June 20, 2025
To Saint-Girons
The Vélosud route continues west from to Saint-Girons toward Saint-Gaudans on an nicely shaded, largely level cycle path with a good surface. Sounds perfect for a hot summer day. But I wanted a bit more of a challenge, something that would test me and give me a sense of my readiness for more strenuous climbs that might lie ahead. So I decided to retrace part Jacquie Gaudet’s 2016 route over Col de Péquère and Col de Portel.
It was to be a long day so I wanted an early start out of Foix. I managed to leave the hotel at 8:15, but got a bit confused by market day in Foix, taking a wrong turn that led me up a hill toward to historical center. Thankfully, I’d not gone too far when I realized my mistake and got back on track – there was no need to add unplanned climbing today!
The ride up to Col de Péquère was mostly shaded, winding through woods along a quiet road past Col de Marrous. There were a few “mandatory” rest stops, but for the most part I was able to find a steady pace and enjoy the ride, especially as I neared the top where the grades dropped to 3%. The views really opened at the top of Péquère, spectacular vistas to the peaks across Pyrenees Ariège. I celebrated by taking a snack break in the shade and turned onto D72 for the short climb to Col de Portel , the highest point of the day.
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In my opinion, the views heading down from Col de Portel were even more stunning than those at the top of Péquère – so much so that I stopped several times to gape and vainly try to capture it all on camera. The route soon wound back into the woods to Col de Crouzette, at the junction of D188. Here I deviated from Jacquie’s route, opting for the shorter way to Saint-Girons through Les Cabesses. A war memorial at Rille Pass caught my attention as did the “Gravillons” warning sign. For the next five miles, I slowly navigated the loose stones and switch-backs on the way to Rivernet.
Temperatures were in the low 90s and by the time I reached Rivernet and I was hot and concerned with my dwindling supply of water. By good fortune, there was a cemetery adjacent to the town church, a place I knew would have potable water. I quenched my thirst, filled up my water bottles and continued on to the Salat River where I turned north for the final few miles to Saint-Girons. The afternoon heat was bearing down and the only sound was the bursting of tar bubbles under my tires.
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Although I arrived at my lodging in Saint-Girons a little early for my 3 pm check-in, the young owners of Le Jardin Blue graciously welcomed me and proffered a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. The restaurant at the small guest house had a chalkboard listing gazpacho as the daily special. Though the restaurant was closed, I asked if I might have a bowl. Yes! They served me the last bowl of cold gazpacho with melon, a delicious and most welcome treat.
I spent the rest of the afternoon in my air-conditioned room before venturing out across the river for dinner at wonderful little Thai restaurant. It had been a great day – a bit taxing, but one that left me smiling.
Today's ride: 35 miles (56 km)
Total: 863 miles (1,389 km)
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6 days ago