Nicky and I were up fairly early and quite eager to get going. With the Canadians being sans equipment we decided to go alone. Being situated at 3k from the start of the Tourmalet, we decided to give it a go first.
How short one's memory is. The climb starts from the moment you turn onto the main road from our driveway. You first ride 3km to a little village called St Marie de Campan. We stopped here to fill our bottles at a fountain just outside the church (holy water?)and grab a few snacks at the local tabac for the trip up. Nothing like a chocolate croissant. I'm hoping to lose a bit of weight this week - so take a banana instead.
The climb starts just round the corner from the tabac. 16.9km said the sign. Up to an elevation of 2100m. A vertical ascent of some 1300m. No wonder Alberto Contador rates this as one of the scariest climbs.
The climb starts fairly tamely with gradients of 4% on average. Every km there is a big sign board telling you how far to the top, the average gradient for the next km and your present elevation. Really nice to have.
With about 12k to the foreplay is over and the Tourmalet grabs you behind the neck. It kicks up to 8.5% and then hovers between 8 and 9% for the next 7k's or until just before the ski village of La Mongie. This is where you get to the business end of the climb and it kicks up to 10%. For me a gradient of up to 8% is OK. I feel in control - in the sense that I can vary my speed. Between 8 and 10% you stop having a choice as to your speed. Its about keeping the bike upright and pointed up the hill.
Took about 1hr20 to get up. Didn't feel too bad though. Passed some French dude running up. Respect. Waited for Nicky at top and then rode back down to La Mongie for a Cafe Grande (Noir). Luv he stuff.
Free-wheeled down and then went up Col 'd Aspin. A much shorter climb - which I thought would make it a lot easier. Unfortunately it was getting hotter and suffered like a dog in the heat. Until you get used to the heat it's a real struggle to keep the heart rate down.
The top of the Aspin - except for the view - was quite disappointing. just a few smelly cows lying around. We didn't stay here long and went down to Bagnere de Briggore (sp)in search of lunch.
Eventually got home some 7 hrs later. Just as a Pyrenean thunderstorm was about to let us have it. Didn't stop the Canadians from borrowing my bike and going out for a ride up the tourmalet. These guys really are used to naaaasty weather conditions.
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