Day 6-Last of the Pyrenees

We awoke Thursday morning in Argeles prepared for a long final trek over Pyrenean peaks.  My throat was sore and knee ached so it seemed the right time for an off day, given the unplanned riding I’d done at Gavarnie the day before.  (47 mi., 4,000 ft. vert)  The itinerary called for 57 mi. and 8,000 ft. of climbing—not huge by past years’ standards but big enough to keep a tired body tired.  And 5,000 feet were in the first 20 miles. 

View while climbing Col de L'Aubisque

The guys were very kind as I helped Nel load up the van.  No manhood questions, no offers to pull me in a Burley.  I decided to ride with Nel to the top of Col d’Aubisque and play it by ear from there.

It was a winning choice.  Col du Soulor was a beast; it’s profile, showing 8 km of 8.5% slope,  doesn’t do justice to its wicked 12% ramps.  Aubisque was long (30 km) but with many easy 3 - 5% slopes and panoramic vistas as one climbed. 

Lunch atop Col d'Aubisque

Peewee Herman riding a bike atop
Col d'Aubisque.  It also looks a
little like Charles trying to find a bike
that fits him.

 At  noon, atop Aubisque, I took my bike off the van roof and joined the guys for the last 44 miles to Chateau de La mothe.  By then, my throat and knee were feeling much better with long descents to look forward to and only 3,000 ft. of climbing left.  My final tally was 45 miles, 3,000 ft. vert, while others had a long day of approximately 64 miles and 8,000 ft. vert.

We see lots of other cyclists atop the mountains.
This group is from Oregon, and cycled through
the Pyrenees from Girona to Pau over 2 weeks.
When one guy felt a little sick and decided to
ride in the support vehicle for a day, their tour
leader growled, "This is a BIKE ride.  Get on
your bike!"

My one significant climb of the day.

Lost at last!  After years of being lost in the Alps
we finally lost our way in the Pyrenees.
We weren't really lost though because
we knew where we were--we just couldn't figure out
how to get to the Chateau.

While awaiting directions in Oloron, some prefer beer....

and some prefer patisseries