Tour de France - Etape 16 (PASSY to COMBLOUX - 22km, 625m)

Yes, you read that correctly - just a 22km stage today. The professionals will race it as a time trial using specialist bikes, helmets and skinsuits....I, on the other hand will use it as a steady recovery ride (although it still goes up a small mountain).

With the usual additional km I clock up to actually get to/from the stage route it may well end up being longer.

So my plan to just ride slow and steady went out the window after about 2km - didn't quite go "full gas", but my heart rate and effort were much harder than I planned - just couldn't resist!!!

This hotel in Saint Gervais is definitely a huge improvement over the hostel - room overlooking Mont Blanc isn't too bad...

The short stage does mean that is has been time to stock up on unhealthy food, catch-up on admin and watch how the pros (who are 7 stages behind us) make it look so easy!

Tomorrow is looking like the toughest day of the entire tour - 160km and over 5000m of climbing up to the ski resort of Courchevel including he HC Col de la Loze (28.1km @ 6%) - wtf - my lights are charged as it will be a late one...

I may well do the blog in 2 updates - a summary indicating I am alive and finished, followed by the usual selfies and pictures of mountains.

Excited, but nervous!!!