Tour de france

Tourmalet trounce

September 25, 2013 By ColleenBusch

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

Almost there!

Team Berkeley

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

Photo moments from the Pyrenees

September 22, 2013 By ColleenBusch

Me all geared up for the rain at Col d'Aubisque — Me all geared up for the rain at Col d’Aubisque

Kalima and Bill on a soggy summit

Traffic

Beauties

Pyrenees dog festival at Argeles Gazost

View from Terrace in Argeles Gazost, our base for many fabulous rides

And then we drive to Bagneres du Luchon, another base. This was the view from our hotel room the first night, during which we hardly slept because of drunkards shouting and fighting in the square below.

That's Spain, which we reached via the Col du Portillon — That’s Spain, which we reached via the Col du Portillon

Today, Sunday the 22nd, the autumn equinox, we rode to the Col du Peyresourde, climbed this July in the Tour de France. This is the valley we pedaled up.

And had lunch of omelettes and frites

Me, John, Bill at Peyresourde

Peyresourde pass cafe proprietor showing us his "casse têtes"-- brain teaser games... — Peyresourde pass cafe proprietor showing us his “casse têtes”– brain teaser games…

...which we weren't so good at solving — …which we weren’t so good at solving

...and back home to Luchon--time for laundry! — …and back home to Luchon–time for laundry!

Bread is as central to French culture as suffering is to Buddhism, so we enjoyed this sign! OK, à bientôt mes amies! — Bread is as central to French culture as suffering is to Buddhism, so we enjoyed this sign!
OK, à bientôt mes amies!