Distance 23.6 miles

Ascent 651 metres Descent 538 metres

It took us a month and 1071 miles and we are now at the start of our route. It would have been quicker by plane but not half as much fun.

As we loaded panniers onto our bicycles this morning a group of 4 other cyclists were preparing to do the same route as us today. We started well before them but within 15 minutes they glided past serenely on their electric bikes.

We stopped at Osterbat to look at the views and get a drink. Beautiful views but no refreshments available.

We made St Jean with jelly legs but within two hours of Christophe’s prediction which we were thrilled with but he has ignored.

Our mystery shopper experience of cycle shops continues. One of my brakes failed today and the mechanic at Maya sports in St Jean Pied de Port sorted the problem within half an hour. Brilliant.

Perhaps Bikegrims is an appropriate term after all. We might have left it a little late to research the route. Apparently the Pyrenees are rather hilly.

Help!