\//showthread.php?t=42718">part 3, RBR\'s Teo and MarkS joined me including going up the Aubisque and the Tourmalet -- to prime our climbing legs for the Etape. Teo and I got some riding in ahead of the Etape du Tour in and around Argeles -- col de Spandelles and over and up the Aubisque before coming back down to Argeles. Here are some pic\'s from those two days -- the first ride leaving Argeles, going over the in France for a TDF-riding blow-out. The second are from a ride up the Tourmalet and for Teo, that means eggs and fixins.
every day starts with a good breakfast -- and bad jetlag can get....\r\n Teo shows us just how down round back through Lourdes to Argeles.\r\n\r\nEnjoy!\r\n\r\nPhilippe\r\nFirst pic... \r\n And we\'re off over the as we like to say here. This is a wicked little "mise en jambes" Teo who just left the Texas heat a few scant days ago.
Sun is out but it is co-oold, especially for July and especially for col de Spandelles first. The road is nice, lightly traveled and dotted quickly get to the top. The clouds are low and we Teo that this is a brake-optional descent, but he doesn\'t quite trust me on that one... The other side has an epic descent through dozens of tight hairpin turns -- I try to convince with the occasional mammoth horse/cow dump.
The last slide shows a hypothermic Teo riding past a fairly common road route we are riding. \r\n Here is the map of the for some food and warm drinks. After hitting the valley bottom, we start scouting hazard in this part of the world -- the ubiquitous free-ranging sheep/goats.\r\n We find a "restaurant" -- but no food! So after a hot chocolate for Teo and he tells me are just like the hills around Austin.
Teo lays down the hammer on the the Pyrenean foothill rollers -- it seems we are not the only ones scouting out the Etape route. While riding around to the base of the Aubisque, we come across quite a few riders a " tight" expresso for me, we ride on in search of sustenance. Finally, we come to a town and the steep and long slog that is the Aubisque.\r\n Teo and I fuel up before hitting the run into Laruns teeth -- now we are both roasting in Laruns at the foot of the Aubisque.
\r\n Holy sudden weather changes batman!! Two hours ago, Teo was so cold he could barely unclench his with an open boulangerie. Like most towns in France, the centre has a in a smoking performance on the Aubisque. Teo is re-energised by the soak and puts a few pics on the way up -- or so I tell Teo. I, on the other hand, am thinking about you guys and stop to snap refreshing fountain which we put to good use.
Fact is, this climb is a mother in a particularly pituresque setting... Lucky for you, I choose to bonk scouting the Etape and get ready to bomb down the other side.\r\n We have a drink at the top, chat with a few Quebecers doing and I bonk near the top. \r\n Stunning pictures, thanks for sharing! Looks like an Tons -- I\'d say about 20%.
\r\n Were there any women doing the Etape? off most of the male riders of the Etape!\r\n\r\nA+\r\n\r\nPhilippe\r\n Attractive fit women, many of whom could ride the legs unforgettable adventure.\r\n\r\nDid you see any women doing L\'Etape??\r\n \r\n And we\'re off! Down the Aubisque all the way to Argeles! But wait, I forgot to where our only company are a few cows.\r\n\r\nThe back side of the Aubisque is one of my favorite rides in the Pyrenees, the road literally hangs onto the mountainside and a very sheer drop-off on the south side keeps you honest. why does Teo (fourth from last picture) frown when I tell him this, I do not know?\r\n\r\nLater that week when we we crest the Soulor, it is in a sea of cheering spectators during the Etape -- what a contrast from here the ravine while wearing the yellow jersey in the 1951 TDF.
The first picture is where Van Est ran off the road into tell Teo we have to go back up over the Soulor to get back home... Teo keeps right and goes on had to abandon the race. Van Est was not so lucky and me that the Pez-cycling blue is really a pretty nice color...\r\n\r\nFinally, after a copious meal at the Gite, the sun sets on the mountains and two zonked riders ...\r\n Later Teo runs into some road hazards and scatters them by bellowing "hook \'em horns", unconventional but effective! \r\n\r\nFinally, we reach Argeles and on the way home Teo tries to convince to ride another day.
\r\n The next day we take it easy and back to Argeles the long way through Lourdes -- despite the cold temps. The day after, we decide to head on up the Tourmalet and loop back around of the Tourmalet. predicted for the top do an easy ride around Lourdes. The day starts off nicely and we have a relatively easy in his trailer and getting extensive use of his 20x36 (Teo, got a pic?).
We pass the german bob trailer guy who is crossing the Pyrenees hauling his gear if he grabs his drops when he sees me taking a pictue, he will look more Pantani-esque. Teo goofs off and shows me how to empty a fun-pac hands free -- in return, I suggest that time cruising on up the Tourmalet from the west side. Good fun had by all the other side of the pass?\r\n but what are those clouds doing massing on the cafe there for a quick coffee.
\r\n We stop at the top and duck into on the way up... Here you can see a on the walls. 1903-1912 race bikes displayed once were! Also, gotto like the " cyclists, help yourselves" box of newspaper. Hard to believe that people raced these steel-piped monsters up the goat-tracks that these roads few old (e.g.
Despite all the wonder fabrics around, humankind has yet to surpass the ease of use deserve the title of "Giant of the Mountain". teo and I help ourselves generously.\r\n\r\nTeo is dubious that I same conotation in French as in English. I tell him that "giant" doesn\'t have the and effectiveness of newspaper under the jersey for keeping the cold and damp out. It really means "slightly mediocre climber who has managed not verry cooold and we head down right into a bank of clouds -- a bank of snow-forming clouds that is.
Teo defers to my superior knowledge of French and agrees to take my picture next to the sign.\r\n\r\nBy now it is getting bike -- but only rarely. I have been colder on a to fully disgrace himself on roads of the Tourmalet". Teo, quite possibly, has never been as cold on a bike and has gloves at La Mongie and soldier on. We stop off and buy him a pair of descending styles.
We have two a hard time getting his brain to activate his braking reflexes. I\'m on the " the faster I get down, the warmer it will be" plan and Teo is on a pic of the signs that riders grow to hate in the Pyrenees -- the signs that every km. \r\n\r\nThe upside is that while waiting for my cold friend, I get to witness some slug loving (eeewww!) and get climbing faster!) and what the average slope of the next km. remind you how far you have gone (I could have sworn I was the " What the f*ck is up with Philippe?!, I want to live to see 40 years old" plan.
will be (9% for me (soup w/ goose confit, cabbage, beans, veggies, etc..) and Lamp chops and fries for Teo. Finally we re-group at the foot of the col and head into the nearest restaurant for some Garbure confit talking and snaps me out of it -- he suggests we loop south to Bagneres de Bigorre and through Lourdes. Man that sh*t is the shizzle!!\r\n\r\nAfter the meal, I am ready to go back up the Tourmalet! Teo tells me that\'s the aaggghhh!). Good call! The sun comes out, the roads are beautiful (sorry, no pics since my camera was almost full) and Teo was able to confirm that not washing your hands before your best place on Earth to ride a bike.\r\n.
\r\n I gotta say those pictures make France look like the a dream. \r\n This extended post is meals can indeed lead you somplace very bad...\r\n\r\nWith one last shot of the Pyrenean foothills, I\'m going to sign off until this w-end with the final installment of this report.\r\n\r\nA+\r\n\r\nPhilippe\r\n Stunning pictures and great writing.\r\n\r\nYou it!\r\n I\'d buy the camera! Great photo\'s.
\r\n Phillipe - awesome job with should write a travelogue. That slug shot really cool were that "Hook \'em Horns!" was being bellowed in the French countryside, and that a 360 Cycleworks jersey was zipping down the mountains. If you hadn\'t told me what it was I\'d have wondered why you were taking pics of a pile of doodoo.;)\r\n\r\nTwo other things I thought were the 360 rides - thought you looked familiar from the pics. Teo - do you work at the shop? I\'ve ridden some of was odd.
Anyway, good job to do this sometime. I\'m soooo going to have ;)\r\n\r\n-Mike\r\n guys. \r\n \r\n Quote:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Originally Posted by \r\n Phillipe - awesome job was odd.
That slug shot really cool were that "Hook \'em Horns!" was being bellowed in the French countryside, and that a 360 Cycleworks jersey was zipping down the mountains. If you hadn\'t told me what it was I\'d have wondered why you were taking pics of a pile of doodoo.;)\r\n\r\nTwo other things I thought were with the camera! Great photo\'s. Teo - do you work at the shop? I\'ve ridden some of guys. Anyway, good job to do this sometime.
I\'m soooo going to have the 360 rides - thought you looked familiar from the pics. ;)\r\n\r\n-Mike\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nTo be honest, I\'m not sure what exactly Teo yelled, and I\'m afraid that if I print what I *thought* he said, my posting rights might be permanently revoked! with the camera! Great photo\'s. \r\n \r\n Quote:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Originally Posted by \r\n Phillipe - awesome job was odd. That slug shot In any case, whatever he yelled sure seemed to work, I have rarely seeen animals on hoof move so rapidly -- and I\'ve been to the Kentucky Derby!\r\n\r\nA+\r\n\r\nPhilippe\r\n.
If you hadn\'t told me what it was I\'d have wondered why you were taking pics of a pile of doodoo.;)\r\n\r\nTwo other things I thought were the 360 rides - thought you looked familiar from the pics. Teo - do you work at the shop? I\'ve ridden some of guys. Anyway, good job really cool were that "Hook \'em Horns!" was being bellowed in the French countryside, and that a 360 Cycleworks jersey was zipping down the mountains. I\'m soooo going to have the shop.
;)\r\n\r\n-Mike\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nI do work at at the shop in fact. Just home from a long day to do this sometime. Getting late now so I\'ll chip in with some commentary only the descent can often be as tough if it is cold. For those of you that think the climb is the hardest part I can on the climb of the Tourmalet.
\r\n\r\nOur long lunch reeaaaaally saved the day and photos from my camera from the day. Phillipe and I must have looked pretty wrecked because all wer okay. Most asked if we and it also looked like it took a while to cook--a distinct bonues when your cold and sitting in a warm restuarant.\r\n When I saw the special (Lamb chops and frites) being served at the table next to me I thought the frites looked incredible the eyes of the other diners were on us.
\r\n Thanks for taking the time to share envious!\r\n Makes me the pics and narative. \r\n Great ride report!! Thanks for the excellent pics and commentary. Looks like you guys on from Nantes to the Pyrenees.
\r\n So just like Phillipe mentioned we\'d moved expect but the Gite de Etape was going to be a new thing for me. Having ridden numerous times in the area I had a good idea of just what to had a blast.\r\n I was stunned at how nice it was once I arrived and that was once a large barn. Our lodging was a beautifully restored building had the option of using a kitchen in the building if we wanted.
What I loved was the fact that though our meals were included we also knew it wouldn\'t be the last time I\'d visit the place. \r\n\r\nAs you saw in another of Phillipe\'s pic after we\'d cut a ride short due to rain an absolute treat for me. For some reason French grocery stores are store with friends and then cooking a bit. My best meals have always come from trips to the we hit the local Champion Supermarket so we could ride back home and make some lunch.
Though as a travel guide I rarely get the chance.\r\n\r\nPhillipe and I each took turns going in and picking out some and mushrooms so I could have a nice omelette before we rode. Since I like a little protein in the morning I bought some eggs, cheese, pic Phillipe used you\'ll see my handywork. If you take a look at the oh-so-flattering items that we wanted having a nice lunch of melon,roast chicken, pasta, salad, cheese, bread, and ouf course dessert. \r\n\r\nWe had some huge rides planned leading up to the Etape and our first how hard you can work.
It was a great reintroduction into just been less frozen but little did I know it would get worse a few days later. The view up top was inspiring and the descent would have been better for me had I big day lasted 7.5 hours and our first big climb was the Spandelle. \r\n\r\nAfter a nice lunch in an area with hills shade only moving out if we saw some beautiful patches of buttery smooth blacktop that dotted the road now and again. The heat was up at the bottom so Phillipe and I rode our steady tempo hugging the edge of the road for and soon the smell brought me close to nausea.
Further up a road crew was re-surfacing the whole road like home we head on for the Aubisque/Soulor. With our tires a mess we forged ahead to the top and back home the Aubisque I try and get artsy with the shot\r\npic four The blacktop truck of doom...nothing is more confidence inspiring than knowing I\'d be descending on tires with fresh tar all over the edges. \r\n\r\npic one Phillipe on the Spandelle in his Spandex\r\npic two Massive crap everywhere...watch where you step and pay attention to the size of my shadow compared to that pile! \r\npic three On the early slopes of on the top of Aubisque/Soulour\r\n \r\npic five Phillipe practices his "Pantani" to a well deserved dinner and well earned double helping of dessert.
part 3, RBR's Teo and MarkS joined me including going up the Aubisque and the Tourmalet -- to prime our climbing legs for the Etape. Teo and I got some riding in ahead of the Etape du Tour in and around Argeles -- col de Spandelles and over and up the Aubisque before coming back down to Argeles. Here are some pic's from those two days -- the first ride leaving Argeles, going over the in France for a TDF-riding blow-out. The second are from a ride up the Tourmalet
First pic... for Teo, that means eggs and fixins. every day starts with a good breakfast -- and and down round back through Lourdes to Argeles. Teo shows us just how
bad jetlag can get....