Don't believe anyone bearing stories of the gates to hell having frozen over. They are fully open and located the road to Tourmalet! Heat? El Diablo had cranked the switch to full on. With the temperature starting hot and soaring to 35 celcius during the ride I'm sad to say my resolve to soldier on to the finishing line come what may was found lacking.

Consumed 1.5 liters by the top of the Tourmalet but was not able to satsify an unquenchable thirst - thirstier than a heavy druth after a night on the raz. The second of the planned four cols beat me fare and square. Having fallen of my bike with heat fueled exhaustion 2km short of the col, I managed to regain some composure, remount and slowly reel in the top arriving at the summit a baked and broken man. 

Dizzy and faint in the sweltering heat it wasn't possible to push on. The broom wagon arrived and I gladly proffered my bike to be lifted aloft to be fastened to the rooftop bike rack. The coolness of the airconditioned bus was a relief and I made short measure of a bottle of fresh, cold water. 

Having cooled down over the drive to col three I decided to try to finish the day under my own power. Disembarking from the bus at col four, I was rewarded by the joy of the long, sweeping run down into Bagneres de Luchon and the instant gratification of a cold beer at the end. 

Not the day I'd planned in my head but still a very memorable event. 

Fortunately the fundraising to support the mental heath charity Mind has proven more successful than my cycling capabilities so a hugh thanks all that have contributed through my Just Giving page. Many, many thanks.

Gordon