10 June

•  After a tremendous tropical rainstorm in Argeles Gazost, it was up the famous 18k Tourmalet.

•  Colin and Simon, trying to prove a manly point, went for another climb...........after 3 k at 9%, pride was forgotten, they turned back home.

•  Peter spent the evening reading a book on how to beat Helen Goulding in a time trial and Colin took to his model boat magazine (sadly this is true).

What's missing? Oh yeah - it's Peter, he was 45 mins down the mountain, (allegedly dreadful dehydration and cramp), Simon had to walk his bike up the last 500m of the 13% climb, the guy has no self respect.

Alan Miller's bikes seem to appear all over France, he used this one in last years National 25; almost as old as his kit.

Peter took this shot and I have absolutely no idea what significance it has; maybe someone can ask Peter when they see him.

11 June

•  Col du Soulor and Col D'Aubisque, if you suffer from vertigo you've been warned

•  Came across some large four legged beasts with horns, luckily Simon was not wearing red, the other two were. Simon attacked as he did not want to sweep up the mess.

•  Amazing descent from Soulor on to Lourdes. Peter suffers front tyre blow out on steepest section but remains on the bike

•  Big day, 66 miles with a blessing at Lourdes

•  We had to eat at two restaurants as the first prepared chicken in blood. Colin forgets hotel key so we consider scaling the walls and balconies..................better option was to wake the owners

12 June

•  Hautacam climb, small ski resort above Argeles Gazost; 8% average, 15k

•  Met a retired 65 year old who cycled 65k and fancied another Col on his way home........he sent us 2k further up the road as the tour finish is not the true finish on this climb

•  Duval continuing to struggle so bike goes to the shop for a 'bad boy' mtb cassette.

•  Peter brings back an MTB 32 block; it is now clear this boy seriously has no self respect at all. Simon suggests Peter dumps the compact as they are good for nothing. They don't appear to get you up mountains and you spin out at 36 mph - no good for a Bal Tab sprint finish with wind behind - as John du Feu will testify

13 June

•  Transfer to next destination, sat nav not required but Peter insists.......yawn yawn

•  Rest day so obviously we decided to do an 8.5k 8% climb above Ax Les Thermes; ski resort called Bonsacre

•  Peter's MTB cassette worked a treat and the boy finally comes alive in the mountains

•  We learn today that Colin has been secretly nipping off to internet cafes checking the island games messages. This guy is obviously committed

•  Ax les Thermes has seen better days, our hotel was one of the better ones. The smell however coming from the kitchen is an experience in itself.

•  We were shown to our second floor suite and my word could our hostess move up those stairs, she attacked and took us apart.

•  We sit down for our first and last meal at 'Fawlty Towers'. The waitress who is also the receptionist, maid, night porter, bus boy, sommelier, and tourist guide hands us an extensive menu. After some garbled French and remonstrations it appears we can only have the €17 menu even though we wanted the €27 menu............the menu was obviously there just as a reading journal.  

14 June

•  Col de Pailheres, another climb featured on the tour, 1 hour 40 mins

•  More incidents with bulls and big horns.............

•  As per norm, Peter is involved in another incident, this time he loses a bolt on the climb but amazingly finds it on the descent

•  Colin and Simon decide to do another 'short' climb - Col   de Pradel, single track lane, 7k of 10% (slight poetic licence but tough all the same)

•  In the afternoon, a trip by car to Andorra, shoppers heaven (Peter pleads with a cycle shop owner to find an MTB cassettes with 36 teeth).

•  We decide cycling to Andorra is too dangerous on these busy roads.

•  The three of us are wondering how long it would take to do the 36k 8% climb out of Andorra! we decide that it would have to involve a night stop............We spot a fool climbing on a recumbent

15 June

•  A brilliant days ride taking in Col de Chioula, Col de Mamare (a moderate climb) then a beautiful descent down a woodland road then a stunning mountain road - you had to be there..........

•  All three of us were proud, having ripped through a tandem going up Chioula............combined age 130, combined weight 30 stone.

•  The 10k ride back, Colin and Simon decided to show Peter what it was like riding with Gary De Gruchy last year in the lakes. They ripped the legs off him but the boy managed to suck wheel admirably

16 June

•  Fitting, as the last days cycle was the best.

•  Col du Pradel again, this time on fresh legs but still a tough climb.

•  We meet an old Frenchman at the top having climbed on his 40 year old, steel frame 6 speed Campag....................makes us wonder why we all buy these pricey carbons....................

•  The 12k descent the other side is very tricky, gravel everywhere and steep.

•  We hook a left up Col de Sept Freres, an easy climb but what an experience towards the top riding in Pine woodland................we briefly discuss bears and wolves.

Observations

•  Ensure your navigator is qualified in the use of sat navs, our navigator wasn't and put in a destination some 150 miles away, this error was spotted 6 hours into the journey, sat navs are annoying.

•  If you receive a Hotel recommendation from a friend, research yourself to ensure it's not a wind up........ours clearly was a wind up.

•  Take ear plugs, you will sleep when others around you keep frequenting the WC.

•  Don't be Superman, ensure you have a 'get out of jail' gear of at least a ratio of 1.1.

•  After much sampling and testing, Cote de Provence Rose wine is the best form of rehydration

•  If you visit the Pyrenees, duck is a big player on the restaurant menus; hope you like duck.

•  A diesel spends less time at the petrol pumps than Gary de Gruchys 3 litre petrol.

•  Bring washing powder and a clothes line.