Alix - I was so depleted after the 'Tourmalet torment' that as I was laid in bed last night I was wondering how I was going to get through today let alone the rest of the 'Raid'. But, some great food, a bit of stretching and a few hours of kip make a big difference and I awoke feeling maybe not quite 'up for it', but certainly more chipper than I had been at the end of the previous day!
It was a beautiful, fresh beginning to the day in Bagneres and another early morning start saw us head back up the valley we'd come down the night before to our first climb of the day, the col d'Aspin. Maybe it's because at that time of day it's 20 degrees cooler, but this was such a lovely climb. Blue skies, green pastures, cows with bells, steady gradient, great road surface....perfect Pyrenean pedalling! The amazing views at the top just finished it off nicely. Paul punctured on the gravelly descent, but we regrouped at the bottom of the climb and headed off next to the Col du Peyresourde.
Unfortunately, the promised lunch stop at the top of the col had been swept away in an avalanche (over winter!) so lunchtime omelette and frites was off the menu! After a bit of a chat with some French cycling locals, the obligatory 'top of the col' picture and some Scooby snacks from the back of the support van we were soon on our way again speeding down an amazing descent into Luchon where a well placed boulangerie provided lunch. When it's very hot and you're really putting some effort in, it can often be hard to keep yourself sufficiently fuelled up. I felt like I had to really force half a sandwich down......and a donut, that seemed like a good idea in the bakery, ended up in my back pocket!
We were then back in the Glasgow armchair down the valley (thanks boys!). It was tough going into a headwind, but taking turns we arrived at the relatively gentle col d'Ares. A quick cafe stop at the top in the shade set us up for the last col of the day, the col de Portet d'Aspet - a 10km consistently/relentlessly steep climb. Unfortunately, Paul had his second puncture of the day on the Ares descent. Debbie went back to him in the van and saved him some unnecessary sweating with a mini-pump at the road-side whilst I waited at the foot of the col and ate my squashed donut, but by this time we were disconnected from the rest of the group. Paul and I settled in for what we knew would be a 2-up effort for the ride up the col and onto the evenings digs....only 70k to go.
Going up the col de Portet d'Aspet was pretty heavy going. Paul was feeling very tired and it also felt like every single biting insect in the area had come out to welcome us! Not sure how fast you have to go to shake 'em off, but we weren't managing it! Still, it made the decision as to where to go to get our official 'Raid' card stamped in the next town of St. Girons very easy......local pharmacy. One stamp, one tube of insect bite cream please!
A couple of our group had waited in the town for us (thanks Monica & Alex), but we somehow missed them and continued on our way up the valley to Massat on our own. Now, I've done a few time trials on the bike where you end up counting down the distance, but those last few miles to the hotel were a bit torturous! Everything hurt....especially my feet, which had taken a bit of a punishing in the blowtorch heat the day before. Every bump was felt along the way.
Literally counting down the meters, we arrived at our hotel in Massat to a big cheer from the rest of the guys. I think 12.5hrs out on the road is a record for me! We ate splendidly that evening in a very 'quirky' French family run hotel where we tucked into soup, salad, 'daube de boeuf', chips and apple pie.....probably still with calories to spare from the days efforts. A couple of carrier bags of ice cubes for my poor knees and it was off to bed for both of us.
Today was very, very long....mental toughness as well as physical was required, but we did it! Paul rode brilliantly and dug deep when it mattered. Very proud of him. Day 4 awaits us. According to our guide, Graham, tomorrow is reputedly one of the hardest days. After the Tourmalet I find it hard to conceive of anything tougher.....maybe tonight's sleep won't be quite so restful!
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