June 8, 2024
Individual Day Rides
Today we decided to ride separately. Al wanted to challenge himself on Col du Tourmalet, while I really didn’t feel up to 2000 m of climbing—on the harder west approach. I’d like to, but it wasn’t a realistic goal for today, especially given the weather forecast. A storm was approaching and the wind and rain might start as early as 2.
Jacquie’s ride: Col des Bordères loop
I started with Al for the first couple of km south to Pierrefitte-Nestalas, where I turned onto the road to St-Savin. I wanted to take a look at St-Savin as a base for a possible future visit to the area and to see where Pyrenees Cycling Lodge was actually located. I’d wanted to stay there but they had no availability for our dates. It seems like a nice place but all approaches are uphill! However, evening meals are included so no need to venture out to eat.
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The old abbey church is the building you most notice when seeing the village from afar, so I made my way there, only to find it behind a temporary fence. It seems a major restoration is underway. The cloister and terrasse were open so I wandered through.
There are only a couple of the original double columns left but I liked the carvings on the capitals. They were clearly made by different sculptors, as shown in the photos below.
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https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/60027-Orobanche-gracilis/browse_photos?place_id=6753
2 months ago
I got back on my bike and headed toward my goal, Col des Bordères.
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2 months ago
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It was a long descent into Argelès-Gazost. I hadn’t realized how much elevation I’d gained. Since I passed very close to the chambre d’hôtes I’d stayed at in 2016, I rode over to take a look. It was no more, but I expected that since the couple who ran it were elderly back then.
From Argelès-Gazost, I rode up to St-Savin again, just to see how the approach was from here. I was also thinking that I would like a beer and a bite to eat and there was nothing in Adast, while I’d seen a nice-looking bistro getting ready for the day in St-Savin.
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2 months ago
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I took the more direct route down the hillside, not recommended if you’re on skinny tires. There was no traffic at all on D921 so I rode that the short distance to Adast.
Al’s ride: Col du Tourmalet
The first part of Al’s ride was the same as we had taken to Gavarnie, all the way to Pont Napoleon. He hadn’t meant to go that far, but the bridge he wanted to take, that lines up with the Route du Tourmalet, was barrée for construction and he was unable to cross.
It was a tough climb up but he got there and even took a few photos on the way up.
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The expected storm was beginning to blow in from the north as Al was coming back down the Gorge de Luz. Riders going up had smiles but he had to pedal hard on the way down.
We both got home dry and hoped we could get to Argelès-Gazost for dinner (and back) without getting soaked. Heavy rain was forecast in the evening.
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We rode into the headwind to a restaurant adjacent to the Voie Verte that we’d eaten at before. We leaned our bikes against a wall, under the eave, as we didn’t expect anyone to choose to dine outdoors tonight. As we were having our meals, the skies opened. The couple who had chosen to eat under the (sun) umbrellas grabbed their plates and rushed inside. We were really lucky—the rain died off and stayed off as we rode home.
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You are in the same area we cycled a little over two weeks ago. We stayed in Luz Saint Sauveuer. Congrats to Al on the Tourmalet climb. Darlene did it on a rented gravel bike. I was her “domestique” with all her gear, water and food on my E-bike.
We have completed our Pyrenees trip based on much of your 2016 route. It was a bit help. We are in San Sebastián on our way home to Victoria tomorrow.
John and Darlene
Ebikestouring@gmail.com
2 months ago
2 months ago