Arreau

08.10

704

Dry, cloudy with sun breaking through. Cloud base c.1300m.

Col de Peyresourde

09.40

10.6(17)

1 hr 30 mins

1569

9.5km climb through picturesque valley (no ski stations). 7-8mph climb much of the time.

Bagnères-de-Luchon

10.04

9(14.5)

24 mins

638

Good, fast descent to Luchon.

Carrefour D12/D618

9.7(15.5)

Chaum

10.44

0.625(1)

40 mins

Fast hard-shoulder run gently down larger river valley on D44.

Col des Ares

11.33

6.9(11)

49 mins

797

Gentle, pretty wooded climb with good, easy descent.

Col de Buret

12.15

12.35

5.6(9)

38 mins

602

Very gentle with good descent. (Cycle race feed station at top). Short lunch stop before this climb at shop in the tiny village of Juzet.

Col de Portet d’Aspet

13.35

7.2(11.5)

1 hr

1069

This 5km climb up a heavily wooded stream gorge starts abruptly from the bridge (633m spot-height), passing the Carsartelli Monument very early on with sections between 9.3-14.2%. This really is the steepest climb of the Raid, with speed at 4mph or less.

St Lary

13.50

3.75(6)

15 mins

627

Free wheel to St Lary.

St Girons

14.40

15.40

15(24)

50 mins

391

A 20+mph slog into a headwind to St Girons. Café, food and carnet stop.

72 miles @13.4mph

Massat

16.20

17.5(28)

40 mins

650

Slowly gaining ground at c.15mph.

Col de Caougnous

17.00

3.75(6)

40 mins

940

These 2 cols really form 1 continuous climb, starting from the bridge over the River Arac just outside Massat. Despite being fairly lengthy, it maintains a gentle ave. gradient c.5%, speed c.7-8mph, increasing to 10mph near the top..

Col de Port

17.27

3.75(6)

27 mins

1249

Great view at the top over a forested valley. We got there as hunters were returning with their bloodhounds. Freewheel to Saurat.

Tarrascon sur Ariège

18.05

11.25(18)

38 mins

474

Les Cabannes

6.6(10.5)

The day was finished off with this section along the busy N20 (1^st busy road of the Raid). A fairly narrow road, fast but with some uphill drags.

Ax-les-Thermes

19.19

9.7(15.5)

1 hr 14 mins

9 hrs 11 mins

720

Ax is a rather strange thermal spa town with no shortage of hotels but a disappointing shortage of life. Stayed at the good value Hotel de France 2* (00 33 5 61 64 60 97) on the main road but had a quiet room in the extension out the back. Ate pizza across in the square – outdoor table (even at 700m). Good (chilled) red wine, bad crème brulée! Buffet breakfast. (NB. This hotel was alone in insisting on taking a passport).

125.78 miles @13.7mph