Taxi's, Pants and a 35yr Flood

Started: 9.30am

Finished: 8.00pm

Total Distance: 65km

1600m of climbing

State at finish: Happy to be at hotel

Where to start? Day started as forecast with lashing rain. Lots of excuses were made to avoid starting. Bikes have never been so clean. 

Col d'Aspin was a nice climb, again amazing scenery. Then the trouble started. After a cold and very wet descent from the col the road up the Col de Peyresourde was closed. It slowly materialised that not going over the col would mean an additional 60km, so investigate the road closure further seemed best option. The river at the side of the road was scarily high and super raging, but we managed to find a place to carry bikes over flood in foot high water. So we happily continued up the Peyresourde. 

Alas, having descended the other side we arrived in a once in a 35 year flood in Bagneres De Luchon. A combination of late snow melt and the lashing rain had caused a lake in the mountains to overflow. Our friendly Gendarme raised his hand stating, "Non" as we tried the same trick as at the previous road closure to get out of town. He then stated there were no roads open to leave Luchon. After much faffing around and some more faffing we found a savour in the information office. It was established there was one way out over a 20km hors category climb and then a further 90km ride. Given the time at this stage not a popular option. Nothing to do but to reserve a couple of hotel rooms and try to find a change of clothes from soaking, cold cycling gear - Pants and T.Shirts purchased all round. Approximately 10 seconds after paying, a suggestion came forward of investigating in a taxi van. Lady at information duly did her stuff and at 6pm taxi van arrived, thereby saving the hotel of 5 english people attending dinner in their pants and T.shirts.

After the achievements of yesterday, today was not so successful. Onwards ever onwards tomorrow, when the weather should be slightly less rain!

Not so many photo's today - difficult when its so wet.

Not sure why we are all smiling... its lashing down with rain.
Bikes are clean though

View down col D'Aspin

Scary River About to Flood Bank
We managed to get past here

Not much chance of crossing Here!

NON!