www.lanternerougecycling.com → Accommodation for cyclists in the Pyrenees

December 2009

Warmer Weather

28 December 2009
Voie Vert, between Lourdes & Argeles-Gazost.

After a very cold couple of weeks we have returned to warmer weather, we had 8 days in which the temperature never rose above -2°c. This afternoon it rose to 12°c so I’m back on the road, it was damp today and there was only a handful of cyclists out and about. Lots of tourists in the [...]

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Joyeux Noël.

24 December 2009
Joyeux Noël-Saint-Savin-Christmas

We wish all our customers and website visitors a happy Christmas and prosperous new year. You might like:Le lac du TechLe lac du Tech is at 1500m altitude in the Val d’Azun. It is a man made lake in the Pyrénées Natio…Col du Tourmalet Open!The Col du Tourmalet opened 2 days ago. I went up this afternoon [...]

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Cold Snap

17 December 2009
Webcam Pic du Midi

We are experiencing a cold snap at the moment, today is the 5th day temperatures have not risen above 0°c. It is -2°c in Saint Savin this afternoon but a rather chilly -13°c on Pic du Midi. Night time temperatures up there are down to -20°c, while here in Saint Savin we have had -8°c. Check out [...]

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Col du Berbérust

9 December 2009
Berberust- 27% Gradient

Cycled up to the Col du Berbérust today in beautiful warm sunshine, it is a 7km climb from Lugagnan to the summit from the east, with the real fun starting after the right turn at the village of Juncalas. There are sections of impossible steep gradients including one at 27%. The climb can be ridden from 2 [...]

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Col du Tourmalet meaning

8 December 2009
col-du-tourmalet-may-2011-82

The interpretation of the name is most often given as “Bad trip” or “Bad detour”; this would be fair enough if the name came from the French language. Tour being the same in English, a trip or circuit, and “mal” being the French word for “bad” which derives from the Latin word “malum”. It is [...]

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Col d’Aubisque 70 times

8 December 2009
IMG_19175

The Col d’Aubisque has been ridden by Le tour 70 times, 2010 will be the 71st. It is the second most used climb in Le Tour. Tour de France, 2007, George Hincappi on Col d’Aubisque. This is the list of the first rider up the climb on each stage. 2007 – Michael Rasmussen – Denmark [...]

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Col d’Aubisque 70 times

8 December 2009
IMG_19174

The Col d’Aubisque has been ridden by Le tour 70 times, 2010 will be the 71st. It is the second most used climb in Le Tour. Tour de France, 2007, George Hincappi on Col d’Aubisque. This is the list of the first rider up the climb on each stage. 2007 – Michael Rasmussen – Denmark [...]

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80th journey to the Tourmalet

8 December 2009
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In 2010 Le Tour will make its 80th journey to the Tourmalet and 1 or 2 more names will be added to the list of legends. The Tourmalet is the most used climb by Le Tour over the last 100 years. The second most used climb is Col d’Aubisque. Summit of Col du Tourmalet, Le [...]

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First Bike

5 December 2009
1971, Paddy's first bike.

Looking through some old photos I found this one. It is me on my first bike in 1971. You might like:Storm Damage.Over half of the trees in the park in Argeles-Gazost were destroyed in the storm. Col du SpandellesAs the Col du Spandelles will be on the route of the Roue d’Or des Pyrénées sportive [...]

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Ski Season Opening

5 December 2009

Ski stations are officially opening today, there is good snow reported for Cauterets, Luz Ardiden and Col du Tourmalet. Upper sections have up to 2meters is places and with clear sunny weather for the weekend lots of Spanish tourists are expected. The 8th December is the feast of the Immaculate Conception which is a public [...]

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Christmas

5 December 2009
La Lantern Rouge Christmas tree.

Olive couldn’t resist any more, Christmas is officially on. You might like:Here comes Winter!!!As this photo shows last night we has some snow in the valley and it seems that Autumn is giving-wa…Col du Tourmalet Open!The Col du Tourmalet opened 2 days ago. I went up this afternoon to get some photos, in the van, not…Cirque du LitorCirque du Litor [...]

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Interactive map

4 December 2009

I have added a new interactive map to the cycling page. http://www.velopeloton.com/cycling/ The map shows the location of our guest-house, La Lanterne Rouge, and the location of the cols that have been ridden from the house by guests. [HTML1] You might like:Hautes Pyrenées Tribute to Laurent Fignon The statue at the summit of the Col du [...]

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Lac d’Estaing & Col du Couraduque

2 December 2009
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Went for a drive today to see the fresh snow from last night. Here is a link to the photos in our gallery. Lac d’Estaing &Col du Couraduque. You might like:Moon Rise over Hautacam Just about midnight the full moon came up from behind Hautacam, as seen from one of our bedrooms. …Hautes Pyrenées Tribute [...]

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Lac d’Estaing & Col du Couraduque

2 December 2009
IMG_81664

Went for a drive today to see the fresh snow from last night. You might like:Tour de France – Race Day Viewing OptionsSeeing Le Tour in the mountains is a special experience, it is however not without some difficulties…There is nothing unusual about unusual weather!Weather in the mountains is a strange and unusual thing. There is basically one rule, "Th…Vuelta a [...]

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