Getting to know you.

Every lunchtime on this ride the Discover Adventure team find a shaded layby just after the top of a mountain where we can carbo-load before the afternoon stint.

Also the stops are just after the half way mark so we can feel that we have broken the back of the day. Except that some afternoons have more climbs than in the mornings so don't go kidding yourself that its all done for the day!

By now we are all mixing in and chewing over the exploits so far, looking at the route profile to follow and working out what these upcoming cols are really going to be like.

But here's the thing - the ascents are followed by descents. What goes up must come down. And wow, what a thrill it is to plunge down the switchbacks to the valley floor below.

One of the group is a demon climber but is so nervous descending he practically walks his bike round the bends - all very amusing.