 9 to 10 20 sat reading vol. 1 Chaussenque from p. 176 forwards to p.203 and other pages here and there – then went to A- for a minute or 2 and gave her a little noyau – fine day – little or no sun – cool at Barèges – A- starved in returning .:. walked to warm herself – some degrees colder at B- than here F65 ½° now at 10 25 pm

[atlanticinfocus]

From Scenes From the 2021 Tour de France, one of 24 photos. Team UAE Emirates' Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, descends Tourmalet pass during the 18th stage of the Tour de France on July 15, 2021. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP / Getty)

[postcard-from-the-past]

Refuge on the Col du Tourmalet pass, Pyrenees, Béarn region of southern France

French vintage postcard

[littlecondo]

Sea to Sea Day 4!

Day 4 was when we reached the highest point we would in France - the top of the Col du Tourmalet. 

This was an intense day. I started off in the van, getting a boost to a ski station part way up. Just as we started the climb up Tourmalet, as we were still in a pretty inhabited part, we saw a cyclist lying motionless in a field, some 20 feet down from the road. We stopped to help and called for an ambulance. We’d seen a police car a few minutes before and luckily they eventually came along and were able to take over explaining where we were. The cyclist eventually got up and started moving around and once the police took over, we carried on our way. It was a pretty sobering start to the day.

I rode about the final 8km up Tourmalet. The road is insane. Here are some pictures; none of which truly capture the switchbacks or the way you can look down to see where you’ve come from.

There were a lot of cyclists on Tourmalet. It is one of those climbs that is so iconic that everyone has to do it. It was nice to have the cyclists around; even though most of them were going much faster than I was, it gives you something to latch onto for a few hundred meters or somebody to slowly chase down.

Tourmalet has a really steep pitch for the last couple of hundred metres. You basically make the final left turn on a switchback and then it rises up ahead of you. On certain days, you also have professional photographers waiting as you make that final turn. Our guides had warned us that they would be there so I was ready to fake a smile when I saw them.

As I approached this point, I thought the finish was further away than it actually was. All the way up, I had been fixated on what turned out to be a dirt track leading up, instead of the actual finish! This meant that at the top of the steep pitch, as the road curved to the right, I was done! Dan had passed me on the way up and he was nowhere to be found. Turns out he was inside having a coffee anticipating that it would take me much longer to get up.

It was pretty brisk at the top of Tourmalet so we bundled up a little and headed down, and into the valley for our next climb, up the Col d’Aspin. Our lunch stop was part way up and after the success of Tourmalet I had some duck confit!

I then took the van up to the top of Aspin (again, I was so done climbing) and waited for Dan.

I stayed in the van for the next descent and climb, up Peyresourde - by this time we had quite the party going on in the van as more and more riders from our group felt that they were at their limits.

From the top of Peyresourde I joined Dan on the descent into Bagneres for our rest day! It was another speedy descent and I was so happy to reach the hotel with the knowledge that we got to spend two consecutive nights in one place!

[miroir-de-sports]

Gourdasse Pass

Col, en anglais dîtes pass. Tourmalet pass. Simplon pass. Gourdasse pass, le seul col de Côte d'Or signalé. Il aurait été bon de mettre la traduction anglaise au mot col, juste pour la rime en asse.

Pleins feux sur la rampe de la Gourdasse.

Ici  j’en ai connu à la ramasse

Tu roules pas sensas ? Tu n’en a plus sous la godasse ?

Faut de la surpasse et si  tu repasses,

T’auras mieux que de la vinasse dans ta gourdasse

Col de la Gourdasse, le seul col officiel de Côte d'Or.

Lien vidéo,  accompagné par une musique des amis bidasse.

Au départ du clos de Vougeot, la route s'élève par paliers en direction de Chambolle Musigny. Passé ce village viticole réputé, l'embranchement menant à  Curley abandonne un paysage de vignes. Le panorama ouvert se convertit  en sous bois et futaies, le tout dans un goulot de rocailles encadrées de falaises. Ce décor bouché, bourré, contracté, couvert, porte le nom de Combe Ambin. Depuis 2014 c'est un territoire Natura 2000, intégré aux Milieux forestiers et pelouses des combes de la côte dijonnaise, bénéficiant d'un régime spécial de conservation et de protection en raison de la rareté et de la vulnérabilité de ces milieux.

Ce site se caractérise par une grande diversité naturelle présentant un fort intérêt à l'échelle européenne : forêts de ravins, pelouses sèches, éboulis, ensembles forestiers. A noter la présence d'une pelouse humide où croît l'Ail ciboulette, espèce très rare, en baisse au niveau national. Les éboulis et falaises recensent des cortèges de plantes méditerranéennes et montagnardes très rares et protégées en Bourgogne (Laser de France, Anthyllide des montagnes, Daphnée des Alpes...), rencontrées uniquement dans les combes de la Côte dijonnaise. Les éboulis renferment l'Ibéris intermédiaire protégé en Bourgogne, et les falaises sont des sites de nidification pour le Faucon pèlerin.

Ces particularités de la faune et de la flore échappent  souvent aux cyclistes  qui s’aventurent par ici. En été, les cyclos apprécient surtout la fraîcheur inondant les kilomètres d’ascension parcourus  dans une tranchée verte.  4.5km depuis l intersection avec la véloroute Dijon Beaune et

3.8km de pure montée à la sortie de Chambolle.

En quittant le village, la pente est franche et tutoie les 8% sur une distance de 1.2km . L’envolée se poursuit  ensuite  graduellement ; 1.4 km  avec des marches de 3%,à 4%.  Toujours sous l’ombrage, le final du parcours est catégorique, avec des seuils de 4,5- 6%, une grimpette de 700 m sans ambages et sans fard pour les jambes. L’effort ultime soutenu a en point de mire une brèche dans le décor vert bouteille : des aires de culture redonnent  de la lumière vive et confirment la sortie du goulet et l’approche du sommet, 200 derniers mètres à 3%. A l’arrivée, le panneau signalant le col, disparu en 2011, est revenu il y a peu.

Point de vue depuis la Gourdasse   (juin 2020)

Tilleul Sully à Chambolle Musigny  - Planté sous le règne d’Henri IV

âgé d’au moins 400 ans

#lécoledescols  #lecoledescols

[secondskin007]

"Marco Haller in the descent of Tourmalet pass during stage 14 of TDF 24" by Hugo LUC is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

[apisonadora60]

COL DU TOURMALET PRINT

What a stage, what a climb. The Col du Tourmalet produced a theatre of drama today at the Tour de France. Our Tourmalet Print is the perfect reminder of an epic assault on the Tours most climbed Col. 

https://www.bandofclimbers.com/collections/epic-climbs-collection

The Col du Tourmalet is synonymous with the Tour de France, having been climbed on either side more than 80 times, it's the race's most used climb and the highest mountain pass in the French Pyrenees at 2115m.

Our print celebrates the history, the location, and the amazing riders to have crossed the summit first. It's an illustrious list. Our print is the perfect gift for anyone to have scaled it's massive peak on two wheels.

[pcwt]

Tour de France Stage 14 Preview -  Saturday, July 20 2019: Tarbes - Tourmalet, 117.5km

This is the first of an unprecedented three stage finishes above the 2,000-metre mark. It will take place atop the Tour's favourite pass, the Col du Tourmalet, which will feature for the 87th time. This, though, will be just the third summit finish here following Jean-Pierre Danguillaume's victory in 1974 and Andy Schleck's in 2010.

At just 117km, the stage is very short. From the start in Tarbes, the opening kilometres should be frenetic, as the GC teams look to place riders in the break who can support their leaders on the final ascent, while other teams want to have riders in it who might have a shot at the stage win, assuming the big guns are more focused on each other than what's happening ahead of them.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-14/

http://inrng.com/2019/07/tour-de-france-stage-14-preview-tourmalet/