Pyrennees Bike Route Information Please?!!

Arequipa

Evening all!
I hope you are all well!
I fly down to Argeles Gazost in the French Pyrennees in a few days for some road biking.
We will be based in Argeles for 5 days in total.
Can you recommend 5/6 routes starting and finishing in Argeles?

I appreciate your advice!

A

maloner

Spent a few days there (or close by to Argeles) earlier this year. Great spot.

There's some epic climbs within shooting distance:

* Tourmalet
* Luz Ardiden
* Hautacam
* Soulor and Aubisque

Here's one I planned to do but the weather wasn't great (snow and Aubisque was closed) so I didnt get to do it. You'd want to bring your granny gear:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2582166

Another long but easy (in comparison to all the rest anyway ) climb

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2575595

Arequipa

Thanks Maloner! Looking forward to it!

Rented a bike with a 32 at the back!!

ROK ON

Arequipa wrote: »

Evening all!
I hope you are all well!
I fly down to Argeles Gazost in the French Pyrennees in a few days for some road biking.
We will be based in Argeles for 5 days in total.
Can you recommend 5/6 routes starting and finishing in Argeles?

I appreciate your advice!

A

D26 and D18 and D88.

Junclas - Lesponne

Spectacular cycle n very quiet road through forests. No big climbs but a few sharp ramps.

Arequipa

Thanks ROK ON!!

Funkyzeit

Also a first timer going to the Pyrenees staying in Argeles Gazost late Aug so any more info appreciated

Anyone ascended the West side of the tourmalet since the floods? Couple of websites saying there is a temporary road open - just wondering if it's suitable for road bikes or if it's more a dirt track?

maloner

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Also a first timer going to the Pyrenees staying in Argeles Gazost late Aug so any more info appreciated

Anyone ascended the West side of the tourmalet since the floods? Couple of websites saying there is a temporary road open - just wondering if it's suitable for road bikes or if it's more a dirt track?

Velopeloton (who posts round here on occasion) has good info on his website (which you may have seen but others may have missed):

http://www.velopeloton.com/articles.html/_/cols/is-col-du-tourmalet-open-2013

velopeloton

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Also a first timer going to the Pyrenees staying in Argeles Gazost late Aug so any more info appreciated

Anyone ascended the West side of the tourmalet since the floods? Couple of websites saying there is a temporary road open - just wondering if it's suitable for road bikes or if it's more a dirt track?

HTFU! Riding on dirt tracks is good for you.

The road is fine. This photo is taken yesterday.


The same spot about a month ago.


My Strava page should give you some ideas of where to ride.
http://www.strava.com/athletes/9405

thebionicdude

Col de Spandelles is a cool off the beaten path ride. Pont d'Espagne is another nice climb not too far away.