Internet problems meant that the blog has been very late – apologies, and hello to the Cancer Research lady who, I believe, is now following the blog.
A beautiful sunny day with a prompt 8.30am departure for eight of the party – the other three having a 9.00am start.
I stopped briefly at the pretty town of Campan to pick up cherries, peaches, apples and every banana they had in the shop before heading up the first mountain, Col D’Aspin, standing at 1,500 metres, the first of five today. There were lots more cyclists on the road and many more cars for the first part of the journey – perhaps because it’s the weekend. The twisty narrow mountain roads seem like a doddle now in the sunshine compared to the scary stuff of yesterday.
The guys had been and gone by the time I got to the top so I followed their route down the other side and up the next one, Col de Peyresourde. I passed the fairly spread out group in the car, and parked up at the café at the top. The sun was shining and after a pile of crepes and coke they once more climbed into the saddle to fly down to the valley below. The old man who ran the café thought I was bonkers when I asked if he had an internet connection. ‘We have the sun and the views – its plenty’ he laughed. I could then hear him telling every one else who arrived the story much to my embarrassment.
More great views down and along the valley, the lunch stop was at the bottom of the next three mountains which are in quick succession. A family road side café saw 12 poulet et frites quickly downed, a lot of food to digest - Ben and Dave groaned that they may have overdone it but too late now! As we were leaving two Americans arrived – there were taking three months to cycle all around Europe carrying their stuff. Hats off to them!
Hill number five, Col du Potre d’Aspet rising to 1,069 metres, was the worst of the day. Martin had been trying to play it down and the intrepid group needed to give it their all. This hill is incredibly steep with a 14% gradient at the bottom and unrelenting all the way to the top.
I waited at the summit and for them to arrive, in dribs and drabs, exhausted but happy they could now rest awhile. Poor old Simon is having major trouble in the down below region which is making every turn of the pedals an exercise in pain control but he arrived, like all the others, wet with perspiration and smiling big time having conquered the challenge.
Geoff was so hot and sticky that, after asking me to avert my gaze, he jumped starker’s into a large icy cold cow trough of water coming off the mountain, amidst yelps of pain mixed with pleasure. Martin took a photo and Geoff is contributing an undisclosed amount to Operation Wallacea to prevent its publication. For an additional contribution Martin is also prepared to give any interested reader a peek…..
After ice creams and coke at the mountain top café another wonderful descent and a mere 100 kilometres to go before they could put their bikes away for the day. The rest of the route was devoid of mountains but there were still plenty of hills to ride up and down.
I nearly drove passed the group of eight sitting at a café in St Girons, my wrong turn through the town had seen me go past them twice without realising. Some were already drinking beer sensing the end in sight. Well done to Chris Engle for waiting for the stragglers. After regrouping they cycled the last 16 kms together and I raced off in the car to the hotel to let them know the rest of the party was on its way and check that we would still be in time for dinner.
This hotel was another great one and worth a visit if you're in the area. Hostellerie de la Poste in Oust is a lovely old hotel with a swimming pool set in very pretty gardens surrounded by stunning views. Several of the guys wasted no time and soon were leaping around in the water – where do they get the energy?
The rooms were full of character, fairly basic but functional and the food was, yet again, to die for. Duck pate followed by lamb and fruit tart. All presented beautifully outside on the terrace.
Some of the guys took an after dinner stroll up to pretty little church on the hill which was lit up and seemed to be floating there in the night sky. Bed swiftly followed.
A beautiful sunny day with a prompt 8.30am departure for eight of the party – the other three having a 9.00am start.
I stopped briefly at the pretty town of Campan to pick up cherries, peaches, apples and every banana they had in the shop before heading up the first mountain, Col D’Aspin, standing at 1,500 metres, the first of five today. There were lots more cyclists on the road and many more cars for the first part of the journey – perhaps because it’s the weekend. The twisty narrow mountain roads seem like a doddle now in the sunshine compared to the scary stuff of yesterday.
The guys had been and gone by the time I got to the top so I followed their route down the other side and up the next one, Col de Peyresourde. I passed the fairly spread out group in the car, and parked up at the café at the top. The sun was shining and after a pile of crepes and coke they once more climbed into the saddle to fly down to the valley below. The old man who ran the café thought I was bonkers when I asked if he had an internet connection. ‘We have the sun and the views – its plenty’ he laughed. I could then hear him telling every one else who arrived the story much to my embarrassment.
More great views down and along the valley, the lunch stop was at the bottom of the next three mountains which are in quick succession. A family road side café saw 12 poulet et frites quickly downed, a lot of food to digest - Ben and Dave groaned that they may have overdone it but too late now! As we were leaving two Americans arrived – there were taking three months to cycle all around Europe carrying their stuff. Hats off to them!
Hill number five, Col du Potre d’Aspet rising to 1,069 metres, was the worst of the day. Martin had been trying to play it down and the intrepid group needed to give it their all. This hill is incredibly steep with a 14% gradient at the bottom and unrelenting all the way to the top.
I waited at the summit and for them to arrive, in dribs and drabs, exhausted but happy they could now rest awhile. Poor old Simon is having major trouble in the down below region which is making every turn of the pedals an exercise in pain control but he arrived, like all the others, wet with perspiration and smiling big time having conquered the challenge.
Geoff was so hot and sticky that, after asking me to avert my gaze, he jumped starker’s into a large icy cold cow trough of water coming off the mountain, amidst yelps of pain mixed with pleasure. Martin took a photo and Geoff is contributing an undisclosed amount to Operation Wallacea to prevent its publication. For an additional contribution Martin is also prepared to give any interested reader a peek…..
After ice creams and coke at the mountain top café another wonderful descent and a mere 100 kilometres to go before they could put their bikes away for the day. The rest of the route was devoid of mountains but there were still plenty of hills to ride up and down.
I nearly drove passed the group of eight sitting at a café in St Girons, my wrong turn through the town had seen me go past them twice without realising. Some were already drinking beer sensing the end in sight. Well done to Chris Engle for waiting for the stragglers. After regrouping they cycled the last 16 kms together and I raced off in the car to the hotel to let them know the rest of the party was on its way and check that we would still be in time for dinner.
This hotel was another great one and worth a visit if you're in the area. Hostellerie de la Poste in Oust is a lovely old hotel with a swimming pool set in very pretty gardens surrounded by stunning views. Several of the guys wasted no time and soon were leaping around in the water – where do they get the energy?
The rooms were full of character, fairly basic but functional and the food was, yet again, to die for. Duck pate followed by lamb and fruit tart. All presented beautifully outside on the terrace.
Some of the guys took an after dinner stroll up to pretty little church on the hill which was lit up and seemed to be floating there in the night sky. Bed swiftly followed.
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