PyreneesStageDemo.wmv

Distance 56.3km Gain 2406m Average grade 6.6%  7%  8.1% Difficulty Medium - Hard

A spectacular taste of the Pyrenees

Climbs
Col de Peyresourde 1569m 6.8% – Col de Azet 1580m 7.1% – Pla d’Adet 1700m 8% - Totaal climb of 2406m

The Route
Bagnéres-de-Luchon D618 – Loudenville – Génos-Azet D225 – Saint-Lary-Soulan D123 – Pla d’Adet

Route Information
You start this challenging ride in the 1930s styled Spa town of Luchon & quickly wind your way up the first climb of the Col de Peyresourde. As you come into sight of the top you are rewarded for your efforts with your first brief views to the right side. This is a new feature that at this time is only available on this Real Life Video. The views are something that was not really possible without the clarity of a High definition camera & now you can really look & spot little mountain villages kilometers away.

After a fast descent you start up the steeper climb of the Col de Azet & again as you close in on the top you are afforded some wonderful views down to the valley lake & across to the Peyresourde.  A second fast descent with some spectacular views of the last climb brings you to the busy ski resort of Saint-Lary-Soulan. This is your last chance to rest as the last long climb to Pla d’Adet is extremely tough for the first half. With tiring legs the second half of the climb may not feel much easier although there is a brief rest bite just before the final few steep kilometers to the finish.

Filmed in High definition in perfect crystal clear weather the day after the Tour de France traveled these very same roads.