Mountain Biking in Tourmalet-Pic du Midi

I’ve gotten used to the privilege we have in Bagnères

Leaving the house and in two turns of a bicycle wheel finding yourself in Le Bédat. I lived at the foot of it, near the Salies spring, for many years.

Le Bédat is an exceptional area for cycling. From there, you’re free, plain and simple. It is the gateway to countless incredible rides. The possibilities are endless: the Vallon de Salut, the “Allées Dramatiques”, Le Monné close by, the plains of Esquiou and the Casque du Lhéris, to name but a few.

Finding the perfect bike ride here is easy!

I choose from these local riches according to what I need at the time: to clear my mind, get some exercise or a strict high-intensity training session.

Each trail can serve a purpose, which is really interesting.

I lived in Gripp for 6 years.
I loved cycling around the village of Les Esclozes (an iconic pastoral heritage site with shepherd huts). And Payolle, where, by crossing a ridge, you jump from the Col d’Aspin to the Hourquette d’Ancizan.

There’s nothing complicated about it; in fact, it’s inherently simple. All you have to do is take your bike and cycle without a second thought! I feel really lucky to live in the kind of area where I can cycle for the whole day without taking the same path twice. Then, when the urge strikes, you can end up at the top of the Pic du Midi, above the clouds. Yes, you can also get there by bike!

That’s what I love about home. I have cycled all over the world, and this feeling of being able to start from your garage door and cycle in fantastic landscapes, drop in on  friends and come down from the heights overlooking the town for a coffee is pure perfection.

I’ve been cycling with the same people since I was a kid

I often go out alone for training because, as a professional cyclist, preparing for races is very challenging, but I love to cycle with my friends in the area and the guys at the Bagnères cycling club.

I’ve been cycling with the same people since I was a kid. I go out a lot with Daniel Manse who is a butcher in Bagnères, and Manu Cibat who is a coach and “the bike guy” for the whole town as well as with childhood friends like Arthur Cansot.

I cycle with local guys who go really fast and are involved in all kinds of mountain sports. Mountain bikers often come across trail runners on the routes – you may well run into Jérémy Didier, for example.

With these guys, it’s nice to talk about past achievements, anecdotes involving friends who are sadly no longer around and the future we envisage for our sport. Cycling with all these people is a genuine pleasure.