Get off the beaten track

While any rider heading to the Pyrenees will likely have a hit list of iconic climbs to tackle, there’s also no shortage of hidden ascents to conquer.

It’s an opportunity to lose yourself away from motor traffic, away from civilisation and into a world where it’s you against the mountain.

Day one of the Trois Etapes Tour took in the Col des Spandelles, which links the village of Ferriéres, at the bottom of the Col du Soulor, in the west, to the town of Argeles-Gazost (itself an excellent base and within comfortable distance of the Soulor, Aubisque, Tourmalet and Hautacam, among others) in the east.

The climb was used in the 2012 Route du Sud on a stage won by Nairo Quintana, and while it has yet to appear in the Tour de France, it is expected to feature in a future edition. That’s kept it off the radar for now and the climb from Ferriéres is a stiff test on a narrow, twisting road which rises for 10km at an average gradient of 8.5 per cent, but with an ever-changing pitch which kicks up to 13 per cent. The view back over the valley, however, is spectacular and you’ll have the mountain to yourself.

By all means ride the classic climbs, but don’t forget to unearth some hidden gems off the beaten track. After all, you’ve got a whole mountain range to explore.

The Trois Etapes Tour took place in the French Pyrenees from 7th – 10th August. The Trois Etapes is the world’s only Pro-Am Cycle Series and has raised over $5 million for global charities since 2012. For more information about the Trois Etapes, please visit www.troisetapes.org