From Pau to Angoulême
05-08-07, 12:37 PM
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From Pau to Angoulême
Thanks to many on this forum, I now realize why I am in no rush to move back to the Motherland.
It also helps when rides like these are within driving distance.
On the way, between Arundy and Laruns.
What lies ahead.
The roads are open.
About 4 km in.
Looking down on to Gourette.
The top.
The trophy.
It also helps when rides like these are within driving distance.
On the way, between Arundy and Laruns.
What lies ahead.
The roads are open.
About 4 km in.
Looking down on to Gourette.
The top.
The trophy.
05-08-07, 12:38 PM
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Seeing as I was in the neighborhood, I paid a visit to the original Disneyland/Las Vegas, the city with the most hotels per square meter in France: Lourdes.
The procession to the Grotto.
Couldn't figure out if these chics were nuns. They were too young, and too attractive. At least compared to the nuns who taught me when I was in Catechism.
The big candles were 20 kilos, and cost 150€
Day 2, on the way to Castelsarrasin, via Vic-Feznac
Entering Castelsarrasin.
The procession to the Grotto.
Couldn't figure out if these chics were nuns. They were too young, and too attractive. At least compared to the nuns who taught me when I was in Catechism.
The big candles were 20 kilos, and cost 150€
Day 2, on the way to Castelsarrasin, via Vic-Feznac
Entering Castelsarrasin.
05-08-07, 12:39 PM
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Then it was on to Cahors. Don't know why, but I forgot to bring my camera that night. Pity. It was a nice city, and I have to say, I liked the wine. I liked it a lot.
One funny detail, it turned out that the owner of our Chambres des'Hotes was the French 50+ Cyclocross champion 5 years ago.
Back to pictures...
Stating the obvious.
Old and new.
The cathedral in Periguex.
An old hostel, for pilgrims on their way to Santiago Compostela.
Marking the trail, with a St Jaques/Scallop shell.
One funny detail, it turned out that the owner of our Chambres des'Hotes was the French 50+ Cyclocross champion 5 years ago.
Back to pictures...
Stating the obvious.
Old and new.
The cathedral in Periguex.
An old hostel, for pilgrims on their way to Santiago Compostela.
Marking the trail, with a St Jaques/Scallop shell.
05-08-07, 12:39 PM
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Villebois-Lavalette
the Hotel de Ville in Angoulême (lots of work was being done in the city center). It was extremely quiet that day (a sunday, and it happened to be the day of the election).
Seeing as Angoulême plays host to a cartoon festival every year, the city is covered with wall drawings.
Some old school art.
A healthy meal of Steak Tartar.
C'est fin, merci.
05-08-07, 12:42 PM
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I hear you...when I was watching the Belgian classics I was getting that desire to hop a plane with the bike and do some cobbles...
After Lourdes, did you do the Hautacam?
After Lourdes, did you do the Hautacam?
Last edited by roadwarrior; 05-08-07 at 12:55 PM.
05-08-07, 12:42 PM
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I'd be able to see the pictures better if I weren't blind with jealousy.
Awesome. Thank you.
Awesome. Thank you.
05-08-07, 12:44 PM
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Those are some awesome pics Botto!! The wife and I stayed in Lourdes for the tour in 05' Must say, I saw more people in wheelchairs going to get 'healed' in Lourdes than anywhere else ever! Great pics again
05-08-07, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
I hear you...when I was watching the Blegian classics I was getting that desire to hop a plane with the bike and do some cobbles...
After Lourdes, did you do the Hautacam?
After Lourdes, did you do the Hautacam?
05-08-07, 12:45 PM
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Great pics. I hope you avoided doing a Wim Van Est on the Col d'Aubisque. Did you do the Col de Soulor also?
05-08-07, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Great pics. I hope you avoided doing a Wim Van Est on the Col d'Aubisque. Did you do the Col de Soulor also?
I kept looking for the van Est monument, but couldn't find it. I guess it was on the other side of the mountain, and those roads were closed.
btw - whoever claims that the 'transition stages' after the mountains are flat, are either lying, or have never been on a bike.
05-08-07, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by botto
I wish. Unfortunately I didn't have the time. I was there for work. I had to ride the routes of stages 17 & 18 of the Tour.
05-08-07, 01:02 PM
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grilled cheesus
it seems like another world, another planet, where fabulous cycling adventures take place daily.
great pics. i vote for post of the year. do i have vote? later.
great pics. i vote for post of the year. do i have vote? later.
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05-08-07, 01:05 PM
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You're killing me B.
And I thought the ride up to Bear Mtn. last Sunday was nice.
And I thought the ride up to Bear Mtn. last Sunday was nice.
05-08-07, 01:08 PM
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Wow. These are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
05-08-07, 01:12 PM
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Unique Vintage Steel
Originally Posted by aham23
it seems like another world, another planet, where fabulous cycling adventures take place daily.
great pics. i vote for post of the year. do i have vote? later.
great pics. i vote for post of the year. do i have vote? later.
Those are some fantastic photo and appears you had a great time. I, like many, are quite green with evny right now. I very much want to ride those roads or anything even closely resembling them one day.
05-08-07, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by botto
I wish. Unfortunately I didn't have the time. I was there for work. I had to ride the routes of stages 17 & 18 of the Tour.
05-08-07, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by cuda2k
I'll second that. Botto, I hate you. If all it takes is to ban you for a week to make you come back with great photos like this I might have to make this a semi-weekly thing. (joking)
Those are some fantastic photo and appears you had a great time. I, like many, are quite green with evny right now. I very much want to ride those roads or anything even closely resembling them one day.
Those are some fantastic photo and appears you had a great time. I, like many, are quite green with evny right now. I very much want to ride those roads or anything even closely resembling them one day.
