Photos: Day 4, Ariege Pyrenees - The "cruelzette" climb and picturesque ridge cycling

A short ride this day but as you'll see from the elevation gain, we got
a lot of bang for the buck:

http://www.steephill.tv/galleries/20...uzette-portel/

enjoy,
Steve
http://www.steephill.tv bike travelogue

"steephill" wrote in message
ups.com...
A short ride this day but as you'll see from the elevation gain, we got
a lot of bang for the buck:

http://www.steephill.tv/galleries/20...uzette-portel/

Well done - nice read :-)

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

"steephill" wrote in message
ups.com...
A short ride this day but as you'll see from the elevation gain, we got
a lot of bang for the buck:

http://www.steephill.tv/galleries/20...uzette-portel/

Who's that dude in the Fondriest jacket at the cafe - I want it ;-)


--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

On 8 Nov 2005 11:34:38 -0800, "steephill"
wrote:

A short ride this day but as you'll see from the elevation gain, we got
a lot of bang for the buck:

http://www.steephill.tv/galleries/20...uzette-portel/

Excellent, thank you.

It looks like you had much better weather than my friend and I did
when we passed that way on our west to east Raid. In the late
afternoon we passed through Siex and Oust. The Heavens opened and we
were deluged with rain along the Ribaouto. At Biert we found a
hotel/restaurant. Seeing our bedraggled look the innkeeper said he
had no room - until his mother? pointed out that we were cyclists. He
then took us through his smart and busy restaurant, with our bikes, to
store them in his attic, and found us a room. After two nights of
camping savage we were relieved to say the least.

The following day was one of the best - on the Route des Corniches,
camping a la ferme, above a hill fort (Axiat?).

It looks like you had much better weather than my friend and I did
when we passed that way on our west to east Raid.

We were lucky, it only rained once in 6 days... on our travel day. The
first half of September, before we arrived, rained a lot apparently. I
don't know how much rain the Ariege gets but judging by how lush the
mountains are I'd say it gets a good rainfall. I was a little surprised
how cold it was for September since it's not that far from the
Mediterranean. Far enough I guess. As I've mentioned to others, I think
it's a good idea for future trips through the Pyrenees to factor in a
healthy number of rain days. It may seem adventurous to haul one's
soggy carcass over the cols, but the gorgeous views will be obscured.

Seeing our bedraggled look the innkeeper said he
had no room - until his mother? pointed out that we were cyclists.

That's another benefit of cycling in France or Italy. You really feel
like you belong on a bike.

nice story... thanks,
Steve
http://www.steephill.tv

Bertie,

.... of course if you are doing the Raid you don't have the luxury of
"riding out" - a storm.

What actually do you have with you when "camping savage"? Just your
lycra and a pocket knife like an indian or fully panniers or something
in-between?

Steve
http://www.steephill.tv bike travelogue

On 11 Nov 2005 00:05:10 -0800, "steephill"
wrote:

Bertie,

... of course if you are doing the Raid you don't have the luxury of
"riding out" - a storm.

What actually do you have with you when "camping savage"? Just your
lycra and a pocket knife like an indian or fully panniers or something
in-between?

Sorry! Spllenig msiakte.

*Camping sauvage* is what the French call *wild camping*, ie not on an
official campsite. In France, camping savage is forbidden below
2500m, but provided you pitch after dark and strike before (or soon
after) dawn you are pretty safe.

Bertie Wiggins wrote:
*Camping sauvage* is what the French call *wild camping*, ie not on an
official campsite. In France, camping savage is forbidden below

You did it again! ^^^^^^

;-)

Jon

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 01:07:17 +0000, Jon Senior
jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk wrote:

Bertie Wiggins wrote:
*Camping sauvage* is what the French call *wild camping*, ie not on an
official campsite. In France, camping savage is forbidden below

You did it again! ^^^^^^

It's a silly language! ;-)