Cycling the Eastern Pyrenees...any suggestions?

DrumUp

Hey,

Already planning next years summer hols and was thinking of going back to the Pyrenees. I've already been a few times these last couple of years, firstly the TdF showstoppers around Luchon then a week around more obscure roads about Foix. Next year I want to go further east but wasn't sure where to go.

Any suggestions?

I'm looking for a town or large-ish village for a base that has relatively easy access to some spectacular climbs.

pblakeney

I will be doing this tour - http://www.marmot-tours.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/RFP-HolidayinfoOct15.pdf

You could use it as a guide.

DrumUp

Nice one

fnb1

Port De Palhieres, nice circular route starting from Quillan follow D117 to Axat then D118 to Mijanes then overs the Palehiere (2nd highest Col in Pyrenees) then to Ax Le Therme for Lunch then follow the D613 over the Cols Chioula & D'en Ferret and through the plateau of Pay De Sault via Col de Coudons to D117 for a fast descent back to Quillan.

Also East of Quillan lots of small Cols on quiet roads around the Cathar and Corbiere region.

whoof

You could stay in Ax Les Therms. It a reasonable sized town with some nice climbs nearby.
http://www.bikemap.net/en/regional/France/Midi-Pyrenees/Ax+Les+Thermes/
http://www.larebenne.com/road-cycling/pyrenees-break-ax/index.html

e17blade

I spent a week in Foix on a family holiday a couple of years back and did my first ever Pyrenean ride over Port de Pailheres (amongst others).

Here it is: https://www.strava.com/activities/77458266

I got a train up to Ax-les-Thermes to start, which was quite a nice way to start the day, but a bit unnecessary when you can just stay in Aix and have all the rides start on your doorstep. Both are very nice places to stay though.

From Ax there are quite a few good routes around - my favourites are all to the east and mostly not the famous climbs. I had a particularly atmospheric ride over the Col du Pradel on a foggy evening and the only person I saw was a stoned Hell's Angel type sitting on a log at the top and smoking a joint.

If you can deal with the busy bit of road up the Puymorens out of Ax (before the tunnel takes most fo the traffic) you can get up into Andorra too - I've only done the other side from Spain though so maybe ask around about that route.

I have also camped at Ascou a bit of the way up the Port de Pailheres - which is a great campsite.

Bit of a rambling response there - hope it is helpful though.

crispybug2

http://www.bespoked.org

Based in a small town called Chalabre, within a reasonable distance from Port Paliheres, Plateau de Beille and As 3 Domaines, not far from Carcassonne.

DrumUp

Thanks folks