Day 10 - 2 Everests Target Reached!

Tracey for Jeremy - just for variety, keeping him from his bath.

Today was apparently "fantastic", and sounds like the kind of day that makes you want to go on cycling holidays. It began with a cycle up a gently sloping river-valley as it narrowed into a gorge, enjoying views of lots of herons and numerous unidentified shocking pink flowers. The group passed their "2 Everests" 16000m target quite early on, but after a quick road-side celebration, they realised they were on the wrong road and had to turn around!

The trip up to Col de Port sounds really enjoyable with lots of gentle climbing through villages, fields and trees. Lunch at the top was the standard (and delicious) french bread and cheese, enlivened by horses trying to mug John H for his bananas. Apparently, in local dialet, Col de Port, would actually mean Col de Col, as a port is a col...

The guys enjoyed another descent overtaking cars. As they came down, the scenery changed quite abruptly - with south facing slopes especially beginning to look dry and burnt, so they have clearly moved into a more Mediterranean climate zone.
Going up to the next Col - Pas de Souloumbrie they moved through some very unusual limestone scenery. Jeremy tried to describe this, but only proved that it defied description, so I'll let you wait for the photos. They also saw signs for a cave with prehistoric paintings, but sadly had no spare time or energy to detour.

The highest point and last climb of the day was up the Route de Cornich, to Col de Chioula at 1431m. At one point, the group were passed under a cable car taking talc from a quarry above them into the valley below, which they found quite impressive. More impressive though for the cyclist, was that the road then dropped 700m in 7km, providing the fun of a fast descent on a good, dry road surface. Unfortunatley, John H. had to miss last climb as he was not feeling good, but rest did 2200m of climbing over the day and 112km on the road.

There is a small concern that some kind of bug may be sweeping through the group. Pete was unwell yesterday and last night Sian was ill. Then, during the day, John H was not feeling well. Fortunately for the others, the main annoyance has been the bath at their hotels have been far too short for a comfortable soak.

Let's hope that everyone is in good health tomorrow, as it includes the last and toughest big climb of whole route, and is apparently rated as being tougher than the Tourmalet, so fingers crossed!