Things start to get easier from here

After the big day yesterday we were a bit nervous as to what would be dished up for today. Nothing to have been worried about as it happened,. A mere 2200 m of climbing but a little bit further to go - 140km in fact.

Leaving Bangers du Luchon (that should be 'Bagneres' but the spellchecker keeps changing it), we headed through some delightful countryside with small rural villages, old clock towers and farming fields. First climb was the very picturesque Col d'Ares, a 4% gradient and only about 500m. A lovely shaded climb amongst forests.

enrolee up the climb of the Col d"Ares: Mick, Rob, Fran, Aaron and Jess

I thought the bike looked pretty cool against the rustic doorway

Next came the Col de Portet d'Aspet which, as I think I mentioned in the last blog update was infamous for the fatal accident involving Fabio Casartelli in the 1995 Tour de France. We stopped to pay our respects at the memorial erected  on the roadside. Couldn't help but feel the connection with Robbie and his memorial in Canberra.

Fabi Casartellli's accident site

and the memorial

there are quite a few of these old ruined churches in this part of the Pyrenees

After that climb we passed through another couple of villages until the lunch spot at St. Girons. A warm goats' cheese salad which I must say was amazingly tasty. I had also hoped to find a bike shop as I need to top up the brake fluid on my rear brakes. It happened to be closed for four days and will reopen today. Murphy's Law! Not to worry, as there is a big bike shop at our next stoop I am reliably informed.

our lunch spot at St. Girons

the view from the day's high point atop of the Col de Port. In the background you can see the limestone mountains in which the neolithic caves are to be found. Our destination, Tarascon sur Ariege lies at the foot of those hills.

 I felt really good on the last climb before an easy roll into Tarascon for our overnight stay. A beautiful boutique hotel where the staff had thought to lay out a table replete with cold beer and potato chips. Now this is luxury.

My fatigue of the previous days seems to have largely worn off. Funny that because Mick and I had joked about joining the ride somewhat underdone fitness-wise and riding into some form and this appeared to be happening.

Tomorrow we head for Carcassonne, one of Europe's most famous medieval walled cities where we  will not only find a decent bike shop but meet up with the other eighteen Ride and Seek riders who have taken the Pyrenean detour. They'll never know what they missed! Only three of us are going all the way to Rome and we will say goodbye to four including Rob.