AUTUMN IN THE PYRENEES: Foix to Chalambra

It's much cooler this morning with the temperature near 60.  It's cloudy and we do encounter some drizzle in the first hour.  The climb that Gilbert warned us about is a non-event.  

Threatening sky.

In fact it's an almost perfect ride.  The roads again are quiet in every dimension.  Even the bike is quiet; no squeaks or rattles.  When coasting, the wind in your ear is louder than the ratcheting of the free-hub.  Cars are few and far between.  Occasionally you'll hear a cow or a chicken but that's all.  

Jane and Brenda on quiet roads.

We pass through Col de Py and Rappy.  As we enter Lavelanet we pass one, two, three, four patisseries.  Surely we're going to stop! Finally we find Matthew and Alan with cappuccinos and join them.

True bicycle tourists stop for cappuccino.

There are two options today; 43 miles with 3,600 feet of climbing and 24 miles with 1,800 feet of climbing.  We choose the short route.  Is there a pattern forming here?

"Plane" trees, part of the sycamore family, were allegedly planted in Napoleon's time.

 We're in a small town tonight with a small hotel and questionable amenities.  If I get this blog published over the internet it will be a miracle.