Cycling and walking the Pyrenees

Chris is slowly working his way through the departments of France, the cycle-touring challenge is to visit six specific sites in each.  Last week it was the turn of the Hautes Pyrenees.  The plan was no more than 50km and one major climb per day, so that would be six days, staying in gites d'etape where possible.  Judy went walking with friend Nancy for four days but stayed in a bit more comfort.  Chris packed the minimum into a saddle-bag and a bar-bag and Judy dropped him in the south of the Gers, just over the border from the Hautes Pyrenees.  Then it was:
Day 1: 59km and 830m of climb via the chateau of Mauvezin;

Day 2: 45km almost all up climbing 1570m to Lac d'Oredon at 1900m;

 Day 3: Back down for 30 of yesterday's kms then up over the Col d'Aspin giving 58Km and 960m of climbing;

 Day 4: 36km climbing 1360m up and over the Col du Tourmalet to Luz-St Saveur;

Day 5: a gentle 40km to Gavarnie and back climbing 820m;
Day 6: 38km and 1200m of climb to Pont d'Espagne then back to Cauerets;

 Day 7: the gentle descent to Lourdes where Judy picked him up.

Meanwhile Judy and Nancy did the tourist bit and lots of walking, including a visit to the Col d'Aspin but the day after Chris.

So that's the group of departments for Gascony done, more next year.