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We are four friends spending our summer holidays going mountain biking in the Pyrenees. It is cycling territory at it's best with peaceful small roads and pleasant villages. The climbs are long and steep, but the fabulous mountain scenery makes it worth the effort. 


Cycling in the Pyrenees is both exiting and relentless. Here are some of the steepest and longest climbs in Europe, and I experience a few of the well known. I ride my touring bike and sleep in hotels.


I've done the Tourmalet three times now, and each time I've been carrying full camping gear, tent, cooker, front and rear panniers, the works... But I'm no super fit cyclist, just a plodding tourer who likes to average about 40 miles a day on tour so how do I manage it? Well firstly it helps to know your enemy...


During September and October 1997, I spent 36 days cycling alone through Southwest France. For 18 days I rode along the crest of the Pyrenees, following part of the Tour de France route.