Stage 2: Our first exposure to the high Mountains.
| Stats for Stage 2. | |||||
| Stage start/finish |
# of Mtn. passes
|
Mileage
|
Elevation gain
|
Ride time
|
|
| Bielle - Mane | Col d'Aubisque and rolling foothills |
111 mi. |
10427 ft. |
7.5 hrs | |
The "topo-map" view of stage 2.
And the corresponding profile of stage 2.
It's important to expose the riders to a high mountain climb in the first four days on our way to the Mediterranean. Day 2 is the perfect opportunity as the Col d'Aubisque is at the start of the day. Later in the day would be too brutal since we cover 110 miles, so this works out perfect. Note the high point in elevation is 5608 feet. The way I see it the start of the trip is a way to ease in and get "acclimated." There is a method to the madness.
This is valley d'Ossau where we start stage 2, and ride up the valley to then climb up the Col d'Aubisque, an "out of catergory" climb. That's how we start the day!
After the Col d'Aubisque it's back to the foothills.
