6 Août

6 Août
Castillon-en-Couserans a Vicdessos
About 85 km, via
Col de la Core, 1395 m
Col de Latrape, 1110 m
Col d'Agnes, 1570 m
Port de Lers, 1517 m
Total ascent: 2547 m
If Col de Portet d'Aspet threw down the gauntlet, then Col de la Core beckoned this cyclist to her summit with whispers and shadows. 800 m of ascent over 14 km, an average of gradient of 5.9%, with a maximum pitch of 7.5%, winding incrementally up La Vallee de la Bethmale until one is held in the very palm of the majestic Tuc d'Eychelle. Just a gentle nudge around the corner, and one stands at the summit.
The descent into Seix was every bit as satisfying as the climb to the Col. Laid low at El Picoline drinking cafe au lait and eating Ben & Jerry's glace until the heat of the afternoon passed.
Started upward to Col de Latrape at 5ish. Again, a gentle climb along a rushing stream. Was this to be the hallmark of the day?
Ah, non.
Col d'Agnes waited. Seemingly every meter of pavement inscribed with encouragement. Contador, Voeckler, Virenque, the brothers Schleck, even Cadel got some cheers. Jan Ullrich was faintly visible at several locations. It is easy to imagine the crowds lining the narrow roadway shouting for favorites, running alongside, waving flags. For moi, it was quiet, serenely beautiful. Except for the swarm of black flies that insisted upon accompanying me for the entire 10 km of the climb, I had the road to myself. The massive walls of Pic Rouge de Bassiès grew larger with each curve. The evening light brought the relief of the mountain into sharp focus.
Lingering at the summit, a couple in a Citroen wagon stopped to chat. She had climbed the Col yesterday. The descent was "Whooooosh!"
With a "Bon courage!" they were off and so was I. Down and up once more. Port de Lers is surely only a bump on the descent from Col d'Agnes, but it was getting late and my legs were tired. Surprised a herd of cows with my headlight, disturbing the hungry nursing calves. Désolé.
The descent to Vicdessos was definitely Whooosh! Astonishing to consider the peleton descending this narrow, tightly winding, rolly poley supersteep stretch of road at speed. At least they do it in full daylight. For moi, it was dusk. Glad to have 800 lumens igniting the roadway. Arrived at camping Municipale just in time to set up the tent by headlamp as a rain shower began. Bon chance!