Stage Fifteen - done


Bloody hell another big day and made bigger by a 6am transfer to the start, then a 1 hour bus back to our hotel in Carcasonne - hopefully back in time for fireworks.

So sorry Federer lost but it sounded like an epic.Well done England in cricket WC - left it to the last minute though!

We had 4 categorised climbs today and some very steep gradients thrown in eg 17,20 percent. Had to press on the peddles too in order to make an early bus - 9pm.

I badly need a shower and my bed, a bit stinky tonight from sweating all day. Temperatures a little cooler and high in the mountains the air was cooler. It fundamentally changed my performance on the bike. And jackets were donned for the descents.

More beautiful countryside, wooded climbs, unfortunately lots of flies. Even had to get off and walk for a few hundred metres today, it was so steep on the third climb - we were warned. The early start meant a poor breakfast so a brief cafe stop saw a purchase of chips and mayo - yummy.

Tomorrow is very exciting, I will be re-united with Liz and William in Nimes. I had better scrub up properly tonight, shave and have clean clothes laid out.

Then it is 5 full days left - 3 big alpine stages. And a final roll into Paris. The tour is a complete bubble though, we simply do as we are told and France passes by on your bike or out of a bus window. It is a very cheery bus tonight, a sense that the back is broken of this tour and everyone achieving their personal goals as well as lapping up the tour experience. Our total number reduces tomorrow as many people return home after the Pyrenees stages.

Comments

Anonymous said…
That sounds an epic day in the mountains. Interesting about the temperature changes and performance. I've never done anything as extreme as what you're doing, but on a multi day walking holiday in the Tarn gorge I do remember the difference between slogging uphill in 35 degree heat and striding out in woodland shade in the valley. Hope you caught some fireworks.
Douglas L said…
Tony it's great to catch up on your unbeliavble journey from here in the Kingdom. I'm never going to complain about the heat again after reading about the challenges you've been dealing with. Hope you don't mind but I'm going to share some of this with my young Saudi colleauges who are always looking for inspiration and they will find spades of it here. Hope Liz recorded the CWC final for you - never seen a sporting event quite like it and it even had me jumping out my seat with the final ball. Enjoy the family time and good luck for the remaining stages and I'll check in on your progress.

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