La Mongie -.Luchon Day 5

La Mongie - The village we stayed in last night had a population of 11 people - in ski season up to 8000 bizarre ! Only 3 km from the Col Summit our hosts Pierre and Regine of Hotel Choucas spoil us - I wondered whether or not they liked us or whether they were just pleased to see somebody. After spending a few hours in their company it was obvious they were just good caring people who enjoyed making their clients feel comfortable. It made good for an evening's rest after a spar with a mountain. With plates mopped clean with French bread The commander and I hit the sack at 9:15. Again I understand this may appear boring and lacking imagination - frankly I couldn't be bothered how it appears it's great! As I was nodding off I realise there is the sound of silence - absolutely no noise whatsoever and a privilege that we rarely enjoy in our very busy Gloucestershire lives. I ponder on how different it will be in  a months time at the start of the ski season. This novelty being  wiped out by the sound of piss pots returning from nightclubs in the early hours followed by snow clearers scratching away making good for the next day's ski. 

We wake this morning again and English breakfast prepared specially for us. The weather is dire the mist is still down. We rug up like Antartic  explorers only our eyes exposed to the elements  Lights blazing as It's still dark -   we start the descent. 4 km into it my back light falls off. Fine, we regather it but then I noticed I've left my water bottles in the hotel. 'Pop back and get them for be will ya cock? The reply is censored!

We reach the bottom and then immediately turn right to the Col de Aspin  ( The first of the next three Cols to navigate us through through the pyrenees and back to Spain) The going is hard after the Tourmalet yesterday afternoon. As any cyclist knows the biggest pain in the arse being the necessity to dress and undress climb dependent. We hit the top at 1490 m and then down the valley for another Decent to Arreau where I pick up another puncture. We are down in the dumps- it's pissing down, we are cold and nobody loves us. Self-pity is flowing like the mountain streams. We stop for a chocolate in Arreau and consider our position. Can we crack the last two Cols today or is this a bridge too far? We then travel down a with the Valley to our next accent Col de Peyresoyrde at 1569 m. There are markers every kilometre right through the climbs - they give you information on the next kilometres climb in terms of its verocity. We both decided they are shite because they seem to dish out more bad information and good information. It still raining and after completing this climb we are honest with each other and agree that indeed the third Col is out of reach for the day. The priority being to find somewhere where we can have a hot bath and warm our bums back up again. We find this treat in Luchon right on the Spanish French Border. The hotel receptionist asks us where we have come from? I tell her - 'Do you have support she asks ? ' I wished to explain to her that I would rather have my knackers trapped in a gate but the translation may have caused offence. We are more upbeat now water bottles replaced - kit washed and hanging up todry for  another soaking tommorrow and one more Col to crack - hopefully then more downhill as we pull away from the Central Pyrenees. I report we are riding well as a team. Both sets of heels have never been down at the same time - A very useful combination. Not big mileage today - near 50 miles but 5800 ft of climbing and felt like it. Meeting the Commander shortly for appertif - touch base tommorrow 

Le Commandant et Epeler. X