Etape 6 – 131km
Our last day of climbing before we hit the Med!
We’re taking on 2 climbs today on our longest day, but we do have our longest descent as well at 25km! Our first climb is the rather scary sounding Col de la Croix des Morts (the Cross of Deaths) although it is only a Cat 2 climb (phew!). It marks the ancient path used to take the dead from one valley to another for burial.
After lunch and before our final major climb of the week, the Cat 1 Col de Jau (1513m), we ride through the spectacular Gorges de St. Georges which to be honest will be something that you’ll never forget.
The Col de Jau was first used in the Tour in 1976 and the first man over the climb that day was Raymond Delisle who went on to win the stage and take the Yellow Jersey for the next 2 days. He went on to finish 4th that year but is more noted for his exploits in 1969 for being the only Frenchman to win on 14th July whilst wearing the jersey of French National Champion.
The climb of the Col de Jau is quite steep in places but when you reach the top 2 things await you……
Firstly the Mediterranean which you can see from the summit and secondly a 25km descent to the hotel in Prades!
