Day 7 - Limoges to Chataureux

Planned Mileage: 72.30 miles
Actual Mileage: 78.54 miles
Temperature: 24.5C
Top Speed: 43 mph
Start Time: 08:08am
End Time: 13:45pm
Total Saddle Time: 5hr 37mins

Today was the easiest cycling day on the schedule and the end of it would signify the half way stage. The route was a fairly straightforward fast up and down road all the way to Chataureux.

I have to report that the Campag equipment failed yet again - Phil's chain came off twice. Judging by how the voting is going he is likely to have to pay for the privilege. The only other issue of the day was that Russell needed a tyre change at the first stop.

The team then took advantage of the long straight fast roads all the way to Chataureux and clocked up the quickest time of the whole trip. At one stage, a group of riders had a 'chain gang' going with an average speed of 28mph.

The biggest drama of the day happened on arrival at the hotel, which was in the middle of town. Gavin used the escalator to get his bike and baggage up at the same time, only with his bike in front and his baggage behind he got stuck and dragged up the escalator. If it was not for the quick thinking of some of the team, he would of probably been dragged underneath!

The team arrived at the hotel just after lunch and some of us decided to go and explore the town. We managed to find a local bar, had a beer and then moved onto meet the other half of the group.

Whilst in the bar, the line of conversation was as follows: triples, compact, standard triple, double setup,  53-19, 50-34, 12-27, 11-28, integrated, BB30 - yes I agree, all boring rubbish.

The team then spoke about shaving - it turns out, only the MK guys have not shaved their legs. There are other areas that have been shaved too, but I will leave that to the imagination.

We were then recommended a place for dinner. Turned out to be a large tent!!!

As it was, what is known in the trade, as a slow news day I asked the group what was there best & worst experience of the trip so far:

• Anthony - Best: Coming down the Pyrenees mountains on Day 3. Worst: End of the same day - such a slog.
• Simon - Best: Descent from 7800ft in the Pyrenees. Worst: Pyrenees Ascent - could not breathe and ended up in the van after 2 minutes
• Russ - Best: Descent from 7800ft. Worst: The end of day 3
• Rik - Best: The climb to 7800ft in Andorra. Worst: End of day 3
• Dave - Best: Cycling on a Tour De France route and seeing the names of professional cyclists on the road - awe inspiring. Worst: The start of Day 3
• Luke - Best: Reaching the top of 7800ft. Worst: Day 6 was a huge struggle - the rest day did no good at all
• Spike - Best: Reaching the top of the Pyrenees. Worst: Luke's snoozing of the alarm every few minutes in the mornings
• Paul - Best: Ascent of the Pyrenees. Worst: Day 7 - total lack of energy but pulled through by the rest of the team
• Phil - Best: Descent from Andorra. Worst: Gravel Path roads


• Gavin - Best: Col De Port climb. Worst: Falling up the escalator! 

Col de Port



The man on the right is called Port D'Envalira