Pyrenees

So today was day #5 of a supposed 7 day rest period but found myself frazzled at work and needing some air time so headed to the work gym downstairs. The thought of going on the trainer (bike) was not appealing and so jumped onto the treadmill with a view to seeing how I go. Started at 5 min kms then ran a 4 min k. Spontaneously decided to do 5 x 1km @3.32s (17kmph) with 90s recovery but only if the ankle felt ok.  Ploughed through and added a little warm down and then got stuck into 20mins of core work. Felt a thousand times better when I got back to my desk. It never fails to amaze me how a short session can reinvigorate the mood as well as work ethic for the afternoon.

Scandals continue around the Ashes with rumours of Haddin leaving the touring squad and the Aussie lads refusing a post match beer. What on earth has the world come to? 

But the real news of the day came in the form of Christopher Froome. A sensational effort in the first mountain stage. As I have been saying all along if he stays upright he wins. Geraint (Thomas) was super strong again today and Porte also rode extremely well in perhaps his final outing in the colours ofTeam Sky. He will be a credible GC contender next year. 

Geraint is fast becoming my favourite rider. He was the strongest rider in the autumn classics and was super impressed to see him last the pace on today's mountain stage. He would have been a minute quicker but for sitting on TJ's wheel for the sake of the team. Factor in Olympic Gold and his time trial ability he is some talent and in every facet of bike riding - he was Sky's strongest rider in the recent TTT. Not only that, he is humble, a top lad and always comes across very well in post race interviews. The team always comes first.

Shock horror, our Tommy has 3 days left of Primary School before he starts Secondary School at PLSB in 7 weeks. I am in denial.