The weather at last promises to be fine for days ahead, and just in time for our biggest climb so far. We wind up through farms, firstly to Col del Area at 800m, then a long pull up hairpins, through deciduous woods, alongside a rushing brook, no traffic, all the way to 1069m at Col de Portet d'Aspet. A few other cyclists on light bikes, part of supported teams, come from the opposite direction. Apparently we did it from the steepest side! Picnic lunch in a meadow at the top with a few souvenir snaps then down hill, through farm land and hamlets with quaint stone churches.
Our hotel for the next 2 nights is in busy St Girons. Many Tour de France's have started here. We are promised more sun tomorrow when we can tackle more high valley routes, with the luxury of only day packs weighing our bikes down.
Location:Ore to St Girons
