The Camera's were waiting...Jotown's in Town !!

Monday 31st May 2010

Packed and left my campsite near Lourdes for around 10-30 a.m., and knowing that I was heading for the mountains again decided to drive to Pau to stock up...and update everything I needed to on the computer..needn't have bothered , (got Wifi where I am!).

anyway I headed to Luz Saint Saveur http://www.luz.org/web/EN_Office_de_Tourisme/125-home.php up in The Pyrenees, and decided to have a look around, before stopping at my camp site...

As I got into the village, I saw the famous sign, from the Tour de France ' Col du Tourmalet',one of the famous climbs which frequently rips the heart out of the peloton, and first over the top frequently wins the race...this I had to see..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col_du_Tourmalet describes in some detail the climb, but doing it, even in Wally was hard, and never ending, switch back, after hairpin bend, ever onwards and upwards..

and, once at the top, I gave Wally a breather....but wait, what's this ?

Suddenly I was surrounded by cameramen, and cars swooping to a stop all around me...

.....they must have recognised me, or had they ?

Then the puzzle was solved as the 'Astana' Road cycling team, climbed the Col from the other side, and stopping at the top, were being interviewed -- probably by promotion company for the Tour de France...then arriving up from Luz Saint Saveur came the 'Saxobank' race team, also with a camera team and Gendarmes in attendance...

and who was right in the middle of it all ? - Jotown and Wally !!

Quite a sight, as the two teams started having fun with each other,clearly cracking comments about who had the superior fitness - ready for the Tour , it crosses the Col on the 18th july !! - I'll be watching..

Then,they were off again -each off to opposite sides of the Col...leaving me pondering whether I should do it myself ??

Then I was back to Luz and checked onto my campsite http://www.international-camping.fr/ on a busy road, but seemed pleasant enough..and with the added benefit of Wifi all around..

Having sorted myself out, I had a look around the village trying to find another spot I wanted http://www.deandar.com/ferratas/via-ferrata-napoleon the PontNapoleon Via Ferrata ! seems like it may be good fun...

and along with all this there are lots of mountains to climb all around !

What fun, what shall I do ?? only time will tell !!

Bonne Nuit