Tour de France - Etape 8 (Libourne to Limoges - 202km, 1,800m)

After a flat(ish) and fast stage yesterday things go back to being "hilly" for stage 8.

Today is when the professionals start their race - 7 stages behind us, so it will be great to see them on the same mountains and roads we have been down.

Come to France in June and July they said...it will be lovely. Today the rain and wind arrived - full jackets, waterproofs, driving rain and wind - like being home in Manchester!

However, when the clouds parted and the sun came out it was probably the most scenic stage so far - rolling hills, small villages getting ready for the tour and chateaus aplenty.

This is how I remember the Tour de France from television pictures.

Tomorrow we head back to the mountains for 180km and lots of climbing. Legs are feeling it, which isn't surprising given 1,500km in the last 7 days, but Monday is the first rest day.

Cheers, Griff