Damian's Blog - Day 7

Welcome back cycle lovers. Apologies for the delay in reporting Day 7, but all will become clear in due course. Warren and I were up until 2.30 this morning getting the blogs up to date for our growing band of followers - at the last count I understand that 3 people have now read the blog, so big thanks to Mum and Dad for their support. Before bed we agree to have a lie in, but we are all over the shop, so end up heading out on our own at 9.30, an hour after the main group has disappeared. Not the best idea as this is the longest day of the trip, totalling 123 kms.
 
I can't begin to explain the soreness and dull ache of climbing back on a bike for the next day's ride, especially after 5.5 hours sleep, and after 6 days in the mountains.

Croque Monsieur with Madame Le Patron

The first 30 minutes is crucial just to get the legs turning over and trying to flush out the lactic acid from the night before. After a bleary start, we get into a good rhythm and meet Criket after 15 minutes who directs us onto our next climb. Only problem is he sends us in completely the wrong direction and, after nearly 8 kms steadily climbing, we get a phonecall telling us to turn round. Our bad start has just got worse and after some spectacularly choice language, we head back ready to hit Criket for 6 sixes. To be fair, he admits his mistake and tries to make up time by giving us a tow. We look like a poor man's version of the local police display team, as we hang off his scooter, and trying to corner at 35km/h without toppling over. Our bad luck continues when Criket gets a puncture, and so we do the right thing and abandon him with a few local hand gestures to help him on his way.
 
What unravels next is about the most torturous day on the trip, as we climb 5 Col's totalling 3100m. Our late start means we miss lunch, so we make do with a ropey croque monsieur and coffee en route, much to the amusement of our very lovely tea lady. We are starting to lose the plot, helped by a few amusing signs on the way, and we realise at 6 that we still have 2 more Col's to climb. The advice from base is that we should pass them up and get to the hotel via a shortcut. After a 2 second Board meeting, we decide to ignore the powers that be and complete the route. Good thing too as we enjoy a fantastic 90 minutes racing up the final ascents and seeing one of the most beautiful sunsets across the Pyrenees. The view alone is worth the last 10.5 hours and 140 km's in the saddle, and we finally arrive at our hotel in Ax-les-Thermes at 8, to an emotional reunion with the group, who briefly wave at us from the bar. How moving.
 

All smiles with Warren on the final Col of our day from hell

Dinner is a quiet affair, apart from the fines that Warren, Criket and I are made to drink, while Lawrence also joins in today's incidents by breaking his chain on the ride.
and he too is given a punishment by our tour guide Fred, who is starting to relish the evening fines and jersey awards - I do hope he is familiar with the end of tour court tradition - if not, he soon will be. 'Il que les rire durent' etc..

Am so exhausted. Good night cycle lovers.
zzzzzzzzzzzzz
 

Oh grow up...