No rain or hail, nor the thunderstorm predicted by the weather forecast, just some clouds around enhancing the amazing panoramas to drive and ride through. This morning we drove over the Col d'Aspin once again to get to the town of Arreau. Today's ride was the HC ride climb up to the ski station [in winter] and mountain bike park [in summer] of Pla-d'Adet. After a rest day yesterday I wanted a leg warm-up before hitting the actual climb so started in Arreau. After 12km I got to the climb and it started in no-nonsense fashion with 2km at 9%, then the next km at 10%, and so on pretty much until the final 2km where it calmed down a bit until the top. At the start the heat wasn't much fun, however when I got into the clouds things cooled down and the ride became very enjoyable. It was a great climb passing through a couple of pretty alpine villages on the way up and when the clouds opened up the views to the valley floor below were great. It was not until I started descending that the clouds fully lifted and I discovered that Plat d'Adet was fully visible from the valley floor! It looked very imposing and impressive perched right on top and at the edge of the cliffs - very cool.
The legs get a rest again tomorrow in preparation for the "queen stage" of the Pyrenean stage of the trip. This is the "if-I-could-have-done-one" ride and is of course the ride over the Col d'Aspin (category 1, 12km climb) then onwards up the Col du Tourmalet (HC, 22km mother of all climbs). It will be difficult, and it will hurt, and I can't wait. Tres excitant!
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