A few tired bodies as we gathered for breakfast today. We were already minus Andrew T & JohnO, who had been dropped in Toulouse by Adrian. It was a very quite and subdued lot at breakfast. In fact Phil and 'Karl the Descender' had not even emerged from the nest for breakfast. Apparently they were waiting for the church to provide them their 8am alarm, however it seems there was an issue with the bells. It wasn't until JT wandered in at 8:45, did they even know brekkie was on downstairs. Lucky today was a late start. The weather was good with a forecast of partly cloudy (or partly sunny for our optimists) but there was still a chill in the air.
Mark & Carol were the front markers taking off about 10am to head over the Portillon. Others slowly got ready and Sanchez jumped on skype for a bit. 11am and 'Fabulous Phil' and 'Karl the Descender' were the next group on the road, and last but not least at 11:30 was the group of Pyrenean pin up boy - Le Mick, JT, Creeds, Colin & Sanchez. Adrian & Keith were in the van. Adrian was still a little under the weather. An easy roll out through the 'suburbs' of Luchon until we reached the bottom of the climb. The guy Sanchez bumped into the other day, who knew Mick, was just up the road and Mick decided to go up for a chat. The guy decided to invite himself for a ride with us over the climb into Spain.
So off on the climb we went. The Col du Portillon is about 10km long and climbs about 660m, so not one of the hardest climbs in the area but do not be fooled. There are some steep ramps and a section of about 500m averaging about 13%. Some of the boys were still sore from the day before so there would be no challenge to Mick wearing the KoM jersey. Mick had a new friend, whether he wanted it or not, in Davey. The problem with Davey is he is very good at multi-tasking. He can drink, breathe and continue talking without stopping or swapping one for the other. He is from the north in England and has a very distinctive voice. Bit of a 'Geezer' really! JT claimed he had had enough of his voice so floated off the back to be rid of it. Sanchez had been on the front on the initial sections of the climb and commenced floating back so he could get photos of the others on the climb.
Eventually the group crested the summit of the pass, took some photos and grabbed some warmer clothes from Adrian for the descent. It was evident that we had crossed into France. There were more flies and the roads were not as good. Over the top and the descent into Bosost is great with a series of switchbacks, however as mentioned the road made some of the cornering a little slower. A stop after a few kilometres to take some photos above Bosost. We continued on through the sweeping turns on the descent, before dropping into one of the prettiest towns we had ever seen. It was amazing with its river running though town, flowers in bloom, children playing and a guy driving around on a little white hatchback playing techno music. We stopped here for tapas (of sorts) for lunch. Was not bad actually. Mick complimenting the chef on how they got the rats to taste like chicken.
Now it was choice time. Take the short ride option, back over the Col du Portillon or the longer but flatter route back through St.Beat and around into Luchon. Some contemplated the climb but the result was always going to be the same. Those riding back would be taking the long route. We rolled out of town with Senòr Jamieson on the front followed by his Croydon Bandidos. Sanchez, feeling eerily at home in Catalunya, decided to help out into the downhill headwind. In fact going downhill, if you stopped pedaling, you would have stopped the breeze was that strong. Soon we were approaching the border with France and JT made a break for it. He wanted to win the intermediate sprint back into France. As he went our captain, Mick offered him some left over fish heads from lunch as cycling sustenance.
The pace rose substantially with Mick, Phil & Sanchez lifting the pace to around 45 kmh for extended periods of time. Once again Phil came to the front and was powering away when he didn't realise he had led everyone off the road and up onto the footpath. Some quick thinking to bunny-hop off was required. Soon we rolled into St.Beat and the pack splintered. Sanchez was working on the front but didn't realise Colin had stopped to take photos. Mick slowed to wait for him. The rest of the group continued spinning with Sanchez & JT off the front by about 100 to 200m. The group remerged at the turn for Luchon. Sanchez continuing on the front was starting to come good in the warm afternoon sun after being crook for a couple of days. Perhaps Sanchez is solar powered! The group became strung out again leaving Sanchez, Phil & Karl. A couple of hills and it was down to Sanchez & Phil.
When all of the group returned it was time to dismantle and repack bikes. Adrian was holding pedal removal & bike packing master-class. Carol was taking photo's of JT advertising himself, although not sure who he was advertising to - yet. After a good hour all bike bags were packed and everyone was watching the completion of the final stage of the Tour de France. Cavendish won in a massive sprint despite everyone willing Matty Goss to the line. He had just run out of legs. Mr.Wiggins took home Yellow, and his sideburns were awarded second, which would have really pissed off Chis Froome, who officially came second.
A lovely final 4 course dinner of breads & a duck paste (maybe foie du grais or something like that), followed by wild boar and a risotto, followed by
fromage (cheese) and finally a wild blueberry tart, with the berries picked locally. All washed down with some lovely red wine. Dinner done and it was time to make our way to the rooms to pack for an early breakfast and departure. JT had decided to take the room freed up Andrew T & JohnO leaving early. He needed a good night sleep before meeting up with his partner in Paris, and wanted to leave Phil & his 'Cycling Wife' Karl to battle it out at 'Snore-fest 2012'.
Posted by David
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