Liberty road cycling

 Routes & Profiles

 Example ’Liberty’ itinerary (easy / moderate day-ride; 68km)   

Depart from Bertren (altitiude 470m) looping into the adjacent valley and gradually warming up over a 10km section which climbs about 150m. A 3-4km descent followed by 3-4km of flat, brings us to the foot of today’s main climb, the Category 3 Col des Ares (797m). A wonderfully steady ‘tempo’ climb rising for around 6-7km at a regular 5%, the Ares is a great starter climb for your week’s riding.
An enjoyable, sweeping descent follows, rising briefly to crest the modest Col de Buret (599m) before a potential café / lunch stop in the delightful market town of Aspet.
The return leg rolls along quiet undulating roads, through idyllic farmland and sleepy villages. There are two short, sharp climbs each of around 0.5km at 8% to keep things interesting and a fast descent through Barbazan back into the Barousse valley where the main road brings you back to Bertren. 

Ride Profile (Col des Ares)

Example ‘Liberty’ itinerary (intermediate / expert day-ride; 102km)

A superb, gently undulating 40km traverse through some scenic, pastoral landscapes gets the legs well warmed up before reaching the quaint, riverside town of Arreau. A quick refreshment break will see you fully charged for the gradual ascent through Borderes to arrive at the start of the major, Category 1 climb of the Col de Peyresourde. A Tour de France regular, from this side the Peyresourde climbs 650m in 10km to reach its summit at 1569m. Enjoy the legendary crepes at the summit café or head straight over the top to make the most of the fantastic fast descent into the 19th century spa town of Luchon.
If you’ve not already stopped to eat then you’ll be spoilt for choice in the bars, restaurants and sandwich shops of Luchon. From here, it’s a pacy 25km slight downhill back to Bertren, but beware of the headwind – it blows up the valley into your face for 330 days of the year!

Ride Profile (Col de Peyresourde)