Haute Route Stage 6: Saint Lary to Peyragudes

Last full day of climbing!! The third in a tough trio of stages with a 7.30 start from Saint Lary. There was even less of a warm up than yesterday with the Col d’Azet climb starting 800 metres from the line. This was the side we’d come down yesterday and was quite a tough start to the day once you took out the plateau that made up some of 6.9% average over 10.6km. Pressure was on us too to meet the cutoff at 8.40 but I was there in plenty of time as it happened.

Time pressure was off after that as the middle section of the day, after the steep descent, was a long, fast run through the valley ducking out of the Haute Pyrenees department for a while and into the next-door Haute Garonne. I got in a good working group and we barrelled along, averaging around 40 kmph for 60km which brought us to the big climb of the day, the Port de Bales.

This is a recent addition to the TDF cannon and climbs more than 1200 metres in just under 20k. The gradient is not consistent though with stretches of nothing more than 4% and then long pitches of 10 or 11% which makes it hard to get a rhythm going on it.

I wanted to mention these:

These are the kilometer markers that you find on climbs. They tell you what height you’re at, how far to the summit, and the average gradient of the next kilometer. Some people like them and use them to mark off the climb. I’m in the other camp who hates them — they never come when you think they should (a kilometer is a long way when you’re climbing) and the gradient is always a big number when you’re suffering.

Port de Bales was a tough climb but the views from the top were worth it:

Another mildly terrifying descent followed which became less frightening and more fun as we got the main road which was smooth and wide.

Unfortunately that turned right sharply and started to head up the Peyresourde. By now the temperature was hitting 40 degrees again so a main road climb with no shade was really tough, especially at 8% for 10km. No matter, this was the home stretch so up I ploughed before drinking copious amounts of coke and water at the top (I never drink coke at home but it’s a pro’s trick as it’s an instant kick of sugary pick-me-up — really makes you feel better instantly)

Just one more little partner climb to come, after a too brief downhill, to the ski resort of Peyragudes. Only 3.4km but with a mean section of 11% to punish you so close to the finish.

Once finished, I could really appreciate what an amazing place it was:

Our final night briefing was a celebratory affair, with a lot of the organisation team moving straight on to Nice for the Alps next week.

We decamped to a local restaurant for a last dinner together and the views:

That’s not all the climbing done. There’s one more Col tomorrow and it’s not easy but once it’s done we have the long run in to the finish and the parade to Toulouse.

An even earlier start than today sees breakfast starting at 5 am!! Night night.