And here we are, Aline and Isabelle arrived in the Pyrenees after crossing Auvergne, Haute-Loire, Lozère, Aveyron and Aude.
To start this 1rd day in the Pyrenees, Aline and Isabelle leave at 6:30 sharp to take a short tour of Carcassonne. Then after crossing Aude and Ariège...
… they have the Pyrenean mountains in sight with the first 1st category pass “Le Port de Lers” with more than 11kms at 7%. A winding road. And arrival, at the top, a treat of beauty where we find freshness!
Then it's the descent to Massat where a supply station awaits Isabelle and Aline before attacking the monster of the day: The Col de Péguère, also called "Mur de Péguère".
The beginning starts reasonably with the Col de Port and a few kilometers further, the difficulties arise. In front of them a “Wall” with slopes of 18%, 19%, 20% 21%… Aline, alternating between a seated position and a dancer, attacks this fortress and reaches the summit.
Conversely Isabelle gets off her bike and here she is walking the first 500 meters of this Wall and will get back on her bike 2,5 km from the Col to finish in style.
A well-deserved stop at this Col and it's already the long descent to Foix, arrival town of stage 16 of the Men's Tour (Carcassonne > Foix).
After Foix, they will still have to pedal about fifty kilometers to reach their accommodation in Santaraille.
2nd day in the Pyrenees
This 2nd day will be punctuated in two parts
A morning to complete the end of the transition between Foix and Saint-Gaudens on cycle paths and small roads through Ariège, Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées.
The afternoon, after a well-deserved snack, towards stage 17 of the Tour de France for men Saint-Gaudens > Peyragudes with 4 passes of 1rd and 2nd category.
Aline and Isabelle start with the Col d'Aspin, 11 km long with an average gradient of 7%. The landscapes are pastoral to the point that the cows come to pose for the traditional photo under the panel.
Then a descent to Lake Payolle before continuing the Col de La Hourquette d'Ancizan, 9 km at 7% surrounded by alpine meadows, and bathed in calm.
Then another descent to get the Col de Val Louron-Azet (11 kms at 6% on average), it's very hot!!! and at the top stop to eat a pancake.
But no time to skimp, you have to climb the last pass, that of Peyragudes. This Pass of 1rd category of 8,5 km with an average gradient of 7% and passages at 16%, hard, hard on the legs but they arrive at the top and discover a very beautiful landscape.
And after the ascent of these 4 Cols, Aline and Isabelle let themselves slide to their guest room for a well-deserved good night because tomorrow is another day.
3nd day in the Pyrenees
A day classified as “red”.
This morning departure at 6:30. The Pyrenees mountains move away temporarily, direction Lourdes, departure of the 17nd stage of the Tour de France for men.
This early morning seemed to them long, long, no regularity in the effort but finally, they arrive in Lourdes where “Oh Surprise! Several friends are there to accompany them all day.
At km 120, the serious things begin with the ascent of the Col de l'Aubisque, classified as Hors Category, with its 17 km and steep slopes, which rise in %.
“Red” weather, the heat is unbearable, more than 40°C. They find it difficult to support this furnace but they hold. Arrivals at the summit, break and lunch
2 more passes to climb. They leave with a long descent then 2 km of ascent towards the Col du Soulor. This climb was difficult.
Then descend to reach the bottom of the last pass of the day, the Col de Spandelles, ranked 1rd category with its 10,5 km at 8,5% average gradient. The full dodger is there and there for this last stage in the Pyrenees.
Then return to Lourdes for a well-deserved rest…
The results of these 3 days in the Pyrenees:
– 629 km on the odometer
– 31h31 saddle
– 11.000 m of elevation gain
add comment