Peak Experiences!

Our first peak in the Pyrennes!

We have been in the beautiful town of Argeles-Gazost for the past 2 weeks.  The first week gave us lots of rain, and consequently I got a lot of reading done... And then the sun came out, and I had to bring out the animal in me.  meowww?

This area is renowned for its cycling, and even in early June, which is a good 2 weeks before the season starts, the place is teeming with cyclists.  Young, old, SKINNY and not so calorie challenged; they are all there to bag the big ones: Hautecam, Tourmelet, Aubisque, Soulior, Spandelles, Port de Espana, Luz d'Ardienne, just to name the ones right out of this town. Every day was over 3500', with the Tourmelet much more, and often just around 20 miles.  That was usually enough, with about 2.5- 3 hours for each ride.  Every day Larry would tell me what we were to expect according to the published stats on the climbs. After the 3rd day of being told to expect only 7-8% average, with a maximum of 10%, I lost me cool on mile 6 of a constant 11-14% climb. I was fuming, and wanted to question Larry's source materials; fact checking had to take place! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6hzkBihaew . This was today's earworm.  (All Men are Liars)
The tourist office puts out the maps, and they are usually correct on the distance, amount of meters climbed, but NEVER on the gradient.  I have stopped looking.

The Pain-o-meter. This one was a big lie!

Tourmelet event

say cheese!

We were able to participate in a free event on Saturday. This is an annual event to remember Lauren Fignone, a famous French cyclist from this area.  There were about 300 people, about 25 women, and a lot of TOFF's..(Tough old French Farts)

One thing about Europe is the massive amount of small businesses that dot the countryside and towns. Almost every farmer sells honey, cheese, jams or cakes. We stopped on our way off the Sandelles to buy some fromage de brebis (sheep) from the farm.  Very good!

                                                          

Bread dispenser

 

 

  And to show you just how important bread is to the French diet and everyday life, you never have to go without, even when the patisserie est ferme. We have seen them in a few places now.




 And the sheep parade is just the constant reminder of just how much of an agricultural economy it is over here.




 

Outside our door, this morning!

Pont de Espana, raging waters!

Top of Col de Spandelles