17 km, 5.6% average grade, about 1300 meters climb. There are any number of ways to get to a 5.6% average. Grades could, for instance, range between 6% and 5.2%. Not today, the 20km from Mendive started off with a series of, literally: 11.5, 11, 10, 10.5, 11.5 ... you get the idea. For me, it was hard cycling, not a little hard, just hard. My speeds were slow enough to be plain silly. Looked down once since I was picking up speed .... up to 3.2mph. It felt much flatter. Speed demon, am I?
Today's ride took me from St. Jean Pied de Port to Larrau, across the Cols d'Iraty. That s is important: there are three marked on my map: Col d'Haltza, Col de Burdincurutcheta, and then Col Bagargui. This route is a part of the Route des Pyrenees, and travels through the Iraty forest. Reaching the summit of Bagargui from the west, the route takes you past the chalets d'Iraty, and to the "commercial center," which includes a large parking lot. There may be skiing in winter, though I didn't see trails. Very close by is the true summit, with more commercial businesses, but beautiful views to the south and east. The descent was fast, steep and the hairpins often tight.
Tonight I'm in Larrau, tomorrow a hike to one of the close-by gorges.
The images can tell the story better.
