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The following is a collection of photos from the 2009
Pyrenees trip. These photos are in chronological
order, and represent 12 days of riding, 1000 miles and
94,000 feet of climbing. |
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Day 1. |
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The weather is the only uncontrollable variable, and so
the first day was in the rain for a few hours.
Fortunately that was the only wet day of riding.
Bravo to everyone for toughing it out. The rest of
the trip had overcast skies, but no rain, and that
turned out to be a benefit as it kept the days a little
cooler. |
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Day 2. |
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I like to say that Day 2 is when the Pyrenees really
starts. The first pass of the day is the Col
d'Iraty, and instantly - from the bottom - the pitch
starts at 10%. |
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Higher up the Col d'Iraty. The only break in the
climb. |
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The views in the Pyrenees mountains are spectacular,
from one valley to another. |
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I would have to say that the number one obstacle on the
roads is the livestock, which are found in the upper
parts of the mountains. |
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Day 3. |
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View from the hotel room. |
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The valley before the Col de Marie-Blanc, in the
morning. |
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The view from the Col d'Aubisque as we make our way over
to the Col de Soulor. |
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Col d'Aubisque. |
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Day 4. |
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Another valley, and another day of challenges. The
Col du Tourmalet is on today's list. |
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Climbing the Col du Tourmalet. |
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The actual summit of the Tourmalet, but to reach that
you have to mountain bike. |
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Ron Sweet, ladies and gentleman. Hopefully we can
do what he does at 73! |
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Looking down from the top of the Col du Tourmalet. |
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Day 5. |
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We had some fog in the beginning of the day, and it made
for some interesting scenery at the top of the Col
d'Azet. |
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Looking over in the direction of the Col du Peyresourde. |
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Half way up the third pass of the day. 2 more to
go after this one, Col du Portillon. |
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Day 6. |
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It doesn't take much to get off the beaten path, but it
is well worth it as the vehicle traffic is just about
non-existent. |
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Day 7. |
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Towns like this one are a "dime a dozen" and they make
riding in the Pyrenees a real treat. |
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Up up and away! |
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This is the eastern edge of the Pyrenees. |
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Day 8. |
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Day 8 of riding literally starts with a 26 mile decent. |
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Finally the first glimpse of the Mediterranean sea. |
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Day 9. |
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I find the ride back to be as much fun as the ride over,
even though the route back is north of the Pyrenees.
You really get a chance to see southern France. |
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Day 10. |
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The Canal du Midi. |
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We aren't riding over mountain passes, but some might
say that these days are harder considering that you do a
century or more for 3 days in a row. And there is
plenty of climbing. |
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This is typical of the type of road and the amount of
traffic. |
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Lunch stop! |
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Day 11. |
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Ron making his way back up into the mountains of the
Pyrenees. |
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One of the wonderful things about this trip is you
really get to eat everything you want and as much as you
want...you have to keep your energy up. |
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Day 12. |
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Group shot before the last day of riding. |
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Somehow this says it all. |
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Ron and Charlie at our final meal. Congratulations
to them and the others for covering 1000 miles and
94,000 ft in 12 days of riding. |
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THE END |