(really in Prades d'Aubrac) Today was billed as the toughest of the tour, although I am not sure I agree with that assessment. Whether or not it is true, the day's demands (6 cols - or only 5, depending on how you count them - and 3100 metres of climbing) left everyone feeling uneasy and wanting to get an early start to the day, Breakfast at the truck stop we stayed in (seriously) was as efficient as could be: everything you were entitled to was delivered in a basket, so we were out of there earlier than anticipated. Last night's rain (there had been a terrific thunderstorm and downpour) seemed to have cleared things out a bit, but the threat of showers and more thunderstorms persisted. I figured they might appear towards the end of the
... read more
