Haute Route Pyrenees: Day 6

Saint-Lary Soulan to Peyragudes
131km, 3500m

On paper, not the biggest climbing day of the event - that was yesterday - but I suspected today would be the hardest stage. It was.

Hot, literally and figuratively, right from the gun. 800m roll through the village before we went straight up for 10km (Cypress). After the first climb, 60km combo of descent and rolling ascent to the base of the day's big climb. Clear everyone had the same plan — summit the first climb with a fast group to make lighter work on the 60km transition.

As referenced by yesterday's guest blogger, I got called out for riding like a coward on Day 4 and 5. Over dinner last night, Ribs threw down the gauntlet and told me to start riding stronger. Said I was being too conservative. He was right but I have not had a day here during which I felt "on". Biggest motivator was Rib's observation that this could be the last grand tour for a while. Said leave it on all the road today.

Ribs gave the stare down at the morning start with a "let's go Dooks". 

I felt good on the first climb. We started at the back of the lead 75 starting block. For the first 10min of the climb worked our way threw the crowd. Bridged up to a group of 10 and Ribs said, "ok, these are our guys". Settled into a hard tempo to the summit of the 40min climb. Descended off the Azet with the group and had good organization for the next 60km as we rolled fast to the bottom of the Port de Bales. 

Good start to the day definitely attributable to sock doping.

Porte de Bales is 19km and 1300m of gain. After a short ramp to start the climb, group's pace was fairly mellow until 12km from the top. I was near the front and felt good. Turned up the output and found myself on my own. Legs were solid so kept rolling hard. Looked back a couple times and didn't see anyone. At 5km, Ribs bridged up solo. At 2km, Ribs turned it up a bit and summited a few hundred meters ahead of me. Our group from the start of the day was blown to pieces. 

A 10km Seymour followed. All I remember is hot. Riding into a hair blower. Well north of 30degrees. Ribs and I submitted together on our own. Short descent and a steep 3.5km climb to the ski town finish. I was cooked and rolled steady. Ribs motored ahead and put a couple minutes on me.

All in all, good day on the bike. Rested at the finish waiting for TL and Buster.

As for their day, pictures worth a thousand words.

17km roll down to the town where our hotel is located. On the rare occasion National Champ rides a bike in Vancouver, he teaches his TNA teammates a thing or two. Typical subject matter covered is weight lifting or tanning. Shirtless riding kit management learned from Champ was executed today.

Last day tomorrow. Seymour-like climb to start day followed by about 140km of downhill rolling terrain into the Toulouse finish. We're rolling "Canadian Express" Day 7, with all four clowns staying together. 

Not sure when I'll post about Day 7, so few concluding thoughts.

One. Shout out to wifey. Cycling can be a very selfish sport, stealing time from family and friends. Wifey is nothing but supportive and encouraging. For that, I'm thankful. 

Two. Events like this require a support network. AP, my coach of 6 years, is a gem and makes bike my fun place. Le Domestique consistently steps up to ensure the equipment is tip top. And this has been my 6th trip with Magic Places. One of the best.  

Three. The fun of these trips is the camaraderie with fellow clowns. We've been planning HRP 2016 for 2years. The anticipation quickly turns into the grind of 10days sharing tiny rooms, coordinating all activities and dealing with each other in various states of exhaustion. Coming out the other side of one these events and still enjoying sitting down for a meal with your ride-mates is a minor miracle and testament to good chemistry amongst quality characters. Let's face it, I can be a dick and these guys put up with me. :  )