Col De Tourmalet

The morning dawned with some astonishing news.  Martin had serious concerns as he had left the high octane jet fuel for his motor and turbo in the previous day's hotel.  The tank only had sufficient for one hill, so Greg squared were obliged to return and collect the vials.  The package was referred to as the "contact lens case" to stop the hotel tipping off the UCI and police.

David had set out a master plan designed to have every cyclist arrive at the top of the Tourmalet at the same millisecond, achieved by having the cyclists leave at very precise times and cycle at specified speeds.  He had not allowed for the poor time-keeping and erratic behaviour of the cyclists.

Steve also had a cunning plan.. He expressed concern for his poor wife Betty having problems with the steep hills.  Having wheedled his way onto the first group away to help Betty, he cycled with them for a few minutes, said "OK now for the Polka dot jersey" and whizzed away up the road, fortified by skipping the first hill on the previous day.  He then did a tremendous climb and quite thoroughly deserved his jersey and special unique commissioned trophy (a 2 Euro bit of tat from the tourist shop).  David had bought that trophy for himself, but, try as he might he and Turlough could not catch Steve. 

All made it to the top, fighting their way through llamas, passionate cows, cowpat obstacles and incredibly steep gradients. 

At the top there was some team work to help the finishers, but also some attempts at sabotage (see the picture of Gerry trying to hold back Seamus close to the top, because Seamus had the temerity to wear the same jersy as him!).

Group finish by Paula, Geoff, Gerry and Ciaran.

Shadows of pain, first Alan then Johnny.

The most viscious section at 10% was through the ski town of La Mongie, which has been renamed Le Mongerel. 

The day was hot and sunny and most cyclists looked  and felt exhausted by the effort, but elated by the achievement.  The views from the mountain and from the top were spectactular.

Lunch was in the hil-top restaurant where a very disgruntled waitress complained about havng too many customers.  The hungry cyclists bought the very last ice lolly of the season from the shop.

A group picture was taken beside the statue of the giant of the tourmalet, whose desperate expression mirrored that of David on finishing the climb. 


A rapid descent brought the cyclists 21 km to Luz st Sauver, where some stopped for coffee (of which more later).  The run finished with a rolling run into a stiff headwind down the Gorge De Luc to Argeles.  The cyclists have been put in 2 hotels to control rowdy behaviour.

Gerry and Martin were on the road and believed that they should show sportsmanship and collaboration, so they worked as a team to secure the stage victory (a first for both).  To their shock and dismay when they gasped home they found Ciaran on his third pint and fourth Turkish Delight. Oh dear, said Gerry, Martin said something else.  It transpired that Ciaran had stayed behing on the descent to photograph some frolicking cows, having agreed that he would drop in for coffee at Luz.  However, once they were inside , he attacked and had got past unbeknownst (what a word) to them.  The boys reported him to the Court for Arbitration in Sport (David really).  Opinion of counsel was sought, old heads (not necessarily wise) were consulted.  The crime was that of attacking the leaders at a feed station, a crime in the Tour De France on par with headbutting an opponent in the sprint.  The punishment was swift.  Ciaran was demoted to Lanterne rouge (last position) and Larry gave him a final warning, which terrified poor Ciaran.

Martin and Gerry were therefore given the stage victory and joint yellow jersey.  Photo below, forensic examination is being performed on the shadowy figure behing the curtain.  Gerry and Martin have taken their bikes to bed tonight as a precaution against sabotage, at least that is their story. 

The usual suspects (Turlough, Johnny, Alan, Philip, Niall) did a massive extra ascent of  Luz Ardiden, another hors category climb, just for the fun

Larry got the Gold jersey for achievement by a senior citizen for finishing fourth.  Mairead was queen of the mountains, finishing in the top 6, and best woman by about 1 year.  Betty, who was miffed by Steve riding away on hill, worked as a domestique to get Larry home, and in the process got the pink jersey for the stage.  This was a change from the last few days when Larry helped Betty home by pacing the hills.  His refrain of "Are you there Betty? had rung around the hills for days.  Larry, getting hoarse today had suggested that Betty get a cow bell, so that he could rest his voice by hearing where she was.

Dinner was the best to date.  The pep talk for the next day is normally given by the boys from Marmot, but today it was given first by Greg who seamlessly linked cliches to produce a talk which was in many ways better than the "real" version that followed.

If you want to make a donation, please give via:  http://www.justgiving.com/climbeverymountaincancercycle

For todays route:   http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=fyeuzehhaqjfhrgm

Todays Stats: 
Distance: 39.1 Miles
Time Cycling:  4 Hours 01 Minutes
Ascent:  4291 feet
Caloires:   3398