Spring Cycling In The Pyrenees - Col du Peyresourde from Bagneres du Luchon (1569m)

We’ve tackled the western approach of the Peyresourde from the direction of Arreau a couple of times before, including just a few weeks ago, but on paper this eastern approach was a little bit harder. At 13.7 km with an average gradient of 6.9%, the road rise 944 metres from 630 metres up to the col at 1569 metres. Again, Esther tackled this one by herself while I followed up on the motorhome.
Although my own opinion comes from the drivers seat, I reckon that this side of the Peyresourde is the ‘better’ of the two for a cycle, at least if you had to pick one anyway. The other side has a marvellous view of the head of the Louron valley, so it’s difficult to compare, but the opening switchbacks from Bagneres followed by the villages the road passes through and finally leading up to the more exposed switchbacks near the top, made this particular approach feel more exciting somehow.

Sadly, the initial sunny sky didn’t persist all the way to the top for Esther as it turned a little overcast and drizzly, but the climb was more than enough to keep her warm apparently.

Sadly, no more pictures of this one...so instead I'm going to show you what the dogs were doing while Esther was pedalling! Making friends.