Unseasonably cool and wet weather in the Pyrenees for my 3 Cols ride over the weekend. First up was the Col d'Aspin - a relatively gentle introduction of a 779m climb to 1489m, at 6.5%, but we were caught in a heavy downpour on the way down.
Next up on Saturday was a 20km ride from our base at Bagneres De Bigorre to the foot of the Col du Tourmalet. Our morning coffee was enlivened by watching a herd of cows in the market square at Ste-Marie de Campan, and sure enough they blocked the road when we set off for la Mongie! A stiffer climb ensued, and the summit at 2115m was rather chilly, but we managed to get down to Luz-St-Sauveur and lunch before the rains came.
Sunday was "rest day", with some gentle riding in the rolling countryside around Tournay, avoiding the showers.
Finally the Col de Peyresourde beckoned, and steady climbing at an average gradient of 6.1%, saw us reach the summit of 1569m in heavy cloud.
The Tour de France will visit the Col d'Aspin and Col du Tourmalet on 15th July, and together with some minor Cols will complete in 5hours what took us two days of riding to achieve. Still I think I'll enjoy watching the Tour all the more having struggled up familiar roads!
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