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The Trans-Pyrenees Challenge


Sitges - starting point for our trip

Day 1

SUNDAY › Welcome to Spain

Our trip starts at Barcelona airport where our staff will be there to welcome you before the short transfer to our hotel in Sitges.

Lunch, orientation meeting, build up the bikes and then an afternoon ride to loosen up the legs before tomorrow's big day.

RIDE SUMMARY:
31 miles
3,300 ft elev. gain

Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
No major climbs today

 

 

Typical Catalan landscape

Day 2

MONDAY › Through the Pyrenees Foothills

Today's stage sees us leave behind the turquoise waters in Sitges and start our journey across the Pyrenees mountains. After 30 miles of rolling terrain through vast vineyards and olive groves the climbers get the chance to test their climbing legs on the Cat. 4 Coll del Castella.

From there it's mostly rolling until the "surprise" climb only 20 miles from Solsona, our final destination.

RIDE SUMMARY:
94 miles
7,800 ft elev. gain

 

Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
Coll del Castella
1,760 ft
9.8 miles
3.4%
2,710 ft
Cat. 4

 

 

Spectacular ride through the Solsones canyons

Day 3

TUESDAY › Into the Spanish Pyrenees

One of our favorite rides through the deep gorges and canyons on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees.

The Solsonese countryside offers some of the best road-cycling in Europe - traffic-free routes, spectacular scenery, challenging climbs and awesome descents.

Only with Thomson Bike Tours!

RIDE SUMMARY:
78 miles
7,600 ft elev. gain

Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
No profiles available for todays climbs

 

 

On top of the 2000m Port de la Bonaigua

Day 4

WEDNESDAY › It's getting serious...

Today's stage takes us over one of the all-time favorite climbs of the Vuelta a Espana - the 6,800ft Port de la Bonaigua.

From our hotel in Tremp we can enjoy a 40-mile flat ride up the Pallaresa valley - famous for it's white-water rafting and canoe races - before starting the 14-mile climb to the Bonaigua. After the Bonaigua one more climb remains before the descent to Luchon - the Category 1 Col de Portillon!

RIDE SUMMARY:
93 miles
7,750 ft elev. gain


Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
Port de la Bonaigua
3,680 ft
14.3 miles
4.9%
6,800 ft
Cat. 2
Col de Portillon
2,175 ft
6.3 miles
6.5%
4,240 ft
Cat. 1

 

 

On top of the world - The Tourmalet

Day 5

THURSDAY › Peyresourde & the Tourmalet

A massive day of climbing today with 3 major cols - the Col de Peyresourde, the Col d'Aspin and the infamous Col du Tourmalet.

Of course we'll be encouraging riders to attempt all 3 climbs but the SAG van will be available if you only want to ride part of the course today.

RIDE SUMMARY:
75 miles
11,150 ft elev. gain


Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
Col de Peyresourde
3,080 ft
9.5 miles
6.1%
5,140 ft
Cat. 1
Col d'Aspin
2,555 ft
7.5 miles
6.5%
4,880 ft
Cat. 1
Col du Tourmalet
4,160 ft
10.7 miles
7.4%
6,940ft
HC

 

 

The spectacular route to the Col d'Aubisque

Day 6

FRIDAY › The Aubisque

Pray for good weather today as the ride from the Col de Soulor to the Col d'Aubisque is one of the most spectacular rides in the Pyrenees. Riding along the cliff-face with the views of the Cirque de Litor is one of the highlights of the trip!

After the super-fast descent from the Aubisque we still have 2 more climbs to contend with before reaching our destination in Montory - the Cat. 2 Col de Marie-Blanque and the Cat. 3 Col d'Ichere.

RIDE SUMMARY:
65 miles
7,000 ft elev. gain

Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
Col d'Aubisque
2,840 ft
13.0 miles
4.1%
5,610 ft
HC
Col de Marie Blanque
2,020 ft
9.3 miles
4.1%
3,400 ft
Cat. 2
Col d'Ichere
1,000 ft
2.5 miles
7.6%
2,215 ft
Cat. 3

 

 

The Basque-Atlantic Coast

Day 7

SATURDAY › The Atlantic
 

One final day of riding and we can enjoy the sweet satisfaction of having ridden our bikes across the entire Pyrenees Mountain Range.

Of course we've still got a few climbs to go and for those who're still up for the challenge the Hors-Categorie Col de Bagargui is the final major obstacle.

We'll round off the trip with a swim and celebration dinner by the Atlantic Ocean.

RIDE SUMMARY:
89 miles
8,400 ft elev. gain


Today's Major Climbs

 

Climb
Elev. Gain
Profile
Length
Av. Grade
Max. Alt.
Category
Col de Bagargui
3,340 ft
13.2 miles
4.8%
4,350 ft
HC
Col d'Ispeguy
1,350 ft
n/a
5.4 miles
6.0%
2,200 ft
Cat. 2
Puerto d'Otxondo
1,050 ft
n/a
5.6 miles
3.2%
1,870 ft
Cat. 3

 

 
 

Day 8

SUNDAY › Au revoir

End of our trip and final transfer to San Sebastian airport.