21 Cycling Climbs Part Two - Flipbook - Page 82
Col du Soulor
Body text.
We need to talk about the weather.
Pyrenean weather is fluid and in constant
motion.
Significant factors in the climate of the
Pyrenees are the two abutting bodies of
water. The Atlantic Ocean to the west, and
the Mediterranean Sea to the east.
At the western end of the Pyrenees, the
Atlantic weather systems prevail, and rainfall
is high. The Basque Country in the SW corner
of France is one of the wettest areas in the
country. As you move east, the rain levels
fall, and the weather becomes drier and
sunnier.
Levels of moisture in the atmosphere across
the mountains are sky-high. The contrast in
humidity between the French and Spanish
sides of the Pyrenean mountain range is
considerable. This makes for wild variations
in local weather patterns, which change
quickly in different directions and at different
altitudes.
It can be raining at 500 meters but brilliant
sunshine above the clouds at 1000 meters.
The interaction between the sun’s rays and
localised moisture levels creates valleys full
of clouds and mountaintops basking in the
sunshine.
So a rule of thumb has to be, if it is raining
where you are - get up high.
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The Col du Soulor is a 22km. unsung climb of
the Tour de France. Last climbed in the 2019
edition as the warmup act to the mountain
top finish on the Tourmalet.
Mark Cavendish recently said he never
got time to look at the scenery during the
Tour de France. That has to be a typical
Cavendish tongue in cheek comment
because the views from the Col du Soulor,
will stay with you for the rest of your life.