Click on above image to enlarge
Four cols today:
Col de Mente 1,349m/4,426 ft
Col de Portet d'Aspet 1,069m/3,507 ft
Col de la Core 1,395m/ 4,577 ft
Col de Letrappe 1,112m/3,648 ft
Awoke to the sound of heavy rain at 6am which did not auger well for a comfortable day. This is to be another BIG day, with four Cols representing over 3,000m of climbing. We think it will be easier having the vertical climb spread over 4 cols rather than 3 as yesterday but that is just wishful thinking. Fortunately the rain eases to a sprinkle as we prepare our bikes for the ride, fill water bottles and stuff as many energy bars and goos into our pockets as we can fit.
Burning over 5,000 calories a day makes for something of a losing battle on the energy ledger, but we do the best we can to avoid running out of fuel later in the day. The cols we are climbing today are not as famous as those we have climbed over the past couple of days, but they are no less challenging to ride, and have been used in the Tour de France many times over the years.
We wheel out of the courtyard of the City Blue hotel after a big breakfast, right on 8:30am and under dark, foggy skies, head north along the La Pique river for 18 km to then turn east to the start of Col de Mente.
The climb starts in the incredibly beautiful village of Saint-Beat and is soon ascending steeply up a frequently 15-17% grade (ouch!!). As the residual lactic acid from yesterday's climbs works its way our of our leg muscles, we are all all soon climbing strongly. I feel great, and under slowly clearing skies head up the col behind the strongest rider in the group (Simon Lempriere). The fog and cloud starts to lift and the sun struggles through as we start the descent - after hot drinks in the small restaurant (the owner's living room) at the top of the col.
As usual the descents are fast and thrilling - the road surfaces being smooth and without potholes. The surfaces of any of the roads used for the TdF or other races are kept immaculate, even the very isolated back roads. I think I have only seen one small pothole in 5 days!!! I'm really starting to get the rhythm of the descents now - including negotiating the sharp hairpin turns - of which there are many!
As we reach the half-way point of the climb up the Col de Portet d'Aspet, our exuberance is brought sharply back to earth.
We come across the plaque and monument to Fabio Casartelli (August 16, 1970 – July 18, 1995) who was an Italian cyclist and an Olympic gold medalist, who died in a crash on the descent of the Col de Portet d'Aspet, during the 15th stage of the 1995 Tour de France. After a few minutes in silence at the monument, we silently resume our climb to the summit, where again we re-group and take the obligatory photo under the sign.
After another descent, we commence the climb to the 1395m Col del la Core. It is an absolutely delightful climb up a luch valley, with towering, snow covered ramparts above us. 
I take more leisurely ride with Jeff and Mike and absorb the beauty of the ride. The wildflowers of all colours in the fields and on the sides of the road, and the constant smell of fresh-cut hay will stay with me for a long time.
Again, the patience and good humour of the drivers is remarkable. I no longer flinch at the sound of a car approaching from the rear. The little tap of the horn and the cries of "allez, allez" as they pass is a BIG change from "get off the road you faggots", that sadly is par for course back home.
For various reasons, we decide to not stop for lunch, and for me at least the last short climb over Col de Letrappe, proves to be aptly named. About halfway up, I simply 'bonk' - the fuel tank runs dry, and I have to resort to an agonizingly slow crawl over the summit. Breakfast (8 hrs earlier) and a handful of energy bars, was simply not enough calories for me - and a few of the others. The short descent into our overnight stop at Aulus-les-Bains is chilly, and the rain starts to drizzle. The town is incredibly picturesque (aren't they all?) set below a magnificent glacial cirque with a beautiful trout stream running throught it. 
Our hotel is right out of a tourist brochure and we meet the support teams who are already into the rose and vin rouge!
A long soak in a hot bath restores my core temperature and a mountain of food - my energy! Tomorrow - a huge climb into Andorra and then 2 rest days - Yippee!!!!
Allez!
