The final climb in the TdF Alps stages over we decided to do a bit of our own climbing as you can see from the photos. Whilst usually I would not feature in my own photos on this occassion I felt I needed proof as the climb up Madelene was a beaut - 400m to 2000m in 26 km and still breathing on the way up!! The descent was interesting - glad it wasn't wet as there are no guard rails to deter skill-less cyclists like moi descending to their doom - and in fact on the way up I delicately crossed the mid line into the path of an oncoming vehicle and came within inches of the edges - those french cars are way too quiet??
It was tres sad to leave the Alps and the great team. Thoroughly recommend these guys - Alpcycles.com for cycling in the Alps. SO long as you can come to terms with a voracious hill climber, a woman who cooks like an angel whilst never sleeping and drinking all the men under the table; and a man who sneaks home with his cross dressing dog each night (yes we all would if only we could!!)
So back for a brief sojourn in London (4 hours plus 2 on the tarmac - but still have luggage - quite a bonus I understand when emerging from Heathrow)- and surprise, surprise - it rained!! I was entertained all night by a French man who educated me on his MBA whilst explianing the finer points of champagne and French vs British deserts (not sure that was worth a nights sleep). Then touched down in Cape Town to yes... more rain...
Well...I think that tommorrow will be penguines and cape of good hope...
Cheers for now
