Tuesday 17th July: Col de Mente & Col des Ares

Today was the first real days climbing for the CCW tour in the Pyrenees. A sensational breakfast was prepared by our hosts and possible the best coffee anyone of us had had in France. A nice relaxed opportunity for people to get ready. Today's first climb would be a real tester with 800+ metres of climbing in 9 kilometres. We would also do a second climb over the Col des Ares before heading home. A later start to allow people to get themselves organised after the days transfer from Grenoble and Paris/Toulouse.

We rolled out around 10:30am and rode along as a group at a nice comfortable pace. Sanchez had an issue with gears and stopped, meaning he would have to chase the group down. Due to the casual pace, that was not a big feat. The ride out the valley was a rolling but definitely down hill ride for about 15 kilometres. A right hand turn and we headed for the town of St.Beat, which was about 3 kilometres down the road. The other two new boys, Andrew & John, took the front and towed everyone into St.Beat. A quick stop for discussion on route. Mark & Carol were taking a different route that would allow them to avoid the Col de Mente. A group of Aussies rode in with fake GreenEDGE jerseys, looking like tools as they headed to the Col des Ares. For the majority of the group it was time to go and suffer.

The group rolled out of St.Beat and quickly we hit the base of the Col de Mente. A very nasty start to the climb with a 10.3% straight from the base for the first 1.5km. A select group had formed with Mick Jamieson, Adrian Rowe (La Pomme), John, Andrew and Sanchez. Yes Sanchez! The gradient eased a little for about kilometre, before slapping us around again at 11% for the next 2 kilometres. As the group approached the 3.5km mark of the climb Sanchez floated to the back and well - fell off the back as the pace was too high for him. It was going to be a lonely last 5 - 6 kilometres for Sanchez. The real GC contenders melted into the distance. Meanwhile further back on the climb Creeds, Phil, Carl, Colin and John Thomas were managing the climb at different paces. When you ride this climb and reach the final 3 - 4 climbs there are a series of great switchbacks, that break up the ride and provide a little relief. The entire group reached the top, but only one of us did it in the big chain ring. Andrew was obviously after the Golden Hammer award.

After a short stop, then the climbing group descended the Col. Mick gave everyone a sneak peak of his Casey Stoner & MotoGP inspired cornering for the switchbacks, by dropping his foot to the ground. Others used more conventional cornering techniques. Some of the corners were a little dicey as there were loose stones and melted tar. Made for interesting times on some corners. A reasonably fast descent on the straight sections, but you had to pull up quickly for the corners. After regrouping we descended again with Adrian, Creeds, Sanchez and Mick trading turns at the front. We reached the turn off but decided to start up the Col de Portet d'Aspet so some of the guys could see the Fabio Casertelli memorial. However before we could head up Adrian had dropped his chain and copped a bit of ribbing from Mick about having to put it back on by hand. Memorial done it was time for the group to head to the Col des Ares.

Another reasonably quick descent, with Sanchez chasing again because he couldn't get his camera back in the jersey pocket. It was only a few minutes before he sighted John Thomas' yellow tyres and he rejoined the group. A handy pace was kept up as John T moved to the front of the course to pick up the remaining points (of which there were none) on the Col de Buret . Five more minutes of riding and we hit the base of the Col des Ares. Sanchez and John T floated off the back of the GC group, like a brick dropped from a plane. They decided to keep the powder dry for another day. Meanwhle up the road Phil, Colin & Carl were still in the breakaway.Creeds had moved to the front to take the GC guys up the Ares first. When he was left huffing and puffing after a kilometre, Adrian took over the front position with the GC pushing him up the Ares. A wave of attacks ensued and it was left to Mick and Golden Hammer nominee Andrew, and tailing behind was John O. By the time all were up the Ares, the group was looking tired and hot and it was time to head for home. The other group in Mark and Carol had already climb the Col, and had now headed for home for a much deserved rest. A good 60 odd kilometre ride with a mountain involved.

After another quick descent of the back side of the Ares, the group hit the flat lands heading back to St.Beat. The pace became increasingly higher with Mick and Adrian swapping turns on the front. As we came into St.Beat, school children beside the road were cheering and clapping as their hero Mick Jamieson road through town. With the heat not relinquishing, the group continued on for the 20 kilometres still to ride to get home. The downhill heading out this morning did not feel as big a climb coming back. Once we hit the finishing straight with a tailwind behind us and Andrew "Big Ring" T on the front we were sitting on 45kmh. A left hand turn and then a casual spin back to the gite. It was time to get food and fluids into all of us and each of us to use our own unique recovey methods. Some had beer in town, some had beer at home, some read a good book and some went and sat in a waterfall. Each to their own. The group went out for dinner in town to night for a great meal.

Tomorrow is the Port de Bales from the Mauleon Barousse side then down into Luchon before the stage finish in town. A big day for all.

 

Posted by David