After my nightmare on the Ventoux on last years Etape I decided to do a recce of the Tourmalet this year, partly to see what it’s like and partly to mentally complete an HC climb without feeling so bad.

I left Lourdes at roughly mid day to get to Tourmalet 30km away. This would give me a decent warm up and also this would be a similar time for when I will probably get to Tourmalet on the day.

I’m not sure where the Tourmalet climb officially starts but the road started to ramp up just after a small roundabout about 10km before Luz St. Saveur. It is not a steep climb staying around 3-4% apart from a small increase to 8% after the first bridge over the road that says 1954 on it. This changes to a small downhill staright after the tunnel though.

It stays undulating all the way to Luz St. S but nothing that really requires getting out the big ring (not got 100 miles in my legs at this time though) so save that for when it’s needed.

Once leaving Luz St S it ramps briefly up to 12% so don’t get caught out.

You are now definately on the main Tourmalet climb as the roadside signs start appearing with km’s to go and the average gradient for the next km.

Mainly through these early stages it stays around 6-8%. It is worth paying attention to the view here. The davantage over Ventoux is you are not surrounded by forest and can enjoy the ride. This also takes your mind off what you are doing.

At 14(maybe 13km) to go there is a section of 5% for the next km which gives some needed respite. As you finish this km it starts opening out to the valley and you can see all of Tourmalet off to your left.

It ramps up around 11km to go for a while but again you get some respite with another 5% section at 10km to go.

Now you enter the the switch back sections for the final summit push. The gradient stays constant at about 8% until 5km to go and this is where you will hit the timely water stage on the Etape.

I had read about how hard these final few KM’s where but it wasn’t as bad as expected. There are brief sections that go to 12-13% but they don’t last long.

As you hit the sign for 2km to go it says next km average 10% and sweeps around a corner to the left. the good bit is the next 300m are only at 2% so you get a good rest before it gets steep again.

You’ve then made the last km and know you’re definately going to make it. Before the final left hand bend there is a sign that says “2010 TOUR DE FRANCE JOB DONE” in the road. This certainly made me smile when I saw it ( I also had a family clapping from their car). Be aware though when you turn left it looks like a steep climb in front of you. Don’t worry it is only 200m to go so just go for it.

Over all of course it is hard but take your time to look around and it is definately easier mentally to cope with it.