Day 3 of the trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea through the Pyrenees starting in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France and ending in Lourdes, France. Started out the day with climbing Marie Blanque, which hit quick and in a hurry; stayed in a nice group the first half but then dropped back and settled into my own effort the steep second half. Had a nice espresso break before venturing to Aubisque. Once Aubisque started it felt like it would never end, but after 95 minutes it finally did (landed within the top half of efforts on the strava segment!).
The descent off Aubisque led through a short curving tunnel that was pitch black. That was exciting…
Overall another great day. The worst part was really just the ever present feeling that the climb up Aubisque would never end…
Climbs of note:
Col de Marie Blanque. 9.2km @ 7.7% (Cat. 1). Tour de France 2023, 2020, 2010, 2007, 2006, etc., etc. Vuelta de Espana 2016
Col d’Aubisque. 17.1km @ 7.1% (Cat. HC). Tour de France 2022, 2018, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2000, etc., etc. Vuelta de Espana 2023, 2016, 2003, 1995.
Col de Soulor. 3.1km @ 6.1% (Cat. 4). Tour de France 2025 (upcoming), 2022, 2019, 2010, 2000.
65.49mi/105.40km
7,858ft/2395m elevation gain
12.7mph/20.4kph average
154W average power
188W normalized power
Strava PRs:
2nd Biggest Climb (4,119ft)
2nd 20 minute power (240W)
1st 30 minute power (236W)
2nd 1 hour power (214W)
#longrides #pyrenees #bikelife #trektravel #cycling #coldabisuqe #coldemarieblanque #coldesoulor