Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United States
  3. 2020
  4. August 29
  5. Bicycle sculptures at the Col d'Aubisque, Hautes Pyrenees, France
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Bicycle sculptures at the Col d'Aubisque, Hautes Pyrenees, France

August 29, 2020

Bicycle sculptures at the Col d'Aubisque, Hautes Pyrenees, France

© Fco. Javier Sobrino/age fotostoc

Big wheels on a big mountain

Today we're high in the French Pyrenees at the Col d'Aubisque, a beautiful mountain pass topping out at 5,607 feet above sea level. The Col d'Aubisque is one of the legendary climbs of the Tour de France, which starts today in Nice. The grueling bicycle race lasts 23 days (21 days of racing), with riders clocking around 2,200 miles overall, and this mountain pass is often one of its most challenging stages. The road up the pass has grades in either direction that can tilt past 10%. This epic mountain stage was first added to the 1910 race and it's since appeared in more than half the annual Tours, though not this year as it happens.

Just off to the side of the road at the pass, these three giant bicycle sculptures are painted in colors that correspond to the colorful jerseys worn by Tour de France riders. The yellow bike represents the overall time leader's yellow jersey; a green jersey is worn by the leader in stage points; and a polka-dot jersey is for the best climber, or the 'King of the Mountains.' It's an apt name for anyone who conquers the Col d'Aubisque, which is an 'hors catégorie' climb, meaning it is beyond categorization. In other words, it's really, really, hard. While climbing the Aubisque in 1910, French rider Octave Lapize famously yelled at Tour officials, 'You are murderers!' Today, motorists can drive over the pass without breaking a sweat, but cyclists still have their work cut out for them.

grass sky outdoor bicycle bike bicycle wheel mountain cycling wheel sports equipment land vehicle nature vehicle outdoor object

Related Images

Donkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, NevadaDonkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, Nevada
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern IrelandDunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, BrazilStriated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, FranceFormal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Grove of redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, CaliforniaGrove of redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California
Joshua trees under the Milky Way, CaliforniaJoshua trees under the Milky Way, California
Wild baby rabbits in springWild baby rabbits in spring
Red fox cubs near their denRed fox cubs near their den

Today on Bing

Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain

Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain

Aug 29, 2024
American bison in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

American bison in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Aug 29, 2023
Baltic Sea in Estonia

Baltic Sea in Estonia

Aug 29, 2022
Underground lake in Ruskeala Mountain Park, Karelia, Russia

Underground lake in Ruskeala Mountain Park, Karelia, Russia

Aug 29, 2021
Asbury Park in New Jersey

Asbury Park in New Jersey

Aug 29, 2019

Related Tags

grass outdoor sky animal lush landscape plant tree standing grassy cloud field horse deer tall antelope dry high day distance
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.