21 Cycling Climbs Part Two - Flipbook - Page 106
Col d’Aubisque
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1.
Heading out from Laruns onto the Col
d’Ausbisque under a thick blanket of low cloud.
You could be thinking it’s just going to be one
of those days. Visibility drops to below 30 meters
then 20 as you continue to climb up into the
thickest cloud you will ever see.
Some days this could be all you’ll ever see, but
not today. Slowly out of the enveloping blanket
of thick cloud, rounding another hairpin and
out into the brilliant sunshine.
What was an im-possibility day, turns into one of
the very best days ever.
Welcome to the Aubisque.
2.
For anyone who watches the TV coverage of
the Tour de France just for the scenery, this is
the galley road.
One of the most iconic roads in the Pyrenees.
Anyone who has ridden this road, will not forget
it. Assuming you can still vaguely remember
your own name after the effort required just to
get here.
The views of this road and the views from this
road will live in the memory for as long as you
live.
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3.
The very first Tour de France mountain
stage included the Col d’Aubisque and
the Tourmalet. It was considered the stuff of
nightmares.
Today it’s a cycling playground.
The Aubisque has been described as the most
beautiful road in Europe, if not the world. I don’t
know about the world, but if you only ride one
road in these Pyrenean mountains, this is the
road to ride.
4.
If life is a road, you might consider a road less
travelled.
One with a view to die for. With smooth curves
and a continuously changing perspective.
Challenging, even demanding, but in a way
that leaves you stronger.
The company is good, as is a cafe at the top.
Wall to wall sunshine can be too much of a
good thing, so throw in some homemade mist
and cloud, enough to retain a little mystery and
keep things cool.