My trip was organised through Cycle Pyrenees (Roquefort Cycle lodge) who had put me up during my TDF 2006 ride. I had a great time, in no small part due to the magnificent support offered throughout the trip by Nick, Austin and Sal. Anybody wishing to do the Raid or sample the beautiful Ariege region should get in touch with them:
http://www.cyclepyrenees.com/lodge.html
The final words Sal said to us before we set off to the Atlantic coast were "remember you are on holiday, you are meant to be enjoying yourselves." These words were put to the test in the next 4 days as we rode through rain and shine (and snow), up and over some very large mountains. But they proved true. We certainly enjoyed ourselves. Here are a few photos as proof.
Day 1. First coffee stop. Stopped for coffee in the morning of the first day after having set out from Hendaye in the morning. Despite a grey start this proved to be a lovely sunny day's riding.
Over the Osquich. The first large(ish) climb of the tour. Brought back happy memories as just over a year ago this was my biggish climb of the tour. Then the restaurant at the top was open, this time it was closed but made up for the fact by having great views across the plain below.
Vital recovery drinking. The potential for beer is often, I think, not fully recognised by the cycling fraternity. The French have a great term for a pint. They call it a "serieux" (serious beer). I needed one as this stop was just before I made a detour to go up the Marie-Blanque via the steep side. Great ride, especially the Plateua de Benou on the other side.
Day 2. The weather took a turn for the worse and we climbed the Aubisque in cloud and that did not rise on the ascent of the Tourmalet as can be seen from picture aside. We had a "secret control" at the top of the Aubisque which gave us the chance to meet the organisers of the Raid (and have some vin chaud..)
Classic top of Tourmalet picture. Three guys here are my companions for the trip, for them it was first time over 2000m so a bit of a landmark. I am not in frame as I had already started off downhill. I had a few ghosts to bury following my fall last year and wanted to get the descent over and done with. Remembered Mongie but could not find exactly where I fell.
Day 3: Having some fun on top of the Peyresourde. Definitely more fun than last time I was here. This is a tough old climb, especially when conditions are bad. Still at least this time I made it to the top without having to count the white lines on the side of the road. Bitterly cold though and so we hung out for an hour or so in the cafe on top of the col. Owner there is a bit of an eccentric and has made lots of wooden toys/games for his customers to play with. Not sure quite why but good fun, certainly a break from cycling.
Coming over the Portet Aspet. The steepest climb of the raid with sections of 18% or so. Kept pace with Davy up this climb and we both enjoyed it. Both also agreed that though tough the Crouzette is tougher.
Day 4: Snow forecast so I had a cunning plan to keep my head warm and dry. This involved putting a tesco bag over my helmet.
Strangely others in the party seemed to find this funny....
Coming over the Port. Conditions prove the value of my headgear.
Strangely though others still seemed to find this funny.
Our support van. This became a welcome sight throughout the trip. Plan had been for just Nick to accompany us, given we were only 4, but his van developped a fault so we had Austin and his van for company as well. Both offered great support, encouragement (and amusement) throughout the trip.
Cycling in a winter wonderland. Hard to believe this is just 2 days after the first pictures and less than 24 hours before the ones below. We had thought that the Puymorens, our final big climb, would be closed due to snow. Luckily it wasnt so we were able to say we rode the whole way, despite conditions.
Top of the final col. And very very cold. Still just a couple of hours later it was sunny...
Day 5: Journey's end. From memories of last years tour to earlier memories of camping holidays. Our final half day involved cycling down the south Med coast through and past many of the places we had spent on camping holidays. That said we had never made it as far as Cebere, the last village before Spain so this was new for me.
Final finish, flying the flag for Newbury RC.
Classic end of Raid photo. Cycled from the Atlantic to the Med.
Not bad....
And a well earned meal......
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