Late start as chatted with two English couples over brekky, both retired and on motor bikes. Trip un-eventful, rode through Milan off peak - still no fast Porches or Audis behind me, but kept a good pace up. The road from Torino towards France (A 32/E 70) was outstanding followed a valley between towering mountains that were in the clouds...Again Italians love their tunnels, many long ones today. Then turned off motorway on the S24 towards the French border, st...

Italy bound, ants in my tent and sauna heat drove me to the cafe...and pool, yes site has pool no wonder it's booked out. Reading a great book loaned by Pat - it's called Raw Spirit by Ian Banks, basically he is touring Scotland visiting and tasting malt whiskies...

Just lost over hour of typing, b***** ... It's gone like the day has as well- so now it's time for bed. I was getting all philosophical. ... Today was a Big day out by anyones standards, 9 hours riding (some absolutely awesome roads) eventually stopped when found a great campsite just outside a place called - Aubenas, near Montelimar. Well short of desired destination- hey Ho don't have a schedule to keep to... Camp site is three star, serves food just had nic...

Italy bound, rough plan-Toulouse, Rodez, Mende, Valence, Gap, Torino, lake Garda...open roads sunny day...

Every time I go to leave this fabulous place Pat and Claire come up with new tempting offers of excitement and challenges. Thus time its cycling the Tourmalet loop a 100 km ride. The last time I rode this mountain (a HC climb) was on my birthday in 2010 just after riding the Etape. An organised ride to celebrate the 100 th year of the tour in the Pyrenees. Started at the Loren Fignon centre - sadly he has now passed away and the centre is closed as is the restaur...