Luz St Sauveur to Bagneres de Luchon (121kms)
Monday morning, Day 4, the start of some serious climbing…. This is Tourmalet day. The start is in two groups and the climb is almost immediately after leaving the hotel. It will take over two hours to reach the top of this magnificent mountain. All is quiet at breakfast as they prepare for the day ahead. We've heard so many horror stories about this mountain. Tourmalet is stunning almost moon-like as you reach the top, we are so high. The road is winding and never-ending and each bend you think is the last but it goes on and on. The team are spread out as the toll on the legs begins to sharpen. The support van passes each rider to check they are ok but the mood is sombre. The top of the col is busy with other brave cyclists and well-wishers. You can see for miles around on our sunlit blue sky day which is windy and cold on the top – it’s not a place to hang around but as the team, one by one, reach the top they can’t help but spend time to reflect on what they’ve achieved. There are lots of relieved faces.
They change kit to arm and leg warmers to face the descent down amidst wild horses which roam the col. After stocking up on power food and drink they head down the glorious descent through stunning valleys, narrow nail-biting cliff-edge roads to the valley below.
Next is Col d’Aspin, a 13km slog with tired legs but it’s a beautiful col. We had a picnic in the sun at the bottom of the mountain with French cheese and ham, a cheeky sunbathe by mad Si Hunter and Dickie Doodah getting the cups of tea organised. And finally Col de Peyrsourdre, where we are met by a representative from the Mayor of Luchon, who invites the team to a send-off from the Mayor’s office in town the following morning.
The sun has shone all day and eagles have been soaring high above. It’s been a huge achievement and cyclists bomb down the last 14kms to Luchon and a hot shower. Ali and Jen get to work massaging tired legs whilst the rest hit the bar and recount tales of the day.
Marcello won the Green Jersey, Si Barnett won the Polka Dot Jersey, the Yellow Jersey went to Graeme for being a helping hero and non-stop talker and White Jersey went to Nick Carter. Special award went to Harvey for having the biggest bottom in cycling shorts where he was presented with a pair of pvc fluorescent pink cycling shorts.
It's difficult to put into words how incredible these guys are - each day they don kit and sit on a bike for 6 hours. Some can hardly speak, some can't look at each other, other times they want to be in a group for chat and team spirit....all are tired and determined.
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