To get a feel
of the task here are some videos of the Stelvio
Video
1
Video
2
Video
3
Sunday
July 15th
We woke
up at 5am to prepare our bikes and set off at 6.30am for lake Garda.
The team were very enthusiastic and the average speed for the first
few miles was around 18mph, too fast for a 100 mile ride on the
first day.
We progressed
through Padova and onto Vicenza. This is where we encountered our
first problem, accidentally entering the autostrada and there was
no way off until the next turning. By this time the Carabinieri
had been called and pulled us over. They were very kind, giving
us directions and escorting us off the motorway!! Soon we hit the
60 mile mark, now we were cycling further than anyone in the team
had done before. To be honest it didn't feel like 60 miles, we still
felt fresh despite the 40 deg heat. The next problem we had was
when we went to Verona.
Finding
our way out of Verona towards Garda was not easy, all the signs
pointed towards the autostrada and we definitely didn't want to
make that mistake again. We spent a good hour cycling the city trying
to find the road out. Andy
was the first crash victim, coming off the edge of the road and
into the gutter on a downhill section, he found that leaning against
the wall that ran parallel with the road served as a good break!!
On our
way to Garda the heat began to slow us, we were short of water and
had to stop. We spotted a garden center on the side of the road
so stopped for some shade. Luckily for us they had a swimming pool
so we all ducked our heads in there to cool off. We then went inside
the garden center to fill our water bottles. After 20 minutes rest
we continued, knowing that Garda was near. After 102 miles and 11.5
hours we made it but were exhausted.
We tried
to book into the campsite that we stayed in on the first night but
they refused us entry as we were noisy last time! best leave it
there!! ahem! We got into a site just down the road.
I was
aching all over, my neck, hands, back and not to mention bum! Owain
seemed to suffer more than anyone in this department!
Monday
July 16th
Wake
up at 5am. Some German camper made a comment about Mark's snoring.
he said 'I could hear a bear in the night, i thought the circus
was in town'. We got on the bike at 6.30am heading up the lake towards
Trento. Russell has a rear tyre puncture. We arrive at Torbole at
the top of the lake and take a right turn up the first hill of the
challenge. OK it was only elevating to 285m above sea level but
it was a short steep climb that reminded us of the challenge what
lay ahead.
We found
a cycle track that was a dissused rail track, it went all the way
past Trento and Bolzano. It weaved its way between apple orchards
along the river. I got stung by a bee. We got to Trento and the
track stopped as it went to the Centrex, finding it again was a
problem, again we found it difficult to get through the town without
going on the autostrada. when we got back on the track we headed
for Bolzano, Russell had another puncture on the front this time.
We arrived at 6pm having covered another 100 miles. by now my bum
was so sore, and my knee was hurting so much that i couldn't put
pressure on it.
We found
a great campsite, had a BBQ and hit the sack.
Tuesday
July 17th
We were
getting tired, we didn't start cycling until 8am, but we knew that
this day was not so far. Mark proves that his Italian lessons were
not a waste of money after arguing with a driver who was apparently
blocked in by our camper van. First call was a pharmacy to get some
vaseline for mine and Owain's bums. Owain decided to apply his on
the cycle track to the amusement of some fellow cyclists! he seemed
to attract the older generation! We headed towards Merano and then
to Prato at the bottom of the Stelvio. An Italian cyclist told us
that we would be crying rain when we informed him of our challenge
up the stelvio! Again there was a cycle path after another short
steep hill out of Merano. The cycle path was stunning, weaving through
villages and orchards, views of the montains all around. We thought
it would be cooler in the mountains but it was still 35 deg! We
arrived at prato at 6.30pm and covered 65 miles through the day.
I had decided not to use my SPD pedals to see if that was causing
the pain in my knee. Every time i stopped it would be painful to
start again.
Wednesday
July 18th
We set
off from Prato at 8am, a little late as we wanted to ride up the
Stelvio in the cooler weather. the climb was straight and steady
to start, then after Trafoi the hairpins started. We were sheltered
a little from the sun by the trees but once we were above the tree
line there was no escape. We would climb a few hundred meters before
stopping for a drink and to get our breath back. The lactic acid
was building in the legs, the breathing becoming harder as we climbed.
My knee wasnt too bad, I just blocked the pain.
Once
we could see the top we knew we could make it. the last part of
the climb was the steepest, dropping it down to the lowest gear
and turning the pedals at a constant pace, dripping in sweat. it
was now mid day and the heat from the sun was very telling. We made
it to the top in 4.5 hours. 26km and climbing from 900m to 2760m.
Now the
fun begins, the descent reaching speeds of 50mph. I entered a tunnel
and didn't see the sharp bend, skidded sideways on the damp tarmac
and just managed to avoid hitting the rocks, or oncoming motorbikes!!
further down the mountain we overtook a BMW as it was too slow around
the corners. The adrenalin buzz was amazing, this is what it was
all about! We were in Bormio in no time. From there we continued
towards Sondrio. There was another short steep climb which was hell
after we had done the Stelvio that day too, and the heat was again
approaching 40 deg C. We arrived in Sondrio at 7.30pm. We had covered
75 miles including the Stelvio pass. We found a campsite nearby
on lake Como.
Thursday
July 19th
We woke
at 8am, knowing this was our last day and Milan was near. Cycling
along lake como was one of the best experiences, absolutely stunning.
finding our way into Milan was a struggle having to avoid the autostrada.
Once in Como we took a wrong turn and ended up in Switzerland for
2 minutes. Realising we didn't have our passports we promptly headed
back over the border. We arrived in Milan at 6pm and met Mark by
the San Siro. We then all cycled to Duomo and then onto Mark's uncles
bar. There we had some beers and food and then headed back to the
camper van. Another 75 miles covered on the last day and to be honest,
it felt easy. by now this distance was nothing to us, as long as
we had food and water - and vaseline!! Owain left the tube in the
toilets at a petrol station, he returned to collect it only to find
it had been moved and used!!!
Anyone
want to buy a pink cycling shirt, only worn once (albeit continually
for 5 days)?
