Day 12--Tourist Time.

Dan went for a ride.

....we went to the castle

Day 11--The Sting of the Climb

Day 11---Today was Dan's day to drive the van so Randy, Ryan, Tom and myself headed out from St. Girons toward the town of Oust, Col de Latrape, Aulus, Col d' Agnes to finish in Foix, Fr. The weather started cool and overcast as we road out from St. Girons along the Salar river. This river was extremely clear and popular with fisherman and river kayakers. Another thing that was popular was Tom's muffin. Just as Tom took a bite a bee landed on the muffin and was consumed with the muffin in a single bit. As can be imagined, hilarity soon broke out as the bee tried to gain is freedom by stinging Tom in the mouth and on the lips. The bee was soon free and Tom less than happy.

We warmed up as we turned into the Vallee d' Ustou and slowly began to gain on the up coming Col de Letrape. We soon caught up to local man out for his morning ride and he joined our group for a few kilometers until he peeled off for either his home or his confusion at our “city sprints”. The Col de Letrape was a bit over 5km and moderately steep with a good rhythm. By this time the sun begun to burn through the clouds opening up the views of the valley and mountains above. We were soon over the top of the col and raced down into the down of Aulus for a quick snack and to fill out water bottled with the town's local water know for its healing powers.

Dan had warned us that the Col d'Agnes started quickly. He wasn't kidding. For the next 4km we churned our pedal over to climb the unrelenting grade and we hit the first set of switchbacks that broke up the climb to more manageable grades. We went over the top at 1570m and headed straight down for lunch above lake Et de Lers. We enjoyed omeletes and quiche at this idealistic lunch spot.

We got back on the bikes with heavy legs and full stomach to ride the next 30km down into Foix.

Even though the distance and vertical were less than other days we all seemed to agree that this was the hardest day.

We are now in the town of Foix which was the seat of the counts of Foix who were associated with the Cathar faith which many have learned about reading The Divinci Code.

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Day 9--I'm calling it 6 Cols

Day 9 was a huge climbing day. We left our ultra plus hotel in Gisset and headed out to a supposed 4 Col day, but by the end of the day we went up and over 6 distinct passes so it's a 6 col day in my book.

I think the highlight was seeing Casertelli's monument where he had an untimely death racing for the Motorola team.





GPS

Day 10

OK, here we go with a review of day 10. We climbed the route the Tour took this year as it left St. Giron. All of us are constantly amazed at the way Tom whips out the Visa to buy a new bike, purchase table dances or expensive wine---maybe the last two go together. What a guy !
Anyway a great ride today about 5 hours worth, 80 miles and 8,000 ft of climbing. This damn Ryan can spin up the hills with no effort--none at all. He is not winning the green jersey however, but that is due to old guy tactics. I think the overall review is that this is the best ever--and we are still moving into the mountains. In the morning we go to Foix and some hotter, dryer weather. Check back for a review from the boys, because it really does get better.

GPS

Day 8 - Crack in Our Universe

Last night a strong thunder stormed moved through the area leaving us running around our rooms closing windows and grabbing drying clothes from the balcony. Made you wonder what the net day would be like.

This morning we woke to variable conditions. After breakfast we decided wait out the weather and tune our bikes before making ride plans. However, ride plans were soon derailed as we hunted down a loud click on Tom's bike. After adjusting the headset, stem and wheels I made the fortunate and unfortunate discovery that Tom's frame had cracked on the downtube. It's good that the crack was found because if the frame was to fail at that point the consequences are hard to think about...ugly at best. As I write this Tom, Dan and Ryan our in town looking for a replacement.

No riding today and likely a late night building up a new bike for Tom.

Looks like the US did well in BMX!

Day 6-7

Reports soon to come....

until then photo dump

Day 5

Sorry for the delay. The hotel in St. Lary-Soulan offered WiFi for lots of Euros.

Here's Tom's take on the day.....

We left Argels-Gozost at about 9:ooa enroute to the famous Col Du Tourmalet (2114 meters)which was about 25 K from our hotel. The climb was 18k from Bareges with 8-10% and the last K much steeper. Long climb but went quick, about 1 hr 5-10 minutes. Broke out of clouds at about 3k to go which exposed great views as photos will show. Lots of people and riders at top. Scottie was driving the van and met us at top. We decended down the other side after buying a few souvenirs and quickly hit a thick layer of clouds. We were in a world of pain for the next 8-10k as the conditions were herrendous and we froze our asses off. Dandy Dan had no gloves and did not complain. I don't think Dan feels pain like a normal person.


Eventually we broke thru the layer of pain and hit the sun again. We pedaled real hard down below to warm back up. Next we rode rollers to the Col De Aspin which was about 5k at 8-10%. We got seperated from Dan here and went different routes. The Aspin downhill was long and very fast, our favorite to date. We hit 75k per hour and passed 7 cars, 5 at one time; WOW! We finished the ride at St. Lary Soulan, the site of our hotel and a large ski area. The Pla d' Adet starts here also where Hincape won a stage 2 years ago. Our ride time was 4:20 hrs with 9000 feet vertical.
Oh and by the way, Jackie---check out the picture of Dan at the top of the Touremelet to see what happened to your jersey !

Day 4--Rest for some and ride for others.

Preface...we have an impromptu green (city sprints) and polka dot (climbers) contests. Ryan and Tom are close to even, although Tom has sprinted to the town of "Rappel". Turns out that "Rappel" mean warning or some such.

Dan's take on the contests so far.

OK, and here is the opposing view ! Everyone knows that when bike riders get together a big throw down happens So we are having the green and polka dot race. Town signs for green and col tops for ploka dot. And the old guys are cleaning house. When Ryan wins a sprint--we vote to award no points and if he is also first at the leaving town then we take points away. As for the ploka dot, that waas sort of a given until I realized that I was the first to the top of the cols. Now some nitpickers might argue that I was in a car, but at this age you take any victory you can get. He cant figure out why he is behind in both races and we wont tell him. Slow legs come with age but so does craftyness.

Today Dan headed out early to make up for missing the fantastic riding from yesterday. The rest of us decided for a short spin alonga bike path to the town of Lourdes. This town is know for its miracles for the sick and predictions for the future of mankind.

The town was acked and being on our bikes key to getting round. We did a quick tour of the town center lloking for food, but decided to head back for lunch.

We found this place for pizza and beers. Reading the French menu for pizza only gives you a faint idea on what you are getting on your pie. For those the stop here int eh future the Sulor has a raw egg in the center. Odd, but it was really good.

Observations of France.

• Lots more smoking.
• Less fat people.
• They have smaller cars and drive much better.
• Driving is controlled chaos, but once you get it thing roll along smoothly.
• I have no idea how stores make a profit when they are open 9-12 and 3-7.
• I bought a 2G SD card for 13 Euro which was half of 10 energy gels.
• No police---lets that controlled chaos roll on
• Very narrow streets
• Pointing and using fingers for numbers let's you order what you want
• The entire Pyrenees seem to be free range.
• Only encountered one wild animal. A small deer.
• Roadsides are very clean.
  

Day 3--The Triple Col

oday we had mapped out a ride to summit the Col de Marie Blanche (in reverse from day 1) followed by the Col de Aubisque and finished with the Col de Souler.

We knew it was going to be a big day, but the first challenge was finding our way out of Oloron. Navigating this city is a near impossibility, but with the help from some locals we finally got on the way to the Col de Marie Blanche. Climbing up this side of the Col started easy, but soon rose to a heart melting 13% making us question following climbs to come. After a brief break on top we put on our jackets and blasted (except for Tom, Lisa--very controlled) down and met Dan (driving duties today) for pizzas and tarts.

After this snack we made our was to the infamous Col de Aubisque for 15k of fun up to 1709m. The climb wasn't to bad until about 8k when the pitch steepened and the effort began to take its toll. The climb just didn't seem to end and soon we were riding in the clouds to the top of the Col for coffee, Coke and questionable water.

T

We basted down Abubisque avoiding the cows, goats and walkers, managed to navigate one very dark tunnel and made the quick climb to the Souler. From the top we had an never ending descent, passing cars left and right riding two corners ahead as we made our way to the town of Argeils-Gazost This seems like a really neat town which several of us plan to walk around tomorrow after a short ride. We had cheese burgers for snack this afternoon with a Heffe. It was a good cheeseburger, but a French variation for sure.

Today's city sprints were won by Dan (met us after driving to the new hotel) as dirty tricks by others played against Ryan.


GPS

News flash...hello?

Anonymous comments open to all.

Day 2--You Know it's a Climb When 8% Seems Flat

Today started with a 9M start to challenge ourselves with the climb up to the Col de Soudet(15k climb). After a quick stop to stuff our pockets with more food we headed out of Oloron through Arette and started up a wide canyon. Some random French guy joined our group probably seeking a company and protection from the building wind. This wind along with dark clouds had us all wondering what we riding into.

The canyon began to narrow and the climb started at a nice 3% grade but, soon hit 9% which really woke up the legs. However, that was that was nothing compared to the 15% wall that smacked us upside the head. After just doing everything to keep turning over the pedals the canyon opened up and we did some nice gentle switch backs averaging a flat 8%. Hanging out on the switch backs where cows, goats and super muscular cows (they seem to like graze on the steepest slopes they can find). The next 5k were a steady 10% which really wore on the legs and mind. The remainder was a nice 5% allowing to spin the pain away before arriving at the Col.


Only a few pics at the top due to a stiff, cool wind and we were off for a super fun descent down a narrow mountain road
(about as wide as one American lane for both lanes and zero shoulder.) One the way down there is a famous church built in the 11 century. We stopped and took photos and had coffee and Cokes next door.










We finished down the valley and took a unknown route out of Tardet-Sorholus up to the Col de Sustray. The descent of this Col was probably the treat of the ride. It was through farm country that reminded the area around Monterey, CA. (The top pic is from this area looking back at the Col de Soudet) We finished our loop to Oloron.

GPS Data

Travel andDay 1

Travel from Seattle to Newark we early, but trouble free. Like all airlines, Continential has a "variable" rate from shipping bikes. Tom and I, $50, the Iddings each paid $100.

We had a 4 hour layover in Newark and killed that time with some food and beers at a Sam Adam place in the terminal.

Newark to Barcelona left "on time", but then you sit in line on the runway for 45 minutes. Once in the air we set back to watch movies, read or sleep.

Landing in Barcelona we made it through customs no problem. All bags and bikes made it and we were off to find our rental van. The first one didn't suit our liking (we like tires with air in them and not showing the steel belt). We were then on our way to Girona to drop off our bike boxes and see the hotel thatwill end this trip. This last hotel (Hotel Historic) was recommended to us by Dede Barry and has been a sort term home from many of the world's top cyclists.

The next part of our journey to the Pyrenees was via rental van. A big Fiat thatlooks like a Sprinter can. The drive was a good 6 1/2 hours on Interstate type roads to roads filled with big trucks and farm equipment.

We got to our hotel near 10 and were soon enjoying a light dinner of bread, meats, cheeses and fruits. Now, time to sleep after 30 hours without much sleep.

A few pics:



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Day 1-- The first day was to work the kinks out of our legs and bikes. We left the hotel and headed for the Col de Marie Blanche. This was a good stiff climb, but not nearly as long as other to come. With our late start and a cool rain we cut our ride a bit short. One thing about France is every little grouping of homes is a town so town sign sprints come every k or so.We went for them all and were worked bythe time we got back to the hotel.

Dinner was welcome with duck, potatoes, snap peas and pear.

Tomorrow is a big day and the weather is looking better.



GPS Route

10 Hrs Until the Plane

Pile of packing---doesn't seem too bad.

Gadgets going on the trip:

Hotels:

Aug 17,18 hotel des Cimes #5-62-97-00-10
Aug 19,20 Hotel Mercure Cristol Parc # 5-62-39-58-90
Aug 21,22 Hotel Sept molles # 5-61-88-30-87
Aug 23,24 Hotel echeyyne # 5-61-04-04-50
Aug 25,26 Hotel Lons # 5-34-09-28-00
Aug 27,28 Bugarach # 4-68-69-82-12
Aug 29 and 30--Girona
To call France dial 011-33 and then the number

2 Days to go.

History,

Dan Norton asks a few guys if they would be interested in riding in the Pyreness.

France you say Dan?

Yeah, in the mountains.

Okay, who

Tom, Iddings Sr, Jr and you.

Okay, I'll call Continential

Booked!