Hourquette Ancizan - Col d'Azun - Col d'Aspin

In Payolle, you hop on your bike and follow the D 113, better known as the Hourquette d’Ancizan (1,564m). The Hourquette is yet another pass that you can’t get enough of, truly a gem. Isolated from heavy traffic, calm, narrow, green, grazing cattle,... The descent from the Hourquette towards Guchen is a fun rollercoaster, except in rainy weather of course. Then you have to be cautious. Once at the bottom, head towards Arreau and take the direction of Bordères-Louron and Loudenvielle. In Loudenvielle, the Col de Val Louron-Azet (1,580m) begins, which was climbed this year (2014) during the Tour de France on the way to Pla d’Adet. The climb is 7.4 km at an average of 8.3%, a challenging one... The descent takes you to St-Lary-Soulan, the village of the feared Pla d’Adet. The Pla d’Adet, the pass of, among others, Poulidor and Lucien Van Impe, and recently also of polka dot jersey Rafal Majka is best left aside. A real killer mountain, the Pla d’Adet, just ask Eddy Merckx... In St-Lary-Soulan, you take the valley to Arreau. Let your legs recover for this 12 kilometers. In Arreau, you begin the last pass of the day, the Col d’Aspin (1,489m). The Col d’Aspin was truly a piece of cake for Lucien Van Impe because you, I quote Lucien: “could ride up with ease.” Once at the top, there’s still a beautiful descent of a good 7 km back to Payolle.