Day 6

Day 5

205km 6300m of ascent - including 3 Hors Cat climbs - The whole week I'd had my doubts that a stage like this was manageable given the number of hours in a day. But I had been determined to give it a go. My plan was to hook up my ipod and ride steady - minimising down time at the refeuling stops. But whichever way I approached the day there was a lot of meat on the bone.

Looking down the valley towards Luz St Saveur

 The approach to the Luz Ardiden did nothing to boost my confidence. My legs had been pumped full of cement and my tyres were sticking to the tar. Fortunately the Luz Ardiden proved to be awesome I got into a steady rhythm, surrounded by magnificent views the km's just flew by. I din't waste any time at the top and quickly descended into Luz St Saveur to make an attempt on my personal nemesis the infamous Col de Tourmalet.



The Tourmalet is just over 18km and is relentless. An average of 7km for 18km is not a tickling competition. My haste at the water stops cost me  as I ran out of water with 4 of the toughest km to go to the top. Fortunately as if by Devine intervention the "Arch Angel Lee" arrived and I fill a bottle.  In hindsight I probably spent to much time patting myself on the back and didn't get going quickly enough again. But after my close call I decided to wait for Lee to get my bottles filled and grab a takeaway lunch.

Tourmalet Profile

I was joined by Arne for the ride down Tourmalet and the first bit of the Aspin and the Ancizan. Unfortunately the knee that had been giving him gears all week finally packed up and he decided to call it a day.

 

 

Leaving me alone again to ride down and get going on the Col d Azet. I went through my usual mid day slump and suffered like a dog in the heat up this climb. Getting to the top I was amused to see Arne with his pants round his ankles sunbathing on a grassy patch at the summit. From the top looking across   the valley you could see the next climb snaking up the side of the mountain. The Perysourde.

 

 





This time we'd be going up the side we'd come down in the miserable weather earlier in the week. I like the Perysourde. Its not a vicious climb with fairly gentle gradients - but this late in the day it was a bugger.

I already knew that this would be the last climb of the day. I'd run out of time. Considering how late in the day it already was, I had no chance of making it up the last climb of the day (Super Bagneres) and back to Velopyrenees. It was a disappointing thought but, I knew there would be unfinished business motivating me to come back and have another go.

At the top of the Perysourde I called it day - packed my bike onto the van and waited for the others to catch up. Arne had bought us each a coke and the most decadent Strawberry tartlet. I briefly entertained thoughts of fighting the others to get theirs.




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That evening we packed our unrecognisably dirty bikes and were treated to yet another DELICIOUS meal. The highlight for me the carrot cake! In case you hadn't noticed I have an insatiable sweet tooth.

 

Day 4

On Day 4 we woke to clear skys. Albeit crisp, clear skys - they were clear! My mood was immediately improved. The 186km over 9 cols (4600m) didn't seem that daunting.

Clear skies for a change - thank goodness

We started out of town and immediately turned onto quieter roads to get over the first climb of the day the Col de Spandelles. My favourite climb of the week. Beautiful scenery and its not one of those RELENTLESS climbs. This one gives mixes the steep and easy bits quite nicely. And when we got to the top we were above the clouds/mist/fog.

The last bit to the top of the Spandelles

Need proof

The after pic - my bike started off down the hill without me

Mist at the summit

Mist in the valley where we were headed

Where we'd come from (down there somewhere)

It was fast but cold descent and I stopped a few times just to thaw in the sun.

From the bottom we barrelled along the valley climb for a couple of hours. I'll be honest "ze Germans" enjoyed putting the hammer down on these bits while I preferred to cruise a bit, psyching myself for the next climb and just to take in scenery. So I wind shadowed a lot and limited my turns at the front.

I'd had the Col de Marie Blanque in the back of my mind all day. Lee had warned us that this was one naaasty climb. Being fixated on this and expecting bad things I'd almost forgotten the 2 "little" cols that had to be crossed first. I was quickly reminded that the bite of a small dog can hurt just as much. The Col de Lie and the Col d Ichere proved to be such small dogs. They were steep and it was hot and they softened me up nicely for  the Marie Blanque.

How bad can this be?

Awesome Water Fountain

I cycled along the valley quite apprehensively to the foot of Marie B. At the start of the climb I filled my bottels from a quaint water fountain, took a deep breath and got going. The climb started quite gently, but this is BAD. Because if you know the average grade of the climb is more than 7% and it starts with a 2 and 3% km's you know that somewhere along the way you're going to get your ass kicked. And so it was. The last 4k's took me behind the neck and head butted me - repeatedly. To say I was happy to get to the top was an understatement. It took quite a few moments to regain my sense of humour and appreciate the views.

FUBAR

Thorsten

Mark careful not to overdo things

Proof Pic

Views making the climb worthwhile

The descent off the Marie B made the climb worthwhile. Fast with sweeping turns. And since it was warm and dry I could really let go. Unfortunately as much as I enjoyed it, Gerrie hated it. No sooner had I noticed that I was attaining my Max speeds for the week, than I came across Arnie helping Gerrie up off the road. On one of the fastest descents of the week Gerrie had crashed. By some miracle a buckled wheel crooked saddle and road rash was all he had to show for it. Looking at the scene I couldn't help but notice how close he'd come to taking a VERY short cut to the valley below. He was really lucky!

Road rash and a ripped rain jacket

Gerrie's Buckled Wheel

After the Marie B we had a short section of valley "wind shadow" work spent looking for cold cokes (can you believe the supermarket didn't have a fridge with any cold cokes. Beers yes but no cokes. WTF.

We were forced to start the last serious climb of the day the Col d Aubisque sans any coke. Fortunately just after the start we found a small shop where the shop keeper watched with some amusement as we sucked down 2 cans each in quick succession. The Aubisque was a long hot climb, but on Gerrie's advice I'd dug out my ipod and was helped up by some cooking tunes. I think I had reached a place/rhythm where I could tolerate the discomfort indefinitely but was fortunately still going uphill.

Spectacular Views

A long slog

Tour de France

I bin my helmet for the long climbs

Cool as ever

Mark just checking something on his handlebars

Thorsten 

The descent off the Aubisque en route to the Col de Soler is breathtaking. Sheer drops to your left and you pass through numerous tunnels hollowed out of the mountain side. The view would even get the Capetonians to shut up about Chappies for a while.

Our overnight stop in Bunn

Colourful decor

We stopped briefly on the Soler before free wheeling down to our overnight stop in Bunn. We stayed with Natalie and her husband who had turned their home into a B&B. Natalie fed us with chicken and a green pepper "Yorkshire Pudding". We drank all the beers they had in the house.

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