Day 3 - The Cows of Col d'Aspin

We learned today that things haven't changed that much in the Pyrenees since 1923 (see photo in 2nd blog entry, "The Pyrenees").  The roads are still cowpaths and splattered with cowpies.  Under another postcard-perfect sky, we climbed Hourqette d'Ancizan and Col d'Aspin this morning before some of us returned to St. Lary for a beer and others ventured on up to see a mountain lake.  I returned with the first group, satisfied with 4,000 ft. of climbing and 36 mi.--akin to 3 Gaps--for my first full day in the Pyrenees.  The photos tell the rest of the story.

It starts with a cow non-chalantly crossing the road in front of cyclists.  No big deal, except best to get off your bike and snap a picture.

Before long, the cows are coming straight at the cyclists.

Then the cyclists counter-attack!

OK, this isn't a cow, but if you look closely this ass has gotten into a fight, probably with a cyclist.  There's an apple-sized knot under it's right eye.  The small black spots are flies, applying their healing magic.  This really deserved a close-up photo but I was worried about a counter-punch.

Now, back to the cycling story.  The Col du Tourmalet lies on our horizon.  Tomorrow is Race Day, which means Tourmalet!  The peak in the picture isn't actually Tourmalet, though we thought it was for a while and like the drama of it.  According to Nel, it's Pic du Midi and Tourmalet is just to the left, unseen, behind the near mountain.