France 11, Sep 15, 'Aspin and Tourmalet

This was the big day in the Pyrenees, lots of climbing, but mainly because the Col du Tourmalet, and also the Col d'Aspin are such fixtures in the TDF. It was a beautiful, crisp, fall day at the start, with a temperature of about 50 degrees.

We drifted out of town, down the valley, and came to another fateful sign signalling several hours of climbing ahead. I enjoy climbing. You are going slowly enough to really see the scenery and you and your body get into a rhythm which is really very satisfying. I like to climb with a heart rate of about 145 bpm. I am not particularly stressed and can generate about 200 watts into the rear wheel with that effort.

This is a look back at the town we have just left. You can see the river in the middle.

This is a look up to the Col d'Aspin. Not particularly high, but plenty of climbing to get to the top.

The top of the first Col of the day. Not particularly impressive but the views are spectacular. I never get tired of looking at mountains. No attacks by cows on the way up, but I did see several herds.

How about this view from the Top of the Col d'Aspin towards the Tourmalet? The Col du Tourmalet is to the left of the massif with the weather station on top. So, its down, down, down, followed by up, up, up.

Up we go. La Mongie is a ski station, as they call them here about 5 km from the top of the Col.

There were several snow sheds on the way up. They use them a lot in Europe because of the heavy snow and the constant avalanche danger in many areas. A nice road, much better than many in the Pyrenees.

A look back to the road I have just climbed. One interesting thing to me is looking down on the power station. There are two buildings at the bottom of this cut which contain hydroelectric turbines. They appear to be working on the pipes which carry the water down to the turbines. I guess they produce electricity for the valley and are seen frequently around France.

The ski station of La Mongie. It is about 5 km from the top, and you can see the road snaking its way up. It was strange to me that the road was very steep around the ski station and averaged 11% for several km.

The final km shot backwards after I have climbed to the top. The top was crowded with people, cars, RVs and bicycles.

The top. I don't know why the photographer cut off part of the Tourmalet sign, but at least he got the whole statue of the bike racer.

And a way we go. Miles and miles of descending. A lot more dangerous than climbing. Often competing with cars on the way down. Sure is fun to go fast, though. Very similar to skiing.

Arriving in Lourdes, appropriate to see a nice cross on the way in. They are all over the Pyrenees. Incidentally, there are more hotel rooms in Lourdes than any other city in France except Paris.

France 11, Sep 14 Pla-d'Adet

This, the 3rd day of our tour, is a "rest" day. Only about 4-5,000 feet of climbing, depending on which option you take. Susan opted to stay in town and rest, while Jim and I wanted to climb to the ski resort Pla-d'Adet, because it was the finish of the only stage the American, George Hincapie, ever won (so far) in the TDF. We skipped the other climb which is not as famous, so we only got about 4,500 ft of climbing in 30 or so miles.

The town we are staying at for two days, Arreau, is at the confluence of two small rivers. The rivers create quite a beautiful sight when they combine in the middle of town, with the streets and houses on either side.

This is the approach to the climb to Pla-d'Adet. Looks pretty benign until you spot the road going up the side of the mountain in the upper right of the picture. Right on up to the clouds.

Up we go. 2,500 ft of climbing in 6.5 miles. This baby is up, up, and away.

Pla-d'Adet. All ski resorts look terrible in the summer. Lots of construction going on. We ate in the small cafe with several of the workers. Everyone had a beer with lunch except us. Several tables had a carafe of wine at the table but we didn't see anyone drink any.

Jim S. at the top. He is still tough as ever and loves riding hard.

This is where we came from. The views are wonderful, but don't show too well in photographs. Left click on the photos to blow them up to full screen size.

A look down at the village from the road on the way down. You can just see the road below on the bottom left of the pic, and the rock wall on the road I am standing on at the bottom right.

France 11, Sep 13 Pt de Bales, Col de Payresourde

Today we really start climbing. Over two passes the Port de Bales (which is called a port because it separates two departments or counties) and the Col de Peyresoudre, both often used in the TDF. We climbed around 7,000 feet today. For example, the 3,750 ft climb to Port de Bales is 11.8 miles.

Beautiful country and very pastoral. Wonderful little villages and nice people. Cars virtually always courteous. A great day.

We're going up there? Yep.

Up we go!

Had some company on the way up. The cow on the right walked right up to my front wheel and spooked me. I was frantically putting my camera away and trying to steer clear. He just stopped and watched me. Pretty funny in retrospect.

A pretty puny sign at the top.

Lawrence was busy making lunch and I didn't want to disturb him to take my picture. They do a pretty good mid-day lunch on this tour. The guides tell me it is the same on all their tours.

A nice little ski village off the southwest side of the Port de Bales.

The view southwest into Spain.

Oh, man! Up we go to the right. Got really hot today. Supposedly 90 degrees part way up.

Finally on top after 7,000 ft of climbing.

Our small town, Arreau, at the end of this great day.