Headed out on a loop today with the intention of climbing Col de Menté and Col de Portet-d'Aspet. Despite thunderstorms overnight, it was blue skies again this morning and hotter than ever.
My route took me south to Marignac, and east to Saint-Béat, from where the climb of Col de Menté began. From this side it is 9.3km at 9.1% (profile), and it kicks right from the start. It was a wonderful climb - offering views back into the valley with each alternate switchback.
After an exciting descent, the ascent of Col de Portet-d'Aspet began. Though the climb from this side is 14.3km at 4.2%, from the Pont de l'Oule (where I joined it) it is 4.4km at 9.6% (profile) with some really steep sections.
Having reached the top, I rolled back down the same side of the hill and stopped at the mounment for Fabio Casartelli. He crashed during the 1995 Tour de France on this very descent and died of head injuries - he like the rest of the peleton in those days wasn't wearing a helmet.
Rather than heading back over Col de Menté, I joined the D618 for the journey home. This included a small anonymous Col and Col des Ares, 6.7km at 4.6% (profile). On the climb of Col des Ares, I reached the bottom of bottles and in the heat struggled my way to the top. Fortunately from the top it was a short descent back to Saléchan.
Garmin Connect : Col de Menté - Col de Portet-d'Aspet - Col des Ares
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