Some Pyrenean Tour de France Pictures

With the 2012 Tour de France almost upon us, I thought I'd put up some of my pictures of Pyrenean places they are going to this year.

This is the Col d'Aubisque finish in 2007 with Cadel Evans just getting to the top.


This is the view from half-way to Col d'Aubisque towards Col du Solour, again in 2007.


This is the view from Col d'Aubisque towards Col du Solour, again in 2007.


This is the finish in Luchon in 2009, with Ballan just coming in.


This is the main street in Luchon in 2003.


This is the main street in Luchon in 2003 with the race coming through.


This is a wine merchants in Luchon in 2009. I got read out on the Eurosport coverage about this!


This is the start in Luchon in 2009. Wiggo just heading for the start line.


This is the signing on in Pau in 2007. This is where the yellow jersey of Rasmussen did not appear.


This is the view from Col du Solour of the Cirque du Litor, in 2007.


This is the view from below Col du Solour of the Cirque du Litor, again in 2007.


This is some of the wildlife on Col du Solour, in 2007.


This is the view from Col du Solour, in 2007.


This is narrow top of Col du Tourmalet, in 2005.

Some Pictures Taken Along the Way

A photojourney

I have several hundred photos, far too many for here. Here's a few.

The rural scene at our first night hotel and restaurant.


The view up valley from our campsite at Port de Pailheres.


The view down valley from our campsite at Port de Pailheres after the fog cleared.


The begining of the caravanne.


The surprise rider, Rafael Valls Ferri.


Carlos Sastre cycles past Lorna


Carlos Sastre on TV on Port de Pailheres with Lorna in Turquoise in the middle of the shot.


A few more riders with the Polka Dot, Chartreau.


The view from just behind our tent on Col de Portet d'Aspet.


A butterfly just behind our tent.


The French entertainment. He didn't stop for 5 hours. The loved him.


The view down the valley towards Portet d'Aspet.


Voeckler in the first set of riders over Portet d'Aspet.


Schleck, in yellow, over Portet d'Aspet.


And the sprinters, with Mark Cavendish, bring up the rear.


Tommy Voeckler's win in Luchon on the TV coverage.


And our view of the same.


Andy Schleck trying to limit his losses into Luchon after the chain debacle.


A wine shop in Luchon, with a bike in the window?


Bradley Wiggins cycles past the Shack Attack tour bus at Luchon start.


Mark Cavendish has a mechanical at the start in Luchon.


Thor Hushovd on his way to the start at Luchon.


Eric Zabel, 6 times green jersey winner and Mark Cavendish coach, at Luchon start.


Christian Prudhomme, the organiser of the Tour de France, at Luchon start.


A butterfly in the hills near Port de Bales.


Another butterfly.


Lance Armstrong's escape group going into Pau.


That arrow is mine.


Our shelter when the rain appeared.


The view down the La Vallee d'Ossau above the clouds.


Another butterfly.


Our shelter at the col de Soulor, at 1540m above see level.


The 3 amigos, parked together as they always are.


Contador, in yellow, with Voerckler behind.


Lance Armstrong comes past with George Hincapie.



TV Coverage of Col de Soulor with my car (green Saab with yellow arrow) on left.


TV Coverage of Col de Soulor me (grey lump) and Lorna (white hat back from road) on left.


TV Coverage of Col de Soulor me (grey lump) on right.



Mark Cavendish's bike.


Mark Cavendish's bike detail.


Mark Cavendish.


Mark Cavendish's detail.


Sky management.