We heard Tourmalet was a fiercely challenging climb and that many a Tour de France has been decided on it. Well, climbing is believing, apparently. We saved this monster pass for last on accident, and it lived up to its reputation yesterday.
I didn’t take many photos since my energy was going towards getting myself and my heavy but trusty touring bike up the hill. Here are a few images:
![John on last switchback before summit of Tourmalet](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image63-300x225.jpg)
![The view down the other side of the pass--in the Tour they climb both approaches, sometimes in one day!](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image65-300x225.jpg)
Pedaling backwards in time, the day before Tourmalet, we tackled the Col d’Aspin,another Tour mainstay, but a much gentler climb.
![Encouragement for the pros is still visible as the amateurs ride by](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image66-300x225.jpg)
![Almost there!](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image67-300x225.jpg)
![Team Berkeley](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image68-300x225.jpg)
![After descending Col D'Aspin, we crossed this sweet, pastoral valley to the next climb, Col d'Hourquette D'Ancizan](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image69-300x225.jpg)
![Morning light on Col d'Aspin](http://fire-monks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image70-300x225.jpg)