Col du Tourmalet (Luz St Sauveur) - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Without question the Col du Tourmalet is one of the all time greats of cycling, first featuring in the 1910 Tour de France and with over 80 appearances since make it amongst the very oldest, and the most frequently used, climb in the history of the race. As the highest road pass in the French Pyrénées the Tourmalet is a special place, almost sacred to cyclists throughout the world.
From the west the climb starts in the pretty mountain village of Luz St Sauveur, where you face 19 kilometres on your journey up to the summit at 2,115m. As with any climb of this length the early part feels as much of a mental game as it is physical. The kilometres tick down slowly the road remains wide with little to take your mind away from the 8% gradient. Settle down and find your pace, you’ll need to keep some in reserve for the second half of the climb. On entering Barèges the road kicks again, reminding you once more that the Tourmalet means business but it’s at mid distance when choices have to be made. Remain on the D918 and a beautiful set of switchbacks await, however if you’re feeling a little more adventurous then it’s time to head right and onto the Voie Laurent Fignon, the old Tourmalet road that is now only open to cyclists. With faded road markings from the Tour de France this road has a certain energy that can still be felt from the race and, in my opinion, it’s the only road to take on the way up gifting you magnificent views of the main road below and the distant valley.
As you join the main road once again you now have just 4 kilometres to go as the Pic du Midi de Bigorre observatory comes into view, standing proud at 2,877m. It’s now that you can get a really good look at the summit as the road snakes back and forth ahead. Take a moment to catch your breath and enjoy the sensational views as the gradient momentarily eases with 2 kilometres to go. Be warned, you don’t have long before it pitches up again and you’re into double figures all the way to the summit where the iconic Octave Lapize statue awaits your victory salute!
Start: Luz St Sauveur
Length: 19km
Summit: 2,115m
Elevation gain: 1,404m
Average gradient: 7.4%
Max gradient: 13%
Ridden in early October
I very much hope you enjoy our video from the legendary Col du Tourmalet and the stunning French Pyrénées. If the thought of these peaks is just too much, then why not join us for one of our cycling tours on these very roads. For more details visit thecolcollective.com/cycling-t....
If you want to ride in style, then check out The Col Collective cycling kit, available at teamshop.cuore.ch/the-col-col....
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Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.
Peace.
Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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[@derekjordan6949]

I did this exact route last year on my 70th birthday. A fabulous ride and this great video is a beautiful reminder of a wonderful day.

[@maxizihlmann10]

Derek Jordan wow what a champion at seventy years of age

[@tromBoyer]

70? There’s hope yet for us mere mortals of 60+ ans!

[@dabber1]

@@tromBoyer Thanks..... another 6 years have past since I rode it and I'm still riding. Just keep at it or you'll get rusty.

[@CoachNealF]

With 1 kilometer to go, the gradient gets steeper and Mike Cotty finally sits down. But then stands back up again! Think I'll take up bowling. LOL! And it was spot on awesome seeing you reach down and pet that goat. These videos are such inspiration. Thanks, Mike and crew!

[@davidwalton4464]

Rode up from the other side in 2011 with a group on my 50th birthday trip. Ascended on race day ahead of the field just as the gendarmes closed the road. A real effort on an overgeared bike. Had a long wait at the top in cold weather for the race to come through then rode down the other side in a growing peleton - joined by the Pro riders as they descended from Luz Ardiden. My most magical day ever on a bike.

[@perellull5853]

No words... Only wow!

[@JeffCrowell11]

Very nice production. Can’t wait to climb it someday.

[@TheColCollective]

Enjoy!!!!!

[@grahambarker3845]

on the list to do.....watched this video several times and that view as Mike sweeps his hand over it is amazing....i want to experience that myself....Pyrnees next year.....

[@themississippikidful]

Awesome as always ! I was like a kid at Christmas when I heard my alert chime for a new Col Collective video Thank You !

[@ck01ful]

Love this channel 😍

[@TribusMontibus]

Beautiful video. If France is still open to us we’ll be going to stay near Toulouse for the next few weeks. After seeing this video I can’t wait to take the bikes to the Tourmalet. 👍🏻🚴🏻‍♂️

[@marcomunoz7597]

King of Aluminummike what a big surprise. they are the best videos of cyclism and those that motivate me to continue in the sport of road cyclism.

[@danielt3214]

Nice to see you back and thx for those nice views and shots... Some needed inspiration to dig through these winter days 👍✌️

[@ssfrutuoso]

Awesome work - Thank you!

[@nathanmuller6680]

The videos will get us through winter once again for sure! Thanks for the motivation ✊

[@singlespeedchronicles7640]

Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing...

[@jean-mariegarcia1477]

Très belles prises de vue. Toujours émouvant de pouvoir apprécier par où on est passé tant et tant de fois... depuis plus de 20 ans.

[@chrisjenkins1]

Great to see another spectacular video. Thanks!

[@anisab9506]

Nothing but goodness and awesome memories. So wonderful to see you back sharing those videos! Truly grateful.

[@cpaaura707]

Thx for coming back, Mike!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@matthewdavid9280]

Fantastic route did it in September this year and was blown away.

[@andrevonronne7373]

Thanks for this great video.brought back so many memories of this place!

[@mdk9495]

Been there, and yes - W O W! Great video Mike, as always. Was thinking of how much I missed your awesome videos . . .

[@cyclingscientist]

Simply stunning!

[@andrewmorgan2296]

Thank you again for your beautiful and inspiring films; we’ve missed you.

[@pieterbrankaer]

Great video, as always. Love the attention for the "wildlife" as well... And the pat on the head for the little one...so cute 😊

[@dierime]

Thank you for bringing us Tourmalet to our home. I remember my holidays in Pyrenees. Can't wait for next summer. Great video once again Mike!!

[@dtmcool]

Yaaaayyy.... utterly beautiful Mike. I love the Tormalet from LSS.

[@Nicholas_Shaw.]

My favourite cycling channel on KZbin.

[@arduinobanzi8348]

Bucket list. Merci Mavic et Col Collective. I love the Mavic Yellow.

[@richardalvarez9004]

Did this exact route in 2009 on a steel touring bike! Fond memories, spectacular ride!

[@stephenwest673]

Ahhhh........The Col Collective, it doesn’t get any better, thanks for the effort you put in Mike to bring us these wonderful escapist videos 😎👍

[@maxmichelson5649]

Thank you Mike very special climb the old road no cars interesting views from that road seems more open . Great work thanks max

[@highwaytohealth3211]

So beautiful!!!

[@steveh2199]

Yes! Best Christmas present a new video! Watched the Tour in 2012 on that same route, still have my souvenir jersey from the gift shop at the top. That day looked just like the day in the video, incredible sunshine and views New motivation to ride the trainer in wintery North America. Thank's Mike.

[@braddemarco8040]

Hope you had a nice summer. Glad to have to have new videos. Thanks

[@alvarogaspar808]

Yeah! New video!! And it is spectacular great choice, a mythical climb. Great job! Keep them comming!

[@andyrodger2511]

Nice to see you back Mike, well worth the wait 👍

[@peterwoodford2376]

Great video. Stayed at a local campsite in Luz this summer, and took on this fabulous climb. Added this highest pass in the Pyrenees to Col'd'Iseran in the French Alps ridden last year. Keep up the good work CC!

[@andrewwhittaker43]

Good to see you climbing in the saddle! Great Vid thank you!

[@jeffcolameco7706]

I am sitting at home with massive head cold. when up popped a new video. you just made my day, guys. thanks for yet another awesome video.

[@stijndeklerk]

Epic, on the list for next season.

[@leedorney]

Cinematographically fantastic 🙏

[@jonathanwalters5611]

Keep the videos coming. We’ve missed them!

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Surely only the French would leave such a road as is and hand it over to cyclists ! Another for my exceedingly long bucket list 👍

[@anthonyhomercycling]

Nice to see you here in youtube sir im a fan of yours

[@kellyoram6220]

Beautiful valley, beautiful side of the mountain, beautiful film! Mike, you'll be dragging this old man up that thing in August of next year! Can't wait!

[@mikeanders7885]

Feel inspired to ride again, even though we just got 35 cm of snow. Great video!

[@pascalpepin1891]

Magnifique.. !!

[@CrescentRollCarl]

So good. Thanks!

[@guypressault22]

Thanks Mike, It's been a while. Once again, magic in the mountains

[@delivrance3961]

Beautiful ! One of my favorite climb! French autor Christian laborde wrote in" Pyrène et les vélos": Tourmalet is a gascon term which means tour=deviation and malet=mauvais=bad...it says quite a lot about that road!

[@gamma_dablam]

Isn't it pretty much the only way over that section of the mountains though ?

[@dean878]

Christmas morning is early this year. So nice to see another inspiring video Mike. Cheers from Canada's very wet West coast

[@robertkearley3900]

Such a good ride , can’t wait to go back. Covid needs to bog off

[@robertkearley3900]

So did this climb this week . Stayed at cycle lodge Saint Savin. Well worth it. It was wet cold but amazing ….

[@TheColCollective]

Great climb, cool guest house! 👏🏼

[@franciscosarrat4049]

Muy buenos vídeos... Saludos desde Chile 🚴‍♂️👍

[@oscargerardogalindomarquez5615]

Buenas tardes. Increíble trepada y hermosos paisajes. Muchas gracias y Saludos desde México.

[@smithytri89]

It was watching Contador and Schleck battle it out to the summit in 2010 that first got me into and cycling and forever a Tour fan after that.

[@MrEric5452]

Luv your video, Mike.

[@williamsham0]

That was breathtaking.

[@johnevanko3797]

Great to see you again Mike, I would have say I enjoyed the side from Luz much better than the eastern face from St. Marie de Campan . Hope to ride it again some day. I have unfinished business with that side of the Tourmalet.

[@florian92500]

Super vidéo

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

Man Christmas has come Early welcome back I thought you had stopped

[@boethiusm8438]

The other day I was wondering whether Mike had retired. As always, thank you Mike and team👍🏾

[@TheColCollective]

You're welcome! Many more to come!! Ride safe, Mike

[@thomasboucher3559]

Just did it this summer. Fantastic.

[@evictorr]

One of my favourite Pyrénées climbs. I rode up this climb 3 times in June/July, while spending a month in the Pyrénées. Unfortunately the Voie Laurent Fignon was closed for maintenance then, or I would have tried it. The weather keeps you guessing: on one day it was 3 degrees at the bottom but rose to 13 by the top, with a lot of mist, and on a few others it was a balmy 20s all the way up.

[@davemckay6470]

Fantastic stuff again Mike!

[@terjemyller6573]

Me stupid didn’t know about the old section of the road, got to go back soon. Superb video btw!

[@robertboileau8681]

Great video as always

[@vegantony3913]

Beautiful..

[@Julianchito1000]

Hello, greetings from Popayán Colombia, I love your channel, it is very motivating.

[@JohnKleman1]

My work is gonna have to wait a couple minutes, Col Collective is back!

[@generalkdi]

I was sure the channel was dead, so happy to see this today!

[@TheColCollective]

It's been a busy season Simon, more videos on the way!! Keep the faith and thanks for watching!

[@paulfrost4603]

We have just returned from a few days in the Pyrenees . Did this in the car . AWESOME BREATHTAKING AMAZING how many more adjectives can you use. One off the bucket list deffo

[@anthonyhomercycling]

The drone footages are the money shots ! Good job mike!!

[@TheColCollective]

Thanks, but I can't take credit for the drone shots too, I was on the bike ;-) We have a great team!

[@AdamJStoryDC]

Yes!!! A new video!

[@tomforde8321]

Good stuff 👍

[@oscargerardogalindomarquez5615]

La soledad es importante, cuando nos permite elucubrar, y pedaleando en este bello paisaje, es vivir con intensidad, la ascensión al tourmalet.

[@johannespopp3336]

Which Folks put the Finger down.. Absolute Stunning, Great!!..

[@shafiqueahmad8674]

possibly the best video you've mad yet, mike. I'm in where do i sign up ! sheer poetry

[@methe2960]

The last one k were the hardest ten minutes in my life. It was only yesterday and I already want to go back more than anything

[@adrianabaroncayadomagalhae69]

Dê graças, pois vc privilégiado contemplar tantas belezas naturais e agradeço, pois através de vc tbm contemplamos.

[@AP-vd8ve]

I was just thinking about your videos

[@ahmettopal6301]

Please more videoooooo pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee👏👏👍

[@davidchadderton5904]

I’ll be there soon, on FulGaz.

[@christophggcyrus6861]

Top!

[@rafalwrobel7410]

🤩super

[@georghoffmann9107]

Excellent and really beautiful. I wonder how you manage to hardly cross any other cyclists? These big classic mountains are allways crowded with bikes, arent they?

[@krasipetkov2070]

Super ! ... But where is the final of the Col du Tourmalet ?

[@sasadominkovic186]

😍😍 Oleee 😍😍

[@R9RealMadridR9CR7]

Fack I love these videos!

[@Gkuljian]

I watched that while riding my rollers.

[@robertkearley3900]

Coming back in august …. Can’t wait been too long

[@TheColCollective]

Tourmalet never disappoints! 🐮⛰️

[@grahamhaller8181]

4 ascents of this hill for me now. 1 in 2001 to scatter my fathers ashes on the summit, rode on a Trek 830 mbt with slick tyres, via the old road. 2, 2019 to scatter my mother ashes, Turner Burner, panracer fire XC tyres, unfit at the time, really ashamed of my 3 hour assent time. 3. 2022 on a Trek road bike, acclimatisation ride go up the old road, reach the end, look a the sign, 4 km to the top, feel really good, continue ascent to the summit. Asscent 4, 3 days latter to scatter my brother in laws ashes on the summit, 2 hour 4 mins, I'd hope to get sub 2 hours, but I'm happy with that.

[@Phaidrus]

Yes!

[@marcomunoz7597]

King of Aluminum Thank you

[@adrianortizdeurbina4451]

Is this part harder than the other side????

[@joserepullomunoz5898]

El año pasado tuve la suerte de hacer la subida en bici, efectivamente tiene una mística especial. Alguien sabe los temas musicales que acompañan a este video. Gracias.

[@brianmessemer2973]

The Col Collective: Cycling as an art form.

[@chrisoliver6690]

Has anybody used that GPS he has and if so whats it like? Easy to upload routes?

[@adamjoneill]

Great video! what's the Cannondale bike you're riding?

[@TheColCollective]

Hi Adam, I'm rocking the EVO Hi Mod Disc in Team Replica colours, because if I can't ride like a pro at least I can try and look like one ;-) Ride safe, Mike

[@phila9288]

What there's a second way up? Guess i need to head back to France

[@dhaniyaved]

Long time not update video .