Average speed: 10.61
Maximum speed: 34.25mph
Time in saddle: 4 hours 52 minutes
Total distance: 357 miles
With just two hills today, things were looking good, unfortunately the hot weather and the hard ride took their toll on Katy our resident map reader. Taking the day off to make a recovery for the final day.
With my legs feeling tired now, off we went up the 13 mile mile climb up the Col de Cayolle (2326m). This was a fairly 'easy' climb in comparison to a lot of the others, but the weather was hot.
Must have been taking things far too serious as I missed a couple of great spots, the couple trekking with a donkey to carry the load and the sheep dogs that just roam free. I dId see the dogs, actually tney came so close I thought I was going to be lunch, but sadly no pictures.
Best sight of the day was reserved for the top of the hill. Yes, Katy was there with fruit cake. How pleased was I to see fruit cake.
Downhill to lunch should have been a straight forward affair, but with no Katy to stop the boys racing, Dave, Martin (recent recruit from another team) and myself offwe went. All going well until with Dave leading he met a coupke of bikers coming the other way. With Dave firmly in the middle of the road, all took avoiding action, Dave left some of his tyre on the road and probably soiled his pants, bikers went to their left and all crossed English style. I followed suit, deciding that biking on the left is much safer.
Dave put the blame on the bikers, citing the fact they shouldn't have been in the middle of the road, that was reserved for him? However, slight confession was made once I mentioned that I may well have captured the moment on video.
Lunch at the bottom, weather getting hotter, Ice creams the order of the day. Every sports scientist will tell you a bowl of chips and ice cream is the best thing to power you up a big hill.
Just a mere 8 mile climb up to the Col du Vasson/Valberg (1762m) but with the heat two full water bottles emptied.
The top was a complete anti climax with one sodding road sign acknowledging the top. Not even a sodding little shop selling cow bells.
Anyway, I'm not bitter, down hill now till the hotel. Not the best one I've ever stayed in. Good news, is that there are four beds in the room, bad news is they are bunk beds. Floor slopes around 10 degrees so that is quaint. No power sockets anywhere. Good news, a fridge, bad news, just in the room for storage and not plugged in (well actually you can't plug it in due to the socket issue).
Anyway we have an ensuite bathroom, actually it's more of zn ensuite bedroom come bathroom. For us to use it we have to get through another guys bedroom to get in.
Shower is probably the worst I have ever used, with time strictly limited to 3 minutes, otherwise water will spill from the tray due to its inability to drain. Oh well, only one night. Never before have I been given paper table cloths as towels though, must be some eco friendly thing. Oh, maybe thats why they have limited shower time to 3 minutes, how bloody clever of them!
Sorry, no spots today, just a couple of boring pictures. Last day tomorrow and down to the med. Must buy some Speedo's tomorrow to show my tanned and muscular body off to the french girls.
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