Hi Manon, I am lucky enough to live close to the Tourmalet, with a great view of the Pic du Midi. Your commentary of the eastern climb is accurate, however viewers should be aware that the accompanying video mostly shows the western climb. After a couple of amazing weeks of sunny, hot weather, autumn is here this week. The Col is still open but preparations for the ski season are in full swing on the mountain, and this includes heavy construction machinery on the road, with traffic control ...so riders take care.
Did the west side in1978 after I had cycled from Holland to the Pyrenees in two weeks. My lightest gear was 42-23, that meant most of the time I had to climb standing for about 2 hours. On the top I was completely drenched in sweat, but I had managed to pass 2 local French cyclists. Just 27 and in good shape. Although now at 72 still in very good shape mountains are now too hard for me.
Hi Manon, we live in pau. My wife is canadian and Im irish. We have our own fitness studio in Pau offering yoga, Pilates, spinning and strength training. I have been riding Tourmalet since a young lad.i was chuffed to meet you this year in Pau for the Finale of le tour de femmes avec Zwift. A climb every passionate cyclist should experience. Vive le tour.
I did it this summer when I crossed the Pyrenees from the east to the west in 8 days. The Tourmalet was on day 5 and it took me 1:50 to get up there. I did have a 5-10 min break just before the tunnel that leads into the ski village. It was a fantastic day, just three days before the TdF Femmes and it was 27 degrees and sunshine all the way!! Beware of the free roaming cows though..
I'm working my way up to attempting Alpe d'Huez on my smart trainer, but I look at the distance and average grade and think... maybe in a year or two, if I train constantly from now to then! I can only average around 160 W up these inclines at the moment and I don't know how far I can keep that up, certainly not the distance of Alpe d'Huez. One day.
Tourmalet is in the center of magnificent cols. I did it few weeks ago, weather bit cold in morning but then 30 in the valley, but i continued to Ardiden after. But the view was crystall clear....in summer is difficult to have this sight. It could be easily coupled with Hautacam also. If you are hardcore rider just take TdF or vuelta etape. I usually do circular rides. I started in Argeles-gazost went over to Bagneres de Bigorre to Campan, Tourmalet, luz st saveur, Ardiden and back to Argeles epic 130 km with 3 km of climbing!
Did this summer. And if you are on a gravel bike you can continue the uphill nearly to pic du Midi de Bigorre. You can also climb the col d' Aspin and the horquette d'Ancizan. A truly epic place for cycling.
If you're doing the West side, the Voie Laurent Fignon, to the right after Bareges is worth doing - it's tarmac, traffic free and feels quite wild. You rejoin the road just above Super Bareges.
How is the east side 2.6 k longer with over 100 m less elevation, but it's the same average gradient? I know you're rounding to one decimal, but that seems like it should make a difference. (Too lazy to do the math myself.)
Re: 1:04 - the Port d'Envalira (at 2408m) is the highest mountain pass in the Pyrenees, actually, not the Tourmalet. Then there's the Col de Portet at 2215m (although it's only paved on 1 side of the col). I have fond memories of the Tourmalet (although most of the climbs I did were on moderately hot July or September days). I've ridden up the west side 5 times and the east side once. I absolutely love this col! :)
There's a ride in New Hampshire in the U.S. that some consider the "Hardest hillclimb in the U.S. if not the World". The "Climb to the Sky" is a 7.6 mile/12.23 km route up Mt. Washington that has an average gradient of 12% with areas of 18% and a finishing 50 to 100 yards/45.72 to 91.44 meters at a 22% climb. the elevation gain is around 4,678 feet/1,425.85 meters. The average temperature at the summit is between 33 and 40 F/0.5 and 4.4 C. The information that I have found shows Philip Gaimon with the men's record at 0:50:38 set in 2022 and Jeannie Longo for the women with a time of 0:58:14 (2000). The 2023 race was canceled due to weather. I have never had the chance to ride this climb as I've never had a bike I trusted enough or a ride back down the mountain, bicycling back down Mt. Washington is forbidden.
Question: In a video about Tourmalet you show in a "stock footage" (0:55) a gradient of 15% but then, at 1:22, you state that there are two ways up and none of them has a maximum gradient of 15%
Me and a friend climbed the east side. Then he decided it would be fun to descend the west and climb back up before rolling back to the car. Really stupid idea, by the time we got back up the sunny day had turned to fog and drizzle, and we were both shattered. Definitely type 2 fun!
I have done west side of the climb and it was perfect weather. freezing at the top for a bit though. my mates went down the east side and turned round and came back up.
I have made a homage bike for Octave Lapiz's 1910 TdF victory and should use it for the Tourmalet BUT in Lapiz'z spirit it's a single speed, so probalby not....
You say you prefer the east side, but most of the images are from the west side.. the village that is shown is Baréges, not la Mongie. The tunnels are on the East side, but most of the images are on the West side (the most spectacular, no doubt) and the final kilometers are on the west side (3:10), definitely...
You have the wrong distance for the est side it's 17km. Done this summer and the west last year and i prefer the west. I did it on a saturday and it was full of cars for both ways so you can't enjoy the descent either. The road is not that great for a climb as popular and i haven't particarly like the view along the ascent (the tunnel and La Mongie aren't pretty). At Luz Saint Sauveur you have Luz Ardiden not as difficult and long as the Tourmalet but i love it, great road, almost no cars and a good view.
yes, I fully agree - I did the Luz Ardiden this summer after the Tourmalet and have to say, it is one of my absolute favourite climbs! I did it on a Thursday in July, so not too many cars.
I actually like climbing but I have never ridden over a alpine climb, maybe I will change my mind when the that day arrives. Uk clims are quite hard, usually short and steep.
Give it a go! We've got some pretty brutal climbs here in the UK too 👀 Ollie and Alex tackled this really tough hill climb race 👉th-cam.com/video/bqEmwJSnoUA/w-d-xo.html
You're not the only one... even those that are good climbers love to hate them 😂 - Cycling is all about enjoying yourself, keep having fun on your bike!
Have you ever climbed the Tourmalet? How did it go? 🗻
No.. but the story had a super sexy host 🥰
no but ridden up jenkin hill sheffield in my teens and 20s a couple of times painful ride
Only on Zwift climb portal 😂
West side twice and the East once, only one time (West) in the dry. It makes descending interesting !
Yes from the west, and it was very tough. I had done the Aubisque earlier in the day but the Tourmalet was far harder.
Hi Manon, I am lucky enough to live close to the Tourmalet, with a great view of the Pic du Midi. Your commentary of the eastern climb is accurate, however viewers should be aware that the accompanying video mostly shows the western climb. After a couple of amazing weeks of sunny, hot weather, autumn is here this week. The Col is still open but preparations for the ski season are in full swing on the mountain, and this includes heavy construction machinery on the road, with traffic control ...so riders take care.
I confirm that some views are showing the west side and not the east side as it was told.
Hi péter, where do you live? We are based in pau and love Tourmalet
@@trilogypyrenees6420Love Pau and Tourmalet. You lucky sods 😂!
Must be amazing to live near the climb! How often do you get to tackle the climb?🏔 Great point about winter season! It's a summer climb for sure 👀
Did the west side in1978 after I had cycled from Holland to the Pyrenees in two weeks. My lightest gear was 42-23, that meant most of the time I had to climb standing for about 2 hours. On the top I was completely drenched in sweat, but I had managed to pass 2 local French cyclists. Just 27 and in good shape. Although now at 72 still in very good shape mountains are now too hard for me.
Hi Manon, we live in pau. My wife is canadian and Im irish. We have our own fitness studio in Pau offering yoga, Pilates, spinning and strength training. I have been riding Tourmalet since a young lad.i was chuffed to meet you this year in Pau for the Finale of le tour de femmes avec Zwift. A climb every passionate cyclist should experience. Vive le tour.
Shouldn't the East side be only 5.8% average based on the elevation gain over distance?
This was outstanding work. Please do more of these videos as it is doubtful that I will ever get to do this climb.
what a fabulous video, thank you Manon !
Thanks Tom! What other climbs would you like to see Manon cover? 🏔
I did it this summer when I crossed the Pyrenees from the east to the west in 8 days. The Tourmalet was on day 5 and it took me 1:50 to get up there. I did have a 5-10 min break just before the tunnel that leads into the ski village. It was a fantastic day, just three days before the TdF Femmes and it was 27 degrees and sunshine all the way!! Beware of the free roaming cows though..
The east side average gradient would be 5.9% according to your stats, not an identical 7.4%.
I'm working my way up to attempting Alpe d'Huez on my smart trainer, but I look at the distance and average grade and think... maybe in a year or two, if I train constantly from now to then! I can only average around 160 W up these inclines at the moment and I don't know how far I can keep that up, certainly not the distance of Alpe d'Huez. One day.
You should give it a try, just keep spinning and you'll find you cruise up the climbs 🙌
Tourmalet is in the center of magnificent cols. I did it few weeks ago, weather bit cold in morning but then 30 in the valley, but i continued to Ardiden after. But the view was crystall clear....in summer is difficult to have this sight. It could be easily coupled with Hautacam also. If you are hardcore rider just take TdF or vuelta etape. I usually do circular rides. I started in Argeles-gazost went over to Bagneres de Bigorre to Campan, Tourmalet, luz st saveur, Ardiden and back to Argeles epic 130 km with 3 km of climbing!
Manon is not very clear. She didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know about the Tourmalet.
Did this summer. And if you are on a gravel bike you can continue the uphill nearly to pic du Midi de Bigorre. You can also climb the col d' Aspin and the horquette d'Ancizan. A truly epic place for cycling.
Awesome! Another point for gravel bikes 🙌It's amazing where they can take you, how was the road climb on the fat tyres?
@@gcn modern gravel tyres are not so slow, even a tarmac climb is enjoyable
If you're doing the West side, the Voie Laurent Fignon, to the right after Bareges is worth doing - it's tarmac, traffic free and feels quite wild. You rejoin the road just above Super Bareges.
Great tip! We would love to go check that out 👀
are you sure a longer, smaller climb has the same % as a ahorter, bigger one?
What a great series! Col Du Galibier is a must, pretty please🙏
Watch this space 👀
Climb Mountains With Us ⛰️
I managed 1'40" at age 67. Pleased about that👍
Thanks Manon and crew.......someday !
How is the east side 2.6 k longer with over 100 m less elevation, but it's the same average gradient? I know you're rounding to one decimal, but that seems like it should make a difference. (Too lazy to do the math myself.)
Re: 1:04 - the Port d'Envalira (at 2408m) is the highest mountain pass in the Pyrenees, actually, not the Tourmalet. Then there's the Col de Portet at 2215m (although it's only paved on 1 side of the col).
I have fond memories of the Tourmalet (although most of the climbs I did were on moderately hot July or September days). I've ridden up the west side 5 times and the east side once. I absolutely love this col! :)
Loved it,thanks Manon and GCN,btw I think that le col du Portet is at 2215 m,which makes higher than the Tourmalet,it’s a fun climb too
You get the BEST Croque Monsieur and frites on the planet at the top, coffee is pretty damn good too!
I did not know that Sepp has this KOM too, along with the "official" Alpe d'Huez. That's bonkers.
He's a climbing beast! 🙌
There's a ride in New Hampshire in the U.S. that some consider the "Hardest hillclimb in the U.S. if not the World". The "Climb to the Sky" is a 7.6 mile/12.23 km route up Mt. Washington that has an average gradient of 12% with areas of 18% and a finishing 50 to 100 yards/45.72 to 91.44 meters at a 22% climb. the elevation gain is around 4,678 feet/1,425.85 meters. The average temperature at the summit is between 33 and 40 F/0.5 and 4.4 C.
The information that I have found shows Philip Gaimon with the men's record at 0:50:38 set in 2022 and Jeannie Longo for the women with a time of 0:58:14 (2000). The 2023 race was canceled due to weather.
I have never had the chance to ride this climb as I've never had a bike I trusted enough or a ride back down the mountain, bicycling back down Mt. Washington is forbidden.
Question: In a video about Tourmalet you show in a "stock footage" (0:55) a gradient of 15% but then, at 1:22, you state that there are two ways up and none of them has a maximum gradient of 15%
There is a nice clockwise loop out from argeles gazost of 100km which takes in tourmalet. Done it several times.
Oooo interesting! That might be one we've got to try out! 🗺
Me and a friend climbed the east side. Then he decided it would be fun to descend the west and climb back up before rolling back to the car. Really stupid idea, by the time we got back up the sunny day had turned to fog and drizzle, and we were both shattered. Definitely type 2 fun!
Wow! Sounds like a Huge day in the saddle!🤯
I have done west side of the climb and it was perfect weather. freezing at the top for a bit though. my mates went down the east side and turned round and came back up.
Sounds like a great day! You didn't fancy the double climb? 🏔
I was at the TDFF this year but it was soooo foggy we saw nothing... I really need to go back there
2024 here we come! 🇫🇷
1:45, how is the average gradient the same when the distance is less and elevation is more on the West Side?
Wonderful
Did you climbed it on e-bike?
I'm assuming Manon did. I don't think she is capable of climbing it anymore.
I have made a homage bike for Octave Lapiz's 1910 TdF victory and should use it for the Tourmalet BUT in Lapiz'z spirit it's a single speed, so probalby not....
Thank you, Manon.
Can you do the Galibier next, please?
You say you prefer the east side, but most of the images are from the west side..
the village that is shown is Baréges, not la Mongie. The tunnels are on the East side, but most of the images are on the West side (the most spectacular, no doubt) and the final kilometers are on the west side (3:10), definitely...
There's a reason Bob Roll refers to the Tourmalet as the "Tore Mah Legs" off, . . .
You should come to Colombia and ride "alto de letras" 80 km up mountain
I see Manon I click, simple as
Would love to see a GCN and durian rider collaborate
Europe is a little ambitious for me. But I have my sights on Onion Valley Rd. here in California.
Go smash it! 🙌
I was just happy with my 100 meter gain on Zwift this morning 😂
You have the wrong distance for the est side it's 17km. Done this summer and the west last year and i prefer the west. I did it on a saturday and it was full of cars for both ways so you can't enjoy the descent either. The road is not that great for a climb as popular and i haven't particarly like the view along the ascent (the tunnel and La Mongie aren't pretty). At Luz Saint Sauveur you have Luz Ardiden not as difficult and long as the Tourmalet but i love it, great road, almost no cars and a good view.
yes, I fully agree - I did the Luz Ardiden this summer after the Tourmalet and have to say, it is one of my absolute favourite climbs! I did it on a Thursday in July, so not too many cars.
The west and east side data just don't tally. How can the average gradient be the same when the west side is shorter and has more elevation?
❤
I can barely climb out of bed let alone a big mountain
I actually like climbing but I have never ridden over a alpine climb, maybe I will change my mind when the that day arrives. Uk clims are quite hard, usually short and steep.
Give it a go! We've got some pretty brutal climbs here in the UK too 👀 Ollie and Alex tackled this really tough hill climb race 👉th-cam.com/video/bqEmwJSnoUA/w-d-xo.html
Looks steep!
Feels steep! 🥵
Cool video ❤ 👌 am I the only one who hate climbs? 😂😂😂 I ride for fun and hobby not for destroying myself 😂😂😂
You're not the only one... even those that are good climbers love to hate them 😂 - Cycling is all about enjoying yourself, keep having fun on your bike!
Climbs ARE fun. Flat is boring...
No mention of the West side at all, what?
How about showcasing cat 4 climbs. Not all of us can ride up the Tourmalet, yet, but would love to start practicing.
Sure you can. Just stop as much as necessary.
Go Climb Mountains 💪
The descents have got to be more fun.........climbing is just a chore.
At 110 kg these climbs terrify me
c'mon, you can stop on a descent, not during the climb ....
Cool video,Manon.Thanks for showing us the Tourmalet.Would`ve been awesome seeing Hank do the Tourmalet climb,punishing himself as usual.😀👍🚵🚵♂🚵♀
Thanks!🙌 How well do you think Hank would do?
I think Hank would do well on the Tourmalet,providing he wasn`t riding that 6000 pounds monster bike.😁
😂😂😂😂😂😂