Tour de France - Etape 9 (Saint Leonard de Noblat to Puy de Dome - 183km, 3,076m)

Back to the mountains again and this one finishes with a huge climb up the Puy de Dome

Today was probably the most scenic stage so far, the rolling hills passing by lakes, through valleys and small villages - quintessentially French!

I deliberately rode steady on the early parts, saving something for the last couple of climbs - seemed to work as I felt as good as can be expected going up Puy de Dome after 1600km in 9 days.

Recording while riding is a skill that some people make look easy - I am wobbly, shaky and not very good at it...

Arriving in Clermont-Ferrand knowing that my first target of reaching the rest day not completely broken had been achieved was a strange feeling - proud, still nervous about some of the upcoming crazy stages that are to come, but also confident that my preparation and training etc. had been along the right lines.

The blog tomorrow will be some reflections and maybe some laundrette or bike cleaning footage - bet you can't wait!!

Griff