jeffg
07-04-2006, 01:09 AM
Well, the Legend and I (and the family) had some adventures in some spectacular scenery, and learned alot about heat recently!
Before heading off to a family reunion in Provence on the evening of June 24, I snuck away with the wife, kids (and mother-in-law) to the Pyrenees for a day.
We arrived in a wonderful Gite in the beautful village of Ludies in some gorgeous countryside. After a swim, and touring the grounds, our hostess brought out dinner outside and after chatting with all the guests, we retired to finish watching France beat Togo to qualify for the knockout stages.
On Saturday morning, my wife dropped me off in Tarascon-sur-Ariege for the beginning of the Ariegeoise cycling event. Roughly 3600 cyclists started the various routes, with the main event being a 170 km and 3625m adventure tackling the Port de Lers, Col de la Trappe, Col d'Agnes and Col de Port.
Thankfully the skies were clear as we headed out but it was obvious the day would be a hot one!
After rolling to Vicdessos with the main pack, we hit the beautiful and narrow climb of the Port de Lers, then hit the backside of the Col d'Agnes. I felt good as we passed wild horses, cows, etc. The descent of the Col d'Agnes showed how lucky we were not to have rain as it was very treacherous with tight, off-camber turns, melting tar, etc.
The main feed station came just before a loop to the Col de la Trappe, where the heat (up to 97 degrees) and humidity started to take its toll. Unfortunately, the salt quotient on this ride was supposed to be satisfied by sausage and camembert, with no bananas or other more heat friendly alternatives in sight.
By the time we hit the Col d'Agnes from Aulus-les-Bains (where Mayo basically gave up the Tour in 2004), the heat was causing riders to either grind away past many who were pushing, had called it quits or had keeled over in the heat! I swear it was worse than Skaggs Springs during the 2003 Terrible two with its 118 degrees due to the humidity (you could tell thunderstorms were brewing). Nevertheless, the scenery was breathtaking and great care was taken to keep the course as safe as possible.
A welcome descent led to Massat and the long but easy climb of the Col de Port. By this time I was so hot that I stopped breifly (twice) to soak my head in a stream and stretch my cramping feet, which significantly improved my morale. I just decided to ride at my own pace since I had only ridden outside six times so far this year.
The one strange thing was the decision to have the finish in Auzat rather than in Tarascon so riders without friends or family picking them up at the finish had to ride back to the start, resulting in some confusion on the roads. As I passed Tarascon the rain started to fall, but all the tricky descents were behind me, so I could have cared less. I rolled in for a pathetic 7:40, but was thrilled anyway. Boy, a Serotta is great to have for descents like these and is fun on the climbs too!
After a quick bite I then drove everyone to Provence.
One day I snuck out to ride Mont Ventoux during the boys' nap. Unfortunately that meant starting at about noon from Bedoin in 95 degree heat. Remembering the Col d'Agnes, which is very similar in difficulty to the portion from St. Esteve to Chalet Reynard, I started out slow but just had a blast! It coooled off after Chalet Reynard and the road was occupied almost entirely by cyclists. The fact that nobody passed me on the way up confirmed that real cyclists are smart enough not to ride in midday heat up the Ventoux (though 1:35 is still ok for hacks like me)!
Anyway, I will say again that the climb of Ventoux from Bedoin is the most beautiful I have yet experienced. All three times have been magical, though I have been lucky not to have frigid temperatures, mistral, or rain.
The Pyrenees are a gem to ride, and do not suffer from the crowds one finds in the Alps or Dolomites if you do not head out very early.
What a blessing to ride and vacation in such beautiful places with such a wonderful bike. My wife vows to come back a sip a little less wine and do a lot more biking next time! :banana:
Before heading off to a family reunion in Provence on the evening of June 24, I snuck away with the wife, kids (and mother-in-law) to the Pyrenees for a day.
We arrived in a wonderful Gite in the beautful village of Ludies in some gorgeous countryside. After a swim, and touring the grounds, our hostess brought out dinner outside and after chatting with all the guests, we retired to finish watching France beat Togo to qualify for the knockout stages.
On Saturday morning, my wife dropped me off in Tarascon-sur-Ariege for the beginning of the Ariegeoise cycling event. Roughly 3600 cyclists started the various routes, with the main event being a 170 km and 3625m adventure tackling the Port de Lers, Col de la Trappe, Col d'Agnes and Col de Port.
Thankfully the skies were clear as we headed out but it was obvious the day would be a hot one!
After rolling to Vicdessos with the main pack, we hit the beautiful and narrow climb of the Port de Lers, then hit the backside of the Col d'Agnes. I felt good as we passed wild horses, cows, etc. The descent of the Col d'Agnes showed how lucky we were not to have rain as it was very treacherous with tight, off-camber turns, melting tar, etc.
The main feed station came just before a loop to the Col de la Trappe, where the heat (up to 97 degrees) and humidity started to take its toll. Unfortunately, the salt quotient on this ride was supposed to be satisfied by sausage and camembert, with no bananas or other more heat friendly alternatives in sight.
By the time we hit the Col d'Agnes from Aulus-les-Bains (where Mayo basically gave up the Tour in 2004), the heat was causing riders to either grind away past many who were pushing, had called it quits or had keeled over in the heat! I swear it was worse than Skaggs Springs during the 2003 Terrible two with its 118 degrees due to the humidity (you could tell thunderstorms were brewing). Nevertheless, the scenery was breathtaking and great care was taken to keep the course as safe as possible.
A welcome descent led to Massat and the long but easy climb of the Col de Port. By this time I was so hot that I stopped breifly (twice) to soak my head in a stream and stretch my cramping feet, which significantly improved my morale. I just decided to ride at my own pace since I had only ridden outside six times so far this year.
The one strange thing was the decision to have the finish in Auzat rather than in Tarascon so riders without friends or family picking them up at the finish had to ride back to the start, resulting in some confusion on the roads. As I passed Tarascon the rain started to fall, but all the tricky descents were behind me, so I could have cared less. I rolled in for a pathetic 7:40, but was thrilled anyway. Boy, a Serotta is great to have for descents like these and is fun on the climbs too!
After a quick bite I then drove everyone to Provence.
One day I snuck out to ride Mont Ventoux during the boys' nap. Unfortunately that meant starting at about noon from Bedoin in 95 degree heat. Remembering the Col d'Agnes, which is very similar in difficulty to the portion from St. Esteve to Chalet Reynard, I started out slow but just had a blast! It coooled off after Chalet Reynard and the road was occupied almost entirely by cyclists. The fact that nobody passed me on the way up confirmed that real cyclists are smart enough not to ride in midday heat up the Ventoux (though 1:35 is still ok for hacks like me)!
Anyway, I will say again that the climb of Ventoux from Bedoin is the most beautiful I have yet experienced. All three times have been magical, though I have been lucky not to have frigid temperatures, mistral, or rain.
The Pyrenees are a gem to ride, and do not suffer from the crowds one finds in the Alps or Dolomites if you do not head out very early.
What a blessing to ride and vacation in such beautiful places with such a wonderful bike. My wife vows to come back a sip a little less wine and do a lot more biking next time! :banana: