MAD OLD MAN: Trans Pyrenees: the event

1, 330 kms | 36 K vertical meters

The adventure will start in the village of Sommières, close to the Mediterranean coast on Saturday August 10th, and will finish in San Sebastian, on the Atlantic side, on Friday August 23th. Where I expect to enjoy very nice pintxos and the rest of the weekend with my girlfriend, Ana! We will enjoy life a bit before going back to our routine. The hotels have been arranged for every destination and our luggage will be brought from start to finish. What a luxury not to have to carry everything and not to have to be thinking and searching hotels while riding my bike. Every day you have a target place to be and the rest is up to the legs and lungs. Just don't leave your brains behind as you need it for the descents.

TRAINING - I've learned a lot from my attempted to do multiple stages events, like Basajaun 2 years ago. The first thing was that one shouldn't train only for endurance. Intensity is a major part of the ride, with steep and long climbs on the way. Muscular endurance and power will keep you going if one trained it properly. For that I've combined the training in two types. Long endurance rides in the weekend, with a heart rate around zone 2 (up to 146 beats per minute - BPM) and twice a week with 1 hour interval trainings in zone 5 + (above 166 to 174 bpm). And including some quick 2 hour rides in zone 3 on Fridays. A big mix of different intensity levels to get one ready for different demands. I also like the 2 long rides in USA with good climbs. So, a total between 9 to 10 hours training weekly.

Another difference is to avoid slowing down too much the training in the weeks before the event. I did that last time because I was on vacation. Did just a couple of rides and could feel my fitness decreased right before the race. I will enjoy the vacation with the family, for sure, but will make sure that I have at least 6 hours training weekly. I expect to be better prepared.

THE ROUTE - The event will be done in 11 stages, each of around 130/150 kms with several levels of difficulty. We will have 3 days of rest & recovery in between to recharge our batteries and see the surroundings. As from the profile above, one can see that nothing is flat. We will go across 27 major climbs and mountains, the highest point being the Col du Tourmalet, famous passage from the Tour de France, but also the Col de Montalet, Pic de Nore, Cold de Peguere, Hourquette D'Arcizan, Port de Larrau, Portet-D'Aspet, Aubisque, Soulour, Aburregaina, San Miguel de Arraiar, Alto de Hachuerta, Puerto de Lizarraga, Col de SanchoLeza, Puerto de las Viniegras, Puerto de Herrera and Monte Oiz, just to mention the ones above 1 thousand vertical meters in altitude.

See below each stage.

Next: the last rides in Spain before heading to France.

Day 1: In the guide made by my friend Paul, the route only shows two climbs worth, the Mont Saint-Baudille (842 m) and Cirque de Navacelles (613 m) but the whole day is riddle with climbs, 7 of them with gradients between 2 and 4%. It sounds a good way to start with climbing but sure no walk in the park.

Day 2: we will get our first real big climb: Col de Montalet (1206). And on top of it another 8 climbs.

Day 3: we will get the Pic de Nore (1210 m) and after that basic rolling hills. A strong start but relaxed after that which will be welcoming.

Day 4: Col de Col de Peguere (1375m), Col de la Core (1395m), Col de Portet-d'Aspet (1069m). The first really hard day. 3 major climbs and all up or down.

Day 5: Col de Mazouau (631m), Hourquette d'Ancizan (1564m), Le Sarrat de Bon (1234m). Long run for a big climb at the end. Finishing with the Tourmalet but stopping at La Mongie village.

Day 6: Tourmalet (2115m), Col du Soulor (1474m), Aubisque (1709m). Made easier because the Tourmalet will be mostly done and dusted in the day before.

Day 7: Port de Larrau (1578m) = border with Spain, Abaurregaina (1052m) and another 7 climbs.

Day 8: Alto de Etxauri (842m), San Miguel de Aralar (1231m), Alto de Hachueta (1342m), Puerto de Lizarraga (1031m) plus 7 climbs in the day. Another very hard day!