L’Ariégeoise

With more than 80 Pyrenean peaks to choose from, the narrow roads around the sleepy town of Tarascon-sur-Ariège are an ideal setting for a community-driven cyclosportive that last year attracted almost 5,000 riders. Now in its 21st outing, the Ariégeoise passes pine forests, lush meadows, flowing rivers and the ruins of numerous Cathar castles, concluding with a brutal 16km ascent of the fearsome Plateau de Beille on alternate years. Once they're done, riders are awarded with a celebratory Tartiflette at the finish. The challenge will be matched only by the beauty of the landscape traversed. Two distance options.