Col du Tourmalet Photography

Posted on - 21st May 2011

Category - News

Today was one of the photo opportunities which I have been looking forward to the most since reaching the Pyrenees on our cycle tour around Europe. It involved an early start, and a climb to the top of the Col du Tourmalet, which is one of the most famous mountain stages in the Tour de France.

When we awoke at 6am, the mountain was still in the dark, illuminated only by the pale moon light, but as the sun started to creep over the peaks, it slowly but surely began to emerge.

The Tourmalet has a summit of 2115m, which is reached by cycling up its 19km road. Winding your way up the mountain side, past lush green forests, small towns and ski resorts, then looping back on yourself, as you enter the shade, where the road edge is still lined with snow.

On the way up, the road has been decorated by cycling fans, with the names of the some of the best cyclists ever to ride these roads. Riders such as Andy Schleck, Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador and Bradley Wiggins.

As we pedalled past their names, one after another, there was an amazing sense of achievement which began to grow in me. We were actually climbing to the top of a legendary Tour de France climb.

The scenery on the ascent was stunning, and the top, simply breathtaking…

Who is Jordan Weeks?
Jordan Weeks is a professional commercial photographer based in the South West of England. Specialising in Sports and Active Lifestyle Photography, Jordan regularly produces work for a wide variety of clients, all around the world.

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