Stage 13, Albi - Albi, 54 km TT, Thursday 12th July

For those looking for a holiday desitination in France, perhaps somewhere to stay for a few days, then we recommend the village of Ambialet on the river Tarn near Albi. We cycled through it halfway through our straightforward 54km time trial today, and for once had an opportunity to really appreciate our surroundings. It is a beautiful place.


Today's ride was a joy, there was no pressure, we got up late, eat croissants and drank coffee, donned our celebratory jerseys (Yellow, Green (Points), White (young rider) and Polka Dot) and cruised the course.

The weather was beautiful...about 22 degrees and sunny and compared to other days where we've basically had to grit teeth and endure...this was a pure pleasure ride.


We larked about....got lots of beeps from lorry drivers for wearing the quintet of the hallowed jerseys all at once (in France the yellow jersey is NEVER worn by anyone other than the leader of the Tour) and took alot of action photos, some of the results you can see here.


The actual course was very interesting, a fast straight out and back, apart from a massive twisty descent and then a 350 metre climb, so the boys in the actual race on their time trial machines will not be pleased when they see the more techincal stuff. For the record, I'd go road bike with aero bars probably.

We returned to Albi, took a leisurely shower and then headed over the Mazamet, where the next stage...THE FIRST PYRENEAN STAGE !!!!...starts tomorrow. Have I told you about how we are very worried about the Pyrenees ? Well, we are.

We set up residence in a bar all afternoon and watched the real TdF, Chablis to Autun on the TV. It's really interesting to watch them race over roads we got quite familiar with, and little distressing to see them do it twice as fast. But we are a guaranteed 'clean' tour.....unless continental strength beers count as doping.

Talking of the Pyrenees.....we haven't seen any bears yet, and we might in the mountains. 'The Bear' was last seen heading towards an airport to maybe join us...but alas it was not to be.

Right then, the riders are early to bed this evening in an attempt to beat the heat tomorrow. It was properly hot today...and we feel we may get roasted tomorrow. Wish us luck.