People ride through tunnels all the time. But it's not often you get to ride through a natural cave. Grotte du Mas-d'Azil was formed millions of years ago and folks have been fooling around in it for over 30 thousand years, though only recently riding bikes. The cave is 420 meters long and 50 meters high. (And a river runs through it.) At 123.4 kilometers roundtrip from Sunflower Cycling, it's a challenging day trip to the Pyrenees that also takes in Carla-Bayle, an artist community that The Tour regularly passes through on its way to the big climbs. In fact, this year stage 16 of The Tour will will glide through the Grotte July 24th. We'll be heading out in the morning if you'd like to come along for the ride. The village of Mas-d'Azil has a tree-covered plaza with delicious traditional cuisine available for lunch along with a carafe (or two) of chilled red, white or rosé. With only two real climbs, not counting back up to Sunflower Cycling, the Grotte du Mas-d'Azil ride is not as demanding as it may appear and well worth making the effort.

Below Are Photos And A Video Flyover With Profile of Grotte du Mas-d'Azil

US Champ Rob Bush with Telescope

The village of Carla-Bayle sits alone in one of the most beautiful spots in the area. From it's ramparts, you can take in fields, forests and the Pyrenees--where the climb mentioned above and depicted below awaits you. (It's not so bad.)

The Obligatory Photo-Op

As you exit the cave you come to a small wayside rest with a quaint ice-cream stand that may, or may not, be open. The large chunk of rock above outlines the boundaries of the Ariège department.

Ozzy Champ Steele Von Hoff With Second Thoughts

There's a trick you need to know before riding out of the sun and into the darkness of the cave: Close one eye 50 meters before you enter. Once inside, open the closed eye and  it will have pre-adjusted to the darkness. If you don't, you'll be blind.