Lance Armstrong - his domination of Le Tour de France almost complete - except this time he would have to settle for 3rd place & standing on the podium next to eventual winner [& team mate??] Alberto Contador & 2nd placed Andy Schlek - but not bad for a rider who retired 3 years ago - who broke his collar-bone in April - finished 12th at the Giro d'Italia in June & who will be 38 years old in September. 
The icing on the cake was supposed to be watching "Le Tour de France" as it raced up & down the Champs Elysee to its conclusion. Unfortunately the planning of our return to the UK didn't coincide with Le Tours arrival in Paris.
Sunday, excellent breakfast - stopped for photo at the"mini" Statue of Liberty with l'Eqiuipe - the headline reads "Chapeau Le Texan" - I think the french are finally warming to Lance probably because he wont win this years Tour de France. 
The hare & the tortoise springs to mind - these two ladies made the trip on hired bikes, with hired kit & were not the fastest but kept a steady pace which suited them - they were last [or very nearly last] to roll in at lunch & at the hotels each day - but make it to Paris they did - I didn't catch their names but well done. They got a standing ovation from all the "keen" cyclists who had stopped for a beer as we entered Paris earlier in the day.
The "Medal" which will be engraved, the "Sacrificial Salute" of the bike to the Eiffel tower & a hug from the wife - it was so nice to see Sue at the finish line after 4 days. 
There's no stopping this peleton as we roll off the Champs Elysee & finally reach the Eiffel Tower. The miles [or Kilometers] - the pain - the hills - the punctures - the pasta - the muffins - the adrenalin - the buzz - the emotions - Everything comes together all at the same time. I admit to feeling a little... overwhelmed. Finally I understand what an achievement it has been - 340+ miles in 4 days raising much needed funds for a fantastic charity - fulfilling - you'd better believe it - would I do it again - you'd better believe it.
that.
We are held at the Trocadero for over an hour waiting for ALL 600 cyclists to regroup from the respective 4 rides. 
What a Buzz - that ride through Paris was "Brilliant" - the e
nd is in sight as we reach the Trocadero - to our right the Eiffel tower reaches up towards the sky - their is already quite a group relaxing and celebrating on the lawns - to my suprise no one has taken the plunge into the fountains. The celebrations begin - handshakes & hugs all-round - the odd bottle of Champers & beer - but for some its all too much?
Did I mention a Cafe or Bar - Oh Yes! we speed round an island and are confronted by a group from our ride already enjoying the Paris atmosphere - its rude not to join them so we pull over for a well earned beer. [These babies are 8.5 Euros each] 
The "Run In" - we pass a signpost for Versailles & we know we are now in the suburbs of Paris - the road ramps up - and we climb through Versailles & over the top - the buzz speeding down into Paris central is fantastic "60 Km/h" - Our first view of the Eiffel Tower [its still a few miles away] but now its in sight. Dicing with the Paris traffic is exciting - the adrenalin rush - adding to what will be a memorable day. 
50 miles done & we arrive at lunch - not quite the "Last Supper" but certainly our last road stop for lunch on this years L2P. I have to say that the "Extreme Team" have been brilliant in supplying us with the daily buffet - the food has been excellent. Check out the photos Yummy!
