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...

Awoke late...was it the red wine, the floc de Gascogne or beer or combination, result like a sleeping tablet. Found out that wine straight from the vineyard does not have any sulphites...yeah! Mountain biking uphill to feed and stroke friends cat. On a 29er with no front chain rings v dificile. Obviously a tricky off road descent -? Must have been when a 7 year old makes it and you fall off... That it's time to do more or retire. Planning next stage of trip alm...

Left Colin and Teresa around 10.30 am on the 20 th for B de B and old friends Patrick Claire Sophie and Thomas. The roads were full if very slow camper vans and very fast cyclists. It was similar weather to the day before a kind of mountain mist with a coolness that ate into your bones after a while. Good to be on the bike again and feel the wind in my hair and burble of the GS. The cols where we were watching the tour the day before were now empty that is ap...