Pyrenees Trip 2009

.

About

.

The trip was a total success! Everyone enjoyed themselves even if the climbs were excruciatingly hard at times. Everyone looks forward to next years trip already. Here are a few stats for the trip

Total distance - 272 miles (438km)

Hours riding - 20+

Total climbing - 6000m +

Longest ride - 65 miles (104km)

Shortest ride - 42 miles (67km)

.

Photos

.

There are lots of photos from the trip so if you would like some let Gareth know at gwaymark@btinternet.com

.

Diary

.

Day 1 Hautacam 1610m

.

67km 3:15:00

What a great start to the week! The weather was perfect not too hot not too cold. We all excitedly left at 9.34 to start the ascent, which was to prove the steepest climb of the trip.

The 13 cyclists made their way down to Lourdes where they took the cycle path. This path goes all the way to Cauteret, but on this occasion it was followed for 15km.

Christian was waiting for me at Argeles and we went on to meet the group at the exit point. By the time they had arrived we had had 2 falls (Mary and Elizabeth who had a nasty cut on her knee) one chain fell off and a

brake failure!!

After a 15 minute wee stop and a change of clothes, as temperatures had risen considerably from the start, the climb was about to start! Ruth who was not feeling well decided to join me and Christian in the minibus, however she completed the return leg from the bottom of the climb.

The climb was 1100 vertical metres over a distance of 11km, with many stretches averaging a gradient of over 10%

The group quickly spread out with some (DJ Wheezy boy) going off at an unsustainable pace. However the balance was soon restored (with the exception of Tom who kept having to stop to pump up his slow puncture, which was clearly a matter of frustration for him).

We stopped the bus 3 times in total to make sure that everyone was happy to make it to the to the top. This however proved to be completely unnecessary as everyone managed to get to the top (except for Steve who picked up a nasty calf injury and needed to be picked up, again clearly frustrated as he was less than ½ km from the summit)

Everyone said that it was the hardest climb they had ever done, but all seemed to enjoy it. I didn’t time everyone but we think that fastest time of the day was clocked at 45 mins (Coops) with Mary coming in at 1 hour. I think the order was Mike, James, Jason, Fay, Tom, Gareth and Andrew. Then came Trudi who looked comfortable during the whole ascent, Elizabeth and Leon.

All bar Trudi and Leon went to the very top.

We stopped long enough to put cold clothing on and the descent started. I was concerned, wrongly, that Leon had stopped and was getting cold. However as we started the descent Leon greeted us going up the hill with a determined look on his face. We found a stopping point 2km from the summit where we didn’t have to wait long for Leon to arrive cold but happy.

We followed Leon down at an average speed of 60kmh (with others peeking at 75kmh) to meet everyone at the bottom of the climb, where we all stopped to enjoy the now beautiful weather and a picnic.

Then it was a mater of a sprint back to the villa along the slowly descending valley cycle path. All back safely with a wobble from Leon whose legs decided that they were not going to carry him another meter and fell off his bike! However after several minutes of being sprawled out in the middle of the road, found the determination to get to the finish line.

Did it stop there! No! Mike, Jase and James went to stretch their legs for 5km over the undulating local roads, whereas Mary, Fay, Tom and Gareth decided that 9km was more appropriate! The others were just bloody pleased to have completed the toughest Pyrenean climb except for Andrew who decided to celebrate with a fag!

The day was completed with a trip to Lourdes where we eventually found (after testing Mike’s driving skills to the full) a bar that was both open and showing the rugby, and England thrashed the French!!

Perfect day or what!!!!!!!!

.

Day 2 Col De Soulour 1474m

.

91km 4:00:00

Another cracking day! Weather was chilly to start with but by the time we got home the temperature was well into the 20+degrees!

Today everyone felt that the climb was more challenging than yesterday, even though the average gradient was less. Was this because of yesterday’s climb or because the climb went on for 17km?

There seemed less enthusiasm in the morning with many of the cyclists needing a bit of a hurry up at 8.40. The last to be ready was James, again, partly because his hair takes soooooo long to get ready, but he also cannot refuse to help anybody that needs it. As you can see from the photos Steve needed the help the most. We’re still not entirely sure what they were doing in the back of the minibus but both were smiling by the end!

Christian met us at the villa this morning and we left a few minutes past 9, so almost on time! For company we also had Ruth, who again felt unwell. The trip has not yet improved her fitness but her French is really coming along! The day started with a gentle 30km valley run from Lourdes to St Pe and on a little before we turned off for Arthez. The bus dutifully stopped at the turn off point to allow the cyclist to disrobe and have the obligatory wee break.

The next 15km were through very gradually ascending villages with amazing scenery and gushing streams. Then the climb started!!!

They were meat with the steepest part of the climb over the first 1km (9%) as a lovely welcome to the col de Soulour!!

Again the pack started to split into its familiar pattern with Marco Mike Patani, or as he was later descried as Panini, taking the lead with Tom close behind now showing his true colours without a slow puncture to hamper him!

After yesterday’s success we decided that the bus would not stop again until the summit. The bus arrived at the top at 11.30 and we predicted that the first riders would arrive at 12. So we felt that we had plenty of time to enjoy the amazing scenery and a coffee with one of Christian’s nearby neighbours. We then went to find a spot out of the wind to watch the cyclist come up. At 11.56 the leaders arrived! The one legged disabled cyclist Steve (maybe we should all see James before we depart) and the Regne Des Moutagne (AKA Fay) were at the front of the pack with a Marco Mike looking decidedly destroyed in third place. However the solo photo at the summit and the bragging rights today belonged to Fay and Steve.

We didn’t have to wait long before the arrival of the next pack . The order went, Jase, Tom, James, Gareth and Andrew (many fewer ciggies the previous night we all noticed) arriving 9 minutes behind the leaders. A further 9 minutes saw the arrival of Mary, then the climb of the day by Leon, who clearly had found a magic supply of energy (maybe less showering?) since the previous day. As we waited for the last two to arrive we decided to send the first lot off to ensure that they didn’t get too cold.

With a hour past between the first riders, the final two arrived. As with the previous day a slow puncture was to blame. All the same they both seemed to be relieved that the climb was over.

No spectacular falls or brake failures today, with the memories of the stream, the panoramic mountain scenes, the goats (which looked very pissed off that we were on their mountain, or was it because they had lost the rugby the previous day?) and the side of the roads quickly falling away to accompany them on the fast descent.

The descent was quick with many fewer bends than yesterday. Everyone stopped by the church in Arrens (Christian’s village) were we all reassembled as a group. 1 minute later we were at Christian’s enjoying the spectacular views and a well prepared picnic. Christian’s hospitality could not be faulted with a melle of drinks and snacks that were hugely well received. We stayed in situ for a good hour before everyone begrudgingly moved from their comfortable positions. We had a group photo before the rest of the ride was to be undertaken.

The ride home consisted of a 10km downhill gallop to Argeles, where the previous day’s cycle track was picked up, then a 15km valley return to Lourdes. Everyone arrived in Lourdes together, but the pack again split up with the small bump (as it is referred to as).

Again, Mary, Tom, Fay and Gareth went on a 5km run just to add complete punishment to the legs.

There seemed much less enthusiasm for a 3km swim set tonight, opting for a well deserved rest on the balcony, enjoying the mountain views with a well deserved cold beer (or equivalent soft drinks for the more elite athletes!)

Bragging then completed the evening, which seemed to get worse as the alcohol flowed!! Everyone knew that Tuesday was going to be a rest day and made the most of the ability to drink a bit more than usual.

Tomorrow we ski!!!!

.

Day 3 Skiing La Mongie

.

Day 4 La Mongie 1650

.

98km 4:10:00

The Days seem to get better and better! The enthusiasm for today’s ride seemed very poor with a departure of 9.30am!!! Partly because those that went skiing saw the route and partly and partly there was a blow out on the day off. So at 9.16 we departed with Christian arriving shortly before hand. Today we all departed for the cycle with Ruth leaving earlier at 8.30am to see how far she could manage. She was eventually picked up just short of the start of the climb.

First bragging rights today belonged to Dr. Soppit (AKA DJ Wheezy boy) who arrived a the top of the first category 4 climb at Loucroup.

The pack reassembled and made its way to Trebons, just before Bagnere, where we stopped next to a trout filled stream and more importantly there was a toilet so for the first time on the trip there was no hedge hoping and looking for an area where the goats or the locals would find disgraceful English behaviour!!

From the top of Loucroup is was then either down hill or flat to virtually the start of the climb just past the village of St Marie.

The pack today was way more cautions, with Marco, disabled boy (AKA Steve) and Regne Des Moutagne (AKA Fay) all playing the cagey game of “who’s going to go first”. In the end Soppit went first, followed by Gareth, and for the first time the rest of the leaders feared they might be knocked of their perch!

However parity was restored (but not until the final few Km!). The finish was slightly mared by the coaches inability to understand were the finish was. With the sign posts declaring another 5 km to go, whereas there was only 2 to go!! So the attacks all came too late!

The bragging rights today belonged yet again to Marco Mike Panini! However everyone was at the top within 30 minutes of Mike!!! The order was Mike, Steve, Gareth (what a ride!!), Fay, James, Andrew, Tom (who AGAIN had a slow puncture) Jason (whose back was in significant pain), Mary and then there is a dispute on whether Leon or Elizabeth arrived next. This was the most furiously contested finish, as Elizabeth entered the resort first but with Leon understanding that that there was only 400m to go put on a spurt that Lance himself would have been proud, managed to beat Elizabeth by the width of a tyre!!! No showering for him tonight!!!! Moments later a very relaxed Trudi arrived looking supremely happy and comfortable!

The weather was hot enough for everyone to enjoy the picnic at the top of the mountain, and the bragging started already. We were clearly in for a long night!!!

The descent again was a rapid one with the normal half wits powering down the hill at over 75kmh scaring the onlookers!

We stopped at Bagnere , where originally we were to stop and at a café, however once stopped everyone decided that muscles were much less likely to start again after a short stop, so cold weather clothing (as all descending was over for the day) all continues off to Lourdes!

The last bragging rights for the day went to a disabled James (again back problems seemed to have dogged the tour) who managed to get to the top of the cat 4 climb in Loucroup. All assembled to ride in pack formation until the small bump was climbed. at the end

Sadly coach Campbell arrived back the villa and promptly fell asleep and missed the nutters depart for the run. That said he was just able to take a photo of wheezy boy who appeared to be wearing a Mankini (see for yourselves on the photo!!). More punishment for the legs over a 5km course. It was very difficult to see when they returned with sun burn or were red with all the effort of the run, either way their faces were as red as is humanely possible without needing hospital treatment!

Much less alcohol and an early night was had by all. The bragging from Marco was less than normal, was he worried that he would be knocked off his perch the following day? You’ll have to read on the find out!!!!!!!

.

Day 5 Pont D’Espagne 1496

.

78km 3:30:00

Another glorious day! The weather today was such that eating outside for breakfast was possible with just pyjamas! It was going to be hot. Even Marco only put on 4 rather than his normal 6 layers.

The mood in the camp was very cagey this morning, with everyone spending considerable time looking at the map to work out when and where they were going to make go of it. Marco looked decidedly worried about today’s climb!!

As ever our departure time was determined by the cyclists bladders (and possibly bowels!) which meant that we finally left at 9.14 (the latest so far!) and I doubt that James could be blamed for our late departure.

As ever Christian, who has been brilliant all week, met me at Argeles. We waited for the Peleton to arrive and urged them on for 10 more km which signified the end of the cycle track.

We all regrouped at Soulon where the obligatory 15min wee break was taken. There was to be another 15 km to Cauteret which was a gently, although sometimes steeply, climbing road. Ruth, who again left early, (8.30am) arrived moments before us at the town hall and was collected for the rest of the climb. From Cauteret the road rose steeply with only 5km to the summit. The pain that the cyclist were experiencing was alleviated by the most spectacular scenery that had been seen on the trip so far. The waterfalls and the sound of the gushing streams silenced the screams and grunts that the cyclists used to motivate themselves up the extreme but short climb.

It had been noted by Christian that the speed to the start of the climb was significantly slower today, a sure sign that cat and mouse games were being played!

We had arrived at the summit by 10.50, expecting the first arrivals at 11.45. The air was fresh but the temperature in the sun was perfect.

Yet again Marco was first up the hill, he had climbed from Soulon to Pont D’Espagne in 1hour 2 minutes and 2 seconds, at a distance of 20km which translates to an average speed of 20kmh! The rest arrived as follows: Tom (without a puncture!!!!!!!!!) arrived in 1.02.22, Steve arrived in 1.03.01, Fay 1.03.10, Gareth 1.04.24, James 1.06.58, Jase 1.06.46, Andrew (whose legs left him just outside Lourdes) 1.11.38, Leon (again a magical ride!) 1.13.25, Mary 1.15.31, Elizabeth (who sacrificed picking her water bottle in an attempt to beat Mary which she almost did!) 1.16.14, with Trudi bringing up the rear 1.26.31!

The heat did not seem to have bothered them. They all arrived with huge smiles knowing that the there was no more climbing to do (for some they swore forever!!)

Once hydrated and cold weather gear was attired, we had the obligatory group photo, after which, Marco presented Christian with a bottle of Scottish Whisky for all his help this week. He seemed a little embarrassed but all the same pleased!

The fast descent followed with riders stopping to take photos of the waterfalls that littered the mountain side! Once we arrived at the bottom of the big descent we stopped and asked to eat our lunch at a café. The proprietor was happy as long as we bought some drinks. Christian noted that she looked like she had fallen from an ugly tree and hit most of the branches on the way down, however it added more beauty to the picturesque views that could be seen from our eating tables!

After yet another hours wait EVERYONE was made to move on, much to their disgusted. Arguably with some degree of reason as the views were indeed quite outstanding with a clear blue sky as the backdrop!

Another short fast decent to Cauteret was followed by a short ride to Soulon. Everyone removed cold gear, as temperatures were in the mid 20s. Fay and Mary decided that they were going to run the 21km back from Soulon as part of Mary’s Marathon training. I dropped Christian off at Argeles and then made my way to meet the runners en-route. Once they had been re-hydrate they continued to Lourdes where they were going to meet Tom and Gareth at the pool for a quick 2km swim set.

Mike, Jase and Elizabeth decided that today’s cycle wasn’t enough and completed their usual 5km run!

Sadness was the only feeling in the afternoon as Adrian, Mike and Jase prepared for an early start the following morning as they were returning early, all for the sake of the club of course.

.

.