Day 5 - Trip to Gavarnie

Tracey again stringing together Jeremy's pre-dinner ramblings.


Although today was billed as a "sightseeing day", the guys still managed to do over 1000m of climbing and cycle 59km.

The group began the days cycling by heading up the Gorge de Lutz. This is fairly broad compared to some gorges, but no less spectacular. They arrived in Lutz quite quickly, and as this was the hotel location for the night, they dropped off their stuff, and then set out for Gavarnie, This meant that they gained a member, as Week 1 support driver, Roy accompanied them on the spare bike*. This sudden introduction to the Pyrennes wouldn't work for everyone, but Roy, who is John C's brother-in-law, is pretty fit, though he usually prefers to use his legs without wheels. He will soon be competing in the Great North Run, so today's cycling should be good cross-training.

The aim of the side trip was to see the Cirque de Gavarnie but the weather had other ideas and it stayed out of sight in the clouds. Those with more off-road capable bikes tried going a little higher on a track, but didn't have any better luck.

It sounds as if the high point of the trip, was actually on the way down. Fortified by a hot chocolate break, the five managed the 20km run back to the hotel (even with a head-wind) in 25mins!

Tomorrow is the day that everyone has been looking forward to and dreading at the same time. It will take in the Col de Tourmalet. I asked Jeremy why it's such a challenge and was told, "It's just BIG, you know?!" - I think he may have been channeling Gag Halfrunt** - though it could have been pre-meal low blood sugar... Anyway. Col de T is steep, and generally huge - 2115m at the top. It's nearly always featured in the Tour de France - providing lovely footage of how wrecked riders as they get to the top. After the fearsome Col de Tourmalet, they also have to face 2 more big climbs - Col d'Aspin and the Pic.

It all sounds pretty formidable, but this will be the most difficult day - if they make it, that's the worst over with.


*Spare bike for John C and Paul. Doesn't fit Jeremy or John H - they just have to be VERY careful!
**Sorry - "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" reference.