Awoke tired after a big couple of days. Again camping de delivered and several black coffees later and a large jambon roll felt more alive. Packed and left in what I thought was a reasonable time. Colin had called me the night before to say the roads would be closed at 4 pm, so no time to loiter.
Rode the lake road (back to the motorway which was now completed towards Jaca and riding on new bitumen road with big mountains looming on my left, with bigger ones in the distance was an great feeling. Stopped in Jaca for a mid morning coffee - this was the nicest town I've visited yet. Obviously a holiday destination in the foothills of the Pyrenees for cashed up Spanish. Policemen rode the malls on small trail bikes. Parked up in search of my mid morning brew. Directed to nice cafe in a mall and the waiter served locals before me several times so I left in disgust. Filled up with super octane again & bought some water and headed off. Stopped in Sabinanigo at an old traditional cafe with two old guys outside served me in under a minute. Got i phone out and 'ouch' is that the time? 12.30 pm it can't be. Realised my mistake had not changed my watch or clock on the bike to Europe time. I would now have to ride pretty swiftly to get to destination by 4 pm. Oh and if I thought the roads were good yesterday!!! A rider on the ferry said to me you will get fed up of the twisties...let me say the new Tyres are now well and truly scrubbed in ( new tyres have a waxy coating or release agent and are slippy until its removed). Absolutely awesome roads and fabulous mountain scenery, did not take any pics as too worried about not making the cut off. Stopped in Castejon de Sos with loads of other bikers and my Aussie flag drew attention - a tour group from Barcelona and a guy from Melbourne - he said if you liked that bit you will love the rest! I did but was totally destination focussed not stopping for food. Eventually got into the N230 and finally France and Bagneres de Luchon was within reach stopped to check my map and all those cars I had passed - over took me up a road that just had Luchon! on the sign. Yes the French had shortened Bagneres de Luchon to Luchon, of course we should know that! Now loads of tour watching cars and camper vans. Did I mention these roads are well awesome on a motor bike. I remember thinking in 2010 while riding the Etape stage (amateur ride of a stage of the tour) that I would like to come back one day and ride my motorbike.
Arrived in Bagneres de Luchon and read Colins very detailed instructions.
The town would be the end of tomorrows stage so the TDF machine was in town. Massive trucks lined the streets, police and officials were beginning to layout fencing and tape off parked cars.
Found Gite and they were waiting - I was totally wasted dropped i phone on way up their very steep drive. Parked bike up and went back to get it, no damage. Although bike looked like it may fall over on the steep drive. Colin looked worried and came to assist.
Dinner of Aubergine curry, couple of wines and a great catch up. Boy would I sleep well tonight.
We took an evening walk up the hill viewing camper van city. Looked at some of Colin and Teresa's pictures of their trip so far. They have a great nikon compact camera with interchangeable lenses. Planned next two days tour watching.
Wrote draft blog before very deep, deep sleep.