The day started well (despite captain bobs phone resetting its clock and waking us an hour early) with a few panna chocolates for breakfast before leaving the hotel at 8ish.
Some easy riding was ordered for the first couple of miles to ease the various aches and pains into the days activity. A short encounter with the notorious pave ensued, with no obvious casualties and just a bit of testing of the bike skills.
The route was described to us as undulating with rolling hills, I'm not sure on whose advice this was given as some of the inclines were short an sharp whilst others were long and gradual.
The route took us very much away from the beaten track, mostly on back roads and through empty villages with very little in the way of traffic.
20miles brought about the first drinks stop, and food was gratefully received as a few pastries don't seem to have the same effect as porridge!
The route then headed through much the same terrain as before, with the green army becoming spread out as some were cranking the pace and some nursing injuries from a few falls yesterday.
Like Wiggo in the giro, people's descending skills were tested today with some sweeping valleys. These were made all the more exciting with the addition of a gusty crosswind
Lunch arrived at 49miles, and took place in a field with very little in the shape of shelter. Remarkably another team member (kingy) and myself arrived 2nd and 3rd to the lunch out of the peloton and set about consuming calories with gusto. Eventually lunch proper was served and just as we found a spot to enjoy our fare, the rain started falling.
Covered as best we could by a tree the green army ate in fairly high spirits despite the grim realisation that it was going to be a testing afternoon.
Lunch taking place at 49miles meant that we had approximately 30 miles to go to the hotel, and despite starting together the team quickly found ourselves separating as individuals increased the pace to reach the hotel in the shortest time possible.
At this time I found myself hitting it fairly hard as there is not much fun in cycling any amount of distance in the driving lane and soon found myself on my own. With kingy ahead and captain bob just behind I set into trying to catch the former (mainly because I had no glasses and the signs in the town may warrant some reading!).
Despite pushing it hard I was overtaken by our mechanic, who on his day off from staffing the support car, was on roaming aid duty. For most mechanics this would be a nightmare but unlike most mechanics he is a semi pro cyclists and has the speed to match the status! It was truly a blink and you miss it!
Eventually at the next water stop a few of the team caught up with each other, ate a bit of fuel and set out together in seek of the hotel with very few directions to assist! (The mayor won't allow the company to put up signs in the town)
Tired, cold and wet we finally arrived, ready for a hot shower, dinner and a few beers. Day 2 done!
Things I saw today:
No French people at all (seriously where are they)
A house decorated with hub caps
Multiple cows
A steam roller
Rain
As a side note I didn't notice that my deep freeze spray and deodorant have very similiar cans. So with stinging underarms and a nice smelling knee I heading to the bar! 
No comments:
Post a Comment