pyrenees

We heard Tourmalet was a fiercely challenging climb and that many a Tour de France has been decided on it. Well, climbing is believing, apparently. We saved this monster pass for last on accident, and it lived up to its reputation yesterday.

I didn’t take many photos since my energy was going towards getting myself and my heavy but trusty touring bike up the hill. Here are a few images:

John on last switchback before summit of Tourmalet

The view down the other side of the pass--in the Tour they climb both approaches, sometimes in one day! — The view down the other side of the pass–in the Tour they climb both approaches, sometimes in one day!

Pedaling backwards in time, the day before Tourmalet, we tackled the Col d’Aspin,another Tour mainstay, but a much gentler climb.

Encouragement for the pros is still visible as the amateurs ride by

After descending Col D'Aspin, we crossed this sweet, pastoral valley to the next climb, Col d'Hourquette D'Ancizan — After descending Col D’Aspin, we crossed this sweet, pastoral valley to the next climb, Col d’Hourquette D’Ancizan

Watch video clip

Morning light on Col d'Aspin — Morning light on Col d’Aspin

For years I’ve been watching the supreme athletes of the Tour de France pedal up the passes in the Pyrenees–and been awestruck by the scenery that surrounds them. Tomorrow, I’m heading to France with my bike (and my husband) to cycle up some of those same summits. I won’t be racing, but rather, basking in the natural wisdom of mountains, the pleasurable grit of a challenge, and the daily succor of French food and wine. I’ll be discovering a part of France I’ve never been to before. I’m not sure what I’ll be moved to write about yet, but I’ve been thinking that if bicycles had existed in Buddha’s time, Buddha definitely would have been a wheelman. I’ve also been reading a lot about cycling history, especially as it relates to women’s liberation. Here’s an inspiring photo that speaks to that theme:

Stay tuned. We’ll be warming up in the Dordogne, between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees. I’ll write next from our staging ground in Toulouse.

Colleen

Tourmalet trounce

Sitting in the Saddle