Difference between Pyrenees and Alps

roundsquare1 said:

Being that I am in the US and never been to Europe, I hear a lot of the riders and commentators say that they prefer one over the other.

What is the main differences between the two ranges? Is one steeper or longer set of climbs? Is it where the land in the progression of the Tour?

Thanks!

Larry

In general, Pyrenees are a smidgen steeper, a little shorter, lower altitude, and narrower windier roads than the Alps.

Pyreneen Climbs
Col d'Osquich 500 m 6 km at 5.3 percent
Col du Soudet 1,540 m 14.7 km at 7.3 percent
Col de Marie Blanque 1,035 m 9.3 km at 7.7 percent
Col du Tourmalet 2,115 m 18.4 km at 7.7 percent
Col d'Aspin 1,489 m 12.3 km at 5.2 percent
Col de Peyresourde 1,569 m 9.5 km at 7.1 percent
Col du Portillon 1,320 m 7.9 km at 8.4 percent
Pla-de-Beret 1,860 m 13.5 km at 5.4 percent

Alpine climbs:
Col d'Izoard 2,360 m 14.2 km at 7 percent
Col du Lautaret 2,058 m 12.1 km at 4.4 percent
L'Alpe d'Huez 1,860 m 13.9 km at 7.9 percent
Col du Galibier 2,645 m 42.8 km at 4.5 percent
Col de la Croix-de-Fer 2,067 m 22.7 km at 7 percent
Col du Mollard 1,638 m 5.8 km at 7 percent
La Toussuire 1,690 m 18.4 km at 6 percent
Col des Saisies 1,650 m 14.9 km at 6.4 percent
Col des Aravis 1,498 m 5.9 km at 7.3 percent
Col de la Colombière 1,618 m 11.8 km at 5.9 percent
Côte de Châtillon 735 m 5.1 km at 4.9 percent
Col de Joux-Plane 1,700 m 11.7 km at 8.7 percent

and where does Mt. Diablo and Hamilton fit in?

DiabloScott said:

In general, Pyrenees are a smidgen steeper, a little shorter, lower altitude, and narrower windier roads than the Alps.

Pyreneen Climbs
Col d'Osquich 500 m 6 km at 5.3 percent
Col du Soudet 1,540 m 14.7 km at 7.3 percent
Col de Marie Blanque 1,035 m 9.3 km at 7.7 percent
Col du Tourmalet 2,115 m 18.4 km at 7.7 percent
Col d'Aspin 1,489 m 12.3 km at 5.2 percent
Col de Peyresourde 1,569 m 9.5 km at 7.1 percent
Col du Portillon 1,320 m 7.9 km at 8.4 percent
Pla-de-Beret 1,860 m 13.5 km at 5.4 percent

Alpine climbs:
Col d'Izoard 2,360 m 14.2 km at 7 percent
Col du Lautaret 2,058 m 12.1 km at 4.4 percent
L'Alpe d'Huez 1,860 m 13.9 km at 7.9 percent
Col du Galibier 2,645 m 42.8 km at 4.5 percent
Col de la Croix-de-Fer 2,067 m 22.7 km at 7 percent
Col du Mollard 1,638 m 5.8 km at 7 percent
La Toussuire 1,690 m 18.4 km at 6 percent
Col des Saisies 1,650 m 14.9 km at 6.4 percent
Col des Aravis 1,498 m 5.9 km at 7.3 percent
Col de la Colombière 1,618 m 11.8 km at 5.9 percent
Côte de Châtillon 735 m 5.1 km at 4.9 percent
Col de Joux-Plane 1,700 m 11.7 km at 8.7 percent

roundsquare1 said:

and where does Mt. Diablo and Hamilton fit in?

Mt. Diablo would rate as one of the harder Category 1 climbs. 1173 m elevation at the Summit. The climb is 18km at 6%. It's long enough to be HC, but not really steep enough.

You'll have to ask Hamilton Joe about that mountain in the South Bay.

I want to add, that the Alps generally have better roads, which I would think is a not unimportant factor in the downhills. 😉 The roads in the Pyrenées are better than they were a few years ago, but still...

...crowds seem a bit more "enthusiastic" along the pyrennees' roads, no?...

slovakguy said:

...crowds seem a bit more "enthusiastic" along the pyrennees' roads, no?...

Those crazy Basques...

slovakguy said:

...crowds seem a bit more "enthusiastic" along the pyrennees' roads, no?...

Ever bin to Alpe d' Huez?

What about Mont Ventoux in the Provence? Is that considered part of the Alps? Geologically it might be part of the Alps but it seems to be pretty much a stand alone stage when included in the Tour. How does it compare to the other classic climbs in terms of grade and altitude?

It's been what...4 years since Mont Ventoux was included in the Tour? I think the last winner was Richard Virenque in 2002. I'd like to see them put it back in next year. So much drama has happened there over the years.