Jon S And Nigel In Toulouse- The Ooh/Ouch day

We left Foix this morning in heavy drizzle with the account from the hotel manager of having to pull ourselves up sections of our planned route by the railings at the side! He wished us luck and gave Andy plastic bags for his shoes (not the height of fashion but effective for a while) Nigel had taken advantage of the
Decathlon next door and bought shoe covers. We could wait no longer and set off to the town to find the Post office. Our plan was to post the bike bags to the last hotel in Lourdes. We were told the parcel would arrive on Tuesday at noon. Not good when we are leaving at 10! So after exhausting my schoolboy french
we managed to pay a bit more for express delivery to get there on Monday (fingers crossed!). Now a bit lighter we set off along the D17 into the hills and the first of three big climbs. The route was duly named by us 'the Scaramanga' as the profile looked like three breasts! The first ascent was steady through lush tree lined roads with sheer drops through the forest. As we gained height the views were stunning and reward for the effort. Our path was blocked by a logging truck briefly and gave an excuse to catch our breath. Up past the railings that did not defeat us and although steep the section was like a Stonestile ride. Around the bend we saw a golden eagle on a fence post that took flight into the valley and joined another to soar and wheel above us. This had us speechless until further on a deer bolted across the road and leapt off a sheer cliff to disappear. Simply stunning. We climbed up into the clouds past waterfalls and along an endless ribbon of perfect road flanked by tall trees. Down the other side and straight up another hill. Lunch was taken at 4pm. A little late but we were pushing on and snacking
on the bike before

and then a short descent to the final mother of all hills. This wound up towards the snow line and crested the ridge. The top section was in the clouds and the rain came back. Then the reward for that slog, a long and sweeping descent back out of the cloud The long descent had us grinning from ear to ear but gripping the brakes at every hairpin. The road was wet and this spiced up things. At the bottom many km from the top of the Col we found ourselves shaking with cold and buzzing with adrenaline. My hands were numb and had pins and needles that lasted for 5 mins. It was just the best days ride despite the rain patches.It has convinced me that it really is worth the money to get a breathable rain jacket and waterproof/warm shoe covers. Oh and of course remember to bring my waterproof glove next time. Next time - oh yes when it's only an hour and half from Gatwick to Toulouse then a short ride to the hills why did we not do this ages ago. This a cycling heaven that everyone should/must experience.It's another day of a similar profile on Sat before the big push over the Col d'Aspin and the Tourmalet on Sun. Fingers crossed the legs hold out and the weather breaks just long enough.
Now my bed is calling and the kit is drying

Jon