Our drive today, from Pau to Bagnères-du-Luchon, France:
Long day in the car. Probably the most incredible mountain car trip I’ve ever taken, and that’s saying a lot, given I’ve driven in northern Norway and through Alaska. Average 7.2% grade, 1190 meters up. Except for our huge detour back up around Lourdes, it will be a hors-catégorie climb stage in the Tour de France on the 18ème Juillet 2012. Wild. We missed driving the Tourmalet, but feel satisfied anyway. A bottle of wine later, a cute hotel, things are parfait!