Pedals & Peaks

David and I were both, blown away by the stunningly beautiful landscape, on this ride.  Port de Bales, a 19.7 km climb which starts just out of Luchon town centre and finish's on a high alpine pass at 1755 metres, with an average of 5.7%.  The first four km's you are on the main road to the Peyresourde Ski resort, so moderate traffic.  Once past this turn off, we had the road to ourselves.  Very quiet, excellent surface too, but we had constantly 6, 7 and 8% with pitches of 14% on bends, Dave tells me.  So yes, quite tuff, considering we had 15km to climb.  We rise quickly and the views are stunning.  Just gorgeous little villages high above us, clinging to the steep hillside and views to the high snow capped mountains that border Spain.  I just had to stop for photo's (and take a breather) So we are on a pitch of around 8%, now of course I can't get back on the bike.  I just don't have the ability to clip in on any pitch like others can, I'm...

Yes you guessed it, David has come down with a heavy cold.  A couple of miserable days of rest for him, lots of heavy breathing, moaning, coughing, blocked nose and ooh, something else?  Oh yes, a sore throat, not pleasant, especially when you're on holidays, no one wants to get a bug. Chicken soup is a good fixer. But he did look better this morning compared to the past few days.  We woke to brilliant sunshine and he was keen to ride.  'I can always just turn back Ang'. Must be feeling better. We chose a route that wasn't too long or too much climbing, Col du Portillon, 7.1km in length with an average of 9.1% on a 60km loop. The climb starts immediately from the village of Luchon, no warm up to the legs but we take it easy and try to get into our groove.  The road is steady as it makes its way, wide sweeping bends with few cars, a couple of cyclist's wizz past like I was standing still.  The road kick's up after the 3km mark to 8% and I loose Dave quickly,...

Today is our final day of training here in the lower Pyrenees.  Tomorrow we move further into the mountains and start to tick off our bucket list of famous climbs to do over the remaining 6 weeks. The day was going to be warm with 20 degrees temperatures, a big change from earlier in the week.  The climb is 13.5km in length with an altitude at 1395 metres.  Our accommodation is around 400 metres so we will climb about 1000 metres and has an average of 6.6% grade.   We gain elevation quickly on the narrow tiny road, just wide enough for one car, but luckily there is few.  Before too long, I'm hot, the sun is beating down on my back and I pull over to remove my under layer. It is sparsely populated, cows with bells adorn the steep paddocks that drop off the side of the road,  the countryside is very green and gorgeous.  I'm feeling good, as I make my way up the hill.  I don't know where the boys are behind me and I start to wonder if I am on the rig...

The steady misty rain has eased somewhat, so we took a chance and headed out to ride the Col d'Agnes from the Massat side.  We are joined with our long time friend, Bob Hooton who flew in from Florence for a short stay. A big surprise for Dave and I when we go home yesterday from a ride, didn't expect that! Dave woke yesterday with a sore throat so chose not to ride, instead plotting me a route to do, once the temperature warmed up a little and the mist lifted.  We drove down the valley to slightly warmer temperatures and I headed off, across tiny country isolated roads, over high ridges with views on either side, all the while Dave drove ahead of me.  It was simply stunning Our destination for lunch was a little town next to the Grotte du Mas d'Azil.  It was quite intimidating riding through, fast flowing river rushing down the rocks right next to the road, it was loud and dark.   I had a front light on, which shone a small beam ahead as the road curled around ...

We have arrived in heaven.  Absolutely stunning area, of lush green valleys, small farm inlets, warm valleys known as the lower Pyrenees. We are staying near Biert in a dedicated cycling lodge, being fed amazing plentiful healthy meals with produce from their garden.    Both Mark and Elma work for (dutch) DSM pro cycling team, Elma in charged of feeding the boys, providing meals with total calorie count of output and Mark is a soigneur, assisting the team with massage, shuttle the riders from airports, feeds the riders during races etc etc.   They are always in Adelaide for the 'Tour down Under' it is so interesting hearing about their roles, the riders, training and particularly the calorie input which has to meet the calorie output of each rider, and they are all different.  So they maintain exact weight set by the coaches, all year round. Mark and Elma choose our first route to complete in this area, one of their favourites.  And it did not disappoint, d...