Cycling from Tarbes, France to Argeles-Gasost, France

Here was a ride up into the mountains at last. Heading south all morning, the eyes were on the horizon looking for the Pyrenees. When they suddenly appeared, they were way high up on the horizon, looking massive. They emerged out of the hot haze.

Climbing along the busy D921A and the even busier N21 into Lourdes was not so pleasant and a cooling break near the grotto was in order. This place was packed with tourists and I ended up goofing around there for too long.

On the climb from Lourdes to Argeles-Gazost that liquid yoghurt I drank was dragging me down. Of course the hostel was on the far end of town and up the hill on the way to Aubisque. One of the guests had just come from the Cirque de Gavarnie. We shared some repast in the village and he told me that he worked for SNCF, along with some tips to go along with the Guide du Train et Velo. The next year I took his advice and began by cycletouring in Clermont Ferrand.