Day 6 - Has Meirion died or just run out of tubes?

The hunt for a new climb, now that we know for sure we can't get over to the Telegraph, takes us out as full group on the main road to Guillestre and onto the Col du Vars.

I will admit to sulking on the way out, it is a travesty to use the main road when there is such a great road off to the side, albeit with a few climbs in. It is so much nicer, quieter, the views are better...

Anyway, 10km of steady climbing with a breathtaking drop to the side take us to the 1st summit as it were before the ski resort. We regroup here and take in the view but with the dark side of the Izoard to come on the way back, only me, Shelley, Gareth, Richard and Meirion continue up the last 6km to the true summit. And it is so worthwhile.

The scene at the top is bizarely more like moorland than alpine summit and the cafe is a superb surprise. This is easily the largest sandwich I have ever seen someone Gareth's size attempt to swallow.

The area appears to be haunted however. As we leave the cafe we say Au Revoir to the cafe owner, hammer down the next 4km at 45mph only to see the cafe owner again chatting to someone on the side of the road. Well spooky.

(Richard climbs the Col du Vars)

On the descent I pass through some roadworks at speed and am slightly concerned by the speed of truck coming up through the bends and taking some of my side of the road, quickly dismissed though. I stop at the bottom of the descent as Gareth and Richard continue into the town to see if they can find the others in case Shelley and Meirion miss the turn...and wait...and wait...after 15 minutes, plenty of time to change a tube, there is no sign of them so I start riding back up, looking at that truck in a different light now. I only have to go 2km though before they emerge.

Meirion had punctured both tyres, now down to his last tube of the holiday. When Shelley couldn't see him behind after the truck he had the same thought as me so went back for him...lucky for Meirion.

Moving on to the Izoard when the 5 of us re-group, by this point the others have completed the climb and are on the way back to Briancon. Today's epic struggle was won again by Tim, defying age and gravity once more. With our group Gareth took off before the climb (we weren't making him suffer enough) laeving Meirion to try his customary attack only to falter as it steepened.

How's this for a bit of snow on the side of the road on the Izoard?

Highlight of the climb though was passing the lady with immaculate make up, then coming round the next hairpin to see her husband revelling in the crushing defeat he was inflicting on her. Awesome display!

The usual warm wind on the fast run back in and tonight we feast on Chinese, rather good too.

Simon Miles: 76

What we've learned today: When someone suggests 2 tubes on the bike and 4 in the kit bag, listen to the voice of reason and experience.