L’escargot sur Hautacam

I needed a short ride for this afternoon’s windscreen fix but also wanted to go up something. Hautacam looked short but mighty. And that’s what I set out to do. 

I thought I would need less layers today because it was a touch warmer than yesterday but I left an hour earlier and cycled in the shade for three-quarters of the hill. Once I realised the hill counted down with kilometre signposts, that took my mind off the distance and I really enjoyed the ascent. I wasn’t expecting it to be so lovely as I’d read a couple of things that didn’t rate it so much. I thought the views were magnificent and even when there were trees, there were still lovely views through and beautiful alpine houses, new and old. 

Near the top, I did think it would be funny if there was a sign saying, ‘oops, no, one more kilometre.’ Luckily, I’d also read about an extra col you could go to but hadn’t investigated the distance. When the tarmac kept on going and a couple of cyclists headed that way, I was keen to find out how far it was. 5km and I wasn’t going! But, it was, ‘oops, only one!’ So, with the loveliest of hairpins, I made my way to the Col de Tramassel.

I took this pic from there. You might make out the wild horses which were roaming the roads and the official end to the Hautacam is down on the left too.

I would have been swept up in the broom wagon just after the start line but I had a thoroughly fine and slow time cycling before making my way to Lourdes. The new windshield was being prepared as I arrived and was done in an hour which just gave me time to find a creperie and explore the peculiar ‘1960s British seaside town meets Rome’ that is Lourdes centre-ville. 

Back for a big feed and a much needed stretch, roller, lacrosse ball… you name it!