#Explore2Tours – Episode 3: The Pyrenees

Then it's the descent to Massat where a supply station awaits Isabelle and Aline before attacking the monster of the day: The Col de Péguère, also called "Mur de Péguère".

The beginning starts reasonably with the Col de Port and a few kilometers further, the difficulties arise. In front of them a “Wall” with slopes of 18%, 19%, 20% 21%… Aline, alternating between a seated position and a dancer, attacks this fortress and reaches the summit.
Conversely Isabelle gets off her bike and here she is walking the first 500 meters of this Wall and will get back on her bike 2,5 km from the Col to finish in style.

A well-deserved stop at this Col and it's already the long descent to Foix, arrival town of stage 16 of the Men's Tour (Carcassonne > Foix).

After Foix, they will still have to pedal about fifty kilometers to reach their accommodation in Santaraille.

A day classified as “red”.

This morning departure at 6:30. The Pyrenees mountains move away temporarily, direction Lourdes, departure of the 17^nd stage of the Tour de France for men.
This early morning seemed to them long, long, no regularity in the effort but finally, they arrive in Lourdes where “Oh Surprise! Several friends are there to accompany them all day.

At km 120, the serious things begin with the ascent of the Col de l'Aubisque, classified as Hors Category, with its 17 km and steep slopes, which rise in %.
“Red” weather, the heat is unbearable, more than 40°C. They find it difficult to support this furnace but they hold. Arrivals at the summit, break and lunch

Then descend to reach the bottom of the last pass of the day, the Col de Spandelles, ranked 1^st category with its 10,5 km at 8,5% average gradient. The full dodger is there and there for this last stage in the Pyrenees.

Then return to Lourdes for a well-deserved rest…