I rode another black top, dead end day trip....erm......where you have to do a U-turn and ride back from whence you came.
This ride is ideal if you're resting up anywhere in the region and just want to go for an easy ride out....dine and go back to your accommodation. For me it was 240kms with plenty of stops for pics and to stretch ones legs.
You can pick up the ride at Laruns, France and head to the Spansh border, a standard crossing point at Col du Pourtalet. ( It's a 'trading post' historically and you can pick up tobacco and alcohol at very reasonable prices... e.g. a bottle of Drambuie for €18 at time of typing )
You ride on over and drop down through the ski station of El Formigal and on to Escarlilla.... ( camp site in village centre by the by ).
Climb out of Laruns along a short section of gorge, direction Col du Pourtalet.
For the first 15 minutes of twisties the road surfacer has been renewed with fresh blacktop where I stop to enjoy the view of Artouste ski station.
The snow melt has filled up to the level of the dam.
Top right hand side you can see that there's a restaurant
In summer you can go up in the cable car, take a day sack picnic and eat at a lake, before riding back to your accommodation. A small narrow gauge train takes you there.
http://www.altiservice.com/excursion/train-artouste.
If you want to ride on...head south along the twisties (thumbs)
The last of the snow-melt run off is apparent ......
