Last minute prep

Ok so maybe not the classic pre-tour training and certainly not when you are planning to ride 140km and a few thousand metres of climbing (that's over 9'000 ft in old money)

However, it seems fitting to indulge before I voluntarily put myself agony.

Just for your information the cigar is as about as rough as my legs (which ain't that rough right now)

The biggest bag that Salty and I have packed is full of drugs and not even the ones you can get arrested for. The boot of our car looks like the local branch of Boots!

Now the Pigeon is off to pick up his parents who have been so good as to waste 8 days of their retirement chasing around the Alps for a couple of 'wannabe' cyclists. Although it is clear that the support vehicle will be parked up from 12.30PM onwards as the various local 'vin rouge' and 'fromage' are given a thorough testing.

Now for me - I have to go off and get the soigneur to give me one last massage.

Wish us luck and a bonne voyage and I look forward to speaking with you again somewhere near Megeve!

PS: any questions you might have or any tips on how to keep things interesting let me know