They are soon tested as the cycle path is under 18ins of flood water. The river is 2ft above this but just held back by a concrete wall. The 2 Ks speed through before they realise the depth. The rest of us take off panniers and squeeze along a path.
Soon we reach higher ground on a lovely quiet farm road riding to viewpoints and cols of 500, then 800m, this last marked by a white cross. The rain has stopped! Mules, horses and white cows stare at us from flowery meadows. Yellowhammers and Red-backed Shrikes bring our bird list to 45.
After only 22 miles we reach our overnight stop at Bagneres-de-Bigorre; grand old shuttered buildings surround squares, with a very faded grandeur, remnants of the days when tourists took the waters at the thermal baths.
