The arrival of Ze German

So with a happy break from gardening Ze German arrived (Euan); of course he was the last one to come through the doors at Marseilles airport giving some lame excuse of his bike coming out late.... blah blah blah.

So we had a week of biking ahead of us. First off we went for a ride we found in the guide book around Reallon. Started off with a brutal climb for 700m in granny ring leaving no energy for anything. I think Euan said more than once under his breath "I am in a searing hell of oxygen deficiency" I think he just needs a case of MTFU.

We may look happy, we are, but it is more a relief that we had not had heart attacks on the first climb.

Next followed a great descent through open fields then into great SEST ( Sexy European Single Track)

Was turning into a great ride, until some arsehole of a guide book writer sent us up another brutal climb, this time it was me muttering about oxygen debt and turning a rather deep shade of red! Nearer the top some snow was our saviour as it meant we had to push and have a little rest.Once at the top, we were not quite prepared for what was to follow. It must have been the most picturesque SEST we had ever come across, and it was as much fun riding it as it was looking at it! Once at the end of the ridge we were both smiling like a pair of demented idiots. The SEST then dove into the trees and into relentless switch backs. Euan and I both had good tumbles, nothing too serious. It could have been serious if Euan was not wearing his helmet. If there are any children reading this: Always wear a helmet, otherwise you will fall off and smash your head open and Santa won't visit. So hoofed off to my friends at the local bike shop to get Euan a new Helmet.

The Next few days were spent in the Queyras - a regional park about an hour from us. Unfortunately the wife (my better half as she now likes referring to herself as) had hurt her wrist and could not bike, so was on walking duties - Lara is yet to sort out her pictures from walking. We only brought one camera so we only have a few pictures of us riding in the Queryas.

We went up to the

a cycling mecca with so much cycling history to it there is a museum dedicated to cycling at the top. A rare picture of me! Us ready to go and do some damage on the decent. The Col d'Izoard is a very pretty place, almost lunar in appearance with it's huge scree slopes. Euan can be spotted in the bottom left of the below picture to give perspective.We were about to set off , but Euan decided he wanted some pictures for next years catalogue so we had to wait till he looked suitably "fabulous".Pictures taken, we zoomed off down the Col; it was a boulder fest, great fun and rather gripping.

I am afraid the rest of the week's riding was not documented, but we found some of the best SEST I had ever ridden up the Col de Fromage (great name) and learnt that lycra and body armour looks odd.

On Friday, Euan's better half (her name as well) came out to join us. So the four of us went on various escapades. We walked up to the Pic de Gleize, swam down another river (la Durance) sporting seal suits, life vests, flippers and large floats. We also managed to fit in much booze, suffering from hangovers (mainly the wife) and eating BBQs .

That's what we have been up to for the last few weeks. Promise to keep this up to date more often now. Off climbing tomorrow to Aillefroide for a few days so next updates will be this weekend. Allé