Day 3 of the mountains and day 12 overall. Very tough in this region but the views when you get to the top of the various mountains are fantastic.
Today started at La Garde and over the breakfast table, we reviewed the information on the days cycle. Nobody looks at the mileage anymore, as 80 to 100 miles is normal these days and it really does come down to the number of hills you have to climb.
Little did we know that a hill awaited us right from the off. Up and over and a 20 minute fall from the sky followed. Great fun at 40mph but always a bit concerming when the trees start to look so high up cos it means the next climb is just around the corner. There is never a day that goes without incident and this was no exception.
Eventually after what seemed like half an hour but was probably only 15 mins we eventually levelled out and stopped in a little village called Marveljols for coffee, cakes and baguettes. You could see the concern on some of the staff when they see the direction your heading. They think were nuts also.
Some of the cycling today was a joy and to be fair more of it was downhill than up, which was a clear reversal on yesterday.
A few miles down the road we stopped at a small village called Bananac and had a banana!
The first major hill was about the 48 mile mark and it was a cracker. All uphill and it wasnt long before Phil was blowing. Tough tough hill with switchbacks to save the pain. 3000 feet in what seemed like an eternity but was probably only an hour or so. You can see Phil below me in the pic below.
The next picture just gives you an idea of high up we really were although it doesn't do it full justice.
Eventually we reached the summit!
The decent that followed is supposed to make it worthwhile but for majority of us it just didn't. All very exciting but for all the gain you just know there's gonna be pain. The second big climb in comparison was not as grand and though it was an indication that the mountains were almost behind us. Sprinkle in a 15 mile decent or spiral through mountain passes and the first 2/3 rds of the day were a joy.
On the the final 1/3 rd however is where the title came from. Phil was cycling away to himself chatting with Frank, where he heard a twang similar to what he had been experienced a few days earlier.
As Frank pulled away past me as I was standing taking this photograph I heard Phil shouting 'Wait up!' On review it was the same problem. A broken spoke but this time 6 miles to go and a very badly buckled wheel.
At least from this position it was a 6% drop for a few miles and with the thunderstorm chasing us from behind we could at least move forward and catch up with the rest of the team where he could finally declare his bike was gubbed.
All gathered around and we looked at the options. I removed the back brakes and the wheel was still rubbing off the frame of the bike. This was not looking good.
Frank stayed with Phil and the rest of us headed into town to see if there was anything we could organise.
We cycled into Millau but could sense the storm behind us. After speaking to a few of the locals we managed to find the bicycle shop in Millau - Closed - it was a Sunday. Not a great day to have a bike issue.
By an overwhelming vote of 3 - 0 we headed straight to hotel and made it before the monsoon and lightning thrashed the place. The receptionist come barmaid come porter etc was expecting at least 5 but 2 were fighting the elements 6 miles north of the town. Tried to order taxi - 'will be here in 1 hour' the receptionist replied. 'I don't think so, they will be here by that point if I know Phil' I replied.
By this point the only thing to do was take the broken umbrella from the hotel and head out in the storm to the outskirts of the town and guide them in. I looked like a real plonker in my cycle outfit holding a broken umbrella while the rain and thunder lashed down but thought I'm unlikely to be here again and nobody knows me.
Meanwhile....Phil and Frank walked and freewheeled for parts of the remaining miles and were offered taxis with people stopping to offer lifts but that would not be an 'honest cycle'. So Phil's definition of this is someone who gets from point to point with his bike and carrying his own goods. This was achieved but there was a bit of walking on the bikes.
To add insult to misery, the monsoon weather arrived and they both got such a soaking. They eventually hobbled into Millau and were relieved to see a plonker in a cycling outfit holding a broken umbrella! ...... and soon the bikes were deposited in the hotel.
Phil mentioned that he could see the smile on some of the drivers of the caravans who drove through puddles as the passed and sprayed them with the contents of the road.
So the trip today to Millau was a surprising 74 mile day, with a multitude of issues and differing weather conditions.
Phil's bike is booked in for 10am tomorrow at the local cycle shop and hopefully Phil will be back in the Whacky Races after that.
Off to Montpellier tomorrow, 80 odd miles and only 1 big hill out of Millau in the morning to contend with. Looking forward to the last mountain challenge and seeing the Med Sea.
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