Col d'Aspin (Arreau) - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Nestled between the infamous Col du Tourmalet and Col de Peyresourde in the beautiful Hautes-Pyrénées, the Col d’Aspin has a long and illustrious history with the Tour de France, first featuring in the race as part of the inaugural mountain stage (a mere 326km from from Luchon to Bayonne dubbed the Circle of Death) in 1910.
Starting from the charming village of Arreau on the river Neste, the eastern side of the Aspin is a 12 kilometre gift of vast mountain views and jagged peaks from the early kilometres all the way to the summit. It’s rare to be able to see the the summit of a climb within the first kilometre of starting it, but if you look closely that’s exactly what you can do on the Aspin, offering you gentle reassurance of your goal.
Use the first part of the climb to find your rhythm. The occasional near double digit gradient is only momentary and allows time to recover and enjoy on the easier sections. As you climb high above the Aure valley, the surrounding mountains become even more resplendent leaving you in awe at their mystique and magnificence. It may not be the highest or hardest climb in the Pyrénées but be sure to save some gas in the tank for the second section where the final 5 kilometres average 8%.
I’ve ridden the Aspin many times now and on each occasion it creates a certain feeling inside that brings peace and tranquility to the day. From wildlife roaming free to endless mountain views the Aspin has a richness in its character that no matter what’s going on in your world it simply makes you feel alive!
Start: Arreau
Length: 12km
Summit: 1,489m
Elevation gain: 799m
Average gradient: 6.5%
Max gradient: 10%
Ridden in October
I very much hope you enjoy our video on the Col d'Aspin. If the thought of these delicious mountain roads send shivers down your spine (in a good way) then why not join us on one of our cycling tours in the French Pyrénées and ride this very climb and many more of the most prestigious peaks in cycling history? For more details visit thecolcollectiv....
Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Lezyne, MyPower by InfoCrank, The Sufferfest, TORQ and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you're in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning :-)
For more help and advice visit our website at thecolcollectiv..., become part of our col community and sign up for our free newsletter for monthly updates.
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Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.
Peace.
Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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[@francbertin2237]

Superbe vidéo 👏Le col d'Aspin n'est pas le plus difficile à grimper mais certainement un des plus beaux cols français. Son voisin la Hourquette même si moins connu n'est pas mal non plus. Et vive le vélo 🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴

[@grahamhaller8181]

The Aspin is on the bucket list.

[@McHayes76]

Rode up Aspin last summer. It's even for a novice very do-able. I mostly remember the fantastic views riding up. I soaked up every moment of Aspin. A must do if you are in th eregion. And a good warm up for Tourmalet ;-)

[@willeigo8468]

I met a couple of Spaniards at Cauterets, Ferme Basque last week, they told me Col d'aspen was one of the prettiest rides to get after. They and you are so right.

[@TheColCollective]

Aspin is such a beautiful climb. One of my favourites for sure and a special place!

[@chrisbarnett7438]

Loves it out of the saddle !

[@danjeory3659]

These videos are so professionally shot and produced. You should be really proud. They should be on TV. They would definitely inspire more people to give it a go. Just wish I could spin the wheels that fast uphill!

[@wlebucheitaliane8262]

This videos are such an inspiration! You combine so perfectly the nature, the sport, thecnology and the passion for bicycle. Only compliments for your work!

[@etcheb479]

Cette chaîne est juste merveilleuse. C’est pas une vidéo que j’ai regardé mais un film c’est INCROYABLE. Les musiques, les plans tout est présent vraiment un excellent travail !

[@DrJRMCFC]

A new Col Collective vlog, all is good in the Universe. The Aspin was the first Col I climbing way back in 2001 or something in an Etape over the Aspin, Tourmalet and up Luz Ardiden in dreadful weather. Completely hooked ever since.

[@itsallspent]

Win I see a beer truck I know the universe is good because the beer truck driver knows when the universe is ok! Heehee

[@jean-mariegarcia1477]

De superbes images et de magnifiques couleurs qui ravivent bien d'agréables souvenirs.

[@pitmontorlover]

Glad to see You ride the classic SuperSix Evo 😍

[@EKcyclist]

As the Col Collective gets more popular, the footage gets better and better. Superb, Mike!

[@johnevanko3797]

That brings back great memories. What a magical place.

[@JackSheahan2012]

A great start to another 'season' of the Col Collective, so many thanks, Mike. This brought back great memories of a foggy morning in June '06, when we ascended in this direction. Still love it.

[@robertkearley3900]

Loved this. Climb

[@guypressault22]

Merci Mike Another superbe moment in a superbe place in the world, superbly captured again. You produce the best cycling videos, just not enough of them :)

[@maxmichelson5649]

Thank you Mike just stunning

[@jonterry872]

Another fantastic video, Mike, expertly shot and edited. Thank you for blessing us with these views.

[@chrisshepard7073]

Hey Mike, Another fantastic video! Keep up the GREAT work. Inspiration for us weekend warriors. Chris S

[@oscargerardogalindomarquez5615]

Buenos días a todos. Mil gracias por enviarme está joya. Saludos desde México.

[@fernandolemos2823]

I look at this videos and think lots of them when I'm climbing. Keep up the good work.

[@peterwilliams7641]

Another superb video, so inspirational. Thanks

[@kitzingmarko]

Great to have you back, Mike!! :)

[@jimholland1592]

I love you and the teams work, you inspired me at the age of 63 to climb Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak back to back incredible! Thanks for all you do keep it up and stay safe and strong 👍

[@stevemurphy6599]

Thanks Mike I love everything about these videos

[@itsallspent]

Just what i needed today! Thanks The closest thing to a Col in Houston Texas is riding out of a drainage ditch.

[@georgea2161]

Another great video. Well done. I'm ready to comeback and collect some more cols with The Col Collective. Chapeau!

[@ChamBatJazz]

Magnificent video, Mike! Last week I was with a friend in the Pyrenees and climbed the Col d'Aspin from the slope of Campan and then we climbed Val Louron/Azet and Hourquette d'Ancizan. That was an amazing route! Two days before, we climbed Hautacam and Tourmalet. Thanks a lot for your inspiring videos.

[@kellyoram6220]

I remember the descent of this side! It is indeed a special one!

[@Mindblower008]

👌👌👌 and great music too!

[@stradri6457]

Hey Mike, great vid as always, you should do a vid about the col de Menté/Mourtis from St Béat or about the Balès from Mauléon Barousse

[@joaquimpereira8069]

wonderful as always!! cheers from Portugal!

[@JulienBerard3874]

Wonderful video Mike, as always ! I am currently also in the Pyrenees and have a little tip... There is one of the best bakery on earth in Arreau called "Le pain en Aure". They have almonds, nuts and chocolate biscuits that will make you climb every pass of the area in a single day ;-) Hope to see you one day !

[@cyclingscientist]

Another amazing video, such an inspiration!

[@evictorr]

A nice climb, that one. I rode up it last year, on a very hot day, and enjoyed it! :)

[@peny79133]

경치가 진짜 좋다....멋지네요.

[@markchristy7418]

Great to see another video, it's been a while but always great as usual. You really do capture the Pyrenees for what they are, a fantastic spot on this earth! Still waiting for Port de Bales from Mauleon Barousse or perhaps start at St Bertrand as a nice photographic opportunity?

[@JM-vy5tl]

Awesome Vid as usual...!

[@fwcustoms5997]

Their is nothing better like climbing in the mountains with a roadbike . Please come to tirol or south tirol , with kühtai pass , timmelsjoch , penser joch , jaufenpass , stelvio and all the glacier roads that we drive this summer 2019 . Best regards from cologne / germany

[@Phaidrus]

Excellent!

[@dirkbeauboir8521]

How beautiful. Now i definitely have to come back to do the Aspin from this side too. Damn you Mike Cotty.

[@TheColCollective]

Already looking forward to it Dirk! :-)

[@razcohen5590]

Dirk Beauboir honestly there’s something beautiful about the Pyrénées that make every climb magical. Just so green and wide open panoramics gives you amazing views not as dramatic as the alps or the dolomites but just absolutely stunning! And The Col Collective film and editing crew seem to bring out the magic even more! Definitely this pass is on my list of places to explore.

[@pedroandrade2398]

you forgot your bag! xD

[@markrushton1516]

Part of 'The Circle of Death' which does sound dramatic. good to see you back on the slopes.

[@airflexares]

Next year you could try the Col du Mont Cenis (Colle del Moncenisio) from Novalesa, and then the descent on the "SS 25" to Susa. One of the best rides I've ever done!

[@jeanclaudedumoulin]

THANK YOU !!!!

[@jeanclaudedumoulin]

Now we’re just waiting for Aubisque from Arrens via Soulor.

[@jeanclaudedumoulin]

... One road to rule them all...

[@TheColCollective]

Roman Delamare give this a whirl 👉🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/amqlf2eKa9aIi5Y 😃

[@methe2960]

Beautiful, I wanter to go there this summer but Tourmalet killed me before I got there :) Next time, hopefully...

[@palicar]

the best

[@PEDALAMARCAO]

Great!!

[@jensenhealey907efi]

At 0:33 it is a close up of the pedals and shoes. I had no clue that Mavic actually made pedals too.

[@trevekneebone369]

There's a guy following you, with the same bike & kit

[@evictorr]

He enjoyed the climb so much that he was beside himself :)

[@temporalsoliton]

Excellent as usual. Please have them send you a new supersix so you can compare with your current model.

[@rocatalin88]

You forgot your bag on the dam, Mike! :))

[@ismaelalonsosastre371]

Nice video, as always. A question for you: do you prefer disk brakes or classic brakes?

[@TheColCollective]

Ismael Alonso Sastre Since using discs for the last couple of years it’d be hard to switch back to rim brakes. The performance is all conditions is exceptional.

[@파일럿주원]

Amazing 😍 by the way what's the title of music starting at 2:00

[@ifnahmad]

I want to know this too

[@julen9348]

Yo must climb Horquette d'Ancizan

[@bebbeec600]

Buenas tardes .por si alguien estuviese interesado cada 2 años se celebra una prueba y el año que viene toca.la etapa es Luchon _ bayonne costa de 326 km y se puede realizar en uno o dos dias.les cuento esto porque en la prueba se suben por este orden los siguientes puertos Pereysourde aspin por esta vertiente tourmalet Solórzano aubisque y oskitz. Es una pasada de prueba sin clasificación.con avituallamientos y un gran ambiente cicloturista.como he dicho antes puedes acabarla de noche que siempre habrá gente esperando.yo es la 4 vez que la he hecho.espero que muchos os animéis.aspin precioso

[@sasha371]

Why there is no a single UK climb? There are some wicked places, no?

[@v0ldy54]

Must be weird for english people to cycle in France where in every village you see "PAIN" signs xD

[@synsynsy]

French humor...

[@billuvill]

Welcome to the coal collective with a cold-ass man for maroon - you tube captions...

[@thebelly925]

billuvill I was just searching the comments thinking, “surely I’m not the first to mention the ‘cold-ass man’ from the subtitles.”

[@tomsjuh]

what is the song name?

[@jestella8]

Nice video but, you're in France not in England, so please, ride by the right side of the road!!!