Luchon to Oust (113kms).....
A cold morning in Luchon, there’s mist on the mountains, but we’re brightened up by Harvey’s pink plastic cycling pants - a forfeit prize from the night before. The Mayor comes to start the team off along with local photographers and well-wishers. Today is Jonny “Nike” Nye Day with the team in white Nike kit plus lots of warm layers.
We are half way through the challenge and the first col, Portillon, is cold and misty – the group are sombre (could be down to the late night in Luchon). We cross the border into Spain for 23kms before Col de Mente back in France. This is a beautiful col on good roads through forest but it’s long and tiring and the support van, zooming by to reach the top playing Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls" at full blast, manages to raise a smile. The usual break-away group, Robby, Byng-a-ling, Michael, CMJ, Mark Angela (always competing with Robby), Mark Jones, Felix, Radek, Kirkie and Harvey, hit the sunshine at the top first and don’t hang around before setting off for Col Portet d’Aspet. Lunch is in a field by the side of the road along a stream. The team are exhausted and flake out in the sun.
After lunch they face Col de Lacore which proves to be a struggle for all as it’s the fourth mountain in one day. Puddles of sweat drip on the top of Lacore which is now cloudy and cold. A short descent into Oust for a swim in the hotel pool, a massage and French Fred’s after-dinner briefing and awards. Our hotel is, as usual, a traditional, old, small, dated with lovely swirls on carpets and walls - think Faulty Towers and then some.......
Yellow shirt is awarded to Mark Jones, Polka dot is for Dickie Relton (compensation for being miffed not winning the previous night) and Felix who had to down a vase full of beer for spending the previous night in the gym. Si Barnett was awarded the plastic pink pants for not living up to the polka dot shirt expectations. Tonight the team go to bed early exhausted but they are still determined and everyone’s made it so far.
1 comment:
Well done you guys,full of admiration,have followed Tyler Hamilton these last few years and know how tough these mountains are.Hope to meet up, cheer you on by the Col Choiula just before the descent into Ax where there is a lovely hot Spring to bathe those aching feet (and a choice of bars near by) What time will you be arriving approx?I will have my wife in tow and my Springer Serge and proudly wearing my WASP shirt.Good Luck
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