Sleep was ok considering the tight leaving arrangements for the night, happy to have a fully charged phone and garmin and something of a breakfast, i topped up on my water and gels and departed by myself to the nearby start of the days first climb.
The climbing starts from the off their is just a slight downhill before leaving Laruns and then you hit the COL D'Aubisque it is about 17km long (a monster compared to anything i climbed before) the average gradient is just under 7% for the climb. This i had no doubt would be a good tester for how i would cope with any of the major climbs to come and had my training paid dividends.
The early climb was strange, a fog hung over the road and it all seemed so calm looking back over wonderful views of Larun with some early switch backs its a wonderful introduction to a big climb. Early in the climb i passed John "the captain" i had quick word with him before settling into my pace and coming up to a pair of spainards wrapped up like winter had descended on the day. I took a few metres on their wheels before settling on past at my own pace. So far it felt fine but i knew their was plenty climbing still ahead. Passing thru one of towns Laurence caught up with me and rode till catching both lads at the front Astra and Alan. Astra and Laurence pushed on the pace while me and Alan took it that bit easier.
The setting for the climb is excellent cool at the base with plenty cover of forest, a nippy Spaniard passed me on his way up at a pace i knew i couldn't follow. Further up the climb i hit my first snow shelters on the road, with about half the climb to go, i could spot another of the RAID lads in waiting, Astra who i called to slow up for me when in sight, he had been dropped on the double digit gradient he cursed as we passed thru the ski town. The road ramped up again, and each man went his own pace, i looked around Astra no longer on my wheel for company.
The climb then opens up bit more and views can be seen of the landscape down below their is just single switchback near the top, it is more of a winding road climb to the top. Feeling good i kept a good pace but knowing i had a far tougher task ahead. At the top Laurence awaited already settled in with a drink. Stamp and a coke climb done probably the one i enjoyed most on the trip done at more sedate pace and loved the scenery and the conditions. Just over an hour and half on the climb.
To be continued .....
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