Col de Luz Ardiden and Col des Borderes recovery

The first of our famous climbs was ticked off today.  We arrived at our cycle lodge quite tired after the drive across the valleys to Argeles-Gazost, a bustling valley town just off a main road, in a modern built up area, quite a contrast to the quiet country valley roads we came from.  But it is from this valley, many of the famous Tour de France climbs depart from so its understandable why it's busy with cars and cyclists.

With heavy dark clouds hovering above, we choose Col de Luz Ardiden, but are warned to take all our gear for the decent will be freezing.  We ride along beautiful valley roads, under part tunnels up a valley to access the climb proper.


As you know, David has had a heavy cold, still coughing through the night and this morning I wake with a dull headache of which no amount of coffee dissipates. So to describe this climb as pleasant, would be a lie.  Did I enjoy it? well now that I have my legs up typing away, yes I'm happy I did it, but honestly, head not clear, felt like a zombie actually. Not thinking much, not feeling much, just turning the legs over and keeping my heart rate under control.  Climb was 13km in length with an average of 7.7% but its the last 5km where the road kicks up to hurt. Kilometre markers tell you the grade, km 4 at 9.9%, km 3 at 9.3%, km 2 at 9.8% so you have no choice but to keep going, grinding away. I pass a sorry fellow, wobbling from side to side, head hanging and feel for him.  Finally its over and arrive at the Ski Resort.


As soon as I got to the top, on came the warm gear because it was freezing and particularly since I am a sweaty person with wet feet, wet gloves, wet Helmut liners.  So with a buff covering my face and neck, booties keeping my feet warm, leg warmers, winter gloves, jacket and after a couple of quick photo's, we made the wonderful decent down the long sweeping bends.  


Cold and cloudy up top, but sunny in the valley, an easy ride back for a hot shower and rest.


Head was no clearer when I woke up this morning and would have been happy to stay at home, but we are less than a month now till we head back to Aus. so have to make the most of this opportunity.  With a couple of Panadol after a lazy morning we head off for a recovery spin, short n' sweet.

It was pretty much climbing from our door, via quiet country roads that clung to the valley hillside, through little towns of 3 or 4 houses. Cute little 'Bun' was one, perched high up on a point, views all around.


Paragliders were out and so were the junior racing teams.  Motorbikes pulled us over at one point, car horns blowing and we understood a race was underway and we had to make way for them.  We pull over, the first bunch flies past before I can get my phone out. We are amazed by the number of riders, mainly boys, say 40 to 50 from what looked like 10 to 12 year old up to say 15, 16 with the odd pony tail mixed in there.  The leading boys were way out in front followed by steady stream of bunches, few single riders and vehicle support followed the last rider.  It was great to see the sport supported by team cars at this age and police support, halting traffic on a Sunday and on a valley tourist road, that's serious.

Up and over Col des Borderes, a stiff climb (stiffer than I wanted) all you can hear is my heavy breathing, birds singing and cow bells.  The views down to the valley floor are spectacular but I don't stop, not wanting to risk not being able to clip back in on an 7 to 8% narrow road.

By the time we completed the 14.7km Col des Borderes, I was done.  


Luckily it was an easy downhill ride all the way back to town. Clouds were low, it was cold so had a coffee n' cake in town as a treat. Hoping for sun and a clear head tomorrow.










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