Blog - 45-SouthWest

15.12.202204.06.2023

CP6: Col du Tourmalet

Coming over Col d’Aspin riders will reach the statue of Eugène Christophe who famously re-welded his broken fork in a forge in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. This happened under the control of officials in the Tour de France 1913. At that time fully self-supported, and no outside help was allowed.

Sainte-Marie-de-Campan is the starting point of the Eugène Christophe parkour. The 17km climb with an average gradient of 7.37% will bring the riders to the CP6 at the top of Col du Tourmalet at an altitude of 2,115m.

The control point will be by The Giant of Tourmalet which symbolizes Octave Lapize, the first rider to cross the Col du Tourmalet in the Tour in 1910, the first Tour going over a high mountain pass. The parkour continues on the fast downhill followed by Col du Soulor and Col d’Aubisque, the finish of the parkour.

In 1913 the sixth stage of the Tour was done in opposite direction: Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin, and Peyresourde. The start of the 326km between Bayonne and Luchon was at 3 am in the morning. After his accident, Christophe had to make the downhill from Tourmalet by foot and lost a likely TdF win, but he finished the stage and the Tour. “I had bruised kidneys and painful legs confessed Eugène Christophe. But the physical pain was little compared to my pain, seeing all those I had let loose pass me by again.”

CP6 Col du Tourmalet:
https://45southwest.com/checkpoints/#CP06

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10.12.202210.12.2022

CP5: Cirque de Navacelles

After descending from Mont Ventoux and heading further about 200km west, riders will reach CP5.

Cirque de Navacelles – the valley which was formed about 3 million years ago by glacial erosion and is one of the widest canyons in Europe and one of the most remarkable natural sites in France. 1400 meters separate the belvederes that face each other above Navacelles.

There will be a nice and smooth descent of 300m to the bottom. From there, riders will have a short climb to get to the other side of the canyon which will come with a reward – a magnificent view.

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07.12.202210.12.2022

From CP3 Nice to CP4 Mont Ventoux

From Nice, the route will lead riders through Gorges du Verdon which with its exceptional panoramas is the link between CP3 and CP4. Some say it’s a cycling paradise, we advise riding along the deepest canyon in Europe in daylight – spectacular views.

Heading further southwest through picturesque Provence riders will come to Sault located at 754m a small village where the climb to CP4 starts.

From Sault is 25 km to the top of Giant of Provence with the summit at 1,910m. The start of the climb is gradual and leads through meadows and lavender fields. It’s very peaceful too with minimum traffic. At Chalet Reynard, the route joins the road from Bedoin. The landscape on the last six kilometers changes to white moon-like rocks which gives the impression of eternal snow. It might be quite windy while reaching CP4.

Mont Ventoux is a regular Tour de France highlight since 1951. The ascent has been classified as Hors Categorie by the Tour de France since 1987.

Mont Ventoux CP4
https://45southwest.com/checkpoints/#CP04

Le Mont Ventoux, c’est une légende superieure.

05.12.202210.12.2022

CP3: Nice

After passing Col de Tende riders will continue on the mountainous terrain heading southwest to Nice. There will be a 100 km section with 3350m downhill and before arriving at the harbour in Nice there will be 3 small passes with a total of 1500m of climbing: Col de Brouis, col de Brause and col de Nice.

A sign of “I love Nice” is located on the east side of the 7km long Promenade des Anglais which is the next goal for the riders.

Nice is part of the Tour de France since 1947 and the last Grand Depart was in Nice in 2020.

Nice CP3
https://45southwest.com/checkpoints/#CP03

For those who decided to go for the bronze finish – Nice is a final stop at km 1820.

Nice finishers will enjoy bars and food in the old town, all the riders are advised to have a swim in the sea.

04.12.202210.12.2022

Col de Tende

Heading west on flats of Po Valley, south of Turin riders will find a link between CP2 and CP3 – Col de Tende – a beautifully located border between France and Italy.

At 1.876m above sea level, Col de Tende is one of the most hairpinned roads in the world, reputed to be one of the most ancient roads in Europe, laid down by the Phoenicians. It was used to carry sea salt from the Mediterranean to northern Italy. Central Fort was built on top of the Col at the end of 19th century.

In 2020 part of the road was devastated by heavy storms. Just before the snowfall, Andy was scouting this part of the route and reported freshly laid tarmac!

Since the French side is closed to cars, the pass has no motorized traffic!

03.12.202210.12.2022

CP2: Mantua

Riding further southwest towards the next checkpoint an altitude will be getting higher as the route will reach the Alps. After the highest point in the Julian Alps, Sella Nevea with 1,195m riders will descend to the flats of Po Valley.

There will be 3 border crossings leading riders to Lombardy: Slovenian, Austrian and Italian.

Checkpoint two is located in Mantua, 1305 km from the start, a city which was established 2000BC, and now it is a cultural center of northern Italy.

The 104th edition of Giro di Italia passed through Mantua on the thirteenth stage to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the pink jersey.

The first stage of Giro was won by Learco Guera from Mantua in 1931 and he was the first one to wear the pink jersey.

Mantua CP2
https://45southwest.com/checkpoints/#CP02

02.12.202210.12.2022

CP1: Esztergom

Heading southwest from the start, three national parks, small and empty roads, moderate climbs, and two border crossings will lead the riders to checkpoint one.

CP1 is located in Hungary about 405km from the start. We are expecting the first riders to arrive at the first control point by sunset on day one.

Esztergom CP1.
https://45southwest.com/checkpoints/#CP01

01.12.202210.12.2022

Registration opens 10PM

Registration for the inaugural 45-SouthWest opens tonight at 10pm.

You will find the link to the application form on our website.

Start date 20 June 2023

30.11.202210.12.2022

10 mandatory checkpoint

Along the route, riders will come across 10 mandatory checkpoints.

All checkpoints are carefully chosen to offer a complete self-supported bikepacking experience – from perseverance over raw landscapes to inspiring views and cultural connections. We will be presenting each CP in the following posts – from historical sites and legendary mountain passes to remarkable natural wonders.

Stay tuned.

29.11.202210.12.2022

Start in Krakow, Poland

The start

The inaugural edition of the 45-SouthWest will start in Krakow, Poland.

The riders will meet at the Main Square of the Old Town just before sunrise on the shortest night of the year.

4300km journey will start at sunrise heading southwest alongside the Vistula river, national parks, and the Carpathian Mountains. Early dawn and late dusk will give riders long hours of sunlight, and a chance to cover good terrain towards checkpoint 1 located in Hungary.

Interested riders are requested to mark December 1st, 2022, on their calendar as registration will open on that date.

Start date: 20 June 2023.