Col du Tourmalet

Our first full riding day dawns sunny and clear. We take the bus to Bagneres-de-Bigorre and ride from to Tourmalet from there. Today was planned as a round trip but the road down the back of Tourmalet is not yet open.  

The Tour didn't climb Tourmalet this year but it did come through the roads we're riding to the base of the Col a few days earlier, so the towns are decorated to the hilt. One village has mannequins posed in windows, balconies and doorways throughout.  

St Marie de Campan is a pretty village marking the start of the climb-proper and last chance to fill bottles for a while. 

It's around 10:30am, high 20s where we are but a sign says its currently 9 deg C at the summit so we all ride with jackets and warm gear in our backpacks. 

I passed this couple near the base and was stunned to seem them near the summit as I descended some hours later. 

About 40% of the way up.

Hilary, John and Bennet stopping for a chat & photo a little further on.

La Mongie is a full scale ski village 5km from the summit

The local donkey wasn't phased by the steady stream of cyclists

Cow and Team Bianchi coloured goats near the summit. 

The air definitely seemed a bit thinner by the summit and was great to see that famous sculpture as I rounded the last corner. 

Some of the team having lunch at the summit cafe/museum. 

Sharon had been given a lift to the summit and took a gondola onto further peaks.  

Heading down was a blast - about 28km of downhill.