Our first group of guys arrived at the villa a couple of days ago raring to get stuck into come serious cycling. Getting in late meant we started them off on an easy(ish) 80km taking in the beautiful countryside that France has to offer. Finishing on top of the Col Spandelles, the first climb of the holiday was over and we descended at rapid speed back to homebaked cookies, a swim, a steam and a movie in the cinema room. A (very) rough cut of the footage can be seen here:




Day 2 and the weather gods were not smiling on us. We woke up to pretty thick cloud and relentless rain. However, thanks to a really positive group of guys, we completed an epic 130km route taking in everything from quaint little villages to the giants that are the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Soulor. Back to steaming baths, hot homemade soup and warm comfy couches was just what the doc ordered. Check out another rough cut of some of today's footage.



The Col du Tourmalet is up tomorrow, so check back for some footage in the next couple of days.

Our first guests for our Etape du Tour training camps arrive this evening just in time for the England v USA game. We hope these bring us luck as we watch! Enjoy the luxury villa and enjoy the cycling.

Today was the final day of organisation before our riders join us for our Pyrenean training camp. The cycling today has taken us through Lourdes and a very tough climb up the eastern face of the Col du Tourmalet. Fortunately, Lisa, our chef, had created the most fantastic dinner followed by home made cookies out on the terrace. We really can't class this as work!

Like the merino wool cycle jersey that you can see in the picture below? Then click here.

Keep checking back for updates during the week of training camps.

Bringing a new meaning to pedal power, Nokia have unveiled a phone charger which powers your mobile phone whilst you cycle. So the more revolutions you do, the more juice your mobile will have and the less likely it will be that in the middle of an important call, your phone will switch itself off.

For more information on the gadget, click here.

In addition to the 6 tickets that we gave away for Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Club tomorrow, we now have an extra 4 reserved seated grandstand tickets to give away.

Please note that the tickets are for TOMORROW (Friday 4 June 2010).

If you want to get you hands on the hottest city tickets, email us today telling us why you want them*, along with your contact number, and if you are drawn out of the Love Velo bike helmet at the end of the day, we will call you and you can pick up your tickets at the box office tomorrow. Hurlingham opens at midday.


*Please note you can request a maximum of 2 tickets.