Cycling in the Pyrenees

Why Go Cycling In The Pyrenees?

The Pyrenees offers so much in the way of cycling and is unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s an incredible place to ride and is a hidden gem amongst road cycling enthusiasts. What makes it so special?

The Climbs

If there’s one thing that you’ll get from cycling in the Pyrenees, it’s a serious amount of climbing. With over 500 Cols above 1000m, you have a lot of exploring to do. The climbs are just unbelievable, and the famous Tour De France climbs, riding them yourself gives you a tremendous amount of respect for the professionals you see on TV.

Quiet And Well Maintained Roads

There are many roads in the Pyrenees, and they are not full of traffic. What’s great is that you tend not to see a huge number of cars on the road in general.

You will also find that the roads are very well maintained and bike friendly depending on the time of year you go. Such is the fluctuation in temperatures in the Pyrenees that the road surfaces crack annually, and so the high mountain passes are usually resurfaced very regularly.

One thing you do have to be careful of is livestock. There are a lot of animals on the roads at high altitude. Descend carefully!

Weather

The weather in the Pyrenees is very interesting and being a mountain range has unique patterns.

If you go in the summer months, you can get amazing weather, and you will find yourself needing sun cream and water to stay cool, but the weather can fluctuate wildly. Take the 2010 Etape du Tour where riders climbed in almost 35 degree blazing sunshine, whilst the Tour passed through a few days later under intense rain and black cloud. We will speak about the weather in more detail later in this article

The Views

Cycling in the mountain is mesmerising, and there’s so much to look at when it comes to views. There’s no feeling like fighting your way up snow capped mountains on the side of valleys. We highly recommend stopping to take it all in when you’re riding.

Food And Drink

You don’t get many fast-food restaurants in the Pyrenees.

They are very big on local food, and it’s amazing. Traditional country dishes use duck, goose, and chicken. You also get a wide range of mountain cheeses, walnut oil, and even truffles. Eating in the Pyrenees is a good way to get good healthy food.

To Get Fitter

If there’s one place that will hugely improve your fitness, it is the Pyrenees. There’s no choice but to work hard, and with the altitude of the big climbs, it’s a recipe for big fitness improvements.

When Should I Go Cycle In The Pyrenees?

When going cycling in a mountain range, you need to be a little more particular about the weather. This is because it can be more extreme in the mountains high above sea level. It’s vital to speak about the best time to go cycling in the Pyrenees and things to consider when it comes to the weather.

What Weather Can I Expect In The Pyrenees?

November To March

This is when you’ll want to avoid a cycle in the Pyrenees and put your skis on. It’s very cold, and often you see snow and rain. The winter season is not ideal for a cycling holiday and would be more suited to skiing at the Plateau de Beille, if anything.

April And May

Although the weather in these months is typically ok and much better than in winter, it can get very cold, and you will often see rain. Is it ok to cycle? Yes, just be prepared for a bit of rain and colder mornings. Earlier in the Spring you may find some of the passes to be closed if there has been snow late in the winter.

June To September

This is the perfect time in the Pyrenees to be riding a bike. The weather is lovely and warm, especially in the lower parts of the mountains, and when you climb higher, it gets cooler. On the Spanish side, it is slightly warmer, but in general, the whole region is ideal. You do often see the odd rain shower and of course mountain weather is very unpredictable.

October

October is just like April and May. It’s pretty cool, and you need to be prepared for some grim weather. You might need a few extra layers to keep you warm.

How To Be Prepared For The Weather

If you haven’t cycled in the Pyrenees mountains before, it can be very different from a coastal region, and there are a few considerations that you are going to need to make.

1. Expect Rain, Hope for Sunshine: It rains in the Pyrenees which is why the mountains are so lush with vegetation. Even in summer you still get rain although the shoulder seasons of early autumn and late Spring are far more likely to see inclement weather.

2. Temperatures Fluctuate: The difference in altitude between Lourdes and the Tourmalet summit is close to 1,000m. Be prepared for very different weather patterns at the top of the climb compared to the bottom as it's not uncommon to see scorching sunshine at the bottom and rain at the top.

3. Descents Can Get Cold: When you climb to the top of an epic Col, you probably will feel like you’re overheating, but it can get very cold on the way down. We recommend taking a windproof, arm warmers and gillet (and potentially even full finger winter gloves) so you can get down safely and not feeling uncomfortable.

4. It Does Get Windy: There’s a strong misconception that you are protected by the mountains when it comes to the wind. What happens in valleys is that the light wind can sometimes channel, and it can give you a very strong headwind or tailwind. This often surprises people, but it’s worth considering before you go.

5. It Can Turn Quickly: Like with any mountain range in the world, the weather can turn fairly quickly. It’s worth taking this into account as if you do get an afternoon of bad weather. You’re going to want to get out well before it settles in.

Tip For Pyrenees Cycling Holidays

When cycling in a different place, let alone another country, it is important to understand the etiquette and different rules they might have alongside other challenges you might face. Here are our top tips for cycling in the Pyrenees mountains.

Follow Local Rules And Laws

Depending on where you are, either on the French side or the Spanish side, there are different rules which goes with cycling in any other country. Here’s what we recommend when it comes to cycling in the Pyrenees:

Obey the speed limits and traffic lights/signs.

Don't straddle the middle of the road on the these descents. They are fast, technical and dangerous if ridden recklessly.

You will get fined for using headphones on your bike if the police see you.

Your bike must be roadworthy - make sure to hire with us if you are unsure.

Lights should be used for night time riding although we recommend you're off the mountains long before dark.

Train For The Mountains

It would be a great idea to get some practice on a few hills before going to the Pyrenees mountains.

Although you can be very fit and cycle regularly, these Cols are very challenging, and you will often hear cyclists say there’s nothing like the challenge of a Pyrenees climb, and we agree.

Take A Look At The Route Beforehand

When it comes to long days out in the saddle on rolling hills, you can roughly estimate how long it is going to take and what average speed you will be doing.

You don’t need to plan too much. When it comes to a mountain pass, it’s a good idea to study where the big climbs will be so you can stop for food and water beforehand and be prepared for when the hard work is and when you will be able to step off the gas.

Carry Lots Of Water And Food

When cycling in the mountains, you’ll want to ensure you have enough food and water to keep you fuelled for a decent amount of time. You also find food and water stops could be fewer and further between in the mountains, and your pace much slower.

Carry Cash And Card

Although most places do take a card payment, the small little authentic shops you might need to use at some points do require cash and having some on you goes a long way.

Sun Cream

Although you might feel you will not need it, the mountains have a habit of causing sunburn while keeping you cool. We highly recommend taking and using sun cream to protect your skin and keep you not feeling uncomfortable.

Spare And Tools

Always ensure you are carrying spares and tools wherever you go on the bike. Although the roads are in good condition, you can often get punctures, and you will need to repair them. We also recommend carrying two tubes and patches as on some routes, and you find there are no bike shops.

Learn Repairs

Before you go, we recommend learning some basic bike repair skills, such as changing a puncture. Although you will see many other cyclists, it’s good to learn these for yourself so that you can support yourself when you’re in a fairly remote destination.

Local Language

Whenever you go away traveling it is always a good idea to learn some of the local language. The locals respect you for making an effort and it also means you can communicate better with people in smaller villages who might not understand you.

Opening Times

Although most things are open 8am-8pm in France and in Spain they have an afternoon break, you always want to be open to things being shut in small villages. The Pyrenees take the public holidays seriously and are not scared to close for days.

What To Do Off The Bike In The Pyrenees?

There are many things to do in the Pyrenees when you are not cycling, and your holiday doesn’t always have to be all about the bike. Here are our recommendations.

Visit Local Towns And Attractions

There are some incredibly beautiful towns in the Pyrenees, such as Lourdes, where Saint Bernadette received her visions of the Virgin Mary. Saint-Bertrand de Comminges is a medieval hilltop town on the site of an old Roman town.

Excavations have shown some incredible buildings, and it is well worth checking out. You also have Grotte du Mas d’Azil, a prehistoric cave and museum, which is an incredible sight and well worth a visit. If you like going to casinos you even have Ax les thermes up in the mountains.

Water Sports

Although cycling and skiing are the main things to do in the Pyrenees mountains, there’s also a wide range of water sports you can do, such as paddle boarding and canoeing. We highly recommend checking out your local area for other activities.

Hiking

You have the option to go hiking as well. You can get off the cycle route and get on to the walking routes instead.

There’s many to explore and even guided tours of many. It’s an amazing day out and the nature is incredible in this region. We do recommend if you do plan to do this to take the correct gear or rent some while you are there as hiking in the mountains can be dangerous without the right equipment.