Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

I guess we need one of these although there hasn't been much comment so far from DHBCers

Still, check the Monte Crostis descent on stage 14. That looks very scary for lots of fast cyclists to be on at once.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-j9c7d ... e=youtu.be

In fact, there was going to be a riders strike over it until they put up those plastic wrapped 'barriers'

Did I say 8 hours. Make that 8 and a half hours on the saddle today. Wow what a day, what a stage. A little ridiculous I think as today has been said by nearly everyone in the peleton that it was the hardest race they have ever done on a bike.

We started fast as the break tried to establish itself and it did after 20km with 7 guys going off the front. At the 30km mark into the stage tho we hit a climb that was 13km long at an average gradient of 8%. Unfortunately it was not the slow pace that everyone wanted up it and attacks started again. The peleton split in many groups and by the top of the climb 17 riders were away.



After 4 hours of racing the break away had a 9 minute lead and so the tempo started to lift. We were half way through the stage but the hardest was still to come. Three massive mountain passes in the final 80km was going to send this stage into a war of attrition. How much could our bodies take.

Those final three climbs were brutal. First the Passo Giau which was 16km long at an average gradient of 6.5% and a maximum of 16%. The race split here and basically you found your group that you would ride to the finish with. I was going well on this climb and tried to stay with the front but got dropped 3km from the top.

After the Passo Giau we hit the Passo Fedaia which for me was the hardest climb of this year tour. We had already ridden for over 6 hours when we hit the bottom and this nasty climb boasted an average of 8% for 13km and hit 18% in parts.

I stopped at the top putting on two jackets, arm warmers and eating two full bars before descending down for the next 20km. I hit the final climb empty. I tried to eat and drink as much as I could during the day but this stage took around 7000 calories out of our bodies and this is nearly impossible to keep up with when on the bike.

The final climb was nasty also. 6km at an average of 10% really finished off this hard stage. I crossed the line thanking God it was over only to find out I had another 7km ride to the team bus. Why not. What's another few km going to do.



A hot shower and a slice of pizza never felt better then it did today. I can't wait for tomorrows rest day and I won't be surprised if I don't wake up until lunch. I'm happy to see the end of this week. The final week is one I have been waiting for. There should be some stages for the break aways to succeed and I hope to be amongst them along with the final time trial in Milan where last year I posted an 8th place. I would love to better that this year.

Massage time for me and a big dinner. I'm sure even your viewing eyes need a break tomorrow as much as my legs so all enjoy your rest day.

From the Giro

Cam
BlackBerry de movistar, allí donde estés está tu oficin@