Day 2 – I don’t like Mondays …
Change of plan today, we didn’t do the expected easy day and instead did the Wednesday route – a climb of the Cormet de Roseland.
This turned out to be a big 85 mile day with a 45 mile ride just to get to the foot of the climb.The climb itself was 13 miles of 8-9 % gradient road switch backing all the way up to 2000 metres.
The first 10 miles were mostly in the shade and was a case of finding your own cadence and just grinding away. Every kilometre there were way markers to remind you how slow you were going, how steep the next kilometre was and how far away from the summit you were, very soul destroying! However, there were some outstanding views down the valley to try and keep the mind from thinking too much about what lay ahead.
The climb eventually flattened out for a mile or so and the road tracked along the edge of a stunning bright blue lake. It was so tempting to stop there for a while on the sun loungers and have a cold beer. Unfortunately we still had another 2 miles to go and this was where it was really beginning to hurt the legs. The roads were still completely empty and the only noise that could be heard over my heavy breathing was of the cow bells on the scruffy mountain cattle – all very Heidi …
I finally arrived at the top of the summit to see the support van and team handing out a much needed sandwich and coke. I remember getting off the bike and sitting on a wall and thinking that my sit bones felt like they’d been paddled with a cricket bat, nice mental image for you there!
After regrouping we then began the 13 mile descent down the other side of the mountain. At first the roads were wide and sweeping with fantastic views of the route down allowing many of us to hit speeds of a shade under 50 mph, then it got a bit more technical as the switchbacks got tighter and the roads got narrower. The stunning scenery looked super HD and the sheer mountain faces reminded me of Yosemite’s El Capitan.
Once every one was safely down too the bottom of the climb and feed and watered it was a fast chain gang ride along cycle paths and roads for the final 18 miles. Needless to say it was a welcome sight to see the support mini bus were we jumped at the offer of a lift up the final climb back to the chalet.
I think for quite a few of us, today was another day of pushing our limits and I think we’ve all come away with massive respect for the pros that do this kind of thing day in and out for weeks on end, a tough way to earn a living!
Bike related quote of the day-
“The greater the suffering, the greater the pleasure.” Tim Krabbé, from The Rider
Can’t imagine the pain ur both in! Hope ur enjoying it when u stop hurting. Non bike related- Gabriel is sayin mama and Dada and went for his first bike ride yesterday. Paul swears Gabriel said the word ‘colnago’ Ha ha xxx
I just look at Al’s face when things get tough, always cheers me up. Great to hear that Gabriel is saying his first words sis. Was he dropping Paul on the climbs?? 😉
Oh my word 13 miles up hill – you are insane! But I would like the 13 miles descent, and the stunning scenery. As we have a week off from you we are mostly all going to the theatre instead of MTB’ing!
Ice bath tonight for you then…..
Yes Jase, there’s some cracking down hill runs criss crossing some of the climbs here. Not sure about the ice bath but a deep massage would be good though. Theatre!! All very civilised …
Hi mate another great read, I half expected Julie Andrews to appear at any point!
Hills aside at least the weather appears to be holding
Look forward to your next installment.
Now that cricket bat……..
Just read an article on the BBC site – rise of the Mamils (middle age men in lycra) on their flash road bikes- made me think of you both!!!!
It’s bringing a tear to my eye mate.
Pain is temporary, glory lasts forever…
Bear in mind rule 10 – in never gets easier, you just go faster.
And I don’t have mention #5 – re’ the sit bone.
Just a slight complaint – would you mind referring to distances in km – you are on the continent after all!!
Cheers mate, think the sit bones are definitely toughing up now – I think a new saddle two weeks before this was probably not the best thing to do!
Fair point, I’ll start doing kms from now on.
Hehe, Julie Andrews. Weather is nasty on our rest day today, thick cloud up here and heavy rain. Hopefully it will rain itself out. Sit bones much better today I’m sure you’ll be interested to know Mark!