Up the Tourmalet AGAIN. This is the only disadvantage of where we stay. If we want to to get to most of the famous Pyrenean climbs we have to go over the frikkin Tourmalet.
Not too bad today though. Think the "easy" day yesterday helped me recover a little. Really am amazed at the tolerance of the people her. Halfway up all the traffic was delayed while 2 shepherds moved there flock accross the main road to the upper slopes of the mountain. For about 10 minutes no cars could get by - I was able to worm my way through the sheep. But I was amazed - no hooting, no swearing (flocking sheep!!!), no threats of violence. Everybody just waited patiently and tolerated another human being going about his livelihood. I could really do with that kind of stress free society.
On the way up passed a kiwi (they're all nuts that lot) on a mountain bike towing a small trailer. Met up with him at the top and stood chatting to him while I waited for Nicky and Mark. (they'd stopped for drinks in La Mongie so took almost an hour longer to get up.)Interesting chap old Dennis. Travelling round Europe on his bike - and reminded me why you need a special laid back personality to do that kind of thing.
Cycling off the top of the Tourmalet we descended into some quite thick cloud. This made for some tricky riding. Stopped in St Saveur for a "Schwarma and chips". Dennis caught up with us again and entertained us with some more stories and photos of his travels. Think he must have been lonely as he seemed reluctant to see us go.
Luz Ardiden is "that" climb that Lance's handlebar hooked on a young girls bag and he crashed, bringing down Mayo and almost Ulrich. 2004, I think. Wished I'd been able to do this ride on a clear day. Unfortunately the cloud a bit thick so that you couldn;t see very far ahead of you. We missed out on the view and the full effect of the switchbacks (and there were a lot of them) as they snaked up the mountain.
Agaain not thaaaaat tough a climb. I'm actually coming to the conclusion that the Pyrenean climbs are, dare I say it, "easier" than the alpine ones!!!!! They're not as steep, but they do seem to be longer. And then also the road surface here is not as smooth as in the alps. But hey this is just my opinion.
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