Cycling, Wine and Cultural Tours in the Dordogne, Pyrenees and Southwest of France.
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Conquer the Pyrenees
Chateau de Pitray
Ride Across the French Pyrenees - Coast to Coast - and Back !
1000 miles, 94000 ft climbing, 12 days riding + 2 rest days
August 27th to September 11th - Yearly.
The following is a collection of photos from the 2009 Pyrenees trip. These photos are in chronological order, and represent 12 days of riding, 1000 miles and 94,000 feet of climbing.
First day of riding...a little rainy today, but that was all the rain for the trip.
Not much can dampen the spirits on the first day, excitement is too high.
Eventhough it is wet the temperature is warm.
The beginning of day two. Overcast but no rain all day. At least with the cloud cover it stayed cooler.
A peak ahead for what is around the next bend.
Col d'Iraty, perfect pavement.
The view from the summit of the col du Barguri.
Road hazard or Pyrenees charm?
The sun rises on the 3rd day...
Clear skies today as we meander through this beautiful valley on our way to the Col du Marie-Blanc.
The col d'Aubisque looming and beckoning...
Summit col d'Aubisque. Today there were horses roaming around like ants, begging for food.
Looking out towards the road that climbs up the Col du Soulor.
Day 4, off to the Tourmalet.
Abbey road?
Col du Tourmalet, the true summit...but you need a mountain bike for to reach it.
Only half way up the Tourmalet...18km climb.
Ron, loving it.
Looking west from the summit of the col du Tourmalet...Lamas to great you below.
The beginning of day 5 of riding...very foggy below, but it cleared up as we topped the col d'Azet.
Looking towards the col de Peyresourde, next on the list of 5 climbs for the day.
Climbing up the col du Portillon...Charles gives Ron a little space but that won't last.
Take a look at the stone work on the this beautiful church.
Site along the ride for day 6 of riding.
Even the smaller backroads are well paved, and just about no traffic.
Serenity, serenity...paradise for cycling.
The start of day 7 of riding.
Flowers in all the towns....beautiful.
Up up and away we go.
Fog at the top of the col de Pailheres...keep an eye out for the livestock.
Outside the town of Font-Romeau.
The sunrise on the morning of the 8th day of riding.
Day 8 starts more or less with a 26 miles decent.
Ron approaches the one big climb for the day before reaching the Mediterranean.
Finally, the Mediterranean in the backgrond. Charles and Oral.
Home for 2 nights...the town of Collioure.
Now we start heading to the Atlantic, sunny skies and 126 miles to go.
The eastern end of the Pyrenees.
Over the foothills, if you can call them that, to the town of Castlenaudary.
Views along the way.
The Canal du Midi at Castlenaudary.
The start of day 10 of riding, another 106 mile day.
Ron pulls the group.
...it keeps going and going.
Empty open roads...awesome.
Lunch by the side of the road.
Day 11, again 106 miles, but today cllimbs back into the Pyrenees mountains.
Keep your head up and don't stop pedaling.
Climbing back into the mountains, saving the hardest part for the end of day 11.
No problem finding a bakery for all your needs.
The moring of the final day of riding. Group shot.
Everything is as it should be. Day 12.
Road hazards as usual.
No need to rush through the day.
Almost at the end but still more climbing as usual.
This really says it all, body language after 1000 miles and 94000 ft in 12 days.
That is all folks. Ron and Charles.
