Only one of 30 failed to make it across the Pyrenees - 1000km, 28 cols, a 100 goos. ......... and Tom had succumbed to an eye infection, though tried to keep going in ski goggles. At the start of the week I would have said impossible, but as those of you who have 'climbed' know, a lot of it is mind over matter, and the collective spirit was very strong.Let me tell you about Sam. She is Assistant Manager of the Pizza Express in Bicester, a diminutive irish mother of two, and signed up to try and conquer her vertigo. Petrified at the top of Bagargui (our first Col, a b*stard) and encouraged by our intrepid cross-dressing guide French Fred, she made it down and on she went, and ended saying it was the greatest week of her life.
However the last day did not go well. We woke to see the Col de Palomeres, which we had just crossed, capped with fresh snow, and the wind was up. We were fuelled by possibly the worst meal we had ever eaten, at the Hexagon Hotel run by Maxine (from Bromley) who was sh*tfaced when we arrived. During the 'fines' Harvey ate a raw egg, including shell. Uurgh.
The plan for the last day was simple - long boozy lunch and cruise last 30k. Executed on lunch, but after a police helicopter intercepted the peloton we were forced off the expressway. Up a 2km climb at 20% (steepest of the week), the 'Col du Sac' (think Marbella housing estate, no way out). I had a six-Stella fuelled sense of humour failure, then hit the coast road and tanked home at 45kph in a train.
Into Banyul at 18.30 (now our longest day - 135km) to be greeted by the Mayor (we have met about ten this week). Ace skier and blogger Warren 'Kubrick' Smith, in filming the finish, took the Devon Loch approach and fell 50 metres from the line, brought down by Lord Relton (a person, not a horse, but see arse below- easily confused).
Symbolically dipped my wheel in the briny (above), and seriously tempted to chuck the whole bike in. But stripped off and in we went, Relton only going in 20% as far as his client. That's agents for you.
The WAGS had arrived and the night went as advertised. All so pumped up (us, not them) the beer/wine/port (another fine)/gin/tequila seemed to have little effect.Judge 'Zoolander' Hopley presided over the Kangaroo court for the week. Simon 'Headless/Rumpole' Hunter QC prosecuting. Major Jonny Nye MC EPO, defence counsel, had sadly already left so all inevitably found guilty.
And then a BBQ on the beach under (yet another) blue sky and an emotional farewell.
Finally - to all my cycling friends, this is more fun than l'etape, we must do it, or similar........ to my non-cycling friends, on yer bike. Impossible is nothing.
An ambition and dream back in January to raise £100,000 for Bliss, and help premature babies, has turned into the reality of over £350,000. So thanks again for all your support (you amazingly donated over £37,000 of this), which trully inspired me.
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