More than a century ago, cycling pioneer Marthe Hesse etched her name into sporting history by successfully climbing the formidable Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees. Archysport editor-in-chief Daniel Richardson examines the enduring legacy of this monumental 1900 ascent, exploring how early cycling trailblazers pushed physical limits long before the modern era of professional stage racing fully embraced women’s participation in the sport.
Conquering the High Pyrenees in 1900
Long before television broadcasts and carbon-fiber frames dominated the sport, cycling was an endurance test of machinery and sheer willpower. Exactly 124 years ago, Marthe Hesse took on one of cycling’s most mythical mountain passes, the Col du Tourmalet, carving out a legendary status in early cycling history. Historical records from the era highlight the staggering physical challenge of scaling a Pyrenean giant that peaks at 2,115 meters above sea level, using heavy steel bicycles and rudimentary gear ratios.
The ascent of the Tourmalet required riders to battle unpredictable weather, unpaved gravel tracks, and grueling double-digit gradients. For Hesse, tackling such terrain meant challenging the rigid social constraints of the turn of the 20th century, when athletic pursuits for women faced intense scrutiny. Historical accounts show that early female cyclists played a vital role in popularizing the bicycle as a tool of liberation and endurance, transforming grueling mountain passes into arenas of athletic expression.
The Historical Significance of the Col du Tourmalet
Rising in the French Pyrenees, the Col du Tourmalet has long served as the ultimate testing ground for cycling greatness. First featured in the Tour de France in 1910—a decade after Hesse’s pioneering ride—the pass quickly became synonymous with suffering and glory. When early riders like Octave Lapize famously branded organizers “assassins” at the summit of the Tourmalet, they cemented the climb’s fearsome reputation.
Hesse’s lesser-known expedition predates many of the most famous professional milestones associated with the climb, offering a crucial reminder that the history of mountain cycling extends far beyond the traditional men’s Grand Tours. Historians of the sport note that female riders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries frequently undertook monumental touring feats, often covering distances and elevations that matched or exceeded those attempted by contemporary male racers.
Legacy and Modern Resonance
Today, the landscape of women’s cycling has evolved dramatically, with events like the Tour de France Femmes gradually reclaiming the high mountain passes that defined early cycling lore. Modern athletes regularly tackle the Tourmalet in professional competition, bringing global attention to elite women’s stage racing. Yet, the foundations laid by figures like Marthe Hesse more than a century ago remain an essential chapter in the sport’s collective memory.
As cycling historians continue to unearth the stories of early pioneers, exploits like Hesse’s climb of the Tourmalet offer valuable context for the modern era. They highlight the enduring appeal of the Pyrenean giants and the athletes who dared to conquer them when the roads were unpaved and the bicycles weighed twice as much.
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