The Luz Ardiden

Climbing the Luz Ardiden.
While thinking about options to view the Tour going up the Luz I could see a nice intersection with a road from Visco and that might be an easier access to a good view on the Tour day if that became an option. Paddy told me it was the harder of the two routes. Bugger-oh well; lets go. Fully fuelled and tanks of water topped up headed up the Gorge to the Visco turn off. Sharp right onto D149 and immediately 10%, then continuing 10-15% for 2k; hell was this a big mistake, not really; at Visco village the the road deteriorated into a Route Pasturale, 2-3 cars passed; it was sealed but fairly rough with 7-10% slope. This road to the top of D149 was 8k from Visco and a series of hairpins straight up a 30% cliff, lots of trees and great views. With plenty of stops to take photos and fuel came out finally to a flat traverse to junction of the main route; at which point a Pyrenees Vulture, Griffon was circling above me, was I that close to being a rotting carcass? no comments thank you.
The climb continued at 7-10% for another 4k as a series of hairpins straight an avalanche slope. Lots of bikes going up and down and road works beautifying the route ready for next week. The view was hampered by cloud and thus photos are not that great. These are coming later. About 15 bikes on top not many cars; there no services open in summer to discourage that, so bikes rule. Cameras were swapped around for personal photos; and that's it; the first really hard Hors Cat climb, definitely harder than Alp d'Huze; longer and steeper and on my route 7 more hairpins; I definitely could not do two of those a day, let alone three.
Descended via the main route and stopped half way to rest braking hands. Then full speed down gorge and up to the Arcizan Avant cafe for a Jambon Sandwich and Juice. Well these climbs are bloody possible, admittedly I'm stopping for photos and drinks. But that was how I trained on the Fortius initially, then I eventually went non-stop on the d'Huez, Ventoux, Telegraph+Galibier and Tourmalet.