Getting there!

Day 7 - and the home stretch begins.

Many thanks to all posting comments, emailing and texting us - this is a great boost to our spirits.

A fantastic, if late, meal last night. maybe one or 2 too many Armagnac leaving heavy eyelids at breakfast.

To start, a section from this year's Tour de France, a daunting 14 mile 2000 foot climb up the category 2 Mezilhac from Le Cheylard. Brown, never a team player, shot off in keen and speedy assault. Oakley and McNulty in chasing pack, the remainder sightseeing some way behind. All completed without injury, only to be met by drizzle and a howling wind!

A quick coffee, then 15 miles of fast descent - if only Brown had found his brakes! The cold at height soon cleared to bright cloudless skies and warming sun. The wind remained, and helped a 30 mile drag to the River Ardeche at an easy gait.

Saenger's descent to 'new man' continued - loud bodily functions, tourettes style cussing and a leering and lacivious manner never before seen in our European friend.

What appeared on the map as a slight incline proved the steepest climb of all - Oakley even walking as the wind twice nearly blew his hirsute artificial topping ravine bound.

All felt the heat as the hottest conditions of the ride ensued - the helpers reporting that the Audi's air conditioning was stuggling to maintain sub zero temperatures.

The BMW meanwhile remained in St Etienne - Bretherton attaining first name terms with the AA helpless desk in England. No BMW, 2 passports short: a logistical challenge, erring towards a Transit and foot passenger route back at the end of the trip. We await developments.

120 miles today, finished with an endless big dipper of down then up sections - mellowed by the last 30 miles with a gale to the tail.

685 miles complete, 33500 feet of climb: even Eales is starting to get fit, if not thinner.

Last full day tomorrow, a planned last supper and then a short ride to St Tropez.

Gordon at the gates of Khartoum, Alexander at the gates of Asia - all felt the same trepidation our errant velocipedes now hold with the Meditteranean ozone scenting their nostrils. Onwards - hopefully downwards!