Raid Pyrenean

Just wanted to say a big thanks to all the riders that made the Raid such an enjoyable event. Even the hellish times seem not to be so bad now!

Woke up to sun and clear sky today. This is the last and easiest section of the Raid. To finish within the 100 hour limit we must complete the 86 km route arriving in Cerbere before 12.45. 

We set off as usual about 8.30 and leave Prades and the mountains behind. We cycle through quiet roads past vineyards and plantations of peach trees. We take in the last of the 18 cols (Col de Ternere) but hardly notice it, it being a modest 233 m.

Woke up this morning to drizzly cloud - actually we were in the cloud! Dressing for the occasion extra layers were donned with arm warmers, tights and rain jackets. This was pretty soon regretted as we headed upwards (of course) for the Col de Port commenced immediately on leaving Massat.

This climb takes us up through wooded valleys with ferns and waterfalls and tiny hamlets. At the summit of the Col we’re all cold and wet but must press on and follow the road for a 15 km decent  with spectacular views and lovely villages such as Bedeilhac-et-Aynat and picturesque towns such as Tarascon. By now the weather has changed to sunny (i.e. hot) so in the village of Arnave we thankfully lose the unnecessary layers and prepare for the next climb to the Col du Marmare. This is a tiny road (with precious little traffic) skirting higher and higher over the valley below, where we have a birds-eye view of the Talc de Luzenac plant. This is supplied a quarry some 5 km away with the ore being transported by aerial runway baskets way above our heads.

Having reached the summit we’re downhill again and take lunch in the village of Prades (which is confusing as we’re staying in the town of Prades later tonight!) We continue downhill for another 30 km to the town of Axat passing down the Gorge du Rebenty with the road carved out of the near vertical rock face. 

After ice-creams and coffee in Axat its back in the saddle for yet another uphill climb! This was hard! Even before getting to the start of the Col de Jau (1,506 m (highest of the day)) we had to follow the road through a lovely village Sainte-Colombe sur Guette with an incline of 15-18% for about 2 km. The Col itself was thankfully less steep (but still 5-9%) and rose up through the woods following a river with many waterfalls and rapids.