27/04/2026
ROAD CYCLING
Let's dig into the detail of those famous Road Cycling Climbs.
We'll start with Superbagneres :-
17.6km from our door, 1165m of climbing up to 1805m altitude at a deceiving 6.8% average.
There's a couple of false flats inside the first 6km, but plenty of ramps over 10% right from the start. There's some welcome relief around the 2km to go mark near the lower car park for the ski station, but then you're back to those 10% gradients to finish. Also note that to Kilometer markers currently start at the Ravi Bridges, not down in town - we're not sure why.
Our top tip, is to not look at the Grand Hotel from about 2.5km to go - it simply never seems to get any closer. Built in the late 1910's it is perfectly proportioned to its surroundings, and it is big! Keep your eyes on the road.
If you need a breather, there's a newly built cafe with a wonderful terrace about halfway on the hairpins just after the turning for the Valley du Lys.