Thanks Sue,

I hope I'm in good shape. We've been riding all the steepest climbs we can find recently. West coast Scotland has a pass named "pass of the cattle, Bealach ne baa" which gets up to 20% in places. Then there was the English lake district with Hardnot, Wrynose, Kirstone and Whinlatter passes some getting to 30% in places. Aberdeen area (where I live) has some more pleasant 10- 16% rides. This along with some faster 70-120mile weekend day rides has been the training. David Millar (our local, ie Scottish, TdeF hopeful) however said stage 16 is one of the toughest in this years race. But then they will all have ridden 15 other stages before they get there .................. So looking forward to the whole trip.

JC.