Coast to Coast 2013 Col d' Aspin

From Arreau (east), the climb is much more difficult as from the west. Col d'Aspin is 12 km long @ 6.5%. The first 2 kilometres are rather rolling, 4% and 3% respectively. The slope becomes more serious with one kilometre @ 8% after the junction with the small road on the left, leading to Aspin-Aure . This side of the Col d'Aspin is characterised by the winding road and a mixture of hardwood forests and pastoral meadows. Five kilometres from the summit begins a steep kilometre @ 9.5%. The final kilometres have an average of 8% and a few portions of straight road. The climb is 12 km at 6.5% and the altitude gains 779m. From either side it is not a particularly hard climb, it has gained legendary status due to it's frequent use in Le Tour de France. 2012 was the 71st passage since 1910. Compared to some of it's neighbours it is rather unmemorable. However, the saving grace of the climb is the spectacular scenery, it truly is beautiful with views of Col du Tourmalet to the west and Col de Peyresourde and Col de Val Louran Azet to the east. Along with Peyresourde, Tourmalet, Soulor and Aubisque, it forms "The circle of Death". Source: http://www.velopeloton.com/