An 86k parade to the coast, with a twist. PM’s Ian leads the way, his first day back in the saddle for two weeks after breaking his collar bone. Sets a great pace and riding in a group we get swept along, and along, faster and faster. If you fell off the back, like I did when something fell off my bike, it took a full 20 mins at warp speed 1 to get back into the group. It shows the how superhuman these TdF riders are after a fall, to get back in the pack. On and on again along the flat (hooray) and through vineyards, Cotes de Rousillon, and orchard down to the sea, a welcome site. But another 20k’s of purgatory as we all race the undulating coastal road and hit leg-sapping climbs to the next bay and manic descents, desperate to finish the job off. We roll into Cerbere two and a half hours later and it’s all over – YES! Backslapping, photos, swim and a good lunch, job done!
