RUST magazine: RUST#30

ust heritage
variety pumping out particulates as they attempt to overtake aged,
wheezing, cyclists trying to emulate their tour de France heroes.
not to mention old boys on motorcycles trying to…
the best thing about the Col de Marie-Blanque is the sign that
prohibits motor cars and bikes from following the track to the very top –
it had been shot at and had snapped in half when we got there.
the special test was marked off on the road on the steepest part, just
to the west of the summit. From here it’s a gentle descent to Bielle on
the d934 and a straight run to Laruns, where you take the d918 east
and climb to Gourette at 1400 metres. At this point came a major
disappointment. the 1891-metre Col d’Aubisque was closed and there
was no way round that. the promised spectacular climb and views
were denied us, so we headed back to Pau to change, shower and
sample the delights of the Rue de Pyrénées and small streets full of
bars, restaurants and young people enjoying themselves. A hot
chocolate can be very comforting at these times, so i’m told.
Une promenade gentil
the next day we drove the Citroën back to Lys, as the Pau morning rush
hour had lost its appeal, and unloaded the bikes so as to ride round the
other side of the Col d’Aubisque. We had a gentle ride until we got to the
enchanting village of etchartres, where Charlie suggested we turn off to
the Col de spandelles on a forestry road that was part of the main circuit.
www.rustsports.com