This is the top of the climb.

Noting Leigh's comment earlier about culture, we were so tired and cold by the time we got here that we put warm tops on, had our posterity photo taken and headed straight back down.

We stopped for lunch at Cauterets I was so cold that at lunch I had a glass of red wine to try and warm up. Have never ever previously drunk alcohol whilst on a ride. The waiters were so frazzled because there was a large group of 10 if us that ordering a coffee was all but impossible.

After lunch we finished the descent with a 15K flat ride back to Lourdes. I was so cold that I sat second wheel in the pace line immediately behind our guide Alex. After 5K he dropped back and despite the headwind because I was cold I lifted the pace.

Got back had a warming shower and went to bed waking just in time to see the last 2K of Le Tour.

Our group had a buffet dinner at the Mercure Hotel. We enjoyed a lovely meal, plenty of food, some nice wine and great company. We shared a table with Tim Hammon and Chris Burgess.

Because it was Bastille Day there were fireworks at about 10.30pmI was so tired that I fell asleep whilst they were on.