Day 3 - Montory to Lourdes

Today started well with a beautiful ride through green valleys and quite a bit of climbing.

Morning coffee stop was missing the coffee as the shop was closed with an official notice on the door detailing the nefarious crimes that had been committed there!

Natalie the guide had bought pains aux raisins so my drug of choice was fortunately still available.

The Col d’Aubisque was looming with 17km of climbing, an average of 7.2% and plenty of sections above 10%. I am grimacing in this photo at the bottom for good reason.

It was 31c but it all started well with a 5% gradient in the shade for the first few kms. Unfortunately the shade ended, the climb became relentlessly steep and I started to struggle. I kept stopping to cool down, drank loads of electrolyte and even had a lie down on the grass in the shade but each time I started again, I very quickly returned to feeling sick and dizzy. I made it to 13km and decided it was time to be sensible so got in the van for the last 4km. I was disappointed that the heat got to me again but enough was enough.

The views were spectacular despite the nausea..

Lunch was at a restaurant at the top of the col but tummy really didn’t want food. The descent was so much fun, loads of cyclists going up and down whilst dodging cows and sheep having a snooze in the road.

The final 10km was along a bike path, sadly not shaded but I just took my time and tried not to overheat again.

Lourdes has the 2nd highest number of hotel rooms in France after Paris and the final part of the ride involved tourist dodgems, always fun at the end of a ride when you’re completely knackered!

Dinner is at 7pm, thankfully, and I may be fast asleep by 8pm.