Tourmalet and Hautacam!

I'm back in Argelès-Gazost after loving it so much in August I decide life is too short not to seize the day and come back...and why not in October!

I collected my bike this morning where the service was outstanding; they really did go above and beyond. They gave me an upgrade to a Colnago bike because they felt the gears on the one I had pre booked were not firing on all cylinders. So...I've got electronic shifting gears, it's all very fancy!!

I decided I just had to revisit the Tourmalet because it's so iconic. A very different feeling cycling up late October, I saw two other motorcyclists and a handful of cars...a big difference to in the summer. The huge statue of the bike usually at the top is away for the winter too. It's a climb I definitely adore in every season.

Second up was the Hautacam...where the heavens well and truly opened, and the fog descended. France's way of making me feel at home I reckon! I didn't see a single soul but it felt a huge achievement to make it to the summit, as it always does with these climbs, but particularly given the weather. Great fun.

Back to my Air BnB to wash everything and get warm. I think I stood in the shower for way longer than is normal!! :-P