Stage 7
STAGE 7 - Thursday 2nd October
Ax Les Thermes to Prades - 90 kms - 3027 metres
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(To download Zipped clip, click here) |
Today started with fancy dress. There was a mixture of anything from stockings and fish net tights to traditional French attire! We got straight into it today with a serious 14.5km climb to Port de Pailheres at 2001m. It was hard but we had good banter with a red arrows styled display or synchronised cycle demos timed to perfection (watch video) organised by Mr Simon Hunter.
Col de Moulis was next for 2km up to 1099m at 8.5% and then we continued on to our lunch destination at Col De Garavel (4km, 1256m, 3.9%). Lunch was amazing as ever thanks to Jo and the support team. After that we got into downhill mode for about 8km before hitting the last climb of the day up to Col De Jau (10km, 1506m, 5.1%). This was not nice at all.
However, we were welcomed at the top by a good group of supporters cheering us on. We rode through the medieval town of Mosset which was built by the King of Majorca as a fortress. We stacked up on chocolate and drinks here and went onto a massive 25km downhill. It was awesome and speeds got up to the 70km mark again.
There were a few close calls on some blind bends with cars and farmers machinery. We all got to Prades safe and sound to a unique Faulty Towers styled hotel. Food was interesting and there was plenty of drinking penalty’s handed out by our leader Harvey and our guide French Fred. Everybody has head out now to find some real food.
Last day tomorrow. Everybody getting quite excited about the thought of not having to climb mountains again but at the same time we have grown real close as a group real quick so there is a feeling of ‘this is the end of the road’ so a bit sad at the same time. Massive party tomorrow to look forward to. There’s a rumour that the BBC news crew will be waiting for us at Banyuls tomorrow afternoon so you might see us on TV tomorrow night looking a lot different, minus 10% body weight, than you knew us before.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Incredible! You are almost there! Hard to believe that tomorrow is the 8th and final day. You will have a new lease of life for the well-deserved party to come. Enjoy!
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Me again! Simply had to write in to say how much I enjoyed watching the “Lost” video clip, it was all too short, next time you wonderful people attempt something like this, please, please, more footage! It is a lot of extra work for Warren working nights editing, but at least for us stay-at-homes well worth it, we get to share a little in how it feels to be there. Thanks so much Warren
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 am
Me yet again! Just want to thank Melody Sky also for her hard work on the Blog she created and manages, and for uploading the day’s material when Warren finally finishes his extended day and sends on the material, into the early hours of the morniing, before laying down his weary head. Aaaaaaaaaaawww
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I have been glued to the blog and videos all week and have really enjoyed watching your ride, loved the scenery, the cows, the banter! I am full of admiration for you all. Thanks Warren for letting us share it with you. Have a great party!
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
WICKED!!! Looking forward to celebrating the massive achievement in London xxx