Day 4 - Marciac to Saint-Gaudens

Wednesday, September 9th

Route Map and Elevation Profile

There was a market setting up in the square just outside our hotel while we were preparing to depart. There was also some discussion about which way to go - we decided they had changed the direction of the one way street since the route was marked, so we all just rode against what little oncoming traffic there was until we got out of town.

Today could be defined as more rolling hills, more climbing, and continual views of the Pyrenees getting closed and closer.

But one thing Bike Adventures does well is to keep the route on quiet roads, even if this means longer distances, and more ups and downs.

There they are again (the Pyrenees), now with permanent snow clearly visible.

The coffee stop came around 11:30am in what turned out to be the only significant town of the day. It was a little too late, but also too early for lunch. That didn't stop Tony W and Graham throwing down an over-sized baguette sandwich. The rest of us would suffer later for not joining them.

As is typical of large French towns - there's a covered market adjoining the Mairie (town hall). Small French towns only have the Mairie!

Just leaving yet another small town with no cafe or supermarket (open), and about to cross yet another river at the start of yet another climb through woods - we probably did this 20 times during the afternoon.

We became obsessed with photographing the Pyrenees - was this just "fear" of what awaited tomorrow? The largest mountain in the Pyrenees is Aneto, it's 3400m and on the Spanish side. It's also due south of today's destination, Saint-Gaudens, so could this be it?

Unexpectedly we found some (not so) wetlands which migratory must use judging by the hides and related facilities in the area.

If you don't look left or right occasionally, you miss a view of the many French mansions and castles, faux and real, which dot the French countryside.

At the top of the most brutal climb of the day we are happy to find Dom and the BA van. Bill was even happier because he was about to hit the wall and got some much needed energy bars from the BA "shop".

Although the climbs continues, they got easier, and the downhills longer and more open.

The reader might think I've photographed every church in France, and Tony D would agree. 

Our last view of the Pyrenees before arriving in Saint-Gaudens at the end of a tough 92km.

And guess what?! There's a fair and carnival at the back of our hotel - very noisy, and blocking some of the view of the mountains.

A memorial to the Great War, the carnival, the local wood-chip mill, and (possibly) the highest mountain in the Pyrenees. It's also the direction we'll be heading tomorrow.

Thank God this monster shut down at 8:30pm - we were enjoying pizzas and pasta (and red wine) in the terrace restaurant at the time, so it was quite a relief.

The usual search for the "best" restaurant in town - always ends in tears, and always brings us back to where we started.

Tomorrow is a BIG day!