WELCOME TO PAU, THE GATEWAY TO THE PYRENEES. My best day today since I’ve been here. A 203 km ride at 28 – 34 degrees through this wonderful area into the suburbs of the Pyrenees.

What a beautiful day. Redemption for Roland, blue sky, 28 – 32 degrees, a light breeze. A vacation day on the tour we joked. In addition, there was a beautiful stretch 195km from Perigueux to Bergerac. Here I’m just sitting in a golf hotel that is connected to a winery.

I am in Chambery, don’t ask me how, but I am in Chambery and nothing else matters and the first week is over.

WHAT A DAY, WHAT A MIRACLE. Yesterday I was still close to giving up, which I really meant seriously and today I drive like changed. Again over 2300 meters altitude, 2 alpine passes and 187km.

I survived …

Meanwhile there was cycling in France, 225 km, 1900 meters of altitude and 10:30 hours I was on the road. But that expresses only the facts. The “alternative” facts are called rain, storm, wind force 6. That was a tough test today, that was really exhausting.

Now it gets serious, now begin the steep climbs and I confess, with 86 kg is not so easy, here is simply my strength / weight ratio too bad. If I speak of steep, that is then a few kilometers with 10-15% upwards, if there is then times a traverse with 4% comes, that is like otherwise straight ahead.

If you can talk about easy, it was today. We had indeed again 206 km, 1480 meters of altitude (they just come together on this route) and about 4700 cal verputzt. But it was relatively flat and led us through scenic sections. Accordingly, the day was today rather unspectacular, if there had not been the morning.

220 km, 2900 vertical meters and 5900 cal on the longest day I ever spent on the bike. That was really long.