Saturday 1st September 2007

Sixteen people and eleven bikes meet and set off on the SMC Pyrenees tour 2007. Excitement, anticipation and expectation were just some of the emotions and feelings darting through our minds as we departed for Europe.

Setting off from Sheffield on a bright but cool September morning, the main party headed South along the M1, M25 and A20 for Dover. An uneventful route necessary to cover the miles quickly to board our ferry on time.

A smooth hour and a half ferry crossing carried us to Dunkerque, where we rode off the ferry and onto the ‘wrong side’ of the road.

This was it, empty well surfaced roads threading their way Southwards across France’s vast and beautiful countryside. Around 180km on excellent Autoroute and we arrived at our first stop, Soissons. The Formula 1 hotel took a bit of finding, but once settled in everyone indulged in a few beers and some delicious French cuisine in a local restaurant.

Limoges was the next stop, more French beer and food was consumed as we relaxed in the fading sunshine.

Next morning Oradour sur Glane became our focus. This ruined village is preserved as a monument to the atrocities committed by the German occupying forces during the second world war and serves as a chilling reminder of the suffering and harsh reality of conflict. A total of 642 men, women and children were massacred here in June 1944. It certainly provoked thought, reflection and emotion.

That afternoon we journeyed South once again, accompanied by the occasional teasing glimpse of the Pyrenees ahead, which grew more imposing with every kilometre we covered. The roads became more demanding, changing from the arrow straight roads of Northern France to the left, right, sharp, and sweeping bends that now beckoned us to the foot of the mountains and promised to keep us entertained during our stay.

Lortet was now home for the next few days. Ian and Alison Turner own the excellent ‘Pleinair  de Pyrenees’ accommodation, a friendly, relaxing place which welcomes visitors with its mix of rural French charm, outstanding food and unrivalled hospitality. Wonderful.

The Col d’Aspin and Tourmalet are two of the most spectacular and breathtaking passes in the Pyrenees. Riding up this snaking, hairpin strewn route, we encountered everything from steep wooded

embankments to barren rock overhangs, finally twisting and turning our way through and above the clouds, emerging to witness the most stunning views imaginable.

Bielsa Tunnel and Spain were next. Slow, toe curling hairpins invited and urged us up the French side of the mountains. Popping out of the Bielsa tunnel into Spain revealed sweeping downhill ‘Come and have a go’ bends linked by smooth, open ’Wind it on’ straights.

What a blast, what an experience! The day was rounded off perfectly with some Spanish hospitality in a roadside restaurant, a visit to Ainsa’s walled village and a cooling paddle in a crystal clear Spanish Rio.

Andorra! Great ride along the entertaining, impressive roads we’d come to expect and rely on. Cheap fags, tobacco, booze and electrical goods and a day of hot sunshine, warm tyres and happy bikers. A McDonalds for lunch and a browse around the many bike shops, comparing products and prices to those in the UK, Perfection!

Heading for home we passed under and over the ‘Viaduc du Millau’ . The tallest road bridge in the world. The Millau Bridge is an awesome sight which defies belief that such a huge, yet delicate structure could ever have been envisaged, never mind built. A memorable end to our tour !