Pedal Dancer Recommendations

Cycling Links and Resources 

I have recently updated my Recommendations and Resources Guide Page on this website. This page, located in the right column (or under the dropdown tab at the top when using a phone), may easily be found at any time.

I offer recommendations to online news sources, bike blogs, photographers, cycling tour companies, accommodations, nutrition and training blogs, cycling humorists, rider blogs, podcasts, tumblres, and more recommendations in the world of cycling.

I will, of course, be adding more recommendations over time. If you have any favorites or recommendations you would like to share, or have me add to this list, please let me know. For all the hard work out there, it is helpful to let cyclists and fans find and appreciate the good stuff.

Recommendations and Resources (follow this link)
Topics include recommended:

• Cycling news sources 
• Websites for cycling news links, video links, photos, routes, team rosters, race results
• Cycling news bloggers
• Bike equipment review websites and blogs
• Area cycling blogs or websites
• Online cycling magazines & newsletters
• Bike blogs 
• Cycling columns
• Nutrition, health and training blogs
• Cycling coaches
• Cycling race route news
• Cycling humorists
• Pro rider blogs
• Pro team blogs & news feeds
• Travel blogs
• Cycling photographers 
• Tumblre 
• Podcasts 
• Bike Tour Companies 
• Cycling Accommodations 
• Sources to buy bike equipment, gear, and apparel 
• Good Deeds to Do

Let's hear it for a job well done, for the hard working folks who make our lives as cyclists, if not more exciting, well at least more informed. 

The Valleys of the Pyrenees

Where are the best bike rides in France?

Alright I now feel like I have scouted the area of the Pyrenees in France well enough to offer an organizational summary of cycling in the French Pyrenees. If you are interested in going to France to ride your bike, you probably already have an idea of which climbs you have always wanted to ride. Below I offer a quick summary of where the climbs are located and the nearby towns to search for accommodations.

The cycling climbs in the Pyrenees are long, steep, challenging, and extremely rewarding. If you tackle one of the major cols you will have lots of fellow cyclists on the road with you. If you tackle one of the lesser traveled cols, you might only see 4 other cyclists in the day (on a non-TDF day).  I have * my favorite climbs. If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys finding a base for 4-7 days and riding in a different direction day after day - the Pyrenees are for you. You have lots to choose from.

The Pyrenees Mountains run west to east along the length of the border between Spain and France, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the border are the highest peaks, then an area of foothills unfolds before the rolling hills and plains begin to stretch north through France. Running north and south into the range are a series of consecutive valleys. If you base yourself in a valley you will be able to complete the climbs on the south, east or west sides of your location.

This is pretty much how the Pyrenees works for cycling - you need to know your valley. Choose your valley, consider the nearby airport, find your accommodation, mark your rides on a good detailed map, and go. My favorite valley is the Vallee d'Ossau and then the Vallee d'Arrens - they are breathtakingly beautiful. Also the small roads in the foothills are really nice to ride, so don't miss out on those.

Here is a quick summary of the cycling in the Pyrenees, organized by valley, plus some other information you will need about the area to plan (or dream about) your trip: Bonne Journee!

*Post post: For a pictorial journey from west to east through the French Pyrenees, please visit the PedalDancer.com blog post from October 3, 2010 Valleys of  Pyrenees in Pictures

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Description: Coastal West, Basque Country, and the Haute Soule

Valley: Valley du Petit Nive [Pays Basque and Bearn]

Region: Aquitane

Department: Navarra & Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Main Towns: St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Oloron-Ste-Marie, (Pau)

Cols: Col Bagarqui, Pic des Escaliers, Col d’ Arnosteguy, Pic de Guilhers, Col Hourcere, Col de la Pierre St Martin, Col Erroymendi, Col de Ignace, Col d' Ispeguy, Col d’ Haltza, Col du Landerre, Puerto (Port) de Larrau, Lescun/L’Aberouat, Col de Soudet

Airport: Biarrtiz, Bilbao, Bayonne, Dax, Pau

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Description: Central Pyrenees and Wine Country

Valley: Vallee d’Aspe & Vallee d’Ossau

Region: Aquitane

Department: Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Main Towns: Gan, Oloron-Ste-Marie, Arudy, Bielle, Laruns, (Pau)

Cols: Col d’Ichere, *Col de Marie Blanc, *Col d’Aubisque, *Col du Soulor, Col de Couraduque, Col de Spandelles, Col de Burdincurutcheta, Col d’Irau

Airport: Biarrtiz, Bilbao, Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse

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Description: Heart of the Pyrenees and the Cols of the Tour de France

Valley: Vallee d’Arrens & Vallee Lavanden

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Hautes-Pyrenees

Main Towns: Lourdes, Argeles-Gazost, Saint Savin, Arrens-Marsous, Cautarets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Cols: *Col d’Aubisque, *Col du Soulor, *Hautacam, Col de Tramassel, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden, *Col du Tourmalet, Col de Palomieres, Col des Borderas, Spandelles, Col de Coupe, Pont d’Espagne,

Airport: Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse

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Description: Road to the Tourmalet

Valley: Vallee Adour & Campan Valley

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Hautes-Pyrenees

Main Towns: Bagneres-de-Bigorre, Marie-de-Campan, (Tarbes)

Cols: *Col du Tourmalet, *Col d’Aspin, *Horquette d’Ancizan, Pont d’Espagne, *Hautacam, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden, *Col du Soulor, Spandelles

Airport: Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse

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Description: Central Mountains and the Cols of the Tour de France

Valley: Vallee d’Aure

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Hautes-Pyrénées

Main Towns: Arreau, St-Lary-Soulan

Cols: *Col d’Aspin, *Horquette d’ Ancizan, Col de Peyresourde, Col de Portet, Le Pla d'Adet

Airport: Pau, Lourdes, Tarbes, Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan

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Description: Eastern Mountains

Valley: Vallee Barrouse & Vallee Luchon

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Haute-Garonne & Cataluna

Main Towns: Bagneres-de-Luchon, (Saint Gaudens)

Cols: Superbagneres, Col du Portillon, Port de Bales, Col d’Azet/Col de Val Louron-Azet, Col de Portet d’Aspet, Col de Mente

Airport: Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan

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Description: Steep Green Hills, Eastern Wine Country, Castles to the Mediterranean

Valley: [Couserans & Sabarthes]

Region: Midi-Pyrenees

Department: Ariege

Main Towns: St-Girons, Foix, Massat, Tarascon-s-Ariege, Ax-les-Thermes, (Toulouse)

Cols: Port de Pailheres, Plateau de Bonascre, Plateau de Beille, Ax-3-Domains, Col de la Core, Col de Port

Airport: Toulouse, Narbonne, Perpignan

I just found this other site's map and explanation. I am not the only one who thinks of the Pyrenees in terms of valleys: touradour.com

Col de Port is a great ride

A good bike ride in the Midi-Pyrenees if you are in the area

Between St Girons and Tarascon-s-Ariege lies the Col de Port (south of Foix) along the D618. This is a fabulous ride. If you are in the area, or traveling between areas, at the very least, let someone out of the car to ascend and descend this climb. Where else will you see a profile like this? The color blue = fun!

This year the Col de Port is not included in the Tour de France, but it has been in years past. In 2010, Stage 14 of the TDF travels just to the east from Revel to Ax-3-Domains. And then again during Stage 15 of the 2010 TDF the route travels from the north in Pamiers, just to the west and south to Bagneres-de-Luchon. Col de Port is in the middle of all that excitement.

Picture of the day: the view from the cafe at the top of the Col de Port. Over to the right I could see the mountains of Andorra and Spain.

*By the way, the Auberge (between Biert and Massat), Les Deux Velos serves lunch, so if you are riding or driving by, you may stop in for lunch or a drink. It is not signed as a cafe, but walk through the bike gate, knock on the door and ask Elma or Mark.

 

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Today I saw the Tourmalet bring a man to tears

I am sure he wasn't the first to cry, or the last.

The tears could have been from shear relief to have the climb over and done with, but more likely the tears were proof of the emotional response to the accomplishment of conquering the Tourmalet. The Col du Tourmalet is a massive climb. A climb of dreams and determination, of history and triumph. Most cyclists would love to pit themselves against the Tourmalet, even if it meant shedding a tear. I thought I was a bit crazy for attempting it on my third day in France.

I awoke to another glorious blue-skied day in the Haute-Pyrenees. I decided to give the Col du Tourmalet a try today because the weather was perfect and the climb was directly up valley from where I am staying. I am also rethinking my intention of being at the top of the Tourmalet for Stage 17 of the Tour de France. Reportedly 1.5 million are expected to show up for the mountain top finish. The usual number of people on the Tourmalet for a day of the TDF is typically closer to 600,000. The climb is only 19km long.  

Logistically the Tour de France stage to the top of the Tourmalet could be a nightmare. This year's Etape du Tour takes place the Sunday before on July 18, 2010.  Two days later on Tuesday, July 20th, Stage 16 crosses the Tourmalet from the east from Bagneres-du-Luchon to Pau. Two days after that, on July 22nd, Stage 17 crosses back from Pau to the top of the Tourmalet from the west side. 

The organizers of the TDF have planned three huge events on the Tourmalet within 6 days. It seems that there is not enough room for RVs, and cars, and campers, and walkers, and cyclists to coexist on this mountain. Still it will happen, but it will be "mental," as Paddy, the owner of the cycling lodge where I am staying in Saint Savin mentioned this morning. The local rumor is that the route will be closed to all vehicle traffic as early as Friday night, July 16th until after the stage on the 22nd of July.

Because of the uncertainty, I decided to go for the Tourmalet today, just in case it doesn't work out on the day of the Tour de France. Anyway, long story short - it was a hard climb, really hard. As one of the Danes at the cycling lodge warned me over breakfast this morning, "right near the top, you take a left turn into hell". Upon return, I reported back to them that I had found hell a little earlier down the road, "closer to the town of Bareges, I would say". 

This evening at the cycling lodge, Paddy and Olive and Hanna (their niece visiting from Ireland) treated us to a wonderful BBQ dinner outside in the garden. We enjoyed BBQ Toulouse sausage, a spicy local sausage, hamburgers (meat muffins as Casper the Dane called them), lettuce salad, egg salad, cous cous (bulgur), enormous chicken, and lots of red wine. We were visited in the garden by the local 6-year old neighbor boy,  Jean Baptiste, who sprang upon the guests showering us all with kisses on the checks and then sat happily eating the ice cream and apple tart offered him. It wasn't long before his older brother showed up and called him home for dinner. We all had a good laugh realizing we had just stuffed him full of dessert before he had eaten is own real dinner.  Jean Baptiste was truly delightful and I had fun trying to follow his 6-year old french, just about my level. 

The American guest from Jackson Hole, WY, left early this morning. The three Brits also left this morning, and so did the 3 Irish lads from Dublin, who had a great time meeting Lance Armstrong at the top of the Tourmalet yesterday. Mark, Ciaren, and Sean:

*visit Paddy's blog to see some great photos of the guys from Ireland and Denmark hanging out with Lance on the the top of the Tourmalet yesterday. In the photo are Ciaren, Lance, don't know who, and Soren.

This is the garden, and my room at the end with the balcony view of the Hautacam. 

Some pictures from my ride up the Tourmalet today. At the town of Luz Saint Sauveur, hang a right for Luz Ardiden, or a left for the Tourmalet.

The ride up the Tourmalet from the west side is as much a mental game, as it is a physical one. 

I appreciated the encouragement I received from other cyclists who cheered me on as they descended and I was still in hell, continuing my long climb to the top. I heard Allez allez, i-ya, courage, ce bon, and plenty of smiles and nods. 

At the top, I was thinking about asking these guys their opinion on motorized doping.

I wanted to know:

Why were there no signs at the top of the Col du Tourmalet telling me the slope difficulty? I saw two, then they stopped? 

[Answered by Paddy Sweeney] The customary white signs at the top of most climbs in the Pyrenees marking the distance and slope, are removed on the Tourmalet every winter so the skiers do not ski into them. They are replaced again in July.

Another interesting fact offered by Paddy: the famous silver cyclist at the top of the Tourmalet is removed every winter and stored down in Bagneres-de-Bigorre at the Laurent Fignon Cycling Center. He was just brought back up within the past week. This was my third time to climb the Tourmalet, it wouldn't have been the same if this statue had not been there.

The restaurant at the top of the Col du Tourmalet signals you have arrived! I rested for a long time at this cafe because the weather was so nice and the people coming through were very interesting to watch.

Then I made the long descent down valley back to Luz Saint Sauvuer (that is Luz Ardiden in the background) and returned to Saint Savin (the town up on the hillside) near Argeles-Gazost. It is a perfect location.

Read other PedalDancer.com posts on the Col du Tourmalet

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