Same Shirt, Different day-2012 Adventures of the "Devonport Wonder Babes"

Monday 8 October 2012 Navarrenx to Col d’Aubisque and return

One of the constant things about the Tour De France is that every year there is always at least one stage in the Pyrenees up and down some amazingly steep slopes.

This year Stage 16 was  about 250 km and went   from Pau to Bagneres-de Luchon via the Col D’Aubisque (1709 metres) , Col du Tourmalet (2115 metres) Col d’Aspin (1488metres)  Col de Peyresoude (1569 metres). Between each of these towering peaks, which are sometime shrouded in cloud even in midsummer, there are perilous descents down steep narrow winding roads.

So for TDF fans if you are in the general area this is a pilgrimage that must be made and so we set off on a fine sunny morning equipped with picnic lunch of fresh crispy baguette, cheese, ham, tomato and lettuce.  

We wended our way south east from Navarrenx (where the mountains look far away, though only about 50 km) through back roads until we joined the Stage 16 route at Louvie-Juzon south of Pau where all of a sudden the mountains seem to loom over you.

 

Then you climb gently up the valley due south to Laruns where the road turns due east and starts to climb steeply through hairpin bends, through a hot pool town called Eaux-Bonnes, which seems a bit run down with couple of derelict hotels in main square.

On through Gourette, a ski field village,

past a restaurant /bar

and then you are at the top of the Col d’Aubsique.

 

The views on the way up and from the top were truly amazing, mountains in all directions and  autumn colours in the trees. Heaps of cyclists about, some came from same direction as us, others from the easterly direction. Also lots of camper vans and cows and horses at the summit and a couple of bars/souvenir shops.

A bit windy right at summit so turned van around and sat at back and ate our gorgeous lunch.

Took photos of the TDF bikes, sprint finish line and general landscapes

 

Descended down another few km as far as Col du Soular,

 

then decided it was a bit late in day to continue over Tormalet so headed down another lovely winding road following the Ardour River, through small ancient villages clinging to slopes, Basque shepherds with dogs rounding up sheep, locals walking in middle of road, back to Louvie -Juzon and then across country by another small road route through a forest and home to campground after a very fulfilling day.

 

 

 

Frozen lasagne from supermarket for dinner.