FrankrikeSaint-Gaudens43°6’28” N 0°43’29” E
15 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
I made decent time, and arrived at St-Gaudens by 19:00, despite having to stop to attempt to make repairs to my continually puncturing front tyre.
Shortly after St-Gaudens a van, driven by someLäs mer
FrankrikePortet-d'Aspet42°56’43” N 0°51’16” E
15 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
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% averageLäs mer
FrankrikePortet-d'Aspet42°56’44” N 0°51’17” E
16 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
The morning was spent jockeying for position on the Col, so I didn't have time to prepare the customary mountain top Welsh cakes. Instead I ate up the remainder of my bread and cheese.
The SwissLäs mer
FrankrikeSaint-Lary42°55’48” N 0°53’39” E
16 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Descending the Col to I traveled through some very picturesque villages. Saint-Lary in particular looked glorious in the sunlight.
FrankrikeLez42°59’3” N 1°8’47” E
16 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
After descending the Col-de-port-du-Aspet, I had a fairly hard slog through the undulating foot hills of the Pyrenees on my way to Foix. The going was tough, and I took a break in a cafe' to watch theLäs mer
FrankrikeSaint-Martin-de-Caralp42°59’36” N 1°32’52” E
16 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Things continued to be difficult until I got over a final Col at about 600m above sea level. Having dropped down to 365m at Saint-Girons, my last Col (Col del Bouich) took me back up to the altitudeLäs mer
FrankrikeChâteau de Foix42°57’50” N 1°36’19” E
16 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
The Chataux in Foix. I was tempted to stop and look around, but wanted to make the distance to Carcassonne. I took route N20 towards Carcassonne.
FrankrikeLa Cité43°12’2” N 2°21’16” E
16 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
With the mountains behind me I was flying along, and was making an averaging around 30Kph, despite my load. As I rode down the busy 4-lane road, many of the Tour de France support vehicles passed meLäs mer
FrankrikeLa Cité43°11’60” N 2°21’19” E
17 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
The camp site was perfectly situated for watching Le Tour, as the route used the access road for the site. I happened to pick a corner with no less than three groups from Wales on it. I lent my largeLäs mer
FrankrikeLa Cité43°12’20” N 2°21’42” E
17 juli 2011, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
After the tour I had the day to explore Carcassonne.
Quite by accident, I found my self entering the city by a little used windy stair case away from the busy main gates. Approaching Carcassonne thisLäs mer
