The Route...

The route has been announced, and it's a bit of a beast.

FOIX > LOUDENVIELLE - Monday 16th of July 2007

The Ariège, Haute Garonne and Hautes Pyrénées welcome France's biggest cyclo-sporting event. This stage will be rich and intense on a 196km course designed for the elite of World cycling. 8,500 eager amateurs will take on the toughest Pyrénéen climbs with no less than 5 of the severest ascents having to be tackled on the day:

- Col de Port (1,249m) - Ascent of 11.4 km at a 5.3% gradient

- Col de Portet d’Aspet (1,069m) - Ascent of 5.7 km at 6.9%

- Col de Menté (1,349m) - Ascent of 7.0 km at 8.1%

- Col du Port de Balès (1,755m) - Ascent of 19.2 km at 6.2%

- Col de Peyresourde (1,569m) - Ascent of 9.7 km at 7.8%

To summarize, this is a daunting prospect and a serious challenge. It is likely that it will take (me) in the region of ten hours to complete !!