PYRENEES - A Brief Tour West to East

This page has been assembled mainly with photos from Malcolm Clarke and the website compiler, but other contributors are also gratefully acknowledged as indicated. (A larger image of each picture is available by clicking on the small picture.)

A set of LINKS is given at the end of the page.

	06. Dave Culverwell on the east (French) side of the Col d'Ispeguy - the final summit at 672m is above the rider's head. This would be an easy start to a tour in the area from Spain and the Atlantic coast. July 1979, JH.;
09. High up, at about 1500m near Formigal, on the Spanish side of the Col du (Puerto de) Portalet. It is still very green here but in general the Spanish Pyrenees are much dryer than the French side. July 1984 - JH.
	16. If you prefer to stay in France, you could be on the west side of the Col du Soulor in the Central French Pyrenees. This view is back towards the spectacular cliff section of the Col d'Aubisque. Photo: Malcolm Clarke, September 1995 (Thanks to modern technology a car has been removed from his picture!)
24. Summit of the Col du Soulor, 1450m, in the Central French Pyrenees Photo: Malcolm Clarke, September 1995
	sn.Paul Humphrey at about 1800m on the Col du Tourmalet on 29th June 1997. Around the next bend the road was impassable. By Ian Humphrey.
p03. Col du Tourmalet in the Central French Pyrenees. Photo: Francis Cooke, 1997.
	20. The west side of the Col du Tourmalet. By Malcolm Clarke, September 1995.
21. Cycling sign on the Col de Peyresourde in the Central French Pyrenees. This very green pass reaches 1569m. Photo: Malcolm Clarke, September 1995
	11. Meanwhile if you have chosen to do your eastward journey on the Spanish side, you could ride this Gorge above Siera, early on the climb to the Coll. de Fadas (pass) which reaches 1470m in the central Spanish Pyrenees. Photo: John Haigh, 1984.
12. Back in the French Pyrenees. Jim Cann, OCD Cycloclimbing, descending east side of the Col de Mente in the Central French Pyrenees. Photo: John Haigh, 1984.
	23. On the Col de Portet d'Aspet in the Central French Pyrenees. The flowers mark the scene of Casartelli's fatal crash in the Tour de France earlier that year. (There is now a permanent memorial.) Photo: Malcolm Clarke, September 1995.
03. An alternative if you stay in Spain is the Puerto de la Bonaigua which reaches 2072m. This gloomy scene was on the east side in July 1979. Photo JH.
	04. Almost at the summit of the Bonaigua on the same ride. No shirtless riding at this height!
14. The French alternative can take you through the superb town of Seix at the eastern foot of the Col de la Core. Photo; JH, July 1984.
	15. A number of the French Pyrenees cols are notable for loose farm animals all over the road. This example is near the Port de Lers summit, 1517m and just north of Andorra. Photo: JH July 1984.
02. Andorra. This small state is sandwiched between France and Spain and includes the highest (but unpleasantly busy and commercialised) road in the Pyrenees at the Port d'Envalira, 2409m. This picture with Neville Chanin, was taken near the French border. Photo; JH, July 1979.

PYRENEES - Links to Other Sites

• Pyreneen Pursuits A hotel and activity centre for 15 guests plus summer campers, run by Members of ours in Biert, near Massat, Ariège, in the Eastern French Pyrenees and it is highly recommended for good value and a friendly atmosphere. The owners, Nick and Jan Flanagan are happy to talk in French or English
• Cycling in Ariège An interesting cycling page for the same area
• A second site by Jan Flanagan, a Member of OCD Cycloclimbing - excellent material - see the articles especially
• Cycloclimbing Member Steve Loughran's pages on the Pyrenees, with superb pictures of Pic du Midi track, Tourmalet, Cabris/Botella, Puymorens and Envalira
• A picture page with some nice large examples
• RSF routes in the Pyrenees

The following is a list extracted from the Trento unclassified "France" page:

• Brief notes of a tour in the Pyrenees - no pictures
• A nicely illustrated tour of the Pyrenees in 1992
• Raid Pyreneen - a hard, timed event along the full Pyrenees with 18 cols. (Obviously no time for pictures!)

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