Col de Portet d'Aspet

I aimed for the Col-de-port-du-Aspet. A mere Cat 2 Col, and but a speed bump compared with the Tormalet at a just 1,100m tall. Even so, though it is a relatively short climb, it has a 9.7% average gradient. I'm told at points the gradient reaches 13% (which seems accurate having done it) which is not good when towing as much weight as I am.

None the less I finished the climb at around sun set, with the required sprint-finish.

The usual revelry that goes on a col ahead of the tour de France was getting into full swing by the time I pitched my tent.

I made a soup using some culinary advice I obtained from Sir Ranulf Fienn's book "mind over matter" in which he and his walking partner cross Antarctica on foot, by which I mean I put some butter in it because apparently that sort of thing is the best way to get calories in.Read more