Day Nine: St-Giron to Tarascon

A perfect day in the Pyrenees. Another two big climbs (Col de Latrape and Col d'Agnes) over 1900m over 85 kms. 

Lunch was a very civilised plat du jour next to an alpine lake at the top of the second climb, followed by a great descent and time trial run into Tarascon-sur-Ariege, our destination for the day. 

Another day...another great chateau (www.manoiragnes.com).

Col count: 27 completed out of a total of 37

Rolling out of St-Giron

This is for Bob..unfortunately we were too early for lunch

Beautiful views over the Ariege Pyrenees

A great spot for paragliding

It's not much...but we call it home (for a night)

NEWSFLASH!!!

Happily La Fuga have realised the absolute cycling talent that has been assembled on this trip and have decided to come on board as a naming rights sponsor for the group. Accordingly team jerseys have been issued and a wild card entry for the next Tour de France is assured.

Day Eight: St-Giron Rest Day

Scenes from a rest day

Wayne showing how it's done....

Another beautiful Pyrenean view

Ben lead the charge of the 'recovery ride' for some

 

Poolside 'recovery' for others

Dinner on the chateau terrace

  

Obligatory food shot

Day Seven: Sauveterre-des-Comminges to St-Girons

Back to a more normal day today with two big climbs (Col de Portet d'Aspet and Col de la Core, about 2300m over 100kms), punctuated by lunch. This was followed by two minor climbs (250m?) over some beautiful narrow country lanes and then a great roll/time trial into St-Girons, our home for the next two nights.

We are staying at Chateau de Beauregard (www.chateaubeauregard.net) which is Alistair's favourite hotel on the tour. It's not too shabby. A swim followed by a magnificent dinner at a beautifully refurbished abbey overlooking St-Girons. 

Michael and Russell taking care not to get lost

Lew's shoes.  Pushing the boundary of good taste 

Mist at the top of the second Col

Rolling down to St-Girons

St-Girons

Rear of the Chateaux. Not too bad.

Dinner Photos

Day Six: St-Lary to Sauveterre-des-Comminges

Today was the Queen stage of the tour...the hardest of the 9 days. Four big climbs (Col d'Azet, Col de Peyresourde, Col du Portillon and then Col d'Artigaux), over 3300m and 120 kms. A big day out for all of us. Happily we all made it without too much distress, and the weather was overcast, warm and rain free. Perfect for this sort of terrain. 

The last climb was on some very rough roads surfaces which at times resembled a mountain cross course. At least it gave tour guide Jim a chance to demonstrate his cyclocross skills. Very impressive. It turns out he's the reigning British Cyclocross Champion..as I said...very impressive.

The hotel tonight is just fantastic. Nestled in a valley and no town within kilometres...it was just magic coming in from such a long day in the saddle to such a well appointed, hospitable and beautiful place.  Showers, a swim in the pool, beers on the balcony and dinner were the order of the day on arrival for all of us.. It's called Hostellerie des 7 Molles  (www.hotel7molles.com).  Regrettably we are only here for one night.   

Alistair has been taking photo's throughout the trip, so if there's any hardcore tragics that want to see more photo's of sweaty blokes in lycra then if you go to the La Fuga Flickr site you can overdose there:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41002211@N03/

The tough life of a Pyrenean cow

Lew and Alan celebrate conquering the first Col of the day

Tour guides Alistair and Jim enjoying a private moment

Second climb of the day under the belt

Typical scenery through the villages

Back into the valley on the road to the finish

Food Photos

In response to requests for more food shots...this was tonight's dinner...

Day Five: St-Savin to St-Lary-Soulan

Another two mountain climb day with two of the iconic climbs of the Tour de France...Col du Tourmalet, followed by the Col de l'Aspin. Another 3000m of up over some 90 kms or so. The weather is holding up well...still hot but rain does look very imminent. Maybe tomorrow?

The pecking order amongst the climbers has pretty much settled into a pattern. Bill and Ben (aka the Flowerpot Men) lead the charge up the mountains while the rest of us drag our sorry arses up the climbs as best we can.  Alistair and Jim (La Fuga tour leaders) are extremely patient and encouraging.... to their eternal credit. Jim constantly flits up and down the mountain, seemingly effortlessly, checking that everyone is ok.

We regroup at the top, descend, each lunch and then repeat the process. Days like today finish with a swim and beers. This is the best part for most of us. 

Tomorrow looks a bit more serious..FOUR climbs. Early night I hope.

Looking back from the Tourmalet

Weakness leaving the body

Russell cruising up the Toumalet..highest peak of our tour

Three happy punters at the top

Sheep are a major road hazard on the descent

The best part of the ride

Rogues Gallery Part 3

Jim celebrates the climb with retail therapy

Dave is always sparkling company at lunch

Day Four: Rest day in St-Savin

Like all Grand Tours rest days are essential. Most of us spent it washing clothes, cleaning bikes, drinking coffee and then going to a nearby town for the obligatory bike shop visit and lunch. 

Ben took one for the team by riding up the nearby climb of Hautacam (maybe 40km and 1000m?) just to make us look like a group of bike riders, but I think most of us are happy to save ourselves for the next couple of days. It's not hard to do.

St-Savin main street at peak hour

Local shops capturing the youth market

Lunch today was at the nearby town of Argeles-Gazost

Ben at the top of the nearby Hautacam

Michael practising to be a Pyrenean cow

Rogues Gallery

Darryl about to demolish a Peach Melba

Jim our La Fuga tour leader on the road. Jim is our hero. 

Alistair the Tour boss and DS in work mode

Day Three: Oloron to Saint-Savin

Another day of perfect weather as we entered the Haute Pyrenees for the first time. Two big climbs again (about 2500m climbing and 95 kms) and everyone seemed to cope well. I certainly found the day much less strain than yesterday!

We have a rest day tomorrow (or optional ride day for those keen to push the envelope) here in Saint-Savin...a beautiful little village a little south of Lourdes. There's a rumour Alan may choose to travel there and take the holy waters instead of riding.

Early morning roll out to the start of Col de Marie-Banque

Brendan conquers the beast

Lunch was in a beautiful spa town Eaux-Bonnes

Start of the Haute Pyrenees area. Very haute indeed.

Stunning scenery coming down from the Col d'Aubisque

Cycling Rob in full flight


Rogues Gallery Part 2

Russell: Mr Niceguy

Wayne looking relaxed and comfortable