My first ride in the Pyrenees - Luz Ardiden
05-03-08, 05:02 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My first ride in the Pyrenees - Luz Ardiden
Well, I set out this morning (long time ago now!) with the intention of cycling up the Tourmalet, but snow meant that the road was closed. So, not wanting to waste the day, I cycled up Luz Ardiden from Luz St Sauveur. Click here for climb profile.
I had a terrific day and took some photos en route, though the temperature (27 C) made it more difficult than I would have liked!
Hope you guys like the pics - they're mainly for your benefit!
I had a terrific day and took some photos en route, though the temperature (27 C) made it more difficult than I would have liked!
Hope you guys like the pics - they're mainly for your benefit!
__________________
Matt
2018 Enigma Excel Pic|| 2010 Kinesis Decade Convert2 Pic || 2008 Kinesis RC2 Pics || 2007 Kinesis Pha5e Pics || 2005 Kinesis RC Pics || 1996 Raleigh Max Pics
Matt
2018 Enigma Excel Pic|| 2010 Kinesis Decade Convert2 Pic || 2008 Kinesis RC2 Pics || 2007 Kinesis Pha5e Pics || 2005 Kinesis RC Pics || 1996 Raleigh Max Pics
Last edited by Matt Gaunt; 05-05-08 at 02:54 AM.
05-03-08, 05:05 PM
#2
Old & Getting Older Racer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Bicycle Transportation: 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric, 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
5 Posts
Hi,
Nice!
I keep dreaming of riding some of the big climbs in Europe. I hope to do so before I gain too much more weight.
Nice!
I keep dreaming of riding some of the big climbs in Europe. I hope to do so before I gain too much more weight.
__________________
Thanks.
Cleave
"Real men still wear pink."
Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
Lightning Velo Cycling Club: https://www.lightningvelo.org/
Learn about our Green Dream Home at https://www.lawville.org/
Thanks.
Cleave
"Real men still wear pink."
Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
Lightning Velo Cycling Club: https://www.lightningvelo.org/
Learn about our Green Dream Home at https://www.lawville.org/
05-03-08, 05:16 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes, it was a very special day for me. Not a long ride at all, less than 30 miles altogether, but the climb was really challenging. Plus it's that indescribable profound feeling of cycling the hills of the greats - I think Armstrong was the last to win a stage on Luz Ardiden in 2003.
Thanks for the comments.
Thanks for the comments.
05-03-08, 05:18 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you! There are two distinct switchback sections on the climb. There must be 15 or more hairpins altogether. On the way down they're awesome and the road surface gives you plenty of confidence to crank the bike right over. The GP3000s were flawless as usual.
05-03-08, 05:19 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bring warm clothing!
Posts: 2,443
Bikes: Colnago Dream, Kestrel Evoke, Giant XTC Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Great photos, Sounds like it was a great ride.
__________________
05-03-08, 05:41 PM
#8
Descends Like Avalanche
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere between Funkytown and Margaritaville, PA
Posts: 5,769
Bikes: Lynskey R240, Sportive, and a Helix Sport disc model in the works; Eddy Merckx MX Leader; Specialized Rock Hopper Comp (1988!)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Nice pics, thanks for sharing! 
__________________
The rider in my avatar is David Etxebarria, not me.
05-03-08, 05:54 PM
#9
Elite Fred
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Edge City
Posts: 10,915
Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
13 Posts
Gee, and I was thinking how great it is going to be next week when I take a day off and go to north Georgia to ride up Hogpen. That's like you playing golf at St. Andrews and I had a round of Putt-Putt.
Very cool. One of these days I'm going to do something like this.
Very cool. One of these days I'm going to do something like this.
05-03-08, 06:10 PM
#10
meow
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hint: check out my BF name
Posts: 5,830
Bikes: 2016 Parlee Altum, 2013 Cannondale Super Six Evo Hi Mod Di2 only, 2011 Cannondale Super Six, Dura Ace 7800, 2007 Cannondale System Six Dura Ace 7800, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1, MB-2, MB-3, MB-5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Good stuff!!!
05-03-08, 06:58 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NOLA
Posts: 2,200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh, to be in your cleats...
Looks beautiful, Gawd I need a vacation...
Did anyone yell "Dope'!" at you with that kit on...?
Looks beautiful, Gawd I need a vacation...
Did anyone yell "Dope'!" at you with that kit on...?
__________________
05-03-08, 07:15 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
Posts: 5,308
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
i'm off to france in october for a one year sabbatical. lots of riding, i hope to do a bunch of the classic climbs. thanks for the psych!!!
05-03-08, 07:41 PM
#14
Living the n+1
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Off the back
Posts: 2,745
Bikes: 2019 RM Blizzard, 2013 SuperX, 2007 Litespeed Vortex, 1970 Falcon Olympic, 2008 RM Metropolis IGH, 2004 Specialized Enduro, 2006 Langster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
<<<<-- Jealous.
Thanks for sharing and turning me green with envy.
Thanks for sharing and turning me green with envy.
05-03-08, 08:14 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NOLA
Posts: 2,200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
05-03-08, 08:54 PM
#17
I like beans
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Meffa, MA
Posts: 3,353
Bikes: Tarmac Pro, Bianchi Zurigo, Raleigh Gran Sport, Fuji Del Rey, Ironman Centurion
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Wow, that just rocks. Those pictures are awesome. I might just make one of them my background.
05-03-08, 10:14 PM
#18
hobo
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: CO
Posts: 3,784
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great pics... the one with your bike and the mountains in the background is fantastic. You should blow that up and frame it. Thanks for sharing!
05-04-08, 08:15 AM
#19
Sua Ku
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hot as hell, Singapore
Posts: 5,705
Bikes: Trek 5200, BMC SLC01, BMC SSX, Specialized FSR, Holdsworth Criterium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks mate. Looks like a really nice way to spend a day
05-04-08, 11:00 AM
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks guys - I'm way ahead of you on the desktop background though! The bike w/ mountains in the background went on as soon as I got in. That's why I took it in such a way as I knew it would make a good desktop.
The pics are terrible quality due to the limit on filesize. They were taken as fine L jpegs (EOS 40D) and then I used the facebook previews to avoid reducing the size myself! If any of you want any of the full size images, PM me your e-mail address and I'd be glad to send you the full size file (roughly 5mb each).
My pleasure in posting the pics - glad I inspired at least one to do the same.
In response to the "dope" allegations, I should like to point out that 1) I wasn't going fast enough to provoke such animation from the "crowd" and 2) the only other people on bikes I saw were four guys, each of whom had team strip on themselves!! Wish someone had yelled it though, that would've been awesome!
The pics are terrible quality due to the limit on filesize. They were taken as fine L jpegs (EOS 40D) and then I used the facebook previews to avoid reducing the size myself! If any of you want any of the full size images, PM me your e-mail address and I'd be glad to send you the full size file (roughly 5mb each).
My pleasure in posting the pics - glad I inspired at least one to do the same.
In response to the "dope" allegations, I should like to point out that 1) I wasn't going fast enough to provoke such animation from the "crowd" and 2) the only other people on bikes I saw were four guys, each of whom had team strip on themselves!! Wish someone had yelled it though, that would've been awesome!
05-04-08, 01:15 PM
#21
100% Fred
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 843
Bikes: 2005 Trek 1500 - Postal Service Edition
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
what awesome pics, everytime someone posts pics of europe i get incredibly jealous, someday I will get to tour all the great areas of that continent, it will happen! thanks for posting them!
05-04-08, 05:02 PM
#22
Senior Member
Sweet! Gives me motivation to get over there next summer.
05-04-08, 08:50 PM
#23
Wanderer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Way up in the mountains
Posts: 54
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
that is amazing, amazing stuff, matt. just makes me wanna pack my crap up and move to Europe that much more. tres beau, for sure.
05-05-08, 12:50 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It's amazing - nothing like sweeping down the switchbacks as close to the road with your elbow as you dare! Do it, you will not regret it. I will be going back possibly this weekend as it's a long one in France. If I do I'll be sure to take pics and post them. Depends on time and weather factors so it's not a certainty.
