Just recapping. This week 4 Cols done. Mick Jamieson leading the KoM, Creeds leading the likes on Facebook for Men of the Pyrenees calendar, a 3 way battle between Keith, Karl and Phil for top honours in snoring, lowest cadence average - Andrew T, best photos - Mark (especially of podium girls) & Carol, most posts to Facebook with comments received - JT and most trips to the toilet and most weight lost - Adrian. Most time spent on the back of the GC contenders wheels - John. Colin had most attempts to try and reinvigorate the 6am 'bootcamp'. Sanchez most times left behind to adjust his GoPro camera.
Today we awoke to very dour conditions. The cloud was even lower than yesterday and there was a distinct chill in the air. As the group slowly emerged from their individual slumbers it became painfully obvious today would not a day for those of weaker resolve. Today was a day for strong men and women. Adrian stayed in bed! Our mighty Pom of iron stomach and stiff upper lip had succumb to a night of violence in the bathroom. In fact he probably did more climb metres getting in and out of bed than any of the group would do today. He was left in bed to harden up. The rest of the group held breakfast without him and there was a decidedly sombre mood. Tourmalet - The Queen of the Pyrenees was on our dance card and she would not let us leave until we had completed our romance with her.
The group headed out in the vans for a 90 minute trip in the direction of Tarbes before turning off of the town of Bagneres-de-Bigorre. The town of the Grand Depart for today. After parking the vans, removing the might steeds we would ride into battle. Packing as much dry clothes as we could carry for the final descent, Mick gave us our stage briefing. No real words of wisdom. Just use common sense when it comes to the weather. If it got too bad we should turn back. Then Mick finished with but I know you will all go anyway. Don't think he thinks we have common sense, which apparently is pretty rare.
We rolled out and made for Campan. The group split into two groups. Those interested in romancing the Queen of the Pyrenees and those who were smarter than that. Campan is a town famous for life-size dolls that are displayed in the streets. Mick had to explain to those that had been away from their loved ones too long that they were neither life like or anatomically correct. The group continued on to the climb commencement point in St. Marie de Campan. Here is where the real pain would begin. It said as much on a sign below the sign stating the Col du Tourmalet pass was
Ouvert (open). In fact it was a sign for a bread shop but that doesn't help the drama really does it. Everyone stripped off layers and got GoPro cameras ready for battle. So now it was time for the dance to commence.
Oops Sanchez couldn't close his bloody musette because he had too much stuff. He gave the group a few minutes head start. In fact Andrew T & JohnO had left at least 5 minutes before Sanchez. Nonetheless Sanchez was last on the road from the group. The peleton had fractured from the start with some obviously wanting to draw out and enjoy the dance (oh I mean climb). Soon Sanchez had caught up the group of Mick, JT, Karl & Phil, with Colin & Creeds just up the road. Andrew T & JohnO were out of sight and out of mind. Meanwhile Mark & Carol were enjoying
Pain au Chocolat in Campan, Keith was exploring the region and well even Adrian was starting to feel better.
Some 9 kilometres into the climb we had reached the bottom of the clouds and the air became quite thick. It was like breathing liquid as the mist grew heavier around us. The group was now well and truly scattered along the road in probably a 5 kilometre span. The visibility dropped dramatically as we reached the snow tunnels below La Mongie, even down as far as 20 metres. A wrong turn and it was the quick way back down the mountain! Slowly but surely each of us ticked off the kilometres, with no one wanting to let Ladt Tourmalet have her way with us. It was us who would lead this dance. As we approached La Mongie, four cows were standing beside the road. It was hard to make a mental note as to where they were exactly because you couldn't see any land markers.
Continuing on above the ski town of La Mongie, we had 4 kilometres left of the ascent. Our cows had been replaced with donkeys, sheep goats and a couple of Llamas. The gradient was generally constant and remained above 8.5% for the remainder of the climb. Eventually the clouds seem to part just as Sanchez hit the 1000m to go sign. Was the sun about to shine down on his closing minutes of romance with the Col du Tourmalet. It certainly looked that way. Up the road Andrew T & JohnO were enjoying espresso and Creeds was just crossing the line. Following at their own paces were Colin, Phil, Mick, JT & Karl. Soon all of the group had overcome and had our way with Lady Tourmalet. A coffee or coke, something to eat, some photos, dressing more warmly and we all headed back to Campan.
Or did we?
Karl had become a little disoriented and commenced descending the West side of the Tourmalet, while everyone else had descended the way we came up - on the Eastern side. His mistake was quickly realised, but required him to ride a little way back to the summit and then he followed the rest of the group ahead down the road. The descent was treacherous to begin with and obviously Lady Tourmalet was displeased with our treatment of her. Tentatively we all made our way back to St. Marie de Campan to regroup. At this point JT made the sensible decision not to ride back to Luchon of the Col d'Aspin & Col de Peyresourde. We had to wait for Karl obviously, before we could sense a change in the weather. We scurried down the road back to Bigorre, but did not beat the weather. Soon we were riding in the rain, with Andrew T, JohnO, Mick & Sanchez swapping turns at the front to bring the group back to town and get into dry clothes. Back at the vans, a quick change, pack the bikes, then time to drive home.
Another 90 min or so drive back (puncuated with a power nap for Le Mick) gave everyone a chance to think about what the group had just experienced/achieved. With the weather conditions going up being a white out it took away some of the experience, but at the same time possibly made it easier mentally for all. Meanwhile Adrian, the Great White Hunter from Kenya, had been cutting a swathe through the local fly population killing 23 and giving one a really bad headache. A magnificent dinner that evening with a cheese tarte, followed by Confit au Canard (Duck) and potatoes that fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. Then some cheeses and a very tasty dessert, followed by café in the lounge. Phil & Adrian pulled out their instruments and began to play a little impromptu concert together. All were pretty tired and started to drift off to bed (except Mark who had been there since before dinner)
Another day in cycling paradise tomorrow with a planned three Cols to climb, or more for those more adventurous, with Col de Peyresourde from Luchon, Col de Aspin and then returning back over the Col de Peyresourde. Maybe even throw in SuperBagneres for those desperate for more climbing metres. Then some are heading off for a massage in the afternoon.
Posted by David
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