9th june
so with the van dropped off in Parcar again we headed for the train station again. Hopped on and off the trains quite happily, however on the last train we had a stroppy conductor who told us no bikes on this train! We double checked with a lovely lady who told us no problem so on we got. Then stroppy conductor marched up to us and demanded our tickets. Told him we had paid extra for the bikes but he kept saying 'Ou? Ou?' It took all our strength not to break into the jungle book song, 'ooo i wanna be like you ooo'. Thankfully we did zip it and the train rumbled on with us on board. Only 5hours to go.
It was raining at Hendaye. Were stopped by a french cyclist and asked for a shot of our pump. We headed for hotel Gare, basic room but comfortable. Noisy outside but fell asleep quickly despite it.
highs - hendaye again, another challenge
lows - trainman, sunday tomorrow
note - flipflops are dangerous, Lawr slipped down a set of stone steps, survived with only a wet bum, I was almost sick watching it...
10th june hendaye - larun
started out well at 6am with photo at beach. Overcast and windy but fine for cycling. Over col st ignace, felt a little tough with the luggage! Group of sunday cyclists passed us (not as good looking as scottish group) Lawr thought about jumping on the back but within 2mins they were gone and we plodded on. Up col pinodeita and then on to col d'osquich where it rained and rained and rained. On with the goretex and kept on going. The cyclists got fewer as the day went on. Over col de marie-blanque. We went via Ollon to avoid a poor back road, but made it to Larun on our last legs. Thankfully picked up food earlier in day so showered and fed. Absolutely knackered. Wonder what tomorrow has in store.
highs - good sunday cycle, cheeseman helpful, dog
lows - forecast, afternoon weather
note - so called cyclists forgot their chain oil
120miles
11th june larun - arreu
started with the col d'aubisque which was tough but the sun/cloud stayed with us. Over to col soulor where we hoped for a choco stop, but it was shut. Kitted up and headed down with masses of cyclists climbing from the other side. Had to perform a rescue on the way down as we noticed a collie pup diving through the traffic and cyclists. Eventually caught the fluff ball and as i was working out how to secure it in my goretex a lovely Italian Lady offered to take it to the village. We made it without any further rescues to Merens and had a lunch stop and tried to warm up. Lawr wanted nutella and banana bagettes. Felt sick after it. Onto Luz for essential cheese stop and put the half kilo in Lawr's pannier. Then there was the Tourmalet. It was lengthy and tough but a good ride. Looking back the road was spectacular. Chatted to some Brits at the top. Kitted up and on the decent it snowed and hailed on us. We were freezing but a stop for coffee at Payolle and col d'aspin would surely help? I practised some bike balancing as i crawled up the not so steep hill and the rain and wind at the top was awful. We began the descent, 13km of wet, wild, windy winding road. Both suffering, shouting at each other to try to stay alert and keep warm. Took first hotel which was not the best with no heating, it was a chilly evening. Have to question our sanity.
highs - morning cols, didn't die on decsent, more cheese from Luz, pup rescue
lows - appalling weather, near death experience, cold hotel, having to give up pup.
note - note weather forecast and plan accordingly.
80miles
12th june arreu - saint girons
cold morning in hotel. All kit still wet. Not to worry, col de peyresourde would help dry things out. Had gone up this on the walk and it was a fine climb. Lawr was disappointed the crepeman was not open at the top of the col. Very fast and chilly descent to Luchon for food stop. Had horrible hot choco so sent it back, cafe was freezing so we moved on. Went to supermarket and bought a newspaper, not for its contents, but its thermal properties. Along road to co des ares and beret then a gentle down to st lary before the col de portet d'aspet. It was sunny the newspaper was stowed and the jackets were off as this col we were told was up to 14.2%. Set out tentatively, it was a tough but fair climb. It was a massive descent into the valley where we kept up the pace and 'out sprinted' the rain. Into st Girons and the hotel flamme rouge hotel. All kit washed and dried. Looks like tomorrow has some busy road sections.
highs - no soaking, dry shorts, portet d'aspet not so bad, found sense of humour again (lost it yesterday)
lows - cold morning, horrible hot choco
note - don't get intimidated by someone else's account of a climb.
70miles
13th june st giron - puigcerda
left at a tardy 7.30am. quite warm and not raining (spain is always so warm). Seems to take forever to get to Massat, then we climbed to col de caougnous and col de porte. We had a freewheel down which was a little chilly. Needed to refuel with crossiants, did so at Tarrason, then a long main road drag to Ax. It was warm now and with cakes in the panniers we began the long climb to l'hospitalet and col de puymorens. Had really shakely spell half way so lightened the load by eating the cakes. Irish couple chatted to us at top and questioned our sanity. Then we went off to spain for the evening. Ended up in cheap hotel which was great. Owned by Romanian lady would couldn't do enough for us.
highs - last major col, sheeps milk, massive bed, food, sun, spain
lows - totally fatigued, Lawr has sore bum
note - with fatigued legs we found our room was on the 4th floor (reserved for the fit clients i presume)
80miles
14th june puigcerda - van
chilly but blue sky this morning in spain. set off on last part of trip in a very quite town. Surroundings getting flatter. Great views all round and could see the col we had struggled over in the snow last month. As we flagged, or just desired a stop, we came across a patisserie in Saillagouse. Almond croissants :) An undulating road to col llous, rogat and perche where we had the most fantastic descent. Quite roads, warm air, great views! Col st pierre and ternere passed without noticing then along some back roads with loads of fruit producers. Our timing was great, as usual, so we had to wait for Parcar to open. Reunited again with the beautiful van we set off to restock and plan stage three.
In the supermarket car park some plonker parked their car in full sun with the dogs inside so i went to report them. However they came back and drove off as i was getting my message across, so we didn't have to perform a smash and grab.
we love our van.
highs - descent, apricots, regional wine
lows - sore body bits
note - as i cycled over a squashed snake i mention it to Lawr. He replied - 'what? swiss steak?' clearly hunger had gotten the better of him..
A great adventure and challenge :)
so with the van dropped off in Parcar again we headed for the train station again. Hopped on and off the trains quite happily, however on the last train we had a stroppy conductor who told us no bikes on this train! We double checked with a lovely lady who told us no problem so on we got. Then stroppy conductor marched up to us and demanded our tickets. Told him we had paid extra for the bikes but he kept saying 'Ou? Ou?' It took all our strength not to break into the jungle book song, 'ooo i wanna be like you ooo'. Thankfully we did zip it and the train rumbled on with us on board. Only 5hours to go.
It was raining at Hendaye. Were stopped by a french cyclist and asked for a shot of our pump. We headed for hotel Gare, basic room but comfortable. Noisy outside but fell asleep quickly despite it.
highs - hendaye again, another challenge
lows - trainman, sunday tomorrow
note - flipflops are dangerous, Lawr slipped down a set of stone steps, survived with only a wet bum, I was almost sick watching it...
10th june hendaye - larun
started out well at 6am with photo at beach. Overcast and windy but fine for cycling. Over col st ignace, felt a little tough with the luggage! Group of sunday cyclists passed us (not as good looking as scottish group) Lawr thought about jumping on the back but within 2mins they were gone and we plodded on. Up col pinodeita and then on to col d'osquich where it rained and rained and rained. On with the goretex and kept on going. The cyclists got fewer as the day went on. Over col de marie-blanque. We went via Ollon to avoid a poor back road, but made it to Larun on our last legs. Thankfully picked up food earlier in day so showered and fed. Absolutely knackered. Wonder what tomorrow has in store.
highs - good sunday cycle, cheeseman helpful, dog
lows - forecast, afternoon weather
note - so called cyclists forgot their chain oil
120miles
11th june larun - arreu
started with the col d'aubisque which was tough but the sun/cloud stayed with us. Over to col soulor where we hoped for a choco stop, but it was shut. Kitted up and headed down with masses of cyclists climbing from the other side. Had to perform a rescue on the way down as we noticed a collie pup diving through the traffic and cyclists. Eventually caught the fluff ball and as i was working out how to secure it in my goretex a lovely Italian Lady offered to take it to the village. We made it without any further rescues to Merens and had a lunch stop and tried to warm up. Lawr wanted nutella and banana bagettes. Felt sick after it. Onto Luz for essential cheese stop and put the half kilo in Lawr's pannier. Then there was the Tourmalet. It was lengthy and tough but a good ride. Looking back the road was spectacular. Chatted to some Brits at the top. Kitted up and on the decent it snowed and hailed on us. We were freezing but a stop for coffee at Payolle and col d'aspin would surely help? I practised some bike balancing as i crawled up the not so steep hill and the rain and wind at the top was awful. We began the descent, 13km of wet, wild, windy winding road. Both suffering, shouting at each other to try to stay alert and keep warm. Took first hotel which was not the best with no heating, it was a chilly evening. Have to question our sanity.
highs - morning cols, didn't die on decsent, more cheese from Luz, pup rescue
lows - appalling weather, near death experience, cold hotel, having to give up pup.
note - note weather forecast and plan accordingly.
80miles
12th june arreu - saint girons
cold morning in hotel. All kit still wet. Not to worry, col de peyresourde would help dry things out. Had gone up this on the walk and it was a fine climb. Lawr was disappointed the crepeman was not open at the top of the col. Very fast and chilly descent to Luchon for food stop. Had horrible hot choco so sent it back, cafe was freezing so we moved on. Went to supermarket and bought a newspaper, not for its contents, but its thermal properties. Along road to co des ares and beret then a gentle down to st lary before the col de portet d'aspet. It was sunny the newspaper was stowed and the jackets were off as this col we were told was up to 14.2%. Set out tentatively, it was a tough but fair climb. It was a massive descent into the valley where we kept up the pace and 'out sprinted' the rain. Into st Girons and the hotel flamme rouge hotel. All kit washed and dried. Looks like tomorrow has some busy road sections.
highs - no soaking, dry shorts, portet d'aspet not so bad, found sense of humour again (lost it yesterday)
lows - cold morning, horrible hot choco
note - don't get intimidated by someone else's account of a climb.
70miles
13th june st giron - puigcerda
left at a tardy 7.30am. quite warm and not raining (spain is always so warm). Seems to take forever to get to Massat, then we climbed to col de caougnous and col de porte. We had a freewheel down which was a little chilly. Needed to refuel with crossiants, did so at Tarrason, then a long main road drag to Ax. It was warm now and with cakes in the panniers we began the long climb to l'hospitalet and col de puymorens. Had really shakely spell half way so lightened the load by eating the cakes. Irish couple chatted to us at top and questioned our sanity. Then we went off to spain for the evening. Ended up in cheap hotel which was great. Owned by Romanian lady would couldn't do enough for us.
highs - last major col, sheeps milk, massive bed, food, sun, spain
lows - totally fatigued, Lawr has sore bum
note - with fatigued legs we found our room was on the 4th floor (reserved for the fit clients i presume)
80miles
14th june puigcerda - van
chilly but blue sky this morning in spain. set off on last part of trip in a very quite town. Surroundings getting flatter. Great views all round and could see the col we had struggled over in the snow last month. As we flagged, or just desired a stop, we came across a patisserie in Saillagouse. Almond croissants :) An undulating road to col llous, rogat and perche where we had the most fantastic descent. Quite roads, warm air, great views! Col st pierre and ternere passed without noticing then along some back roads with loads of fruit producers. Our timing was great, as usual, so we had to wait for Parcar to open. Reunited again with the beautiful van we set off to restock and plan stage three.
In the supermarket car park some plonker parked their car in full sun with the dogs inside so i went to report them. However they came back and drove off as i was getting my message across, so we didn't have to perform a smash and grab.
we love our van.
highs - descent, apricots, regional wine
lows - sore body bits
note - as i cycled over a squashed snake i mention it to Lawr. He replied - 'what? swiss steak?' clearly hunger had gotten the better of him..
A great adventure and challenge :)
Your ass must be like leather!!!! Sounds fun though. Bit jealous of the sheep's milk - yum! Have fun on your next adventure.
ReplyDeletegood shorts have helped! No real plan, apart from the impending triathlon in july followed by a swim across lake leman... :) very windy here at the moment, although it is warm.
ReplyDelete