3 Août

3 Août
Barèges a Bagnères-de-Luchon
About 90 km
Via
Col de Tourmalet, 2115 m
Col d'Aspin, 1490 m
Col De Peyresourde, 1569 m
Total ascent: 2468 m
Departure from camping La Ribère took a little while. Had a lively visit with Marjolein and Denis, enjoyed coffee and watched the thick clouds hovering in the trees. They sent me on my way with much enthusiasm. Chez moi est chez vous! Merci!
The cloud cover made the climb up Tourmalet pleasantly cool, with peek-a-boo glimpses of the col and Pic de la Caoubère standing sentinel above it. Pic du Midi de Bigorre was thoroughly buried in clouds. I'm glad I didn't plan to take the gondola up to the top. It would've been an expensive way to get very cold and see the inside of a cloud up close.
Part of the climb (voie Laurent Fignon) was closed to cars and motorbikes. Very nice, indeed. At the summit, it was a celebration of Le Tour and Les Pyrenées. Lots of bicycles and happy, tired people.
The rest of the day was quiet. Almost no traffic, gradual climbs under an overcast sky, light tailwinds (yes, TAILWINDS). Hard to believe that I rode so far and up so much. Must be dreaming.
Today's ride: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ensifuurshxykvar