GET YOUR DVD NOW FROM THE SHOP
In our 4th installment of the Etape Recon DVD we really went all out and packed the DVD from edge to edge with useful tips and insights, helping you to prepare for the big day out. See the 174km route in its entirety as we climb the Col de Marie Blanque and beautifully serene Col du Soulor before teeing things up for the Tourmalet itself. Find out where to shelter from the wind, where to feed and what lies around the next hairpin. With over 4,000 meters of climbing it’s by no means an easy ride.

FULL ROUTE RECON (1 hour Recon - all climbs & descends)
CULTURAL INSIGHTS (local specialities, sights & attractions)
RIDE GUIDE (tips on training, nutrition & riding technique)
LOGISTICS (travel, hotels, tour operators)
OUTTAKES & BONUS FEATURES (another hour of footage)

 

Thanks to ClimbByBike.com for the excellent profile maps of each mountain. Also note that each climb features kilometer markers with gradient, altitude and distance information.

EVENT DATE Sunday, July 18th 2010
DISTANCE 174km (108mi)
TOTAL ASCENT 4,100m (13,450ft)

COL DE MARIE-BLANQUE 9.5km @ 7.5%
COL DU SOULOR 22km @ 4.9%
COL DU TOURMALET 19km @ 7.4%

For all the latest information, please visit the official Etape du Tour website.

MARIE BLANQUE - 9.5 KM @ 7.5% - VERY STEEP FINAL SECTION

SOULOR - 22 KM @ 4.9% -BEAUTIFUL VIEW TOWARDS THE TOP

TOURMALET - 21.2 KM @ 7.6% - TOUGH & CONSTANT GRADIENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year, a very special thanks goes to Chris and Helen Balfour from Pyractif – Pyrenean Cycling Holidays & Training Camps.

Compared to the fast & furious ‘spartan like’ production trips of the past, this one actually felt like a holiday. The hospitality at Pyractif was unrivaled. While Helen looked after our nutritious well being, Chris took care of all logistics from airport transfers to ride support. If only every trip could be as luxurious and well planned out as this one!

Finally, thanks again to Mike Cotty from Cannondale UK for riding hard and loving it! The Etape 2010 Recon DVD has been our 8th project in 3 years. Mike and I have only just scratched the surface of what we want to bring to the screen over the coming years. I couldn’t wish for a more enthusiastic and knowledgeable leading ‘actor’!