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In the valley bottom between  Seix and Couflens

Starting to climb

Above the tree line

The col de Pause 1545m

Looking down on the col de Pause

The border stone between Spain and France 2260m

Looking over the Spanish Pyrenees

The weather closing in on the descent

Descending

The view from the col de Pause on the return !

Photographs by Stuart Kendall 
Trento bike pages 
 

I had come for a holiday in the pyrenees to ride some of the cols I had seen during telecasts of the Tour de France . ,I decided to to tackle something over 2000m in altitude  inspired by a picture I had seen and a sense of adventure I made my decision . The Port d'Alua at 2260m on the French/Spanish border .
   Although myself a roadie (now converted roadie /mountain biker ) at my hosts  advice  I geared up for this ride as a mountain biker as the last 12km or so are on a gravel road and mountain and mountain trail. I set out from my base in Biert  which is a couple of kilometres from Massat  and followed the D618 for about 12 km through Biert and Castet d'Aleu before turning onto the D3 towards seix and onwards to couflens .
At this stage having covered about 25 km or so I came to the little bridge at couflens where a sign points you across the river  towards Port d'Aula with the summit now 18km away. This was to be an enjoyable but very testing 18km . The climbing begins almost straight away after crossing the bridge and although steep the road surface is good .The climb continues and you gain altitude quickly and soon have some lovely views to take in .About 4 km from the Col de Pause 1545m the road surface abruptly changes to a rutted gravel road that requires concentration to avoid the ruts and holes .As you continue to climb the views are stunning although if you wish to have a long look at the scenery it is best at the stage to dismount ,as I learnt by looking around a bit too long and slipping into a deep rut for a hard landing .Back on the bike and I reached a great spot to stop for some photos , a bite to eat and a recovery spell It is advisable to bring plenty of food and water with you as there is nowhere to buy any and you really need to keep your energy levels up  for what is ahead .
Unfortunately with the weather threatening to close in I had only time for a few photos and had to press on .
Shortly after the Col de Pause the gravel road ends and a mountain trail only for hikers and cyclists begins .At this point the going gets hard and gets harder as you continue as fatigue also starts to take its toll. A few kilometres on and the grade eases for about 2 km allowing you to recover a little though by now the trail is a mixture of loose rubble ,dirt and grass with protruding rocks that requires all your attention to point the bike through the bad sections .About 3 km from the summit the trail takes a savage kick up to a grade of 13% or so and this is make or break time , but if you tough it out for a kilometre or so the grade then eases for  a kilometre and you are rewarded with your first glimpse of the top . The trail kicks again to about 9% for the last kilometre but at this stage with the summit in sight the legs have a new lease of life and I power to the summit and french/spanish border at 2260m. The feeling of elation is supreme and the views of altitude are magnificent.
Unfortuanatly today there is only time for some quick photos and food as the weather is now closing in very fast and I am eager to make it back down .I pull on all my warm kit for the descent as it is already very cold at this altitude .I make it about 2 km back down before visibility is reduced to 10m or less.Surpressing my anxiety I continue slowly and carefully and by the time I reach the Col de Pause  the blanket fog ends and normal descending can resume .The road conditions as with the mountain trail , require a somewhat reserved attitude to descending unless you are particularly brave of heart and not shy of the odd fall.Back on paved road and it is plain sailing retracing the same route for my return . I arrive back at Biert after some 7 hours on the bike ( including stopping for photos ) totally exhausted but with a grin from ear to ear .Nick my host  is glad to hear the click clacking of my cleats that  signify my return  as it is now 6.30pm and with darkness not far away .A hot shower and another of Nick's wonderful dinners and the day is complete as I fall asleep with huge smile and a sense of accomplishment .
    This is a very tough but enjoyable challenge for any fit cyclist though the terrain is only passable on a mountain bike .
I did this ride in october but was lucky not to be stopped by snow up high .The best time to do rides to this altitude would be august or september .

Notes 
            Gravel road approx. 4 km at 10%
            mountain trail approx. 8.5km at 9.5%