1 Août

1 Août
Gourette a Barèges
About 65 km via
Col d'Aubisque, 1709 m
Col du Soulor, 1474 m
And the Gorge de Luz
Total ascent: 1698 m
Woke to brilliant sunshine and the smell of the alpine meadows. Very sweet.
The ride up the remaining 5 km to Col d'Aubisque was cinematic. The road seemed familiar. Yes, I have seen this stretch of pavement several times while watching Le Tour on TV! Lots of famous names written on the road. Everyone, walkers, cyclists and auto drivers alike, were very encouraging of moi. Feels like I am part of a communal celebration of the Pyrenées.
The views of Pic de Ger and Pene Médaa looming above Gourette transfixed my attention.
Lingered a good while at the top. Low and behold, Ramon y Ramon appeared, in high spirits. Very nice to see them again.
Col du Soulor was mostly a bump on the long descent from Aubisque. While refilling water bottles, spent a few minutes visiting some local sheep huddled in the shade. When a dog approached, they let hurriedly, both quite lame. The younger one was missing a piece of its rear thigh.
Descending into Argelès-Gazost, the road rooted for all of the big players in this year's tour, especially Thomas Voeckler. It was in the 30's down in the valley. Treated myself to a pleasant lunch at a brasserie, used their WiFi, and rolled up valley to Barèges when things had cooled off.
The ride up the Gorge de Luz was harrowing. Like Chuckanut, but narrower, with trucks, on a very busy day. Took an alternate route involving a bit of short steep climbing for the second half of the gorge. Better views, as well.
Camping at la ribere in Barèges is quite sociable. Had a lengthy visit with the young Dutch couple camping uphill, then a lively discussion about bicycle touring in Europe with an English couple who toured extensively before their three children were born (and long to cycle tour again), and, finally, Marc, a young fellow from Rouen, who is hiking from coast coast on the GR10, paid me a visit. He left Hendaye the same day I left Venlo, and will arrive at the Mediterranean shore about the time that I will be leaving for home. He has seen many of the Griffon Vultures, and was in close proximity to one of the 5 bears inhabiting the Pyrenées.
Following my new regimen, tomorrow is a "rest" day. Ride two days, then play for a day. No biking. Instead, I plan to hike up to one of the nearby Pics while my laundry dries.
Here is the link to a map of today's ride: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nwvntzlgmpafzqtc