Do you like cycling? Bingo. Ariège loves cycling, and has even made it a slogan. Mountain biking, electric biking, BMX, touring or sports biking, on the plains, greenways, mountain roads and passes, and even in the "Tour de France ® wheel"... there's something for everyone.
Major races are organized every year in the department
- At the end of June, l'Ariégeoise, the legendary race that celebrated its 25th anniversary, brings together almost 5,000 runners over several courses, including an Ariégeoise XXL inaugurated in 2016.
- Since 1977, the ronde de L'isard has been one of the benchmark races for young hopefuls, offering four days of events with stage finishes in the mountains.
- Not forgetting the Casartelli, a 100 km cyclosportive with almost 3000 meters of ascent through the Couserans region. On July 18, 1995, on the descent of the Col d'Aspet, 25-year-old Fabio Casartelli lost his life in a crash. Since then, the UCI has made helmets compulsory during races. Every year, cyclosportives pay tribute to him at the memorial that bears his name, while a stele has been erected on the descent of the pass.
Ariege: a major stopover for the Tour de France ®.
And then, of course, there's the Tour de France ®, which has a long-standing love affair with the Ariège region, and a string of "firsts" with the département. Since its first appearance in 1910, there have been 42 stages starting or finishing in the Ariège Pyrenees.
- In 1998, it was in Tarascon-sur-Ariège on July 24 that the riders set off, two hours late for the Tarascon - Cap d'Agde stage.
- On July 15, 2012, as the riders were about to tackle the Col de Péguère, otherwise known as "the wall" (at 1,375 m) for the first time, upholsterer's nails thrown onto the road caused around 30 punctures and made the headlines.
- On July 16, 2015, the finish at the Plateau de Beille (1,790 m) was in conditions deemed "Dantesque" under a mass of rain, wind and hail.
- On July 14, 2017, it's a 100-kilometer stage, 100% Ariège, between St Girons and Foix. A treat immortalized by France Télévision's onboard cameras.
- On July 21, 2019, for the first time in its history, the Tour de France ® will arrive at a site that has never been built on: the Prat d'Albis (1,211 m) above Foix. A challenge for ASO and the host towns.
Famous mountain passes (or ports) for cyclists
- At 2,001 m, Pailhères is the highest road pass in the Ariège department. It was climbed by Tour de France ® riders five times between 2003 and 2013.
- Col de Port: 1,250 meters above sea level.
- Col d'Agnes: altitude 1,570 meters.
- Port de Lhers at 1,517 meters above sea level.
Two greenways in Ariège
Two greenways cross the Ariège from east to west. The first runs from St Girons to Foix (or from Foix to St Girons) and follows the old railroad line. It stretches its ribbon over 40 kilometers and takes in some lovely restored bridges and engineering structures. The second, in Cathar country, links Lavelanet to Mirepoix, with a short incursion into the Aude. 38 kilometers and some very fine stages in charming villages.
Texts : Cécile Dupont journalist.
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