Monday 23 May: The good weather returned to us - for this very tough day on the bike in the Pyrenees. Woke up with a slightly dodgy gut again - couple of imodiums and fingers crossed for later. We pedalled out of Lourdes at 9.00am and headed up the valley towards the first of three big climbs today. The stage is only...only 126kms in total but it was more than 6 hours on the bike as we climbed three very tough and famous Tour de France climbs. First the Col de Tourmalet (2100m) then the Col de Aspin (1400m) and finally the Col de Perysourde at around 1400m before we descended down into our overnight stop town of Bagneres Luchon. Not only was it sunny but damn hot everywhere except the summit's of the Cols. The Col de Tourmalet was a long slow grind - pure and simple. Some 18kms long and tough gradient %'s all the way up. Just a matter of grinding away at it section after section, corner after corner, km after km until I finally reached the summit. Great...but two more climbs to do. Quick drink, jacket on for the cold descent and we descended down the other side to head on to climb two of the day, the Col de Aspin. Not as tough but still another grind. Broken only by a quick lunch break part way up. Chris & I left the lunch stop early and rode up by ourselves to the summit before our group arrived. An exciting descent on lovely winding roads..and then bang! I punctured in the rear wheel near the bottom. Quick tube change and pump up and I was off again. Guess what - 500 metres later - bang! I punctured again! Twice in 500m. Same wheel... another quick tube change & pump up and off we went up another valley towards the start of the last climb. By this time the heat and my dodgy gut got the better of me and I was not in the best of conditions. My energy levels were low, I was hot, thirsty, legs burning and the last climb was still to come. The Col de Perysourde was a long grovel to hell and back - well I thought so. Wishing every corner was the last and counting down every kilometre. They have signs on all these Cols counting down the kilometers to the summits and telling you how far to go and what gradient in % terms is the steepness of that section you are about to ride. When you are hurting and grovelling at 8% and the next sign says the next KM is at 11% - not good thoughts go through ones head! My cycling friends will know exactly what I am talking about. It was a very tough day at the office as we say. The summit, descent down into Luchon and arrival at out hotel could not come quick enough. Cool shower, some food and plenty of hydration. A quick cocktail party for two riders who have birthdays today then dinner and after a quick walk down the street to walk off dinner. Luchon is a beautiful tourist/ski town nestled under the Cols. Would love to come back here one day - without the bike! Another somewhat mountainous day again tomorrow- but a bit easier so they say.....
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