Day 6, Wednesday 1st October

Oust to Ax Les Thermes...123 kms

This morning we leave the pretty village of Oust and its old galleried houses on the river for the 123 km to the thermal spring town of Ax les Thermes. This is the longest stage of the challenge and the guys are questionning their sanity. Again we have two group starts, although Hopalong and Warren decide to have a lie in and are the only two left to start alone, immediately getting lost on the winding roads so another 30 km added to their day.

Col de la Trape is the first test at 8.5% gradient then Col D'Agnes and Courtal de Bastard (literally) - it starts to hurt, the team look exhausted and drained but every single one of them keeps going, no one dare get off the bike for fear of never sitting on again. Finally lunch stop, a picnic in the beautiful sunshine on a farmers field at the side of the road. The scenery is amazing and no noise except the tinkling of the cow bells in the valleys below. You can see for miles around, the air is fresh.

Two more cols after lunch and one of the most beautiful - Col de Marmare, which the team reach late in the afternoon. Marmare is a winding, narrow road, not too steep but endless reaching up through forests with patches of sunlight. Again, magnificent views that you can only believe if you see. The team start to relax and take in the surroundings whilst plugging away.

First up the cols are the usual suspects - Radek, Robby, Byng a ling, Mark A (still competing with Robby), Michael, Charles, Jonny, Nige, followed by Kirkie, Simon B, Hugo, Andrew. One final Col where a small group of Wasps rugby supporters turn up to cheer Lawrence on, then a fast descent to Ax, a bar and a beer the first point of call. The evening's forfeits (disgusting cocktails of brandy or worse) and yellow, green, polka and white shirts are dished out to the heroes of the day. Next day the kit is fancy dress!