27/7/2012 the road to to Cebere isnt too long or hilly

Wake up and have breakfast, far too casual as it turns out as im heading out to drop my bags nearly everyone has gone. So rushing bit Mark and Stephen ride in turns, with one wrong turn we catch Small John in quick time and then pick up the rest of the group when they stop in a town, bar two escapees.

The road is downhill till the coast but their is a bit of wind meaning the downhill isnt all plain sailing when you get the kick ups. About 55km in you turn for the coast, passing thru several sea side towns, stopping for a drink in one of towns we then pushed out for the last lumps of our trip. I had bit fun on the lovely sea side climb was bit longer than i thought be after a long week in bike it probably felt harder than it was.

On downhill before we arrived i stopped to take some photos of lads taking a bend, chased back on and we arrived in Cebere for group photo and the final stamp. Job done.

pictures from downhill corner.

 me last day, great tan lines with the finish sign.

 our seaside town for the night.

 mmmm beer.

Final Day Stats:
Garmin Stats read:
92.1km covered
563m of climbing
 1,543 calories burned
25.4km p/h moving speed
Avg Heart rate 115 max HR 157

all done the legs a little bit tired the rest of my body very much so, one more blog to come to tell a bit about thoughts on whole trip

26//7/12 the last day suffering in the hills

Thursday will be grand they said, sure the worse is over they said. It wasn't a lesser known climb bringing us up to 2,000metres would introduce us to the day. I managed to raise €1,240 please donate in next week if you haven't. http://www.cmrf.org/sponsorshipPage/show/889

Hotel breakfast was a decent spread enough to get us going for day, although not being able get an earlier start would come back to bite. The road to the climb (we choose to divert from the main road and take the harder climb but quieter road) was a buys road with slightly uphill all way, we had a sizable group of the raid lads 5 of us took turns until town when we could already feel the heat and stopped to get a tube for ones of the lads.

Then we turned off for the climb it was already getting pretty warm, with about 29km in the legs the base of climb comes into view. Its starts with some forest switchbacks. I decided to settle into my on pace, and went off slowly off front no one joined me at first. I felt ok for the base the gradient is well under the 7% average of the climb, the climb is over 18km long and is a life sucker. For most start felt ok. Then Mark rode up to my wheel, i was looking forward to a bit company.

At first i rode the pace but as the climb went up more and the metres rolled by it was very obvious mark was feeling much stronger than me. On way we meet a mad german who had cycled from bern to biaritz and was now crossing on a simliar route to us with everything on his bike. We let him to his pace and pushed on, about half way up if slightly more i couldnt keep a fair pace and mark went on. Most of the next bits of the climb were hell on earth, stoped twice to take a head dunk in some flowing water source and take some shade. The switchbacks seemed ok, but their are two long drags were you can see for miles which were sole destroying.

Finally the kilometres were starting tick down theirs big final drag were you can almost see the finish, i passed mark who had descended back down to a cafe 1km down from top, one the bend before the final bit of climbing the gradient levels out but then kicks up again before the finish. Got to the top i was exhausted. took a photo of the sign and spoke with 2 danes again who had climbed from the other side. I waited 20-25mins before realising mark wasnt coming back up, the other lads were well down on the climb so i decided descend and get to the next town for a spot of food.

The way down is like a different world, loads of switchbacks and very testing downhill but much shorter, i only average 37km ph on the downhill such was the stop start nature of it, in no rush i took it handy anyway, spotted a baker at the bottom went in and filled up on a selection of goods, got talking to dutch lad who was making his way up the climb, amazed at our little trip from coast to coast.

I cycled on for a bit before getting text back from the lads that they were still at the top of the climb. I cycled on for a bit but the terrain was bit of drag and it was getting hot to ride alone, i decided it best to stop on side of road and i went for nap till the group caught up with me. We dragged along for what seemed an age once the lads caught me just 5mins awake after a nice nap, body had cooled and i felt bit better. Astra was suffering running on empty and ill as hell. I took my turn riding slowly with him and keeping him company. We found town after while of riding and few stops had a coke refilled the water bottles.

On the road to the start of the final climb we got our first rain drops. Then the drops turned into a hail, clouds of rain battered us i stuck on my jacket and chased on back to the lads. It had now eased a little so when the lads decided to seek shelter i was as happy to just keep going and get home. The climb was fine nothing though and the rain had really cooled the day down. At the top i knew their wouldnt be too much climbing left a slight uphill drag but that would be all.

I peddled away on descent the start was nice good open roads in great shape, but as i got closer to Prades the surface got less solid and i also got some aggressive drivers too, i stopped to take a picture of an acquaduc and of a fantastic old military base in the final town before Prades, i should have paid more attention to the sites but when suffering it can be hard to enjoy the views around. Got to the hotel with the directions of finding the Super U, got my bike taken on arrival and rooming with the already arrived Laurence, i washed my face but without clothes hadn't much places to go. I dipped the legs in the pool felt great then just dived in the cycling shorts.

Missed the restaurant next door, i blame poor organisation and ended up having a mcdonalds didn't enjoy it much, 2 beers and a bit of chat and off to bed, spent bit time on net, first hotel to have reliable internet on the whole trip.
tomorrow with no climbs id take it easy.

view from the hotel in the morning.

The top of the COL De Pailheres the Pros did it 2years ago from the otherside i came from Ax Les Thermes.

 views back down the climb.

 views of the other climb and the technical descent that follows.

 clouds eh, at my napping spot.

on the way down.

 the wonderful town barracks.

Days Stats
Garmin Stats read:
129.2km covered
2,445m of climbing
 3,254 calories burned
18.5km p/h moving speed
Avg Heart rate 117 max HR 165

high heart rate on the first climb no doubt suffered like a dog.

25/07/2012 the day they said would be impossible

With this hard climbing day over 200km, we decided an early start would be bet, lucky our hosts in the cycling hostel were more than accommodating and laid out the table for us to dine and set off early.

I got my bike read and set off with Laurence i knew their were lads up road id hope catch at some stage. You hit the Aspin the minute you leave  Sainte Marie de Campan. I was with him for very little of climb before we each went into our own pace and his wheel disappeared into the distance. The climb starts as pretty open road at a shallow gradient i find this sort of climb though, not steep enough for me get into climbing rhythm but enough of gradient to hurt the legs if you try push.

It was nice and cool on the climb so early in the morning, the day had yet to start as i passed the homes on the lower slopes. About half way into climb you get a few forest switchbacks especially cool with the sun still not up above the pyrennes. One thing in this part of france, when the sun is up its up and it gets warm quickly, when it goes down it gets dark quickly too.

Not far from the top the lads in the camper passed me, i pushed on bit when i heard them near, they gave me the usual beep and pushed on past. Not much at the top, althou you get your last sight of the pic midi off the tourmalet. The descendent is a good bit different from way up a longer climb from this side, and their are plenty switchbacks also, but not too many sharpe ones. The road is quiet narrow in parts and i caught the camper and didn't have too much room to pass them either, glad i didnt catch anyone else.

You then arrive in Arreau, after quick look on the maps i figured out the way to the Peyersoude a tougher climb on paper to the Aspin, before climb begins their is an uphill drag i took my time on this waiting for offical start of climb planning to give this climb a go with conditions still mild.  The climb is about 8km long with average gradient of 7.9% quiet a test. I felt great thou and the coolness of morning meant i felt energetic.  You reach the switchbacks about 2-3 km in a left and then a right, on the right i spotted some men up the road. Having someone to catch just makes it easier to focus on climbs and gives you an aim. about 50metres before coming past i realised it was actually one of raid party (big John), i asked him if he was ok and how far the rest were up the road, he looked at me and just shook his head, i left him to be, he seemed to be getting paced my an old gent who seemed like a child with an oversized bike or like pozzovivo on his bike. Not too far up the road was a club spin, giving me something else again to aim for. I sat in on this group for just bit to get drink and then pushed on past at my good climbing pace giving them the usual bonjour etc.

Climbing was going well not too far up the road was Alan and Astra, who had stopepd for a second, i asked if they were ok and told them id see them at top and kept going. I had been climbing out saddle a good bit of climb now in a big gear, but i decided to sit and mix it up. The steepness could be seen as the km didnt quiet tick over as quickly as i felt i was going, i could back behind me someone was climbing well and keeping even pace with me this gave me good idea that id slowed a little and i upped it a bit. I hadnt felt this strong on climb since the first climb in france, one the peyresoude is when i knew my training had paid off and i wouldnt suffer too much, bar the heat.

Over the top i went with bit in hand i kicked for the people at the top watching us come over the line, the camper was weighting on top with fresh supplies of fruit and water id need for the day. I did the climb in just over 45mins ranking 282nd of 610th on strava dead proud of that, and a climb il go back to some day and beat that time. A Cat 1 climb dominated by yours truly Laurence did it in 43.17 that guy can climb a real grinder. My 139bpm indicates i pushed myself bit i generally try limit amount time i climb above 140.

Like the aspin the descent is longer than the climb, Its a pretty quick section with early switchbacks before some pretty straight roads, at the base i regrouped with Astra and Alan from behind and we took it in turns to set pace. From here to you take some turns off main road and take 3 climb that come in a row, the first two are manageable  Col Des Ares and Col De buret, nothing steep all done in good time. Stopping halfway thru the 3 for spot of lunch in a real back water bar. Another chicken on the bone for myself. The heat was now hitting we could feel it in the air, every day after lunch you just know the midday heat would hit. Feeling ok on approach to Porter D'Aspet, but stopping at base to check the route really set me back, laurence flew past, and i struggled up the climb stopping to cool down with the heats and the extreme gradient getting to my larger frame. Im not built for the steep stuff, its 4.5km at 9.6%, but for me it rarely ever went under 10% murder with some real steep ramps, that has you flat by the finish needless say we stopped at top to get our breath before heading for the bar for a coke, i pushed on by myself to take my time. At Saint Girons our stopping point the lads still hadnt caught up, so i went to seak out a stamping point.

As i was about to leave out the road, i did meet the two lads, astra had been stung by bee so we went to a pharamacy and were sorted out by lovely staff who also let us fill our bottles up. I then lost the lads who left before me, i thougth they were ahead so i tried chase back on. 4-5km i pushed at higher rate than i was comfortable at and still couldnt sight them. With the heat after while i decided by myself id be better to take a break in the cooler shade. 5-10mins on side i noticed familiar site, the lads were in fact behind me and had caught up, i stopped them and sucked wheel for a good while to recover, many water dunking stops were had before we stopped in the shade outside a house with some bicycles on the walls, the owner was in fact a dutch man running a hostel who invited us into the shade and offered us some water. It was pleasing that the final climb the col de port was managable. He did call us crazy for attempting the raid at this time of year. He showed us his bikes incuding a lovely Willier, and off we went.

We reached the base all 4 of us, astra told us hed be fine on his own, and i find it hard to ride to someone elses pace so i set my own pace up the climb, it is a very doable climb it never ramps up the average is just under 5%. I was caught by French man on the climb we chatted a bit and then he went off left to tackle a steep of road, glad i wasn't going the same way. Half way up i spooted laurence was coming up to my wheel, silly me i stopped early and laurence continued when he figured it out, i did catch him and went on at my own pace to the top, did the 12,4km climb in 57mins, reckon i would been 55mins without the stop, my kind of climb love to do it with less km in the leg next time.

At the top it was lovely and warm so i waited for the two other lads down the road, astra was suffering and a local i conferred with had told me he had stopped on side of road to vomit. It took him a while but he got up that climb, he couldnt eat and could just stomach water, he says he couldnt even remember any of the climb epic cycling. The downhill was pretty straight forward. with the odd switch back. Their was a little up hill we pushed astra up to get him to  Tarasconn and the hotel for the night, a lovely run in thru a busy town to the hotel, sharing with laurence again, who i think puts up with me for always remembering to unplug the garmin for him.

Alright set up of a room and a good feed of decent quality food to top up my energy reserves, as well as treating myself to well deserved pint, just the one thou.

I did feel drained by this day 3, it took alot from me, the heat, the climbing, the solo riding at times. Two of lads came in the dark showing how hard the day had been.

The Pic Midi from the Aspin

 The top of Aspin, for some reason i didnt have photo at top of peyersoude.

top of one middle day climbs awaiting the two boyos, laurence also appeared.

 top of col de port in the fine evening sunshine.

 the view down.

Days Stats
Garmin Stats read:
204.3km covered
3,507m of climbing
 4,975 calories burned
20.4km p/h moving speed
Avg Heart rate 122 max HR 152

again my average HR is quiet low for intense day, the bodies limits are obviously lower. the max rate 3beats lower than tourmalet despite that steep climb were it should have equalled.

24/7/2012 Part 2 my time with the tourmalet

Off the top of the aubisque you go down a small bit before a small climb to the top of the COL Soulor, a short 2km or so climb bringing you to the descent of the day. I followed Laurence down what is a lovely descent with a seriously good surface, however about half way down he punctured i stopped to check the issue could be resolved, ah la gadret i did not offer a wheel, after about 15-20mins we sorted the issue that he would wait for the van as the rim tape on his wheel had melted, i pushed on with 2 of the lads well up the road at this stage.

At this stage i was in no mans land, after a good descent for remainder i stopped in town at base to ensure a bike shop would have rim tape for the following camper. I tend powered on feeling bit hungry and the big drag before the tourmalet was no joke, taking the bit of energy from you before you reach luz saint savieur and the base of the climb.

Stopped for lunch after finding the two lads, a bit of sausauge, some chips and the most important a lot of spinnach. topped up with pack of hairbo for the pocket and some pastries and fresh water for the climb. Just 200metres from our stop the climb hits you. only km in we are suffering the heat is unsettling. the first 5km are hard going, i stop for coke regain my senses, tie my helmet to the handlebars and regain my focus. About 5 of us are near enough each other at this stage on the climb, i finally get my focus and start climbing well.

I did suffer alot for the middlepart of the tourmalet passing the ski resorts you can see so much of the valley down below spotting some of other raid lads making their way up. I made another stop with bit to go under a sole tree to cool down and get heart rate down for the final bit of the climb. Passed by a cruising Spaniard i got going again. Their are some switch backs later on in the climbs, great views are what you get with these. I caught the Spaniard and we rode together for while, i was starting to feel good, with the higher altitude and less oxygen also came a cooler temperature relative to the bottom of the climb.

I took my turn 3-4km out, and he followed, one bend had seen a rock slide. I pushed the final run in of 3-4km on the tourmalet are unrelenting an even 9-10% sapping all that you have left. It takes and takes, and then trys to finish you off, but their is also an energy off the climb, the packet of hairbo helped here knocking them back with some water gave me the energy for the final 2km. As you take the big switchback right you can feel the summit is near. Around a km to go at that point, then you take another left, i turned to the guy on my wheel to make sure the finish was near, i kicked i may as well give it all and finish in style. as you get around that bend to the right you see the sign you see the monument you see the crowds. The top is pretty busy.

I chat with some danish guys and take pictures awaiting the rest of my raid partners, i stayed up their quiet long, longer than i probably should have considering i could easily catch a chill after my efforts or been near to heat stroke too which one of other members of party suffered with. I descened in mid order, to find our hostel at the base. A nice cycling hostel made to feel well at home, lovely showers, plugs, and just 2 to a room. A decent bit of grub also, with an interesting start of cold cous cous.

The greatest day of my cycling life. 2 massive climbs alot of time alone, but the final km i always took it in and enjoyed it, i hated the first 10km of tourmalet but once i got going i enjoyed it, little was i to know it could get worse.

Pictures of fellow raid colleagues at the top of Aubsique:

The famous sign at the top of the tourmalet

another raid colleague makes it up in one piece, thanks for the earlier coke.

 a picture of the fantastic climb up i had just completed.

 views from the nights accommodation. Landscape around here is other worldly.

Garmin Stats read:
101.9km covered
3,038m of climbing
3,484 calories burned
16.5km p/h moving speed
Avg Heart rate 126 max HR 155

straight away i notice how much lower my max rate is, the heart is already feeling one day in hills and the limit is much lower.

Hope get the other 3days soon.