Another great wee, day-ride loop of about 320kms or so. Handy if you're based camped in the region and don't want to go shopping with the wife etc.
No other team members were able to play so it meant I was on my own...... so off I went.
Warm enough to ride with summer gloves and visor up at a sedate speed.
A bimble of about 1,5hrs and 70kms gets me to Col d'Aspin out of Lourdes and paralleling the Pyrénées.
On the way my xt turned 90
It stared cooling a bot on approach to the col......but not enough to jettison summer gloves......great views and twisties.
To the left you can see the summit of Pic du Midi.
At bit more zoom and you can see the observatory
Nearing the summit
A stop at the summit lets you see down to Arreau
Pick up fuel outside Arreau at a card only station and ride 30mins or so to St Car Soulan ski station. Here you can have a coffee in the sun in an alpine feeling village.
I'll head up along twisties to the Bielsa Tunnel in the direction of the mountain in the image.
I snort up along the twisties being mindful of any black ice there may be in the cold shade.
The short run up to the tunnel is a great wee blast.
Bottom RHS.
Oh look..... a chapel for the heathens on Easter Sunday
Once up to height and out from the water run off tunnels you're met with this awesome sight. A massive wall of mountain.
A Renault 4 was there too.
Balls of snow melt
Skiers had been paying too
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E.D.C. Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées/Aínsa/El Formigal,Spain-France
- chunky butt
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Re: EDC Day Ride out - Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées to Aínsa Spain Return.
Great ride report keith, got to get back down there again soon. Old girls done 90k, brill, mines barely run in then at 35k
- WIBO
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Re: EDC Day Ride out - Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées to Aínsa Spain Return.
From the vibrant green of France I drop down 50kms into the drab green of Spain to Aínsa....a great place to stay if you're ever in this neck of the woods. There's great camp site within walking distance of the town centre.
I stop for a coffee here.....
Turn right at Escalona .....I ride to here and make a brew up at the bridge before riding back to Escalona ....turning right to Aínsa.
A rustic old village.....there's parking on the periphery where you can then walk into the centre.....in the village square you can get food...it;s a great, vibrant place in summer to go on a bender.
I'm pressed for time so I ride on by.
I stop for a coffee here.....
Turn right at Escalona .....I ride to here and make a brew up at the bridge before riding back to Escalona ....turning right to Aínsa.
A rustic old village.....there's parking on the periphery where you can then walk into the centre.....in the village square you can get food...it;s a great, vibrant place in summer to go on a bender.
I'm pressed for time so I ride on by.
Last edited by WIBO on Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Will It Buff Out?
- WIBO
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Re: EDC Day Ride out - Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées to Aínsa Spain Return.
Just after the village of Fiscal I choose to hang left and take the more fluid N260 riding at about 120kph which will get me to Biescas which is quicker that the other N260 heading straight on out of Fiscal.
It's a wide open road and you can keep it lit.
I ride on in the direction of the French border to El Formigal ski station where I ride to take a pause to watch the world go by......which might be code for perving at dark skinned European Spanish girls highlighted on a white background.
From here back into France at Col du Pourtalet....
It'ss been snowing over the weekend I think.
From here ......back on home....great ride out.
If anyone wants to know of any routes or wants me to recce' same by all means just ask..........The whole Pays Basque/Béarn Dpt 64 and 65, French side and the Aragon/Navarre Spanish region is my playground.
Off road or on road I can do it for free.
All the best
Enjoy your time riding.
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It's a wide open road and you can keep it lit.
I ride on in the direction of the French border to El Formigal ski station where I ride to take a pause to watch the world go by......which might be code for perving at dark skinned European Spanish girls highlighted on a white background.
From here back into France at Col du Pourtalet....
It'ss been snowing over the weekend I think.
From here ......back on home....great ride out.
If anyone wants to know of any routes or wants me to recce' same by all means just ask..........The whole Pays Basque/Béarn Dpt 64 and 65, French side and the Aragon/Navarre Spanish region is my playground.
Off road or on road I can do it for free.
All the best
Enjoy your time riding.
.
Will It Buff Out?
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Re: E.D.C. Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées/Aínsa/El Formigal,Spain-France
Very Nice that Keith looks like a cracking sightseeing ride, Not seen much blue sky in awhile plenty of British Grey down my way. must get over sometime for a ride out. Don't know about free it'll be a coffee at least €€€
- boboneleg
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Re: E.D.C. Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées/Aínsa/El Formigal,Spain-France
Absolutely superb Keith, great to see those roads in glorious sunshine with the snow backdrop. Last couple of times I've been there it's been pissing down, not quite the same then
one-legged adventurer
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Re: E.D.C. Col d'Aspin French Pyrénées/Aínsa/El Formigal,Spain-France
Great stuff Keith , you have some fantastic scenery on your door step , a Renault 4 as well great little motors , I'm going to get a Renault 4van when I see a decent one ,