Tourmalet and rest day!

Wow! Magnifique. Riding up the Tourmalet yesterday was spectacular - beautiful weather and a great view of the riders snaking their way up the mountain. Today is a rest day in Pau, a charming old town on the river near the Pyrenees. Last night the fireworks for Bastille Day were amazing, although the French spectators were a very tough crowd - there was almost no cheering or applause, just a careful consideration of the merits of each explosion, accompanied by much head nodding and pursed lips. At the team Columbia press conference today I got to speak to several riders, including Hincapie and Cavendish, which was pretty exciting. I will try and upload the videos to YouTube later today. I will also try to find Cadel Evans, since I am sure he isn't busy at all, and ask him how it feels to be wearing the yellow jersey after a brutal climb to the finish at Hautacam yesterday.