Guest post from Rob Beezer

Five us, all connected to Tom via his time in Tacoma, Washington in 2001, have joined in on Tom's annual stay in the Pyrenees. The common thread joining us is the Crankers cycling group in Gig Harbor, Washington.

• Rob Beezer, Gig Harbor. Tom's colleague from the University of Puget Sound.
• Rick Creatura, Fox Island. Charter member of the Crankers. Working as a federal magistrate judge.
• Bill Fox, Gig Harbor. Retiring from his engineering consulting business.
• Bob Levin, Los Angeles. Retired from Tacoma city government.
• Pete Philley, Raft Island. Retired from Pierce County government.

We had a nice stay at Les Deux Velos for most of a week. The weather was wet much of the time, but we took advantage of the good days, and exploited breaks on other days. Col de la Core (from Seix) and Col d'Agnes (from Massat) were the major climbs, and we did a long valley ride one day on the north side of the ridge forming our home valley, out to a huge natural cave. Grotto du Mas d'Azil is not so much a cave, but rather a huge hole in the hillside with a river running through it, and a road as well. A few local ex-pats joined us on that ride, in addition to two Australians, Bob and Stewie, who were staying at the lodge. Pete, Bill, and Bob went over the wicked Col de la Crouzette, one-way each, as an alternate part of the loop, along with our host, Mark.

Monday was our transfer to the Pyrenees Cycling Lodge, several valleys to the west. There have been a few other guests during the week, but we have mostly had the place to ourselves. Tuesday was wet, and Wednesday allowed a short climb in the afternoon, though we all got really wet on the ride home. Thursday had a good weather forecast, so we all bagged a classic, the Col de Tourmalet (from Luz-Saint-Sauveur), the highest paved mountain pass in the French Pyrenees, and a mainstay of the tour. It is about 9 miles up the narrow canyon road, then 12 miles of climbing. We had lunch on the way down at a small restaurant outside the ski lift at Super Bareges.

Weather was good again on Friday, and the group split up. Tom went up the valley to Gavernie, Bill went up Luz-Ardiden (from D921), Pete did the one-way Col de Tentes, while Rick and Bob went to the road's end in the Cirque de Troumouse. Elevation gains for the day probably averaged 8,000 feet. Weather today (Saturday) is a bit unsettled so the riding has been tame.

Our hosts have provided excellent accomodations for cyclists, with bike storage, tools, and laundry in addition to big breakfasts and gourmet 3-course dinners. The weather has been iffy, with the abundant streams and rivers running fast and near capacity. But we've made good use of the good days and gotten in some memorable rides. Merci beaucoup to Tom for all his work making the arrangements for our trip.