The climb up Port de Bales in the Pyrenees

On Wed 7/23 we conquered another epic climb - Port de Bales.  Port de Bales is a HC climb (Hors Categorie - the toughest climb category in the TdF) and it was tackled by the TdF riders the day before in stage 16.  The Pyrenees mountains in France are spectacular - majestic mountains, beautiful scenery,  park or country (farm to market) type roads, very little traffic, lots of small villages and farms, trees, etc.  Reminds me of the green mountains of Vermont but with steeper/higher mountains & longer climbs.

The ride up Port de Bales started in the village of Saint Bertand-de-Comminges at the base of the Pyrenees.  Saint Bertand is a beautiful walled medieval village located on a hill top.  From there a short ride to the base of Port de Bales - 1755m at the summit, 19km ascent, average gradient of about 6.5%, and several long sections with greater than 10% grades.  This was one of my favorite climbs to date because 1) the scenery is so spectacular, 2) quiet park-like roads with little traffic, and 3) one steep mother of a climb...and long.

Once at the top we descended down to Col de Peyresourde to see the TdF riders pass by (stage 17), and then continued on down to Bagneres de Luchon where we met the bus.  About a 50km ride in total.