Day 7

So on this day they get to stay at the same hotel, the very lovely chalets, and therefore don’t have to take their kit with them, which is a bonus.

Today they effectively do a loop of the mountains taking them over the highest mountain of the ride; the Col de Bonnete at 2802m. This is preceded by the Col de Lombarde a mere 2350m, again this is an exact copy of one of the stages of the 2008 Tour de France, so a tough day ahead.


The good news is the sky was blue and the sun was shining, and after the obligatory breakfast discussion of what to wear, the summer gear goes on and off they go.

Neil, unbeknown to most people has a personal vendetta against Vars… (Remember the Alpine Croydon comment!) But this ride helped to dissipate the feelings of hate as he storms up the mountain, having his best climb of the ride so far - still not really liking the North face but now loving the South face.



The descent was technical, fast and with loads of twists and turns. The guys pushed their way through to the bottom, where everywhere feeling very pleased and high five-ing and wooing, followed by lunch, followed by a very impressive 8 man peloton going at speed.

Did I mention on the lunch that Chris had carbonara?

Onwards where they decided to split, Chris and Neil heading of with the leaders (Jack and Tom) and Adam hanging out with Paul Harrison, they rode and talked colours!

Forming another impressive peloton that reached speeds of 30mph they faced the final 4k back to the hotel/chalets.

Interesting facts of the day:
Adam had a massage on his arrival back to the chalet.
Chris keeps complaining about his knee problems, using all sorts of gels and creams (for the record Chris states this is due to his imposing muscular body and that his bones can’t take the strain).
Neil’s bike broke at the bottom of the final 4k climb back the chalet, he was with the two fastest riders at the front when he became stuck in 4th gear up a 12% climb, left all alone he had a very slow journey back, where he luckily found Manuel to fix his bike!
Adam and Neil did also point out that by now Chris was practically riding naked to try and top up his tan before he hits Cannes. We are all so sorry Adam/Neil, make sure you ride in front of him!



Stats from the guys:
Top speed: 45
Climbed: 2,080 ft
Distance: 130k

Day 6

The day started with drizzle and was cold again, and the guys would be facing two more famous climbs that feature in the Tour de France, the Col du Lauteret, and Col du L’Izoard. They also climb the Col de Agnel, taking them from France into Italy; both climbs have also been used in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

As they climbed the weather turned on them again, drizzle into rain, rain into sleet and sleet turning into snow! It was bitterly cold when they reached the top.

Neil in particular was feeling the almost sub-zero temperatures and as he and Adam looked around to begin their descent they realised Chris had already left them and started down (please note this is the second time Chris abandons his friends!) although Chris claims he was ushered down the mountain by the support team… Adam and Neil claim he deserted them.

At the bottom and happily reunited, the guys stop for hot chocolate and to warm up.

Then on to Col du L’Izoard – a truly beautiful mountain and an amazing climb.

At this point Neil was now too hot! No pleasing some boys! He had his cold weather gear on!

The descent down was a fast one but the guys had split again; Chris kindly helping the ladies out, Adam and Neil speeding on, although the sleet was beginning to feel like a rough facial. Adam breaks and arrives at the bottom of the mountain and stops in the café waiting for Neil. Neil however has other plans and flies by Adam shouting, “I’m not stopping”.

Adam catches Neil up and they face the next climb together. Chris was still helping the ladies from Framestore NY up the mountain, he is so suave!

Once they reached the top, they decided to belt it down all reaching speeds in the 50’s mph.

Not stopping for a lunch they whizz through the next village after a 20/30k ride along the valley, heading towards Vars for a late lunch, where luckily places were still serving.

All now starving, Chris loses the ability to read menus or make decisions, asking Adam “what he would like to eat”, as in what Chris would like to eat… initially choosing ommlette and chips, he settles for carbonara – mainly as this was the only item on the menu he recognized. In fact Chris has become an expert in carbonara.



Adam and Chris speed on with Neil riding with Dave Newton.

Adam, then feeling knackered, stops at a café and stocks up on Mars bars, Twix’s and hot chocolate – a proper sugar fest all served up by a lovely, old fat French lady.

Then on to the climb – 2000m – through the ski village of Var (which Neil described as an Alpine Croydon).



Then over the top and on to the descent. As it was so high up it was cold and the road had just been re-graveled, making the ride down harder. Even so, they hammered down the mountain as usual with Chris now on fire, racing down, Adam and Neil struggled to keep up.

With the final 4k in sight back to the hotel, they had another crushing climb.

When they reached the hotel the guys literally fell through the door they were so exhausted although each had their own chalet and the rooms were lovely (they were particularly excited to have their own washing machines).

They ended the day with two games of table football, Chris winning both!

Stats from the guys:
Top speed: 53mph
Climbed: 9,200 ft
Distance: 140k

Day 5

The Fireflies day of rest, well needed and well deserved day of rest.



The guys sleep in; clean their bikes and their gear.

Then it’s all about the eating – a 3 course lunch followed by a 5 course dinner!



Stats from the guys:
Top speed: 2 km
Climbed: 0 ft
Distance: 0.03k