Ax le Therms to St. Giron

A pleasant descent from Ignaux into town then a cruise on D44 by our two key sprinters (Guy and Bill) brought us into the most charming of french valley towns complete with castel, clocktower, river and yet another over 65 darling little french woman (typically less than 5 foot) that would be charmed by Guy and be singing and matching him up with some far away niece in portugal, spain or ???.

We sat and enjoyed the morning air before the climb to Col de Port (our big climb of the day).

The climb started out slow and gentle with a few pumps of double chevron (10%).  The last 3 clicks (km) were gentle, open and majestic.  Chris climbed like a moutain goat to the top, followed by Lisa.  Peter and Deb played sweep, as we all arrived to the top of the saddle that was littered with cows and bulls all wearing large bells and tinkering an the lush green hills.

We sat for a while, allowing our sweat to dry and core temp to lower before an epic descent into St. Giron.  We formed perfect pacelines sweeping into the turns, following a scripted apex of each corner...wow, it was fun!

Coming into St. Giron, we glided around the round-a-bouts like racers in the tour de france then stopped at the Champion to gather some grocieries for a group dinner at the Chateau at le ferme.

Before arriving to our gites for the evening, we would need to climb one of the nastiest climbs on our tour - 3km of straight up 15%, knee grinding, heart pumping, lactate spewing hill.  Good thing the chateau and guests were worth the slog...so much so, our group spontaneausly opted for a second night.  Apres that evening was a conversation of french, spanish, italian and english.  Too much fun.

The next days ride offers many choices or none at all (a day by the pool or piscene over looking the countryside with a backdrop of the majestic pyrenees).

Days Stats:
Temp: sunny and hot (92).
Distance: 100K
Elevation: (3200 feet)
Destress Factor: 7 (shoulders in normal position and sleeping 8 hours)

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