A day in the Pyrenees

A fantastic day of exploring in Catalunya, and then driving some of the hardest Tour de France climbs in the Pyrenees.  It was so cool to be on those roads we've watched our Tour heros (and not) climb, crack, and summon unbelievable strength on.

The roads are much more difficult that they even look on TV -- rough, uneven surfaces, grit on the roadway, no shoulders or guardrails, and incredibly steep.  And that's without the crazy fans screaming at them, running next to them waving flags or shirts or devil's tridents, throwing water or whatever on them -- how do they even stay upright, much less triumph and make it to the top of the climb?  I respect them now more than ever.