Argeles Gazost, Luz Ardiden and Hauticam

Have now settled in the Beau Site Hotel in Argeles Gazost and all is well..... It's a really cool hotel and something quite different from the other places we stay.. it will make for a really nice mix of accommodation styles.

Have plenty of options for rides and Gerry and Robert have a number of preferred climbs around here so should work out well.

There was a bit of a hiccup with flights due to some industrial action in Paris... consequently Gerry and Robert didn't arrrive till 10:00 pm and Peter Mitchell's flight was delayed missing the connection and will be spending an additional 24 hours in Frankfurt... not to impressed, but what can you do?  Tim and Norm have succesfully flown off to Paris.......

Sunday has now passed and we've had a fairly big day in the hills yet again. Gerry is keen to ride every notable rise in the region, Robert recognises that there may be some limitations in time and energy ..... so we started with a warm up roll up the valley to Luz St Sauveur to test our legs on the Luz Ardiden,.. a solid climb of 1010 metres over 14.7 km at an average grade of 7% (max10%). It was another spectacular ride, quiet roads, villages and forest eventually rising above the tree line and always heading upwards on a series of classic alpine switchbacks to ski resort/carpark at the end...... The descent as usual was a hoot obliterating any negative thoughts we may have had on the ascent and then on to lunch in Luz St Saveur to consider what next.

Clearly one hill wasn't enough, so we headed back down the road to the base of the Hautacam. A similar rise of 1170 metres over 17.3 km at an average grade of 7% (max 11%)......It was with weary legs that all reached the top of this by which time our thoughts were dominated by the need for a beer and food. So descend we did , back to the hotel to shower, a beer (eventually) at the local and time for dinner. Tonight , 5 courses; soup, rockmelon and port, aubergines and braised beef, cheese platter and finally gateau all washed down with a local bottle of Rose... c'est si bon...

And now having wandered the streets to check out the markets which are on tonight, eat more icecream and now back to the hotel where I am well and truly ready for bed yet again.

So Bon noir.

and here are a few photos of Argeles Gazost and todays rides..

BB