The Pyrénées

On June 30, I did the 8 hour drive from the Alps to the Pyrénées, where I spend the week at the Lanterne Rouge.  The next day I road up the Col de Spandelles and the Col du Soulor, two HC climbs. Everything was going fine until the last 5 km of the Soulor.  I didn't eat enough and bonked badly.  I had to stop and rest every kilometer to the top.  Fortunately, it was all downhill to St. Savin and the Lanterne Rouge.  It started raining about 5 minutes after I got back.  Tuesday and Wednesday went better.  Thursday took me up the Cirque de Troumouse with Paddy and Roxana.  It was a tough day but nowhere near as punishing as Monday.  This is one of the few climbs in the area that I haven't done.  The view from the top is spectacular.

Friday took me to the Ariège Pyrénées and Les Deux Velos Cycling Lodge.  I arrived in time to do an easy loop over the Col de Saraille.  Saturday was TDF day.  Mark, one of the owners of Les Deux Velos, and I drove over Col de Port and then towards Ax Les Thermes.  We parked the car about 3 km north of town and then cycled to the top of the Ax 3 Domines, the finishing climb of Stage 8 of the TDF.  The stage was spectacular with Sky decimating the field.  Below is a shot of Chris Froome winning the stage and taking yellow.

Since we were stationed inside the barriers near the finish, we had to wait for all of the team cars and the caravan to descend the climb.  I took off a bit early and had to dodge a few gendarmes on the way down.  We didn't get back to Les Deux Velos until around 8 PM.  On Sunday we drove to the start of Stage 9 in Saint Girons.  It was interesting to see all of the team busses line up and watch the bikes and riders get ready for what turned out to be a punishing day on the bike.

I did manage to get in a Sunday afternoon ride up the Col de Port.  Directions: go out the front door, turn left and climb for the next 14 km (the actual climb starts 2 km down the road).  This morning took me to back up the Col de Port, down the other side to Tarascon, over to Foix, up the Col de Péguére and Col de Portel, and down the Col de la Crouzette.  This last col is very steep.  One section is over 18%.  Mark blew out three tires last week on the descent because his rims overheated.  Not wanting to repeat his experience, I stopped several times to let the rims cool off.  The other obstacle on the ride was a herd of cows at the top of the Col de Port.  I spoke nicely to them and they let me pass.

Today I rode over the Col de la Core, had lunch in Seix, and then rode home over the Col de Saraille.  Below is the view to the west from the Col de la Core.  Tomorrow is an easy day.