Day 25 Pau-Hautacam

We enjoyed our stop in the Helios Hotel, free WiFi, early 20th century style accommodation. checked out of the hotel early morning to get ready to see the TDF on Hautacam. 

Open the shutters and 'Room with a view'....

An interesting history of Lourdes, it is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees at 420 mtrs with the surrounding hills rising to 1000 mtr. The fast flowing river Gave de Pau running through the town. During the 8th century the fort in Lourdes became a focus for skirmishes between Mirat a local leader and Charlemagne King of the Franks. Remember him from my earlier writings where his throne is in Aachen,(Germany) he had a big kingdom. Mirat after surrendering to Charlemagne converted to Christianity and changed his name to Lorus, where the town of Lourdes comes from. You may remember the famous hundred years war between France & England, well this town was given to England in 1360 AD, then recaptured by the French in 1405 AD.

Helios hotel on right the Fort in centre

Headed south out of the town and met Mike and Kevin (son) from California riding fold up bikes (Friday). Check them out on line Chain Reaction Bicycles, (not the on line order group UK).They not only have the bike business in the states but run cycle tours and visit the TDF frequently. They also were familiar with the bike path we were on for 20 klm which keeps us off the main road and followed the river up the valley. A great ride to the base of Hautacam. Do not be deceived by men riding fold up bikes, if you have the legs you can impress on anything.We had the top of the range bikes so we couldn't let them sail past us, they also had big backpacks. We had to pretend we were taking it easy on 35 klm/hr. Thanks for the ride and company.

Looking back along the valley towards Lourdes

Reached the base of Hautacam where the TDF riders will ascend after climbing up and over Tourmalet. The Spanish presence is noticeable and are calling for Valverde.

For some reason I thought this was a similar climb to Mt Dandenong about 600 mtr and 7-8 klm in length, how deflating when you realise it is almost as steep as Tourmalet and 16 klm in length. A few false flats at 5-7% then most @ 9-10%. I wasn't expecting this! Toughen up Paul! Yea but mentally I was thinking an easier climb. 

1 Klm mark Hautacam

 As we approached the top the clouds was hovering and it was noticeably cooler.Rolled down to find a spot inside the 2 klm mark. Hautacam is 1635 mtr.

Time to push out the Zzzzzzz........he's had a hard day!

Rode all the serious climbs in my new Alpe d'Huez outfit, the air I breathed in the Alps & Pyrenees and sweat expired through the body is in the DNA of this fabric now.

Had a wonderful vociferous Norwegian group opposite singing away, a clear view down the valley enables us to see when the caravan and riders are approaching  below. You know the riders are close when first the high level aircraft at about 4000 mtr circle overhead, they take the communication link which is transmitted by the helicopters who arrive in Vietnam style military convoy close to the hillside. There are five in all branching off to film the beautiful images we receive around the globe.

The Caraven procession

Thomas Voeckler

Nibali

Liam calls from Australia re our position so he can watch out for us. The Caravan is in full flight and noisy, he asks if there is a party going on.

We hear from the Norwegian group that Nibali has broken away and will almost certainly secure the TDF Maillot Jaune in Paris.

An interesting part of the tour when it finished on Hautacam was that the riders, as part of their warm down routine start to descend to the bottom, and as soon as the Marshall car passes indicating the last rider all the walkers and pedestrians are allowed on the road. 

There were all these nutters riding down following the TDF Riders to the bottom weaving in and out of pedestrians pretending they weren't really following the team riders to the base in complete synchronisation, and all bunched together. Talk about stupid and dangerous. We enjoyed it didn't we Peter, oh is that why they had those little numbers on the back of the seat post. I didn't know they were TDF riders.I was following numbers 16/164/156, who were you following Peter? The Gendarmes encouraging everyone to slow down. 

Reached the bottom and cars have no chance of right of way, bikes have the priority as the Gendarmes guide us to the bike paths and home to Lourdes as we want to make progress tonight on the way back to Koln and return the motorhome.

Happy Anniversary Sarah, now what has been harder Hautacam or ........missing you.