Best Gear for Climbing the Tourmalet

The right gear can make the difference between suffering and soaring on the Col du Tourmalet. Here's what you need to conquer the 2,115-metre giant.

Gearing

A compact crankset (50/34) with a wide-range cassette (11-32 or 11-34) is essential for most riders. If you're not a strong climber, consider a sub-compact (48/32) or even a 1x setup with a 40t chainring and 10-42 cassette. Don't be too proud to use easy gears — even the pros use them.

Clothing

Mountain weather is unpredictable. Start with a lightweight base layer, a cycling jersey, and a gilet or windbreaker that you can remove and stash in a pocket. The summit can be 10-15°C cooler than the valley. Always carry a lightweight rain jacket.

Nutrition and Hydration

Bring at least two bottles and enough food for 2-3 hours of effort. Energy gels, bars, and bananas are all good choices. Eat before you're hungry and drink before you're thirsty. There's a café at La Mongie, but nothing between there and the summit.