Old Blog 2009

25-November-2009
Pic du Midi, Webcam:
If you have been looking for the webcam on Pic du Midi, the new address is:
http://bagn.obs-mip.fr/webcamV2/

22-November-2009
Fiat Panda:
I have had some e-mails from visitors to the site wondering what a 4X4 Panda is. Well here it is, the best car ever built, cost about €14,000 and can go anywhere. I’m going to get a white one and paint red polka dots on it.

18-November-2009
Col du Lingous:
Cycled over the Col du Lingous today, it is my favourite col for the winter, not too steep and not too high. Half of the cycle is on the Voie Verte (bike path) and the rest on small country roads with hardly any traffic, just the occasional tractor or 4×4 Fiat Panda.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19132851

The other side of the col is the village of Les Angles, it is very pretty and has a rustic charm that comes from being off the main tourists trails. The roads are so quiet here that dogs usually sleep in the middle of the road and sometimes you will meet a duck or a chicken just going for a wander about.

Duck going for a walk.

Just outside Lourdes on the bike path, heading home into the afternoon sun.

16-November-2009
Fédrigo.
Reminders of the Tour de France are everywhere. Took this photo when out cycling yesterday.

This is the road near Agos-Vidalos, it is about 20km from the finish of stage 9 2009 in Tarbes, won by Pierrick Fédrigo. So if you are going to the tour in 2010 don’t forget the paint or chalk.

Le Tour 2010:
La Lanterne Rouge is fully booked from 18 to 23 July 2010.

Weather:
After all the rain and snow last week we seem to have returned to summer, the wind is coming from the south and it is 24c this afternoon and most of the snow on Hautacam has melted, much to the disappointment of skiers. The main ski areas at Cauterets, Tourmalet and Gavarnie are opening on 26th November.

05-November-2009
End of Season.
Now that the 2009 season is over, I have selected my 100 favourite photos of the year.
It has been a great experience for myself and Olive, moving to the Pyrenées, renovating the house and establishing our new business. Best of all has been meeting the wonderful people from all over the world that stayed with us in 2009. We have lots more to do over this winter and are looking forward to 2010, when many of you are returning and to meeting new people.

2009 favourite photos.

Cycling Challenge 2010:
If you want a cycle challenge in 2010 try some of these routes, I think you will find them hard enough.

Velo Peloton Tour Challenge. There are 6 Tour de France climbs within 15 km of Le Lanterne Rouge, ride all six in 1 day.

Hubert Arbes Cyclosportif.

Pyrenees National Park Challenge.

Pic du Midi:

Into Spain:

Stage 17 Le Tour de France 2010: and free wheel home to Saint Savin.

Val d’Azun: Only 106km.

05-November-2009
Fermé.
After heavy snow and temperatures down to -10c last night, Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque are now closed for the winter. They will reopen in May.

Heavy snow on the Col du Tourmalet.
Pic du Midi webcam. http://bagn.obs-mip.fr/webcamV2/

03-November-2009
John Kelly Photography.
Click below for an album of photos taken by John Kelly when he visited us in September. John is a professional photographer from Tipperrary, Ireland. http://johndkelly.com/

Taken from Hautacam, looking over the Lavedan valley to Saint Savin and the Massif de Cabaliros.

John Kelly, September 2009

01-November-2009
Cambasque and Pont d’Espagne.
Was meaning all year to go up these climbs, but never got around to it until today. Cambasque has been a stage for Le Tour in 1989 and 1995. In 1989 the stage was won by Indurain and in 95 by Virenque, this was the stage where Fabio Casartelli died.

From Cambasque looking east to the Pic du Ardiden, the climb to Luz Ardiden is the other side.

Pont d’Espagne is in the National Park and is a very popular beauty spot.

About 2km from the summit you can see part of the cascade that falls down the mountain for 15km. It was so warm today that I did not bother to put on arm warmers or a jacket for the descent.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17705791

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01-November-2009 Col du Tentes: Col du Tentes is 46km from Saint Savin and climbs for 43km to 2270m altitude. High in the national Park, it dead ends at the Spanish border.Agrandir le plan The road zig zags up the last 10km from Gavarnie. Half way up the main climb from Gavarnie. Near the summit looking back towards Pic du Long and Pic du Midi A rock fall 100m from the Spanish border. At the summit looking into Aragon in Northern Spain. 28-October-2009 Col du Soulor. After the cold snap last week we have returned to hot and dry weather. The last 3 days the afternoon temperature has gotten above 25c and the snow has mostly melted from all but the highest peaks. It if forecast to last into next week before we return to colder and wetter weather with some real and lasting snow fall. This photo taken on the Corniche de Cirque du Litor shows part of the climb of Col du Soulor, that will be on stage 17 of Le Tour 2010 and Etape du Tour. It is about 4km from the summit. Beautiful autumn colours on the Corniche de Cirque du Litor. This road will be on stage 16  of Le Tour from Luchon to Pau. This is probably the last time I will cycle across here this year. The next fall of show will see the closure of the road until late May or early June. The name Litor derives for the word for avalanche (Lit) in the Gascon language. From the Cirque de Litor looking down the vallée de l’Ouzom towards Ferriéres. The café on Col d’Aubisque is now closed for the winter but this one on Col du Soulor remains open all year. As you can see the omelettes are very fresh. 21-October-2009 Winter is coming: After no rain for nearly 3 weeks, it rained for most of last night. As you can see above 2500m it fell as snow. This photo was taken from the toilet of one of our bedrooms in La Lanterne Rouge. Have a look at the webcam on the Pic du Midi, the one to the south east and south west overlook the Col du Tourmalet, it won’t be long now until it is closed for the winter. 18-October-2009 Sunday Cycle: Beautiful sunshine today but very cold, I think it never got warmer than 11c in Saint Savin and would have been freezing at the summits. At 70km my cycle was not very long but it was challenging and took 4:20. From Saint Savin down to Argeles and then the 16km climb to Col du Couraduqueat 1367m altitude. It was warm in the sunshine on the way up but as soon as I stopped at the summit I could feel the sub zero temperatures. Col du Couraduque summit. The next challenge was the decent from the summit for 4km on a gravel road. This side of the mountain is shaded from the sun and was well below 0c. You drop 167 meters on this decent so not very steep apart from one section. At 1200m I was back on tarmac on the climb to Col de Spandelles at 1378m. This section is at -14%. Ice in the potholes. Col du Spandelles summit, looking at Pic du Midi on the horizon. Col du Spandelles beautiful autumn colours. The descent is very steep, in 10km you drop down to 527m which is 8.5%, the road never gets any wider than a car. From Ferriéres it is a 12 km climb to Col du Soulor. This is the climb that will be used by Le Tour and Etape du Tour in 2010. It is 12 hard km to the summit which average 7.6%. Sign at the start. Col du Soulor summit, looking towards home, with once again the Pic du Midi on the horizon. By this time is was 18:00 and the sun had gone behind the Pic du Ger and it was once again below freezing. It was 49km to this point with 2150m of accent. Thankfully it is a 21km decent to Saint Savin. I was showered and sitting down to roast pork and spuds by 19:00. Check out the ride on Garmin Connect: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/16601092 Sunday Spin 18 October 2009 16-October-2009 Autumn in the Pyrenées. As you can see from the photos below we continue to have nice weather here in the Pyrenées, it’s not very warm but it is dry and sunny, perfect for cycling. Afternoon temperatures are still in the high teens but the nights are getting cool, I think we will be turning on the heat or lighting the fire soon, which we have not done since the first week of April. This photo was taken on Col d’Aubisque looking over Col du Soulor to Hautacam, Pic du Midi and Col du Tourmalet on the horizon. Evening sun at Le Tech, this is a 27km climb from Saint Savin, the Pic du Balaïtous on the horizon is on the border with Spain. It is the first 3000m + peak in the Pyrenees from the Atlantic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_du_Balaïtous

14-October-2009 Le Tour de France 2010. The official site http://www.letour.fr Stage 16 Tuesday 20 July 2010: Luchon – Pau. Added a page on Stage 16 Luchon – Pau. Stage 17: Etape du Tour 2010 : Pau – Col du Tourmalet. Stage 17, Thursday 22 July. Etape du Tour, Sunday 18 July. Added a page on Stage 17 – Pau – Col du Tourmalet and Etape du Tour. (I will be adding to it over the next few days) Etape du Tour official site http://www.letapedutour.com/2010/ETDT/presentation/us/index.htm Route on Bike Route Toaster. http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=88060 Stage 17 Etape du Tour Route on Google Earth: Cols/2010tour/Le Tour Stage 18 2010.kml

13-October-2009 Raid Pyrenées Route. I have updated the page about Raid Pyrenées with more route info from Bike Route Toaster.

13-October-2009 Le Tour 2010. Final route prediction. Can’t wait to see if he has any surprises for us. 17 July: Stage 14, Rodez – Revel 18 July:  Stage 15, Revel – Ax-3 Domaines 19 July: Stage 16,  Pamiers – Luchon/Super Bagnéres (Portet d’Aspet, Col de Menté, Port de Balès) 20 July: Stage 17 Luchon – Pau (Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Soulor & Aubisque) 21 July: Rest Day 22 July: Stage 18 Pau – Col du Tourmalet (Marie Blanque,  Soulor, Bordéres, Tourmalet). This will also be the Etape de Tour on Sunday 18th. 23 July: Stage 19 Salies de Béarn – Bordeaux 24 July: Stage 20 Bordeaux – Pauillac ITT 25 July: Stage 21 Paris Champs Elysées

12-October-2009 Col du Marie Blanque. I have added a new page about Col du Marie Blanque. I believe this climb will be used in the Tour and Etape next year. Col du Marie Blanque Profile.10-October-2009 Site Update: I have updated the page on Col d’Aspin with new photos. 07-October-2009 l’Etape du Tour Mondovélo 2010. l’Etape du Tour Mondovélo 2010 will be on Sunday 18th of July from Pau to Col du Tourmalet. Remember you heard it here first. I think there are 2 likely routes for it to take. The first is Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Soulor, Bordéres, Tourmalet. 161km with 5000m of accent. See it in Google Earth. Cols/Etape2010/Etape du Tour Route1.kml Bike Route Toaster: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=86938 The second is Marie Blanque, Soulor from the north, Bordéres, Tourmalet. 174km with 4800m of accent. See it in Google Earth. Cols/Etape2010/Etape du Tour 2010 Route 2.kml Bike Route Toaster http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=86939 06-October-2009 Updated prediction. Local paper confirms Ax-3 Domaines. http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2009/10/06/687484-Tour-de-France-2010-ca-se-confirme-pour-Ax-3-Domaines-et-Pamiers.html 17 July: Stage 14, Rodez – Revel 18 July:  Stage 15, Revel – Ax-3 Domaines 19 July: Stage 16,  Pamiers – Luchon/Super Bagnéres (Portet d’Aspet, Col de Menté, Port de Balès) 20 July: Rest Day – Not sure about could be 20th or 21st. 21 July: Stage 17 Luchon – Pau (Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Soulor & Aubisque) 22 July: Stage 18 Pau – Col du Tourmalet (Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Soulor, Bordéres, Tourmalet, or Marie Blanque, Soulor from the north, Bordéres, Tourmalet) This will also be the Etape de Tour. 23 July: Stage 19 Salies de Béarn – Bordeaux 24 July: Stage 20 Bordeaux – Pauillac ITT 25 July: Stage 21 Rambouillet – Paris Champs Elysées 06-October-2009 Le Tour 2010 With just over a week to go for the official announcement, I have revised my prediction to this. If it is right the Tourmalet will be used 3 times. Although there are many other rumours persistent that it is only twice. 17 July: Stage 14, Rodez – Revel 18 July:  Stage 15, Revel – Luchon/Super Bagnéres (Portet d’Aspet, Col de Menté, Port de Balès) 19 July: Stage 16,  Bagnéres de Bigorre – Col du Tourmalet ITT? ( many rumours about this, some say yes some say no) It maybe that stage 15 is from Revel to Ax and then a different start for stage to Luchon, so no ITT. 20 July: Rest Day 21 July: Stage 17 Luchon – Col d’Aubisque/Pau (Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque) 22 July: Stage 18 Pau – Col du Tourmalet (Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Soulor, Bordéres, Tourmalet) This will also be the Etape de Tour. 23 July: Stage 19 Salies de Béarn – Bordeaux 24 July: Stage 20 Bordeaux – Pauillac ITT 25 July: Stage 21 Rambouillet – Paris Champs Elysées Wednesday, 14th October, at 11:30 at the Palais des Congres in Paris all will be revealed. 04-October-2009 Autumn. Autumn is here and the leaves are starting to turn, in another 2 to 3 weeks the colours will be spectacular. The weather is still warm and sunny and could remain so for another month, today was 25c here in the Lavedan valley, but the nights are getting cool and the evenings short. It is dark here at 8 o’clock now. This photo is taken at the lake on the Gave du Pau river in the Lavedan Valley about 2km from Saint Savin. The peak in the middle is Viscos, Luz Ardiden is just the other side of the peak. The valley on the left would take you to Luz and the Col du Tourmalet. 24-September-2009 British magazine Cycling Weekly has also heard the rumour of Col du Tourmalet ITT. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/398367/tourmalet-time-trial-set-for-2010-tour-de-france-route.html 22-September-2009 Le Tour 2010 The rumour mill continues apace. Based on what I have heard in the last week it now looks like this. 17 July: Rodez – Revel 18 July: Revel – Luchon 19 July: Rest Day 20 July: Luchon – Col d’Aubisque 21 July: Col du Tourmalet ITT 22 July: Pau – Arette 23 July: Pau – Bordeaux 24 July: Bordeaux ITT 25 July: Paris A TT on the Col du Tourmalet, could it be true? 21-September-2009 Vuelta, Stage 21, Madrid. I drove to Madrid to cheer on the lads on Sunday. Took 7:30 hours from home but worth it. Left home at 6:30 and was in Madrid at 14:00. Stayed over night and home today. We were at the start of the circuit as the riders arrived, got a wave from Philip Deignan when he seen the Irish flag. I raced against Philip in Ireland years ago when he was a Junior and I a senior. He was a class act then and he proved on Thursday that he is now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK-3poBr2KI&feature=related Philip Deignan Alejandro Valverde Paddy Sweeney & Dan Martin Philip Deignan & Paddy Sweeney For more photos click here. Madrid. Vuelta Stage 21 2009 17-September-2009 First Snow. Cycled up to Gavarnie with 11 lads from Leeds in northern England. The Wharfedale Bog Monkeys- Road division! JD Cycles Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England. It was a beautiful sunny day with 23c in St Savin, but cold by the top of the climb. As winter approaches the nights are starting to get cold and as you can see from this photo last night we had the first snow of autumn. Gavarnie is at 1400m, the peaks in the photo are over 3000m. The waterfall is the highest in Europe and falls for 422m, in winter it freezes solid and is popular with climbers. Had a great Lunch in Luz on the way back. Check out the ride on the Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13460217 A very enjoyable climb that gains 1000m approx with a max of 8%. Over the 32km it averages 3% 12-September-2009 Le Tour de France 2010. No evidence but some strong rumours here. Stage finish on Col d’Aubisque on 21st July after crossing Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Soulor. Tour crossed same mountains on 21st July 1910. The week will look something like this. 17 July: Rodez – Carcassonne 18 July: Carcassonne – Plateau de Beille 19 July: Foix- Bagnéres de Luchon-SuperBagnéres 20 July: Rest day 21 July: Bagnéres de Luchon – Col de Aubisque. 22 July: Pau – La Pierre St Martin 23 July: Pau – Bordeaux 24 July: Bordeaux ITT 25 July: Paris That’s 4 mountain top finishes in the Pyrenees. Others still talking about Luz Ardiden and Col du Spandells and Argeles-Gazost. A lot of hotel bookings for 20, 21 ,22 in and around Pau. 14-September-2009 Le Tour de France 2010. The route of the 2010 Tour de France and Etape de Tour will be announced on 14th October. It is starting in Rotterdam on 3rd July and will have stages through Holland, Belgium and into France. My guess is that it will go through the Alps and on to the Pyrenees in the last week, 18th or 19th of July. It will be 100 years since the tour first passed through the Pyrenées and a big celebration can de expected with some classic stages here. Perhaps a mountain top finish on Luz Ardiden or Col de Aubisque. Octave Lapize on the Col de Tourmalet in 1910. Octave Lapize won the 1910 Tour de France. When passing tour officials on the Col d’Aubisque having already been over Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet, he yelled, “Vous êtes des assassins! Oui, des assassins!’ (French for ‘You are murderers! Yes, murderers!’) This is the bike he rode in 1908. 12-September-2009 Raid Pyrenees. Raid Pyrenées Day 5 2009 Raid Pyrenées Day 4 2009 Raid Pyrenées Day 3 2009 Raid Pyrenees Day 2 2009 08-September-2009 Raid Pyrenées Day 1. Roly Hudson from Bath, England, on the 13% gradient of Col du Marie Blanque. At the end of 185km in 32c temperature he might have been starting to suffer just a little. More photos here. Raid Pyrenees Day 1. 7th September 2009.

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31-August-2009
Hautacam-Col du Tramassel.
I was off the bike for a couple of weeks, long story, but have been riding the last few days. Today I went up Hautacam. I hate this climb, it is just torture. Its only saving grace is the fantastic views from the top.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12183312

21-August-2009
Hubert Arbes.

Two of our guests Jim Fanning & John Traynor from Laois, Ireland, pictured with Hubert Arbes (Center). Hubert now runs this bike shop in Lourdes, from which we hire road and mountain bikes for guests. Hubert was a professional racer from 1975 to 1982 and rode Le Tour de France 5 times, once for Lucien Van Impe and 4 times for Bernard Hinault.

Hubert Arbes & Bernard Hinault in the 1982 Tour de France.

19-August-2009
Happy Birthday to me.
Today is my 40th birthday, must be time for a midlife crisis.

17-August-2009
Fete du Village 2009.
Its been a great few days in Saint Savin for the festival.

500 people had a meal in the Place du Tray. Melon, paella, cheese & bread, cake and coffee, all for €10.

My favourite part was the Toro de Fuego (Bull of Fire). Basically 2 men had a mockup of a bull attached to their head. The bull was covered with fire works, the mayor lit the fuse and the 2 loonies ran around the village mooing with the fireworks exploding. Great craic!

Toro de Fuego.

This tractor and trailer was going round the village for 3 days. The idea is that if it stops at your house you have to give them beer. You can also jump on board if you are that way inclined.

Fete du Village, Saint Savin. Soccer tournament 2009.

Fete du Village. Saint Savin 2009.

13-August-2009
Raid Pyrenees September 2009.
Our Raid Pyrenees trip is in 3 week time, there are still some places available, So book now.
Raid Pyrenees page with the full itinerary for the trip.
710km across 18 cols through the French Pyrenees with 11000 meters of accent and a time limit of 100 hours( Start at 9:00 Monday and must finish by 13:00 Friday). The ultimate cycle challenge, started in 1952 by Cyclo Club Béarnais from Pau, the Raid Pyrenees can be ridden any time from June to the end of September.

View Larger Map

It is a difficult cycle over 4.5 days across the famous high passes of the Tour de France.

13-August-2009
Boules.

After cycling up the Col de Tourmalet today, our guests relax with a game of Boules after dinner. John, Jim, Senan and Peter are work friends from Portloise, Ireland. This weekend is the festival in Saint Savin, the four lads are entered into the Boules tournament which starts on Friday. The Boules Drome is right at the front of our house so it should be an interesting few days.

Saint Savin, Féte du Village. Boules.

Yesterday we cycled up Luz Ardiden. Check out the ride on the Garmin:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11108008

05-August-2009
Tour des Pyrenées.
Went up to the Col de Tourmalet to see the Tour des Pyrenées. It is a UCI 2.2 race. Today’s stage was from Ibos to Cauterets. It was a beautiful day, about 20c at the summit.
See the race website here: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/tourdespyrenees/
There were 20 teams in the race, 9 of which were professional. Each team has 7 riders.

Spanish amateur rider Israel Perez Rodriguez with 500m to the summit, this is what real suffering looks like.
See more photos here:

Tour des Pyrenees

Pic du Midi.

This is the road from Col du Tourmalet to Pic de Midi. It will give you an idea of what it was like for the riders in the tour 99 years ago when they first came over the Tourmalet. I am going to cycle up here this month, will be making my first attempt on Saturday, 24km average 8%. Sorry I didn’t try today, weather was perfect. I’ll keep you posted.

04-August-2009
Heat Wave in the Pyrenees.

Temperature in Saint Savin today.
Meteo France has issued a heat wave warning. For the next 4 days we will have temperatures of 35c.

Saint-Pastous Steepest climb I know.

This farmhouse is at the summit of the 30% incline at the top of the col. It is a typical farmhouse of the Lavedan valley.

Went for a quick ride around the Lavedan Valley yesterday, was supposed to be easy but took a detour to a village I had not been to before. Saint-Pastous is on the slopes of Hautacam, it is a very pretty little village, off the beaten track and while the valley is full of tourists, it was deserted except for some donkeys a chicken and an old dog, who was clearly finding the summer heat too much. The climb to the village is 4km long and the last 2km are definitely the steepest 2km I have found, not just in the Pyrenees but anywhere.

I have an album of photos of Saint Pastous on picasa web.

Col de Saint-Pastous

Profile of the ride from Garmin.

There were sections up to 30% where my front wheel was lifting off the road, on one such section it wheeled right up and I just managed to balance long enough to unclip and put a foot down before tumbling backwards. I then had to walk a bit to get a section where I could get going again. At one point I remember thinking “great it’s eased off”, only to look down at the Garmin which was reading 16%. Right at the top it is unbelievably steep the Garmin read 30%, this time I wasn’t quick enough and when the bike wheeled I came off. I got going again by leaning on a tree, clipping in and pushing off, just made it. The first km took me 2:24 the last was 16:39. It ends in a farm yard by a very beautiful old house with fantastic views of Lavedan.

Profile of the climb.

I then encountered a problem I have never had before, getting on the bike to descend on a 30% gradient is just as difficult as for ascending. Left foot clipped in ok, front break held on and the rear wheel just wants to lift and face splat me on the road. Back break held on and it is completely useless, the bike just slid downwards. After falling off a couple of times I walked for about 20 to 25 meters where the grade eased off a bit and I was on my way.

Profile of the last 2km in 100m sections.

Check out the ride on the Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10447884

02-August-2009
Le Tour 2009.
This is my favourite photo from the tour. Fumy Beppu celebrates being the first Japanese rider to finish the tour by doing a wheelie. Wow.

Photo from www.pezcyclingnews.com

01-August-2009
Cabaliros.
I took a leisurely ride today to Cabaliros. It is 15km from Saint Savin and I had not been there before. However at 10.5km at 1140m Alt the road runs out of tarmac, so I went back down and on to Lac d’Estaing. On the climb to Cabaliros the only traffic I met was a 4X4 Fiat Panda, they are very popular with the farmers here.
Check out the ride on the Garmin:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10305649

The road to Cabaliros.

Lac d’Estaing.
See more photos here:  http://picasaweb.google.com/velopeloton.com/CabalirosLacDEstaing?feat=directlink

28-July-2009
Le Tour.
I’m having withdrawal symptoms for Le Tour, it’s terrible, no cycling on TV in the afternoons.
On the plus side the weather is fantastic, I’m really enjoying the sunshine this week.
Here are some photos taken by Steve Jefferies from Warwickshire, on the Tourmalet.

Mark Cavendish, man of the race for me, 6 stages and robed of the Green Jersey.

Jens Voigt, one of my favourites. Hope he makes a quick recovery and gets back to doing what he does best. ATTACK!

Nicholas Roche just going out of shot followed by the Yellow Jersey and Lance.

21-July-2009
Its been a strange few days weather wise, we had everything from hail and snow to 37c, but now it is just hot hot hot.

3 college buddies from Calgary, Canada, met up at La Lanterne Rouge for a few days cycling. John Pappas, Arizona, USA, John Impey Perth, Australia and Doug Meckelborg, Cork, Ireland. They are now relaxing on the beach at Barcelona.

18-July-2009
Le Tour.
The tour has gone and all the visitors we had for it as well. It was a great week here and the memories will last a long time. Still hoping Nicolas Roche can have a good finish and Bradley Wiggins gets on the podium.

One of our guests, Tom Judson from U.S.A. has a blog about his trip to France:http://web.me.com/twjmath/France_2009/Blog/Blog.html
And a photo gallery:
http://web.me.com/twjmath/France_2009/Photo_Albums/Photo_Albums.html

8 Years Old.

This 8 year old boy from Belgium had just ridden up Luz Ardiden for the 2nd time in a week.

I rode up the Col d’Aubisque yesterday in glorious sunshine, check it out on the Garmin:http://connect.garmin.com/activity/9017514

Le Tour Gang 2009. All set for the Tourmalet on Tour day.

Hannah (England), Warren (England), John (Scotland), James (Scotland), Alec (England), Tom (USA), Chloe (Kenya), Paddy (Ireland) and Steve (England).

12-July-2009
Le Tour de France
Rode up the west side of the Tourmalet to see the stage at the summit. Great day.
Check out the ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/8643428

Nicholas Roche leads the peloton over the Tourmalet, with the yellow jersey beside him and Lance Armstrong behind.

Tom Judson from Colorado and myself at the summit.
Photos:

Stage 9, Le Tour de France 2009. Summit of Col de Tourmalet

10-July-2009
Raid Pyrenees September 2009.
I have updated our Raid Pyrenees page with the full itinerary for the trip.
710km across 18 cols through the French Pyrenees with 11000 meters of accent and a time limit of 100 hours( Start at 9:00 Monday and must finish by 13:00 Friday). The ultimate cycle challenge, started in 1952 by Cyclo Club Béarnais from Pau, the Raid Pyrenees can be ridden any time from June to the end of September.

It is a difficult cycle over 4.5 days across the famous high passes of the Tour de France.

09-July-2009
Race Around Ireland.
If cycling in the Pyrenees is too easy for you, try the Race Around Ireland. 2173km non stop around the island, from main roads to things that don’t look like roads at all. The race is organised by my old club, Navan Road Club.

Course designer Joe Roche at Cummeen, county Kerry, Ireland. This road is on the route.

08-July-2009
Col de Spandelles
I did a 90km loop today, over Col de Spandelles and back through Saint Pé and Omex. Perfect cycling weather, dry and not too hot.
Check out the ride on the Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/8237290

This view is from Col de Spandelles looking at Col d’Aubisque on the horizon.

Tom Judson from Colorado, USA and Larry Smith from Oregon, USA. Larry runs cycling tours all over Europe with his company www.veloski.com.

02-July-2009
Dan Martin out of tour with a knee injury. I changed my team to Tony Martin.

Fantasy Tour de France.
I have a team for the Tour de France game on www.velogames.com. My team is called velopeloton.com. The usual thing here, you have 100 points to spend and each rider has a value. My selection adds up to 100 exactly and is a good mix of young and old. I also have a mini league, the code is 02090627.

TEAM ROSTER

	Rider	Pro Team	Credit Cost	Score
	Christian VANDEVELDE	GRM	12
	Cadel EVANS	SIL	20
	Cyril DESSEL	ALM	8
	Robert GESINK	RAB	14
	Mark CAVENDISH	THR	20
	Jose Luis ARRIETA	ALM	6
	Fabian CANCELLARA	SAX	8
	Amaël MOINARD	COF	6
	Dan MARTIN	GRM	6

3

29-June-2009
Lac d’Estaing.
My favourite climb from Saint Savin is to Lac d’Estaing. It is 16km from here and is easily done in about an hour with a nice descend home. The lake is spectacularly surrounded by high granite peaks, with crystal clear water in which you can see Brown Trout swimming. The climb averages 4.5% to an altitude of 1200 meters, with a max of 14%.
Check out the ride on the Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/7629108

Lac d’Estaing late on a June evening.

Le Tour.
New Irish National Champion Nicholas Roche has been confirmed for Le Tour 2009 by his AG2R team. It will be great the have two Irish riders to follow after 4 years of no one. I’ll still be shouting for other favourite riders like Cavendish, O’Grady and Fumiyuki Beppu of Japan. He will be only the 3rd Japanese rider in the tour and if he finishes he will be the first Japanese rider to do so.Daisuke Manaka rode in 1996 and Kisso Kawamuro in 1926 and 1927.Fumiyuki was the first rider through St Savin in the recent Route de Sud. Stage 9 will pass through the village of Lau 1km from here where there will be a sprint. I haven’t decided yet whether to go there or up the Tourmalet.

Photo courtesy of UCI ProTour.

24-June-2009
Dan Martin
Garmin Slipstream have confirmed that Irish rider Daniel Martin will ride the Tour de France this year. 22 year old Dan will be the first Irishman to ride the race since Mark Scanlon in 2004. Dan is a nephew of 1987 winner Stephen Roche. Stephen’s son Nicholas, is on the shortlist for AG2R who will announce their team on Monday.

Photo courtesy of UCI ProTour.

21-June-2009
Lanterne Rouge.
The Polish rider Przemyslaw Niemec, has won the Route de Sud 2009. He was the first man through St Savin on stage 2, which proved to be the winning move, our hero however is German rider Marcel Weber of the South African team Stegcomputer – Neotel. Marcel was last through Saint Savin on stage 2 and likewise this proved to be the winning move for Lanterne Rouge.

Marcel Weber climbs the Cote de Saint Savin, followed by the broom wagon, 32 minutes after the first rider. As usual with cycling he received the loudest cheers and most applause from the spectators. Marcel is 21 years old and I’m sure has a long pro career ahead with many victories.

21-June-2009
Pau.
Went to Pau yesterday to see the stage of Le Grande Boucle Féminine. Checked the website of the race for finish location and times. Avenue Gaston Lacoste at 17:00. I arrived there at 16:30 to an empty street except for some confused looking spectators like myself. A camper van from the DSB Bank team pulled up with an equally confused driver, he made a phone call and discovered the finished had been changed to the other side of the city (3km away) and that the stage was already over at 16:40. Was rather annoyed as you can imagine.
Pau is a beautiful city and well worth a visit anyway. This photo is of Pau Chateau, birth place of King Henry IV.

On the way over to Pau on Col d’Aubisque I seen this group of Vultures who had just gorged themselves on a dead cow and were too heavy to fly. They are enormous birds with wingspans of up to 3 meters, it was surprising how fast they can run.

19-June-2009
Route de Sud, Stage 2.
http://www.routedusud.fr/
It was overcast today and 18c in St Savin when the race came through at 17:00, it finished in Pierrefitte 3km away. The Polish rider Przemyslaw Niemec, was first through with 1 minute on 3 pursuers. He won the stage and is in yellow.

This photo of the peloton in St Savin includes Italian National Champion, Filippo Simeoni on left.
More photos here:http://picasaweb.google.com/velopeloton.com/RouteDeSudStage22009SaintSavin#
Youtube video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50kj3FBU4Yg

18-June-2009
Route de Sud 2009.
Stage 1 of the Route de Sud passed through the village at 14:30. Japanese rider Fumiyuki Beppu (Skil Shimano) was first through, he finished second on the stage. It was down hill so very fast with the peloton about 10 minutes behind the break and about another 20 to the broom. Stage 2 will be by at about 17:00 tomorrow. You can see some photos from today at the link below.
http://picasaweb.google.com/velopeloton.com/RouteDeSudStage12009#
This video shows the peloton going through.
17-June-2009
I have setup a Picasa Web for photos taken by guests and some by myself out in the mountains. Doing photo pages the way I was is time consuming so this is much easier and quicker.
You can see the galleries here. http://picasaweb.google.com/velopeloton.com

14-June-2009
Le PyreneesCyclosportive.
Some of our guests rode the Le Pyrenees Cyclosportive yesterday. It started and finished in Argelès-Gazost, over a course of 174 kms with the climbs of Loucrup (4th cat), Hourquette (1st cat), Col d’Aspin(1st Cat) and Col de Tourmalet(HCat) with 3500m of accent. Temperatures reached 34c in the shade with scorching sun.

7:15am in Argelès-Gazost and it is already 25c as riders from Naas, Newbridge and Stamullen Road Club wait for the start. L-R Cormac Durnin (Naas), Robert Looby (Newbridge), Graham Custerson (Naas), Paul Doyle (Naas), Matt McDonnell (Stamullen) and Marc Wouters(Naas).

Mathieu Perget, is a French professional for Caisse d’Epargne. Interviewed at the finish.

Wayne Doolan of Naas Cycling Club at the finish.
Video of Naas rider Cormac Durnin crossing the line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5F-xN5pcqQ
Video of the start in Argelés Gazost.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEOW54BgygQ

09-June-2009
All cols are now open.
Col de Tourmalet.

At the summit of the Col de Tourmalet.
Check out the ride on the Garmin. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/6695590
We got overtaken on the way up by Finnish National Champion, Jussi Veikkanen who was training for the tour.

This bike in the cafe at the summit was ridden in the 1908 Tour de France by Octave Lapize

08-June-2009
Naas cycling club.

Naas Cycling Club, Co. Kildare, Ireland. They are all in the same club but for some reason all wore different jerseys. This photo was taken before heading off up the Col de Soulor.

04-June-2009
Col d’Aspin.
I have added a page with photos of Col d’Aspin which will be used on stage 9 Le Tour de France 2009 on 12th July.
La Mongie.

Road still closed at La Mongie. It is possible to cycle to Col de Tourmalet, the road has been cleared of debris and is in good condition. As you can see there is still lots of snow and a risk of avalanche.

30-May-2009
Today is the hottest day of the year so far, with the temperature reaching 30c and clear blue skies.

As you can see from this photo clear blue skies and not a gram of snow on Hautacam. Just a month ago ice and snow were a problem on the climbs now its heat and sun.

30c in the shade.

28-May-2009
Wolftrap CC.
A picture says a thousand words. Here are links to photos taken by the Wolftrap Cycling Club while staying with us in La Lanterne Rouge.
http://picasaweb.google.com/gary.bracken/240509#
http://picasaweb.google.com/gary.bracken/250509#
http://picasaweb.google.com/gary.bracken/220509#

Tourmalet open from the east.
I have received the following e-mail from a rider who has ridden up the eastern side of Tourmalet on Wednesday 27th May.

“I have followed your blog from Pau to gather info about the Toutrmalet.  After reading your latest posting I’m sending this email for your info as I cycled there yesterday.  From the La Mongie side, the road is open to the top and in good condition all the way up.  After this, I then made the mistake of descending the west side, figuring I could walk my bike on the snowy sections.  Bad mistake – in the first 3 km or so down from the summit there are a good half dozen, deep snow-drifts and a couple of sections where small landslides have destroyed the road.  There were a couple of sections where I had to scramble across the slope.  I am guessing it will be at least a few more weeks before it is opened and patched-up?”
Thanks to Geoff May for the info. I’ll give it a go myself in the next few days.

27-May-2009
Road still closed.
The Col de Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque remain closed, this time last year they were open. On Tuesday some of our guests attempted to ride the Tourmalet despite the cold. They got to 8km from the summit at 1580m altitude. It was only 4c up there, but 8 riders of Wolftrap CC from Birr County Offaly, Ireland, went as far as they could.

Brian, Gary and Shane of Wolftrap CC, Birr, Co Offaly, Ireland.

As you can see from the photo there is a lot less snow than the one from 10th May below, but the road is blocked higher up, check out this video on Youtube.

16-May-2009
Col de Spandelles and Col de Soulor.
Cycled the Col de Spandelles and the Col de Soulor from the north. Check the ride on the Garmin:http://connect.garmin.com/activity/5561610 64km with 1933m of ascent, very hard ride the last 21km were down hill, so all the climbing was in the first 43km.
The road between Col de Soulor and Col d’Aubisque is still closed with no sign of any work on opening it. There is still a lot of snow high above the road which is a risk of avalanche. Sorry no photos the battery in the camera was flat. We had fresh snow on Thursday night so there was no work on opening the Tourmalet either. The forecast is very good for this week with temperatures into the 30s, I’ll again predict that it will open in about a week.
Alberto Contador had the same problem training in the Pyrénées during the week, “The Astana leader initially wanted to ride the Port d’Envalira as well as the Tourmalet that will be tackled in stages eight and nine of this year’s Tour, but could not because of bad weather conditions.”
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/may09/may15news2

10-May-2009
Col de Tourmalet-Superbaréges.
Tried to climb the Col de Tourmalet again today. Still closed but a lot less snow than a week ago.

The fork in the road, right for Col de Tourmalet or left for Superbaréges ski station.
I rode on to Superbaréges at 1730m altitude, check out the ride on the Garmin.http://connect.garmin.com/activity/5174159.

From Superbaréges the Col de Tourmalet is 5km away, it looks very ominous with dark cloud in this photo, but it was actually a very nice day but with the odd rain shower. I could see that a lot of the Tourmalet road was almost clear of snow and with the warm temperatures the snow is melting fast, I’d say the road will be open by next weekend.

On the decent home I took a small detour through the village of Chéze. It is a short climb of about 2km to the very pretty village perched on the side of the Gorge de Luz.

This photo was taken just outside Chéze. Across the gorge you can see the village of Viscos which is on the climb to Luz Ardiden. The peak is also called Viscos and is visible from the bedrooms of La Lanterne Rouge.

Every climb in the Pyrénées has at least 1 beautiful waterfall, this one at Chéze is not very big but pretty none the less.

09-May-2009
Le Tech
Cycled a new climb today, Le Tech is 1500m up in the Val d’Azun. Its a 25km climb to Le Tech from St Savin, a dense pine forest with the usual spectacular waterfalls and stunningly beautiful vistas. On the way back I took in the Col de Borderers, its only 3 km but very steep and rather painful, but that’s what cycling is all about. Check out the ride on the Garmin 705: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/5109648

The view up the Val d’Azun, this road leads to Le Tech, Col de Borderers, Col de Soulor and Col d’Aubisque.

The road to Le Tech, at the hydro dam.

Although it is summer there is still snow in sheltered places. This is at the summit at Le Tech, 1500m altitude.

7-May-2009
Summer is here and the snow and ice are melting fast, the rivers of the Pyrénées are swollen by the melt water and the falls and cascades are at their most spectacular.

This photo is taken form the Pont d’Espagne at 1500m altitude. It is 22km from St Savin and is a 19km climb.
It was a very nice 20c up there but in the afternoon it was an even nicer 28c on the beach at Biarritz.

02-May-2009
La Grande Boucle Féminine:
The final 2 stages of the greatest women’s race in the world will be in the Pyrenees. Stage finish in Pau on 20th June and Anglet on 21st June.
http://www.velo-feminin.com/

1-May-2009
Summer is here at last but the weather is still a bit cold this week, the forecast for the next week is good. I was up the Col de Tourmalet yesterday, there is no change there, still lots of snow and the road is blocked at 9km to the summit. I went on to the ski resort at Superberages at 1730m. At a guess I’d say there is still a min of 2meters of snow and probably more at the Tourmalet itself. With some good sunshine to come this week it should be melting fast and work will begin on opening the road in a week or 2. I’ll keep you posted. The road between Col de Soulor and Col d’Aubisque will be closed for another month due to the risk of avalanche. All the other cols are open and will be quite busy with cyclists this weekend as it is a bank holiday and the traditional start of the summer holiday season.
4

29-April-2009
Our renovations are nearing completion for 2009. I have updated the page onaccommodation at La Lanterne Rouge.
24-April-2009
Temperatures today reached 27c and after 5 months Hautacam is almost free of snow.This photo was taken from one of our second floor bedrooms. 

19-April-2009
Route de Sud 2009. Stage 1 and 2 will pass through Saint Savin on the 18th and 19th of June. The race was won by Dan Martin last year and Stephen Roche in 1985. Stage 1 starts and finishes in Pau, it will cross Col de Soulor and Col de Borderes before passing through Saint Savin. Stage 2 will start in Pau and cross Col de Tourmalet on the eastern side and then descend to Argeles-Gazost before turning back through Saint Savin to finish in Pierrefitte-Nestalas.
http://www.routedusud.fr/Pages/parcours09.htm

19-April-2009
Route de Sud 2009. Stage 1 and 2 will pass through Saint Savin on the 18th and 19th of June. The race was won by Dan Martin last year. Stage 1 starts and finishes in Pau, it will cross Col de Soulor and Col de Borderes before passing through Saint Savin. Stage 2 will start in Pau and cross Col de Tourmalet on the eastern side and then decend to Argeles before turning back through Saint Savin to finish in Pierrefitte-Nestalas.
http://www.routedusud.fr/Pages/parcours09.htm

14-April-2009

The Voie Vert (Green Way) runs for 22km from Lourdes to Pierrefitte-Nestalas, it’s an easy cycle with only 70 meters of altitude difference. This photo was taken in Saint Savin on my way back from Hautacam yesterday. The mountain on the right is Le Viscos, the summit of Luz Ardiden is just the other side. The snow covered mountain in the distance is Pic de Long, it is about 15km to it’s base at Luz, turn left there and you have 18.5km to the summit of Col de Tourmalet. The mountain to the left is Hautacam.

Pau Airport:
Pau airport will be closed from 27th July to 9th August for essential runway works. All flights will be diverted to Lourdes.

Charter Flights:
Tagney Tours based in London have been running charter flights from the UK to Lourdes for 25 years. They are offering free transport for you bike in 2009. Flights depart Stanstead every Friday and most Mondays at 11:00 and arrive in Lourdes at 15:00. The cost is €105 or £95 each way. 25kg baggage allowance.
Contact: flights@tangney-tours.com or Tel: 00 44 1732886666

07-April-2009

The question most often asked here is when is the Col de Tourmalet open. The usual answer is middle of May sometime. I read in the local paper this week that the ski resort will close on April 19th this year if there was no fresh snow. I tried to cycle up the Tourmalet yesterday to see how far I could get. I turned back at about 9km to go as it had started to snow, anyway I only expected to go to the turnoff for Superaréges ski resort where the road to Col de Tourmalet is blocked, it was about 1km from there I stopped. The last 5km of the road to the col is used as piste for skiing. It is raining heavy in St Savin today and there is fresh snow visable up on Hautacam at about 1000m so should be lots of snow on Col de Tourmalet.
I’ll go again next week and see how far I get.
Checkout the ride on the garmin.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2982661

17-March-2009
Happy Saint Patrick’s day.

Added a page with routes from St Savin using a Garmin705 cycle computer. There are links to the rides on Garmin Connect. I’ll be adding to them all the time so keep an eye on the page for new routes.

15-March-2009
Beautiful weather this week, Friday afternoon hit 23c, am now cycling in shorts and short sleeve jersey. On Saturday I Cycled up to Col de Borderes (1157m) and then up Col du Solour (1474m) the last 7km up Soulor really is a stinker. It never goes below 6% and there is a section at 17%. You can view the data from the Garmin. Climb of Col de Borderes and Col du Soulor.

Spring has arrived and our Magnolia tree is in bloom.

Plum blossom. You can see from this photo the retreat of the snow up Hautacam. Another couple of weeks and it will be gone. Think this weekend will be the last for skiing up there. Cauterets should be open for another 5 or 6 weeks.

10-Mar-2009
Hautacam. I have added a page of photos I took on a cycle to Hautacam and Col de Tramassel. It was a beautiful warm spring day 20c at the bottom and 10c at the summit.

04-Mar-2009
Google Earth has been updated for the Pyrenees. I have added a kml file with the locations of cols in the Pyrenees you might like to climb when staying with us.

Image of Saint Savin from Google Earth.

22-feb-2009
First 100km ride of the year.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2214363
Beautiful warm sunshine at 16c temperature down the Lavedan valley to Lugagnan and climb to the Col de Croix Blanche (832m) which has spectacular views over the plains to the north. Descend to Bagnéres de Bigorre, and then climb to the Forge at Sainte Maria de Campan (861m), made famous by Eugène_Christophe. Returned home by Cote de Loucrup (535m), Lourdes and up the valley to Saint Savin.

Eugène Christophe

21-feb-2009
This female Common Kestrel has been hunting at the front of our house for the last few days. I can’t see what she is catching but think it must be insects. The Lavedan valley has a very large population of birds of pray, from Kestrels to Golden Eagles and Vultures. All can be seen in Saint Savin.

14-Feb-2009. First 1000m Alt climb of 2009.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2110669
In warm sunshine from St Savin up the Val d’Azun to Arras, through the villages of Gez and Salles and down to the valley floor onto the cycle road to Pierrfitte and up to Cauterets, the last 7km were in the snow, very cold but worth it for the views. The first climb over 1000m of 2009.

12-Feb-2009
Added a page on stage 9 of Le Tour de France 2009. St Gaudens to Tarbes.

08-Feb-2009
After a mild week with sunny afternoons of 15c winter returned with a vengeance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2vn3Ocq5Ok – HD video.

To celebrate Ireland winning the rugby, I build a snowman.

02-Feb_2009
Bike hire: For 2009 we have bike hire for road and mountain bikes, starting at €25 per day or €110 per week.
Giant Alu frames with Shimano 105 groupset, 12-25 on rear and triple on front.

30-Jan-2009
Added a new page on the climb to Pont d’Espagne.

21-Jan-2009
Winter in St Savin. Winter has been very hard this year with lots of snow and cold temperatures down to -15c.

Saint Savin Abbey and Hautacam, 21 January 2009.

Saint Savin, 21 January 2009.

Dusk at the ski station at Hautacam, 14 January 2009.

15-11-2009
La Grande Boucle Féminine:
The final 2 stages of the greatest women’s race in the world will be in the Pyrenees on June 20th and 21st 2009. No final route yet but think will cross the Pyrenees on 20th before finishing in San Sebastian or Bilboa on 21st.

13-11-2008
A new page of average weather conditions for Hautes Pyrenees.

03-11-2009
Added a new page aboutCirque de Tramousse.

02-11-2008
Added a new page on Cirque de Gavarnie.

02-11-2008
Calendar of tours and events for 2009.
A list of our tour dates and prices for 2009.
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12-10-2008
We have added a new page about Plateau de Cambasque.
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08-10-2008
We have added a page of new photos of Col des Borderes.
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07-10-2008
Rumour has it that the tour will have a stage start in Tarbes on Sunday 12 July 2009 to Bordeaux. Don’t know where it will be the day before but Saint Girons has been mentioned.
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06-10-2008
Have added two pages of new photos for Col de Soulor and Col d’Aubisque.