Pyrenees Traverse Cycling, from Biarritz to Saint Cyprien (800km & 20.000m D+)
After 20 years, I've joined a friend from University of Minho, and we cycled together the Pyrenees Traverse from the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean sea! An amazing adventure and a fantastic human and sports experience!
Cycling Road Bike the Pyrenees Traverse, from Biarritz to Saint Cyprien (800km & 20.000m D+). Crossing the Pyrenees in 4 days through the most mythic mountain passes and cols of this Spanish/French mountain range..
Logistics of the Pyrenees Traverse Cycling from Coast to Coast
In terms of logistics, I've done like this:
- 1st day, drove till the Saint Cyprien in the Mediterranean sea, slept there overnight.
- 2nd day, I rode my bike till Perpignan SNCF Train Station and took the train to Biarritz (attention, if you chose to go in a TGV train, please be aware than in France your bike must be inside a bike cover/bag). Slept the night in Biarritz.
- 3rd day, first day in the bike, from Biarritz to Sarrance (we slept here https://www.hotelbistrot-lespassages.fr/hotel)
- 4th day, from Sarrance to Saint Lary Soulan, night in this camping (https://www.camping-saint-lary.com/)
- 5th day, from Saint Lary Soulan to Auzat (night in https://legitedurocher.fr/)
- 6th day and last one, from Auzat to Saint Cyprien, and we had a last night sleep at https://www.camping-le-calagogo.fr/
Some advices concerning the Pyrenees Traverse Cycling from the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean sea!
- If you're planning to take the train, please remember that in a TGV train you bike must be in a bike bag/cover. If you dont have this, you can buy some big 100l garbage plastic bags and some tape, they will do the work. Another option is to travel using the TER trains.... they are longer but the bike can travel with no bag needed.
- When crossing the Pyrenees Cycling, please remember that there are certain sections of the path where there will be no food and water. You'll cross certains villages where there are no supermarket, no bakery, no restaurants. And also remember that the shops close from 12h to 15h. An example that I give, if you planning to eat at 12h00, but you find a place at 11h00, just stop there, eat and fill your pockets with food/drinks for the next 3 hours. In terms of water, don't hesitate to stop by a house or a farm and ask the owner to fill your bottles. I've done this a couple of times :)
Obrigados / Thanks / Mercis
Obrigado Zé Nuno por teres alinhado nesta aventura maluca :)
A special thanks to Guillaume Garnier that help me prepare my bike for this trip.
Et une pensée très spécial pour mon grand ami Yan Raulet, native de Tarbes (dans les Pyrenees), et qui est décédé cet hiver en montagne. Yan, j'ai beaucoup pensé à toi dans les moment de dures et de doute, mais t'as été là pour moi ;) merci!
Day 1 - Cycling Road Bike the Pyrenees Traverse, from Biarritz to Saint Cyprien (800km & 20.000m D+)
Biarritz to Sarrance: Col de Saint-Ignace, Col de Otxondo, Col de'Ispeguy, Col de Burdincurutcheta, Col d'Orgambidesca and to end the day, the Col de la Pointe Saint Martin.
Day 2 - Cycling Road Bike the Pyrenees Traverse, from Biarritz to Saint Cyprien (800km & 20.000m D+)
Sarrance to Saint Lary Soulan: Col de Marie Blanque, Col de l'Aubisque, Col du Soulor, Col du Tourmalet and Col de Hourquette d'Ancizan
Day 3 - Cycling Road Bike the Pyrenees Traverse, from Biarritz to Saint Cyprien (800km & 20.000m D+)
Saint Lary Soulan to Auzat: Col d'Azet, Col de Peyresourde, Col du Portillon, Col de Menté, Col du Portet d'Aspet, Col de la Core, Col de Latrape, Col d'Agnes and Col du Port de Lers.
Day 4 - Cycling Road Bike the Pyrenees Traverse, from Biarritz to Saint Cyprien (800km & 20.000m D+)
Auzat to Saint Cyprien: Col de Marmare, Col de la Chioula, Col de Pailhères, Col de Garabeil, Col de Jau, Col du Fourtou.