The ride starts on the descent of the Port de Balès giving you the perfect warm up to loosen the legs before the Col de Peyresourde (1569m), a well-known Tour de France climb. The Peyresourde has a tranquil feel to it with slopes that are covered with sheep eating the lush grass. Some villages break up the early stages of the climb and there is a brief section where you can get a bit of rest. It’s a steady climb and by no means hard. The ride ends some kilometres after the summitNext is Stage 10 - Col d'AspinAlong with the Tourmalet, the Aubisque and the Aspin, the Peyresourde was part of the first classic Tour de France stage in the Pyrenees in 1910. The 326 km long stage on unpaved roads caused much protest. ‘Murderers!’ shouted winner Octave Lapize.The Raid Pyrenees (Raid Pyrénéen) is an epic coast to coast route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Take on the challenge, climb the individual mountains one by one and reach the Atlantic.