Pont d'Espagne - Pierrefitte Nestalas

I rode this climb on the 20th of juli 2010. The circumstances where fantastic, with clear weather and average temperature around 25 degrees celsius. Because we left in the morning, the sun was still gentle and the climb still has a lot of shadow spots (the thick woods next to the climb provide this). I went up in a steady pace around 15 km/h in the first part of the climb, which is not that difficult, but presents nice differences in landscape and view. After leaving Cauterets, halfway the climb -providing a good reference point- it is still easy going and the pace doesnt drop until you are 2 kilometres outside Cauterets. There you ride into the woods again and the real challenge starts. For 5 kilometres you are put to the test and I didnt manage more than 10 km/h on average. The climb finishes with an anti-climax, with a little downhill decent towards a huge parking lot. No great views or sights to be seen. I rate this climb 4, because the nature near the climb is great, there is little traffic and the build up of the climb is very nice. The absence of a real present when you reach the top was disappointing, but not that big a deal (at least there was fresh, spring water for a refill).

My personal climb rating: