tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32680675669174264332024-03-14T15:19:22.451+11:00Hail Caesar! London to Rome by bicycle: 3240 kms, 30 000+ metres up and downDoughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-89270535764269051252016-06-20T18:51:00.003+10:002021-05-25T06:26:18.929+10:00Caesar Arrives Triumphant into Rome<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>Our last two days of this epic journey kept us focussed right to the end. Here is that story. </i></span><br /></span>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>Capalbio to Campagnolo</i></span></h3>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The penultimate day would prove to be a long one, and longer indeed than it looked on paper. With a forecast suggesting quite warm conditions and our ride involving 155 kilometres and 2000+ metres of elevation gain, a prompt start seemed like a good idea. Dylan managed to negotiate an early breakfast scheduled for 7:30. His charms must have had real impact though, as food was spread out much earlier than that and most of our group were down from their rooms early and eating by 7:15.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Conditions on the road early were glorious. With the sun still low we had the benefit of shady roads for the first hour. It was relatively still and there were some great views. There was almost no traffic on the road so we could cruise along comfortably, enjoy the rolling terrain and feast our eyes. This video will give you some idea of what it was like ...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>About the 20 kilometre mark we arrived at our first real hill for the day when we joined a larger road with a bit more traffic. (If you want to see the Strava details of the ride, including location and the profile you can <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/613113690" target="_blank">click on this link</a>.) A little way up the hill I noticed a bike chain lying on the shoulder of the road and hoped this was not a sign of the severity of the climb. Thankfully the gradient remained sensible and neither my bike nor I came apart! 😜</i></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>Right from when we entered the northern fields of France we've been seeing poppies alongside the road and I've been chiding myself for not stopping to take more photos of them. Today I decided to make up for that omission ...</i></span></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>As the morning progressed I found myself caught up in a bit of a poppy frenzy. Seeing poppies on the roadside against a backdrop of wheat arrested my attention ...</i></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i> and when I passed a field of grain liberally scattered with poppies I decided to loop back and shoot a short video ...</i></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Although a bit out of sequence, I thought I might as well give you the last of my day's poppy obsession sooner rather than later. For some reason I just liked this mixture of colours and textures ...</i></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Something else that we've noticed on this journey, especially as we entered sunny Tuscany - but even earlier in more northern regions - has been the proliferation of solar power generation, often in modest-sized installations. It makes me ashamed as an Australian that we don't do more of this in our country. When we passed yet another example, this time with a couple of wind turbines thrown in for good measure I just had to stop and take a photo ...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>The riding throughout the morning was quite varied and scenic and, despite wanting to cover as much ground before it got hot, I found myself stopping more than I thought I would to record the journey. At some point or other I stopped to take this photo of Di riding through dappled sunlight ...</i></span><br /></span>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Further along we crossed a bridge and spotted an old arch further downstream, reflected in the still water below ...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>At another point I found an opportunity to record a classic, long gravel Tuscan driveway leading off to a farm with rolling hills in the background ...</i></span><br /></span>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Although the roadsides have not been so liberally dotted with Madonnas as some we've walked along in France we have occasionally seen them ...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>As one would expect with the morning wearing on we found ourselves in sun more often than shade. Here's a video where we enjoyed a bit of shade for a while before emerging once again into the sunshine ...</i></span><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>Not long before lunch we descended through a small town where some sort of festival must have been happening, as the road leading back up into town was choked with a long line of traffic: something we have not seen since embarking on these quiet roads. A long climb followed and I got a photo of Di nearing the top (if you look closely you can see an eagle directly above her right shoulder) ...</i></span><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>We arrived at lunch in very good shape, with about 52 kilometres left to ride. Although there was still some climbing to come, an overall descent to our finishing point lay ahead. Dylan had set up outside a café with a pasticherria next door and we had a pleasant little feast. It appeared that we'd finish the day nice and early, with perhaps two hours of riding left. However, this trip keeps throwing up surprises.</i></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>The first surprise was that Di discovered she'd left her water bottles sitting on the table at lunch. No problem really as we could call Dylan and ask him to bring them with him when he packed up. We'd just have to stop somewhere, which would slow us up just a little. But the second surprise really put the brakes on our progress. Although we'd been warned that the state of the roads would deteriorate as we neared Rome, we didn't imagine them getting quite as bad as they did. In fact we rode on numerous sections that were worse than any paved roads we've ever experienced on a road bike before. Often this was on narrow, twisty, up and down laneways so we had to proceed with greater caution as it was more likely than not we'd round a bend and be faced with a minefield of potholes, sometimes with a car in the middle of the road. In riding or horse racing parlance you'd be tempted to say that the surface was DEAD, except that frequently it was actually moving under one's wheels! Yet another adventure, but perhaps one we could have done without towards the end of a long day. Apparently there really wasn't an alternative so close to Rome if we were to avoid extremely busy roads.</i></span><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><i>The saving grace for the bad roads later in the day was the magnificent hotel where we finished up. Set in an old estate, it is was a grand family building with spacious rooms. We had a most enjoyable dinner all together outside at a big table under a marquee. A marvellous way to finish another epic day.</i></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>A Short Roll into Rome</i></span></h3>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>When we rose this morning we knew that we had less than fifty kilometres left to ride on this amazing trip. Everyone was pretty jubilant about the prospect of arriving nice and early after such a big outing yesterday. There were some formalities to get out of the way first, one of which was a group photo with all our kit on. After the photo I paused to honour the bike that has carried me through this epic journey ...</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A bike fit for Caesar!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>One of the really neat things about this hotel was that it is right adjacent to a section of original Roman road, which has been excavated and preserved for people to admire ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Most of us agreed that it would have been just about as good to ride on as some of the bits of road we were on late yesterday!</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Today's journey consisted of two distinct sections: the first was 28 kilometres along a quiet road which we rode individually; the second a bike path that took us all the way into the centre of Rome. Here are the most of the Caesar crew waiting for the last few riders to arrive at our rendezvous point before we head off for our triumphant procession into what was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>While we were there, less than 20 kilometres (as the Roman crow flies) from the heart of the city, we saw a mob of sheep being herded across the road. It was too far away to shoot a video, but here are a couple of photos to illustrate ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>For our last 20 kilometres or so we were on an elevated bike path that ran beside the famed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiber" target="_blank">River Tiber</a>. This bit of riding was a lot more interesting that I imagined it might be. There were lots of cyclists of all sorts of bikes; there were plenty of walkers and runners; there were even people roller-blading and even one guy on a bike-sized scooter.</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Anywhere else I've been in the world this excellent public amenity would have been well tended, but here it was significantly overgrown, so thickly in places that there was only room for one bike at a time. Here is a video I took while riding along behind Dylan. Towards the end of the video look for a guy on the left side of the path who is sharpening a scythe that he's been using to trim back a particularly bad section ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>As we got closer to the city the pathway moved down right on the bank of the Tiber at a bridge that gave the impression of having major significance in historical times. Here's a bunch of Ride-and-Seekers waiting for the rest of our unit to regroup ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>This next part of our ride continued to entertain. Here is a video shot as we rode right beside the river, only a couple of kilometres from our final destination ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>It wasn't long before we arrived at another flight of steps that took us off the bike path, then we were crossing a major road and we had about 400 metres of cobbles to finish the journey. Here's a photo of my bike and Di's finally resting after carrying us the 3300 kilometres or so from London ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Here's what the understated entranceway to the hotel looks like ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The hotel is an old convent right in the heart of the city. Part of it is still in fact a nunnery, and we have seen nuns coming and going. </i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The next task was to go up to the rooftop for a group photo. We were lucky enough to have <a href="http://lemasurier.cc/" target="_blank">Philip Le Masurier</a>, a professional photographer, along with us for the last two weeks of this journey. This is his photo ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I got José to take a photo of Dianne and me with the city skyline in the background ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Finally - for this post - I'd like to acknowledge the terrific support crew we've had on the second half of the trip. Mark, our new guide; Dylan, co-owner of Ride and Seek, and Phil the photographer joined Fede who had been with us from the start. Here they are ...</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: verdana;">They, along with Sam, Bruno and Richie from the first half of the ride were brilliant in getting us all from London to Rome. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: verdana;">And that's it for this post. I'll do one more in a couple of days - a retrospective - with some photo contributions from other riders. And that's all you'll hear from me. In the meantime, Ciao from Rome!</span></i></div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-76733555388225776422016-06-18T07:17:00.002+10:002016-06-18T07:17:29.235+10:00The Deep Pleasure of TuscanyGreetings from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maremma" target="_blank">Maremma</a> region of Tuscany. Over the past two days we've moved from the manicured busiest, most well-know area of Tuscany to a wilder landscape. I hope you enjoy the post about our journeys. Here's a picture postcard to start off with ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd_4t8ijGumkaEwmKE_iuLpAeWdbxROq2YL8JKG4J8-cVi4UJWrNnEnmjNP6Ca0AM5d1avyxLeIzRYR0F7e6_yJe817QNI0nTwoXKyuGXe4qGSLgKMKhBWjjJrsvUQutfCe8TDHRrk0E/s1600/E+Doug+and+Di.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd_4t8ijGumkaEwmKE_iuLpAeWdbxROq2YL8JKG4J8-cVi4UJWrNnEnmjNP6Ca0AM5d1avyxLeIzRYR0F7e6_yJe817QNI0nTwoXKyuGXe4qGSLgKMKhBWjjJrsvUQutfCe8TDHRrk0E/s640/E+Doug+and+Di.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Do you wish you were here?</span></b></td></tr>
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This is another double post as the hotel we were at last night had non-existent WiFi. The venue more than made up for that one shortcoming however, as I think you might agree once you've read the first half of this post.<br />
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Rapolano Terme to Sorano</h3>
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115 kilometres; 2131 metres elevation</h4>
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The area we rode through for the first part of the day is known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crete_Senesi" target="_blank">Crete Senesi</a>, due to the clay-based soils that are prevalent here. Fantastic for growing grapes but, in places, not so good for major transportation links due to erosion issues. After Dylan gave us a bit of a talk on these soils the evening before, I was pleased to see a great example of this erosion ...</div>
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It will be obvious from the title of this post that we found these two days of cycling quite magnificent. In the first part of today's ride I couldn't help stopping often to photograph the landscape around but after that it was a case of not wanting to interrupt the flow of images so there is little from the latter part of the ride.</div>
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Here is the one little video I shot from early on, and it can speak for itself ...</div>
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The rolling terrain meant that new vistas were appearing regularly, and there were ample opportunities to stop and take pictures. Here Jo is powering up towards me, with Di not far behind ...</div>
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A little further on José got this nice photo of Di rolling by ...<br />
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It was a picture postcard day or, as Dylan put it, movie set country. So many films have been shot in the area we were cycling through today. Here's another shot of the villa you can see over Di's right shoulder in the first picture of this post ...</div>
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The next thing to really catch my eye was this small flock of sheep alongside the road, with the rolling fields behind (this image is a reasonable-sized panorama, so you might like to blow it up if you're on a machine with a reasonably large screen) ...</div>
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Apart from the bucolic beauty of the scene the most interesting thing was that some the sheep were shorn and some not. I wonder what the reason for that is?</div>
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Further along the road I saw José taking a photo of a castle in the distance so I opted to do the same ...</div>
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Not far along from here was a great image of a tractor at work amongst the vines ...</div>
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My guess is that this isn't a <b><i><a href="https://translate.google.com/#en/it/organic%20vineyard" target="_blank">vigneto biologica</a></i></b> as the tractor seemed to be spraying insecticide, but I reckon I'd still drink the wine!</div>
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Our morning coffee stop was scheduled for the famous wine town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montalcino" target="_blank">Montalcino</a>. The old gate leading into the town, which is now bypassed by the road really deserved a photo, so I got off the bike and walked down on to the old road to get this shot ...</div>
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Dianne and I arrived here on our mountain bikes about 16 years ago, after about 70 kilometres of riding in 70 degree heat. The Giro d'Italia was on and we had lunch in a bar with a bunch of cycling fanatics and then took off down the hill to this station ... </div>
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It was the same, beautiful, long swooping descent today that we did all those years ago. The reason I stopped to take a photo of this station today was to reminisce. We had planned this ride so that we could catch the train back to Rapolano Terme, near where we were staying at <a href="http://www.montalto.it/" target="_blank">Montalto</a> with our friends Mary and Tim. We'd combined cycling and train trips a couple of times on that particular holiday and this looked like a good plan on paper. The problem was that when we arrived at the station it seemed a little quiet, and eventually we were made to understand, by a young lass strolling along the rusty tracks with a couple of kittens tucked into her blouse, that this line was very much <b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://translate.google.com/#it/en/chiuso" target="_blank">chiuso</a></span></i></b>! Knowing that the line did go to Rapolano Terme we set off along it. Two punctures from blackberries and a very scary experience with three <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maremma_Sheepdog" target="_blank">Maremma sheep dogs</a> later, we finally made it to Rapolano Terme where we were rescued by Tim and Mary, enjoying with them a fantastic late pizza dinner as only the Italians know how to serve it. </div>
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The coincidence of riding past this same railway station all these years later brought those wonderful memories flooding back so I just had to stop for the photo and, as it turned out, that was the last picture I took on the road yesterday. However, our arrival at Sorano and our accommodation for the night was cause for a flurry of photography by anyone in our group with a camera in their possession. I took a picture of Di in front of the exterior arch leading into the castle ...<br />
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Ride and Seekers were soon thronging the place recording each and every angle ... </div>
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This is the 11th Century Orsini Fortress, now also known as the <a href="http://www.fortezzahotel.it/" target="_blank">Hotel della Fortezza</a>. We didn't know it at this stage, but the room that Di and I were to occupy for the night happened to be at the top of the tower front and centre in this photo!<br />
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The castle has been extensively restored and, besides the hotel, now houses a museum and a theatre, but there are still bits that are still in ruins ...<br />
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At the entrance to the hotel itself we posed for another happy couple on holidays photo ...<br />
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Do we look tired? Well, we are! It was a fantastic but challenging day on the bike. Arriving at this magical place seemed to lift everyone's spirits.<br />
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Up in our room, it was the usual round of washing before dinner. Here's our day's laundry hung out to dry in front of the old fireplace ...<br />
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This was the day of the week where dinner involved going out and grazing. On we strolled into town for a cold drink and a bit of sightseeing before dinner. I liked the look of this arrangement at the bar where we had our drink ...<br />
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We had an excellent recommendation for dinner from Dylan, and met Roberta, Chris and Patrick at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g664984-d2472117-Reviews-Fidalma-Sorano_Province_of_Grosseto_Tuscany.html" target="_blank">Fidalma</a> where we enjoyed an excellent repast with a great local bottle of red wine. After that it was home for an early night and perhaps, for me at least, the best night's sleep of the tour so far.<br />
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Sorano to Capalbio</h3>
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111 kilometres; 1654 metres elevation</h4>
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Both Sorano and Capalbio are a bit off the beaten track. Our inspired itinerary for the past couple of days has given us an experience of less travelled roads and two great little towns to explore. While yesterday's ride had a difficult middle section, today's journey was much easier with gentler gradients and less distance. While not quite a rest, it was joyful riding, despite a major "silly sausage" moment on my part.<br />
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Dianne and I both had slightly sore legs this morning so we thought we'd leave a little early and mosey out of town. Down the hill we coasted. At the bottom I decided to stop to photograph the madonna ...<br />
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Not a bad picture to start the day, I thought. When I reached into my pocket I wondered what the heck was in there alongside my camera. To my deep dismay I discovered our room key. There was nothing for it but to pedal back up the hill. Here's an edited image from Google Maps to show where we'd got to when I had to turn around and head uphill again ...<br />
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At least the switchbacks meant that the gradient wasn't too bad, but it wasn't quite the start to the day that I was looking for.<br />
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As I rode back up the hill I got all sorts of quizzical looks from my fellow Ride and Seekers. It was Roberta that guessed that I'd forgotten something, and when I arrived Dylan twigged immediately that it was my room key. I guess he's had this happen at least once previously!<br />
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Back on the road I had some catching up to do. Meanwhile, Di took this photo of holes in the tufa rock ...<br />
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After riding for quite a way I finally caught up to Di who had stopped to photograph this church at San Martino sul Fiora, some <a href="https://www.google.it/maps/dir/58010+Sorano+Province+of+Grosseto/San+Martino+sul+Fiora,+Province+of+Grosseto/@42.6619876,11.6136939,13z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x1329227a6a98fefd:0xd6b9d3b428a702b!2m2!1d11.7141592!2d42.6826307!1m5!1m1!1s0x13291bed8061161d:0xf90fc7af434537e6!2m2!1d11.5950838!2d42.6727224" target="_blank">20 kilometres from Sorano</a>...<br />
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She and I rode along together for a while until we tracked down Sharon, who was warming to the ride. I paused shortly afterwards because my eye was attracted to something small on the road. Some readers of this blog might find this next photo a bit macabre, but I there is an undeniable beauty in colours and textures of this vignette (and even more so in the enlarged version) ...<br />
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Back to the more day-to-day, I next paused to record a collection of farm machinery that was in the process of being moved for the harvest ...<br />
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I didn't linger as this happened to be just across the road from a dairy farm and there were lots of flies immediately coming to say hello.<br />
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We were still in heavily farmed land at this point, although vines were less predominant. I stopped at a raised bend in the road for a panorama of the fields below ...<br />
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After descending and turning more towards the north and climbing a hill through forested terrain there was a descent that brought us to this scene, which could have been another movie set ...<br />
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Lunch was at the town of Scansano, where I took a few photos because its little square had so much ambience packed into such a small space. Here's Di who's just parked her bike ...<br />
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The lovely outdoor terrace of one of the two bars on the piazza ...<br />
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... and José posing with the statue of Garibaldi that is at the heart of the square ...<br />
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After a nice descent and some flat riding we were back into some high quality farming country again, as attested by the grandeur of this estate ...<br />
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This next photo is a tribute to Sam, my next door neighbour. Sam is the best recycler I know, especially of building materials. When I saw this pile of blocks and tiles my first thought was of Sam, knowing that he'd have stockpiled these materials given half a chance - and found a use for them eventually - so I just had to stop and take a picture. Here's to you, Sam ...<br />
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By this time we were right into the Maremma part of Tuscany. There were very few cars on the road, which made the riding quite idyllic - especially with roadside flowers and a mixture of forest and field. This next video (I know, my videos are extremely amateurish and I'll need to get a GoPro if I'm going to continue this caper) might give you some feeling for that serenity we found on these roads ...<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zMdgg0ve3h8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMdgg0ve3h8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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That video was shot at about the top of the last hill (apart from our short climb up to Capalbio) of today's ride. Not long after we descended we passed a great field of sunflowers, which I tried to video but botched the job. If you google "Sunflowers Maremma" you'll find images of sunflowers together with cypress trees which will be pretty representative of what we saw.<br />
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The last part of the ride involved some flat pedalling into a headwind: not conducive to stopping for photos. I'll leave you with some pictures Di took around the old town of Capalbio while I was working on yesterday's story.<br />
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Here's a view from the ramparts looking over the newer part of town and across to the fields below ...<br />
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... and one of the clock tower ...<br />
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Some interesting architecture that I haven't been able to work out but I like the textures ...<br />
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... a lovely courtyard ...<br />
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... and finally a riot of purple, which Di believes to be bougainvillea and is found all over Capalbio ...<br />
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Tomorrow is a long day: 154 kilometres and 2000+ metres of elevation, so look out for the next post in a couple of days' time when we reach Rome after a shorter day. Cheers!</div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-84997063044198470902016-06-16T07:25:00.004+10:002021-05-25T12:08:42.658+10:00Splendid Solo Cycling<h3>
Bagno di Romagna to Rapolano Terme</h3>
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There are some days when one feels just like "<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gj2bgDIjSs&list=PLGmz2Me3DovgHSQcztQNFNzs81Ddr0oAB" target="_blank">go cat go</a></i></span></b>" - or in my case, "<b><i>get moving, you grey-whiskered old tom</i></b>"! today was such a day. A day for riding at my own pace, stopping where and when I wanted to stop and going when I wanted to go. And go I did. No, not fast - I don't do fast - just steady. Yep, I can do steady. It was a brilliant ride, which I will try to convey as best I can.</div>
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<b><i>(Note: most of the scenic photos in this post are at a resolution that are worth</i></b></div>
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<b><i>looking at in a larger format if you can be bothered.)</i></b></div>
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Dianne and I would be revisiting country we'd spent time in many years ago with our great friends Tim and Mary, and we were both excited about the day ahead.</div>
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We had our usual milling about before setting off, so I took a few photos. I hadn't realised that we were actually staying in a "bike hotel" ...</div>
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John was ready to go ...</div>
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... while Dylan and Mark discussed logistics ...</div>
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... and Kay, Sharon and Di talked tactics for the day's ride ...</div>
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Once we got underway, as expected we all found our own pace up the hill, which started straight out of town. We were moving from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilia-Romagna" target="_blank">Emilia-Romagna</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuscany" target="_blank">Tuscany</a> via the Passo dei Mandrioli, a col often used in the Giro d'Italia. The climb was reasonably long at about 12 kilometres, but at quite a moderate and even gradient which meant one could go up at a fairly steady pace the whole way. Here's a graphic that shows its twists and turns and ups and downs from where it starts in Bagno di Romagno and finishes in Badia Prataglia ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5u0R7PzZ2XCOXBrmj1EW0fVXyfmfwRPPYPd3NMeqCSJ28O-MHaGX2UlhOHEHlLqmvhSyehZRjJ1j4K3b9thAzagX0ZgtWqZ2SSAzFdjFDfVV7wG8WfpDfPE0sNGrnJszYT8AghHqAycA/s1600/first+climb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5u0R7PzZ2XCOXBrmj1EW0fVXyfmfwRPPYPd3NMeqCSJ28O-MHaGX2UlhOHEHlLqmvhSyehZRjJ1j4K3b9thAzagX0ZgtWqZ2SSAzFdjFDfVV7wG8WfpDfPE0sNGrnJszYT8AghHqAycA/s640/first+climb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and the sign at the top of the climb before the wonderful descent starts ...</div>
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A little later I paused while crossing a river to take two photos, one looking upstream where some substantial landscaping was taking place ...</div>
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... and the other downstream, which I thought presented quite an attractive scene ..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NkJreHCyyDnsgVMXzi-HP6oxns7TIcv7KI00cOxPqgGIZ5DIC0B53JUSN00gINejKaF-9dqDKLEht6IYk01TkOhMWv9VBBabDIF9AfYrcsGjDvtmsEsMKsqymxg50nfzYot3MFhtjmY/s1600/I+River+panorama.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NkJreHCyyDnsgVMXzi-HP6oxns7TIcv7KI00cOxPqgGIZ5DIC0B53JUSN00gINejKaF-9dqDKLEht6IYk01TkOhMWv9VBBabDIF9AfYrcsGjDvtmsEsMKsqymxg50nfzYot3MFhtjmY/s640/I+River+panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our morning coffee stop was at the 40 kilometre mark and I stopped briefly to go to the loo, down a coffee and eat a banana. As you probably gathered from my opening paragraph, it was a day I felt like being on the move, so I promptly jumped back on the bike. </div>
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Dylan had arranged for us to have a sit-down meal of pasta in an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteria" target="_blank">osteria</a> at the 80 kilometre mark. The great thing about these sort of eateries is that their menus reflect what is fresh and available locally. Generally simple food and not a lot of choice but, from my limited experience, always well cooked and delicious. The chalkboard special for today was a tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms. Fabulous and, as far as I was concerned the perfect mid-ride meal for the day.</div>
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Again, I didn't stop long. I had 52 kilometres left to ride. Lunch segued straight into the the second climb for the day, which was a lot shorter and lower than the first. Here's the summit sign ...</div>
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The descent led towards a beautiful town below and, against my desire to keep steaming down the hill, I paused for a photo ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyWKBmAAeuJBECyaRMNfO7o5AYDXLaN8Uy7pc9pXNVZoKySsziJkO2hoYJ8tFj2vOtOfyttG3tzV-3rzNweuP5exF02tD3pLueo_Hzdb-8c5Bgs0hlQ55BDqlHpbDwauMABvEs29xxa4/s1600/M+Fiorentino.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyWKBmAAeuJBECyaRMNfO7o5AYDXLaN8Uy7pc9pXNVZoKySsziJkO2hoYJ8tFj2vOtOfyttG3tzV-3rzNweuP5exF02tD3pLueo_Hzdb-8c5Bgs0hlQ55BDqlHpbDwauMABvEs29xxa4/s640/M+Fiorentino.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the photo above I was coming down into vineyards and olive groves, and I sat up to shoot a little video ...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CZuOrcVFdoQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CZuOrcVFdoQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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At the top of the hill a pretty village presented itself and I paused to take a photo coming in ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xda6GsGAueIQtptFHeQ712pjHAYr_k4NC2swaGfgt-h08qIYqdoDoAP3IPeSz6XHnQGP9YaIeiCGzO8hL05tVxIyoEzjNjZZY_z-MbbVdsqWxJJ0SWa_1RQYs1yl2_VGhzZdWeb0zDU/s1600/P+Attractive+town.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xda6GsGAueIQtptFHeQ712pjHAYr_k4NC2swaGfgt-h08qIYqdoDoAP3IPeSz6XHnQGP9YaIeiCGzO8hL05tVxIyoEzjNjZZY_z-MbbVdsqWxJJ0SWa_1RQYs1yl2_VGhzZdWeb0zDU/s640/P+Attractive+town.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The road led from here down onto the plains below, where a slight headwind slowed progress down somewhat but, sniffing the home straight, on I went ignoring any temptations of gelato or coffee - not that there were many options.<br />
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I was delighted to come across the sign demarcating the border between Arezzo and Tuscany, and even more delighted to capture the car passing by with a lass airing her feet out the window ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIGmenFd9dIGq0yw0-bK0Ndfy1JdiyTGeAiLCpBJspinxgbOnhcKV03Q3VsRPYlQJc_89Ys_-4E7nPQ5pkyn6u6VR8vCZ_AUGUW_4HLO2yAGYUdgYMClOZL69OCQUPdP-IJVGiSqw8ww/s1600/Q+Sienna+and+Arezzo+and+feet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIGmenFd9dIGq0yw0-bK0Ndfy1JdiyTGeAiLCpBJspinxgbOnhcKV03Q3VsRPYlQJc_89Ys_-4E7nPQ5pkyn6u6VR8vCZ_AUGUW_4HLO2yAGYUdgYMClOZL69OCQUPdP-IJVGiSqw8ww/s640/Q+Sienna+and+Arezzo+and+feet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not long after, Dylan passed me by while I was stopped taking a photo of this field of flowers ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrhQyD_UepFrmlgYJC3mHUiulSr9q9WYaetKrXllE3JUg8gqi2xZUG_GWURDPJPheIZk9xW9SDFu8XmQD_jmi9xoahj7s5_Lp4Rj9KW82NKmfArpseumRLo3JtlF4v7FlTqANBghUoQQ/s1600/R+riot+of+colour.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrhQyD_UepFrmlgYJC3mHUiulSr9q9WYaetKrXllE3JUg8gqi2xZUG_GWURDPJPheIZk9xW9SDFu8XmQD_jmi9xoahj7s5_Lp4Rj9KW82NKmfArpseumRLo3JtlF4v7FlTqANBghUoQQ/s640/R+riot+of+colour.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Actually, I was so taken with the riot of colour that I did a little panning video that gives an even better impression of the scene ...<br />
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Dylan set off, but I found him stopped just up the road waiting for a train to pass. Lucky for me. I was just about out of water and hadn't thought to ask when he stopped earlier if he had some. Getting a top up probably made a huge difference in the finish to my ride.<br />
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Between the field of flowers and arriving at Rapolano Terme there were more vines alongside the road and fields of grain as well. What a rich agricultural region this is! Here's another short video ...<br />
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There was one last short hill to climb before I saw Rapolano Terme spread out in front of me ...</div>
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All that was left today was follow my Garmin route for another easy couple of kilometres and I was led straight into the hotel where, before anything else, I had a quick beer followed by a slow one. Just brilliant! </div>
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Finally, here is a graphic to show the territory we covered today. As you can see, we are getting quite close now to Rome ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIb2DWaXrkxJjH3Y102SJ4Sliww0cV_dPHHmYN-1AYnDOIhrPxo4qWc5buKtRHjp8zyZZLUxFGttGcXe3tDFgaKR_j2bpIM08Xy4fQfwep-KvLWQFXXVTGZmImWyHYotiTdQXaJ1xoXo/s1600/Bagno+to+Rapolano.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIb2DWaXrkxJjH3Y102SJ4Sliww0cV_dPHHmYN-1AYnDOIhrPxo4qWc5buKtRHjp8zyZZLUxFGttGcXe3tDFgaKR_j2bpIM08Xy4fQfwep-KvLWQFXXVTGZmImWyHYotiTdQXaJ1xoXo/s640/Bagno+to+Rapolano.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Suddenly, we only have four days of riding left, and the last day is a short procession into the city. I can almost hear the echoes of the gladiators doing battle in the Colosseum, which Di and I will visit the day after we enter Rome. Our epic adventure is almost over.</div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-33217426576087861792016-06-15T10:56:00.003+10:002021-05-25T12:18:01.825+10:00Sublime Serenity Surrenders to Storm<h2>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>Two Contrasting Days</i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a long day yesterday and a long and late dinner I wasn't up to blogging so this is a mega effort covering the past two very interesting days.</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: yellow;">Serenity</i></span></h3>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>Why the unusual heading?</i></span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>Perhaps once you get into the post</i></span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>you'll understand my need to dress up this entry ...</i></span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">For a change the day dawned still and clear and the promise from the Norwegian weather boffins was a fine day throughout. This video will illustrate the scene as we were readying to leave our hotel better than any words from me ever could ...</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FBIBsKG9QOY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FBIBsKG9QOY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And here are a few stills to illustrate our lovely relaxed start to the morning ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">... and another of Dylan giving us all the instructions for travelling down island and meeting at our first ferry of the day ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I couldn't resist taking a couple of other photos that I thought typifies the cycling culture in this part of the world ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">This next video shows us cruising towards Lido Centro at a leisurely pace ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I paused once we got the where the vaporettos come into the centre of Lido to get a photo of some of the bikes parked there ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Please note that this is but a fraction of the two-wheeled transport that had been left by commuters travelling to the mainland. On the other side of the street was a mass of motorbikes - mostly scooters - and further along there was another parking bay filled with an equally large array of bicycles. You can see a few cars parked here, but that is about the extent of the four-wheeled transport.</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">South past the central business district of Lido we cruised, where life seems to be lived at a lovely slow pace. I paused to photograph this gentleman fishing ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Did you notice that he had two fishing rods on the go? And that it looks like he arrived by bike? Wouldn't it be good if we saw more folks at home in Australia getting about in bikes?</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">As we neared the ferry I sat up to shoot this video which I hope will show the serenity of the place ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We arrived at the ferry to discover that it was forty minutes behind schedule (this is, after all, Italy) so there was nothing for it but to kick back and relax in the sunshine. Here is a photo to illustrate the scene ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">... and another to show the arrival of a ferry that <b><i>wasn't</i></b> ours ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Eventually our ferry did arrive and we piled on ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> There were no cars, just us cyclists and a couple of buses ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A few of our group ventured to the upper decks for the view ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">As you can see the superb weather conditions at the start of the day continued through this part of our journey. Before we knew it were landing at the northern end of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellestrina" target="_blank">Pellestrina</a> and found ourselves cycling southward along the western edge of the island. It was wonderful, although a couple of our troupe found the gravel towards the southern end a bit unsettling. But before that there was a long section where we wended our way along a narrow passage on the waterfront between fishing boats on one side and shops and houses on the other. This video might give you a bit of an idea of what it was like ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I paused at one place to photograph a platform in the water that looked like its purpose was for the storing and drying of nets ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Near the end of our ride on Pellestrina there was a small square with a church at the back of it. A group of cyclists heading north had stopped here ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A few minutes later we were at the spot where the charter ferries for the gorgeous town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chioggia" target="_blank">Chioggia</a> depart. While we waited in the sunshine and still conditions I took a few photos of the stylish gear some of our fellow cyclists were wearing ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It was a wonderful sojourn, sitting quietly on the water's edge awaiting a ferry especially summoned for our travelling pleasure. And what a lovely outlook, with clouds roiling up in the Dolomites to the north but sublime stillness surrounding us ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">On the ferry Team Wagga were having a light-hearted strategy meeting ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">... while our capitano had a race of sorts with another charter ferry ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Coming into Chioggia was lovely ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHjqd6XiEFVn5SZzW-N2UjcfP2j2dTrT0wgMSonHEj7H-Ddg_5uadldM5NL2kF2pknk-xtNf2OUywW-v1UGK4n2FGdKPP_81__e_C6Th5hrYFLSt5But0d1V-KaTbEzNo1XvzjF8z_Pk/s1600/X1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHjqd6XiEFVn5SZzW-N2UjcfP2j2dTrT0wgMSonHEj7H-Ddg_5uadldM5NL2kF2pknk-xtNf2OUywW-v1UGK4n2FGdKPP_81__e_C6Th5hrYFLSt5But0d1V-KaTbEzNo1XvzjF8z_Pk/s640/X1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It was clear from this sign that there is a lot of bike traffic between the islands and the mainland, with ferries catering specifically for cyclists ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Landing in Chioggia and having a coffee on the plaza adjacent to the waterfront capped one of the easiest but most enjoyable and memorable bits of cycling I've ever done. It is a journey that I'd recommend to anyone who likes exploring places by bike.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The rest of the day's ride involved flat riding along the coast. Quite pleasant, mostly on quiet back roads, but more of a transition than a highlight in its own right. With about twenty kilometres to go, Di and I arrived at our third and last ferry for the day and waited while it came across from the other bank of the river to pick us up ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A reasonably quick and traffic-free ride brought us into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravenna" target="_blank">Ravenna</a> and straight to our hotel. We knew we were in a good place when we passed these murals on our way to parking our bikes for the night ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Inside the hotel Di and Jo were showing true Sisterhood of the Chain with their greasy right legs ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">My final photo of this marvellous day of cycling is one of a young girl describing the technical merits of her bike to her dad and a couple of his friends ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We had just enough time in Ravenna to get a hint of what a lovely city it is, and decide we'd like to come back someday so we can potter about on our bikes and enjoy the delights of the place over a more extended period of time.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our start for the next day looked good </span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">but</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> there was a strong likelihood of thunderstorms in the afternoon. After a wonderful but long day from Venice Lido to Ravenna, Di, who was feeling a bit under the weather decided that she would give the ride from Ravenna to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagno_di_Romagna" target="_blank">Bagno di Romagna</a> a miss. I was loath to get a soaking on the bike myself, but decided to ride the morning section and see what transpired as far as the weather went.</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">My favourite steed was ready and waiting to get underway ...</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our trusty guide Mark led us out of town as the route had been changed slightly from what was laid down on our Garmins ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We rolled through flat, Po Valley countryside up until the morning coffee stop without a lot to grab one's interest for photographing, passing through the occasional small but unremarkable town. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The one remarkable point of the morning occurred just as we entered the town designated as our morning coffee stop, where we crossed the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon" target="_blank">Rubicon</a>. Apparently there is a statue of Caesar here, but I missed it as I rolled past. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Next up was lunch at the lovely town of Verucchio. Aaron and Harold had passed me leading into coffee, but they kindly turned down the speed and allowed me to tail them towards the climb leading to lunch ...</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Di riding in the van this morning allowed her to get some good photos in<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verucchio" target="_blank"> Verucchio</a> from up on top of the castle ramparts. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9iONVU9kDAP_2ZANmMOqDk58lqpLItNcNDv9-Hj6SnrTuu3U0yrss5_fuBdx5wmAEEXUWkwxvRGYTvg1Ih6D8dNghRURbkmfcnrKL-XE0WXuoBs-6r6GD7HH5GyV_HuR_5XofMMTXBg/s1600/I3+more+fields.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9iONVU9kDAP_2ZANmMOqDk58lqpLItNcNDv9-Hj6SnrTuu3U0yrss5_fuBdx5wmAEEXUWkwxvRGYTvg1Ih6D8dNghRURbkmfcnrKL-XE0WXuoBs-6r6GD7HH5GyV_HuR_5XofMMTXBg/s640/I3+more+fields.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Here is one of some of the rooftops in the town ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4siQIRCpO4gT8gRiNOrxqIwrux1eOgAO0YhLJIfE6ASY_OtyMPukknZrsjo1LhxTh48yBSf9tWP9BaOIe1QfwaN5MSCpR1v4NdPq-PeWS1slHPCog9dUfL_dDxIG8f4GodPEakolI9k/s1600/C2+roofs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4siQIRCpO4gT8gRiNOrxqIwrux1eOgAO0YhLJIfE6ASY_OtyMPukknZrsjo1LhxTh48yBSf9tWP9BaOIe1QfwaN5MSCpR1v4NdPq-PeWS1slHPCog9dUfL_dDxIG8f4GodPEakolI9k/s640/C2+roofs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">... and another of the twisty road leading up into the town ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2pVmsa27sFzcJ-uHQQnX8ZkJ6oid2KesVOieB61qJTD9-mJXC0M9bOL8N8Feb8PPsLtY0aYfI7x58UNpIX1wUPPYAYlHZgaE8HKTUpmroB5ehJ9LgXhS3JU5lEwiWvUAkF6qdReqJaI/s1600/C1+road+to+lunch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2pVmsa27sFzcJ-uHQQnX8ZkJ6oid2KesVOieB61qJTD9-mJXC0M9bOL8N8Feb8PPsLtY0aYfI7x58UNpIX1wUPPYAYlHZgaE8HKTUpmroB5ehJ9LgXhS3JU5lEwiWvUAkF6qdReqJaI/s640/C1+road+to+lunch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">She managed to snag a photo looking down on me on the last little stretch before reaching the town square ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGoeZ0FgHxt9IZ5QiuRaD2llItG0UEoWOwv57dIRxfUtpoELoRviIgCAHScuG549gf_t7c9aSij5IYqnpQm2vtAz5aRMon8KByhGkkv8bobE1zc5YNbV6AornB1CN9QtjUj7Tj8V1WhQ/s1600/C1a+cyclist+approaching.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGoeZ0FgHxt9IZ5QiuRaD2llItG0UEoWOwv57dIRxfUtpoELoRviIgCAHScuG549gf_t7c9aSij5IYqnpQm2vtAz5aRMon8KByhGkkv8bobE1zc5YNbV6AornB1CN9QtjUj7Tj8V1WhQ/s640/C1a+cyclist+approaching.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">At this point the roads had large damp patches on them and thunder was echoing around the hills. Even though the sun was shining, as I pulled into lunch I made the decision to get off the bike and into the van for the afternoon. With my cold still in ascendency and four great looking days of riding still ahead before our ceremonial march into Rome, I had no desire to get drenched yet again. Dylan </span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">seemed rather surprised when I informed him of my decision, but what followed during the course of lunch soon changed his outlook.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Initially however, things didn't look too bad. Our lunch stop was in a lovely place, tucked in under an arched verandah looking out onto the square ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpbs-WLBpxOVRNH7d18TAALfIEZEQtFEFK1iZHwSAUA4u_kE5n6Cy2zfLOUnb6NHr3dNa4vGRMYT-RJ_woDlFZKlQKg1PME8WuighNhLe0-4tXsPdXXHXAVlEouQoXhbilPiPwI2HYy0/s1600/E+van+at+lunch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpbs-WLBpxOVRNH7d18TAALfIEZEQtFEFK1iZHwSAUA4u_kE5n6Cy2zfLOUnb6NHr3dNa4vGRMYT-RJ_woDlFZKlQKg1PME8WuighNhLe0-4tXsPdXXHXAVlEouQoXhbilPiPwI2HYy0/s640/E+van+at+lunch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">There were a couple of nice mosaic panels that caught my eye ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6gOuUAz1EBwJTP7stMPwZ7WSkeFBDAl_fwVuQZjzUsjGvtueteTO2I9vMe17gjps4tgecF2QZcoVsKS7P5Zqr2OpNjvijE5qvViSVUOpgaCtbWPDxcGIdJeCjfeiy154W23Do9Zvab4/s1600/F+Bikes+and+murals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6gOuUAz1EBwJTP7stMPwZ7WSkeFBDAl_fwVuQZjzUsjGvtueteTO2I9vMe17gjps4tgecF2QZcoVsKS7P5Zqr2OpNjvijE5qvViSVUOpgaCtbWPDxcGIdJeCjfeiy154W23Do9Zvab4/s640/F+Bikes+and+murals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Here's Harold and Aaron tucking </span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">into</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> lunch ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ4Rm3Wia8H_q_bZWcLGX7_Vln6Yfrzv30pl1kdxjQVpD_j1HZlXAB4GiAkqh02JflTezPXESjKjjCc3oZMf9t133OLlwd7pGhr2oQKZE9EMfSRUrm9ilHnWJ75zfmBNrXkNGXeR2s9Q/s1600/D+At+lunch.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ4Rm3Wia8H_q_bZWcLGX7_Vln6Yfrzv30pl1kdxjQVpD_j1HZlXAB4GiAkqh02JflTezPXESjKjjCc3oZMf9t133OLlwd7pGhr2oQKZE9EMfSRUrm9ilHnWJ75zfmBNrXkNGXeR2s9Q/s640/D+At+lunch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">More riders arrived and we were having a convivial repast ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AoQeAvA5YbKnK49JWXYUT322ngAibuf1g6DnebZvYz8dvT_mib_AC1je_FWx4IEQn9guQiN3TsYJdyPidiud6uUmDk2bfWvIrg0zyPpgSw_mggfWnY1co_zh0NCrVnz-NtGPulyKEcE/s1600/G+Before+the+rain+came.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AoQeAvA5YbKnK49JWXYUT322ngAibuf1g6DnebZvYz8dvT_mib_AC1je_FWx4IEQn9guQiN3TsYJdyPidiud6uUmDk2bfWvIrg0zyPpgSw_mggfWnY1co_zh0NCrVnz-NtGPulyKEcE/s640/G+Before+the+rain+came.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Di captured another example of sartorial elegance in the form of José's socks ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcU-LLOivIpj61EMkIONclY_pR-NBf0rcTrjc4MS_P7T92tOXwkF0mOSZpbKFfYg3QqhyphenhyphenhTXMLtAZxslEmOEfKnMhyphenhyphen9t10ekzcTnF9wdwUO8FmB6yTIlV4dPUG1HYZbAZ1ywYNn1Tvow/s1600/D2+Sock+detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcU-LLOivIpj61EMkIONclY_pR-NBf0rcTrjc4MS_P7T92tOXwkF0mOSZpbKFfYg3QqhyphenhyphenhTXMLtAZxslEmOEfKnMhyphenhyphen9t10ekzcTnF9wdwUO8FmB6yTIlV4dPUG1HYZbAZ1ywYNn1Tvow/s400/D2+Sock+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">However, as is often with the case with thunderstorms, things changed rather suddenly from sunshine </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">and shirtsleeves </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">to soddenness and rain jackets...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmMihUZo22YmADxu9R4Hz0sFzQSIt_wSkjkmCABuk24QS5D-BouRvsmZv1nnEq8Ci5iIzw0GPC-A_RybEsW0mmRPDA5xSu55B8xOs1FNKO3qH4JHG3V_uhoMJMKxdg2Fm6jaFaM3y3wI/s1600/G4+tales+of+the+rain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmMihUZo22YmADxu9R4Hz0sFzQSIt_wSkjkmCABuk24QS5D-BouRvsmZv1nnEq8Ci5iIzw0GPC-A_RybEsW0mmRPDA5xSu55B8xOs1FNKO3qH4JHG3V_uhoMJMKxdg2Fm6jaFaM3y3wI/s640/G4+tales+of+the+rain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">While the rest of us had waited to see what would transpire with the weather, the indefatigable Aaron, our Lone Ranger as he normally finishes well ahead of the rest of us, had set off, trailed by his own trusty Tonto in the form of Harold. They would both get wet, but to differing degrees. Aaron, as per usual, had dropped Harold on the first hill and was out in the open when the downpour hit him. Harold happened to be just by a bus stop when the heavens opened, apparently strategically situated across from a <a href="https://www.google.it/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define:+gelateria&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=zKBgV93YCoK2swHCn5Ew" target="_blank">gelateria</a>.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Meanwhile, back in Verucchio, the picture had changed considerably. Here are a couple of videos Di shot to illustrate ...</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zPcCZ2BeAfc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zPcCZ2BeAfc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Even the matriarch of the piazza was getting a runny nose ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3pT1qd6Qu-be31WUx_JtujgvPDDqzRAMcUPhXY8Tz4-_9SIWmsEdSv_AAJql5QSA9dOnnA0aeVSrivEEhNvBIT_bNz0ewJVANM35GCuo9pY860HVow2mMwTAjEUPGFrI3wQ-Tmn5-bI/s1600/I+Statue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3pT1qd6Qu-be31WUx_JtujgvPDDqzRAMcUPhXY8Tz4-_9SIWmsEdSv_AAJql5QSA9dOnnA0aeVSrivEEhNvBIT_bNz0ewJVANM35GCuo9pY860HVow2mMwTAjEUPGFrI3wQ-Tmn5-bI/s1600/I+Statue.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">By this time Dylan had made the executive decision that he didn't want clients setting off with another three hours plus of riding to go. He started getting bikes up on the van and trailer and called a taxi to take riders who wouldn't fit into the van and car.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We kept warm with coffee and some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had. It was incredibly thick and rich and, unlike almost every other cup of hot chocolate I've had on this trip (with the weather we've had there have been many!) it was really good and HOT!</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It was so good I took a photo for posterity ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDcfl6TO6RhL0BiYQhTGQ5CZEIcPAHzxKz64dHW9CYK-wsciq0orIO5bglFJX5444UO9J-GOBPCObtg0K3oon9MjXvqKGqJQT_iUMRjPH8F8_a3jjltzthVbkiSVOgWqSGxKFQ3jGgDg/s1600/H+Hot+chocolate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDcfl6TO6RhL0BiYQhTGQ5CZEIcPAHzxKz64dHW9CYK-wsciq0orIO5bglFJX5444UO9J-GOBPCObtg0K3oon9MjXvqKGqJQT_iUMRjPH8F8_a3jjltzthVbkiSVOgWqSGxKFQ3jGgDg/s640/H+Hot+chocolate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Don didn't get a hot chocolate but maybe he should have ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4wvn6uG2Qbp5d3rtW2zjQHAyWzHL9ZVlHE7Hx5J2CxRRhBb4ohgfbo00IuA7nJDH9-4q4-mVdYuwDTEavjYcH4Gm2KnwA9OYkxemX4qIdUa62W4vPDqOKbDM4RoGcgRCYOczQqH1T_0/s1600/H2+Don+doesn%2527t+have+a+hot+chocolate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4wvn6uG2Qbp5d3rtW2zjQHAyWzHL9ZVlHE7Hx5J2CxRRhBb4ohgfbo00IuA7nJDH9-4q4-mVdYuwDTEavjYcH4Gm2KnwA9OYkxemX4qIdUa62W4vPDqOKbDM4RoGcgRCYOczQqH1T_0/s640/H2+Don+doesn%2527t+have+a+hot+chocolate.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Meanwhile, one member of our party - who shall remain nameless - had another way of get keeping warm ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13HxwCjgpN6aGvs6bHIDVH69wrHqzm2E2K-BSvGvs4xmC1y1RQwS55WH6GNH4kdz7ONLOltixA_O1T3oj_HU2XZPwqVPYsCqvpzoYVaBzubSyuTNKV02Ca-Y3z81aqetQo1ScBooOtG4/s1600/J+anonymous+banana+bender.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13HxwCjgpN6aGvs6bHIDVH69wrHqzm2E2K-BSvGvs4xmC1y1RQwS55WH6GNH4kdz7ONLOltixA_O1T3oj_HU2XZPwqVPYsCqvpzoYVaBzubSyuTNKV02Ca-Y3z81aqetQo1ScBooOtG4/s640/J+anonymous+banana+bender.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">After about forty minutes the taxi - which was ten minutes away when called - arrived and we all piled into our various conveyances. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It was pouring when we got underway, but gradually eased off during the course of our journey. Still, I managed to get a short video showing the rain coming down ...</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J652f4HI0mM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J652f4HI0mM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Bear in mind that this is only a hint of what we'd had shortly beforehand. After about 15 minutes we came across Harold stopped by the roadside checking his Garmin. To his credit - and his stalwartness - he chose to stay out on the road. He would arrive about an hour after the rest of us but would escape further drenching. In fact, the roads here in Bagno di Romagna were dry when we arrived. (Interestingly, I think Harold is the only one of our group who has not contracted the cold that Aaron chose to share with us at the start of our epic journey.) </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Meanwhile, Aaron arrived at the hotel before we did. He did get drenched, but with the wonderful facilities here at our hotel, was in very good spirits - both literally and figuratively, I believe. And, apart from a good meal, that concludes yet another memorable day on our epic journey from London to Rome with Ride and Seek.</span></div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-87179985629644306412016-06-13T01:30:00.004+10:002021-05-25T12:38:09.248+10:00An Unexpectedly Easy Transit to VeniceWe woke in Belluno - the beautiful one - to rain. With the weather threatening thunderstorms, Dylan prudently made an executive decision to move the start of today's ride down out of the mountains onto the the Po Valley plains. The reason for this was to avoid the twisty descent through numerous tunnels that would have been spectacular in good weather but diabolical in a deluge.<br />
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Given the high probability of rain, Di, Roberta, Don and myself decided that an extra day of complete rest would not be a bad option. Richie who was injured, and Sarah who was sick, also opted to be transported all the way to Venice. The other 10 riders thought they might as well get some exercise, rain or not. They would still get to ride about 80 kilometres but on coastal plain past numerous towns, so not so dire if the weather packed it in.<br />
<br />Roberta, Dianne and I jumped on the train, while the other non-riders piled into the van. Upon arrival in Venice, Di and Roberta thought they'd like to wander the streets, whereas my main motivation was to get to the hotel and see if I could watch a bit of the Criterium du Dauphine on TV. <br />
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Di took a few photos on her wanderings, including the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Basilica" target="_blank">Basilica Cathedrale Patrircale di San Marco</a> ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkekfqdJign34ZWGfpAJudxV0ESv7J-CkvQXPc83hgkvmuyCijjt8dG9Q9KHP35f7IjFbUAgNYhueDKhO7v0UB20ZjBYAf3pXwlLhgifi7H4UrUM_6GuViI7csVvfQBANltioeS7Wxz0/s1600/B+Palace+detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkekfqdJign34ZWGfpAJudxV0ESv7J-CkvQXPc83hgkvmuyCijjt8dG9Q9KHP35f7IjFbUAgNYhueDKhO7v0UB20ZjBYAf3pXwlLhgifi7H4UrUM_6GuViI7csVvfQBANltioeS7Wxz0/s640/B+Palace+detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Basilica San Marco</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK3qBkOsPbdwbbcUHON7pM1HUJMMv-bmA6mKejzxUIDEcERiAXv_fCTxiOyUWgGs5VwOcBZFKQXWqgxPXCWSO2t0X2ddOqn4oX1VRhwl6r5xOHkQm3-fd8HpiFX-2WS8e6engoyNx_wk/s1600/C+Palace+detail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK3qBkOsPbdwbbcUHON7pM1HUJMMv-bmA6mKejzxUIDEcERiAXv_fCTxiOyUWgGs5VwOcBZFKQXWqgxPXCWSO2t0X2ddOqn4oX1VRhwl6r5xOHkQm3-fd8HpiFX-2WS8e6engoyNx_wk/s640/C+Palace+detail.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Entrance detail of St Mark's Basilica</span></b></td></tr>
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... a series of canal shots ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_qfhbxOWoBCcD8LHv3H-TOWTkc_I5EmKceHVALwut41CpGzHZhu-MR1IWpuVKVO_DnhuW6zhVEGo0wESaKX-qLPmqhPdrNMoT5MMnl-_DXY8O0dqRWkawsdmQ6qM835Xa45JftBAVNg/s1600/F+canal+two.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_qfhbxOWoBCcD8LHv3H-TOWTkc_I5EmKceHVALwut41CpGzHZhu-MR1IWpuVKVO_DnhuW6zhVEGo0wESaKX-qLPmqhPdrNMoT5MMnl-_DXY8O0dqRWkawsdmQ6qM835Xa45JftBAVNg/s640/F+canal+two.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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... and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge%27s_Palace" target="_blank">Doge's Palace</a> ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWziNnQ1H0YWjMqUbJ7F-wl3RZpARxH__j9sueivxSOebqrvTb18j-UlpLb4wCg5SP-EZsn7OEOECK7HNMMXMj-YNhVktZ3lzeXgTZPzv2Jto5GkgKDCj4UBqO8XzX2SBZtonGyxtXU0/s1600/I+another+grand+building.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWziNnQ1H0YWjMqUbJ7F-wl3RZpARxH__j9sueivxSOebqrvTb18j-UlpLb4wCg5SP-EZsn7OEOECK7HNMMXMj-YNhVktZ3lzeXgTZPzv2Jto5GkgKDCj4UBqO8XzX2SBZtonGyxtXU0/s640/I+another+grand+building.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Doge's Palace</span></b></td></tr>
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Di and Roberta had a very enjoyable walk apparently, and surprisingly didn't come away with bags full of shoes and purses.<br />
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Meanwhile, I dozed most of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lido_di_Venezia" target="_blank">vaporetto</a> ride to The Lido, before walking to our hotel along the waterfront which is in a very nice location ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ-qHRbuggv3Ld_u3iMh9ZSx7oj7YbmC-KaIjr2gNqFqejwtp7M1NMIM5O6QAdSVB7AjF2xzqp_3rlhtSQqLQCK8vJqDl7xW043506Xj4Fzm9NkoOpnYoczZEHF4fxX4olAeRegQzNdo/s1600/J+Russo+Palace+Hotel+location.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ-qHRbuggv3Ld_u3iMh9ZSx7oj7YbmC-KaIjr2gNqFqejwtp7M1NMIM5O6QAdSVB7AjF2xzqp_3rlhtSQqLQCK8vJqDl7xW043506Xj4Fzm9NkoOpnYoczZEHF4fxX4olAeRegQzNdo/s640/J+Russo+Palace+Hotel+location.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Our home for two nights</span></b></td></tr>
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I arrived just in time to order and drink a beer before Dylan, Don, Richie and Sarah pulled up in the van. We got everything unloaded and packed away before a powerful front ripped through with a gale force wind slamming the hotel and rain dumping down by the bucketful. Our thoughts were with those out on the road, but it turned out most of them were able find shelter before becoming too soaked.<br />
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Our rest day off in Venice has been very restorative. After a leisurely breakfast Di and I wandered over to the laundry, meeting - surprise, surprise - Kay, Sharon, John and Patrick. Birds of a feather?<br />
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We all thought it was a great move having our hotel out here in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lido_di_Venezia" target="_blank">Lido di Venezia</a> which, incidentally, is home to Thomas Mann's classic novel Death in Venice. It's very peaceful compared to the hustle across in Venice and just what most of us need, whereas the culture vultures can easily catch a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lido_di_Venezia" target="_blank">vaporetto</a> across into the city.<br />
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On the way back from the laundry Di took a photo of a typical - and wonderful - fruit and vegetable stall ...<br />
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Later, while out walking Di noticed an attractive flowering shrub ...<br />
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We walked past a very large, derelict building which surprised both of us. We thought that real estate would be so valuable on this island so close to Venice that all unwanted structures would be either under renovation or get knocked over for something new. It looked like perhaps an old hospital. Here's a bit of detail ...<br />
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Back over by the beach I liked the look of these two contrasting bikes snuggling up to one another ...<br />
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As we came back into the main downtown district, we stopped to look at this rather overdone hotel, which was, apparently, where Patrick was due to have a massage ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLDpAIdFdku8JAl09F11Ds6_GSFkJdi1r9dE9pvaFxlry6i6YhMuRM7jfYclIvNb5_kOtgv_KVeFl9XiDlRpD1L9IVgBLYzYzd0Fvvjwc77V7a6Vilg11db3uXluSgkMAQviTY_PLJdU/s1600/Z+Pat%2527s+patdown+venue.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLDpAIdFdku8JAl09F11Ds6_GSFkJdi1r9dE9pvaFxlry6i6YhMuRM7jfYclIvNb5_kOtgv_KVeFl9XiDlRpD1L9IVgBLYzYzd0Fvvjwc77V7a6Vilg11db3uXluSgkMAQviTY_PLJdU/s640/Z+Pat%2527s+patdown+venue.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Patrick's </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Patdown Palace</b></span></td></tr>
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He did disclose the outrageous price he was paying for his patdown, but I won't pass that on for fear of giving readers a heart attack. At the price he is paying, I expect his massage will be restorative enough for him to tow me the 140 odd kilometres we will ride to Ravenna tomorrow. Should be there by lunch. Maybe in time for another massage?<br />
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Patrick won't mind me <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=taking%20the%20mickey" target="_blank">taking the mickey</a>. Unlike Neil Young, he's not <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh44QPT1mPE&list=RDEh44QPT1mPE#t=13" target="_blank">searching</a>, he's already got a heart of gold and is raising money for a young New South Welshman who lost most of one leg to a shark attack. If you think you too might like to help out Brett Connellan, please click <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/24zpbnhd" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Before finishing, I'd like to bid farewell to Richie and Sarah who are leaving us prematurely. Richie had an altercation with a motorbike while descending Stelvio a few days back and his insurance company is sending him home. Sarah has caught the cold that most of the rest of us have got but perhaps worse, and has elected to bail as well. We wish them both a speedy recovery and hope they will be back on their bikes sooner rather than later.</div>Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-40667131474467291692016-06-11T06:28:00.001+10:002021-05-25T06:04:56.275+10:00A Last, Lovely Day in the Dolomites<h3>
Arabba to Belluno</h3>
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Our route for today looked something like <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Arabba,+Province+of+Belluno,+Italy/Passo+Duran,+La+Valle+Agordina,+Province+of+Belluno,+Italy/Belluno,+Province+of+Belluno,+Italy/@46.3091023,11.984096,11z/data=!4m35!4m34!1m15!1m1!1s0x477840bf7fe10291:0xf0ca2ead5b73f431!2m2!1d11.8737721!2d46.497167!3m4!1m2!1d12.0323519!2d46.4526523!3s0x47784902bad80eb9:0xea40316f939a6d33!3m4!1m2!1d12.1049903!2d46.4208514!3s0x47784b8e9830c675:0xa9b70edc38a22dc!1m10!1m1!1s0x47785293f0318ec7:0x1d0709882e714d70!2m2!1d12.0941667!2d46.325!3m4!1m2!1d12.009754!2d46.2042272!3s0x47785585180c49ff:0xb0708957872c2fac!1m5!1m1!1s0x477907a4819f1c33:0xed2742f66d62cf2c!2m2!1d12.2167088!2d46.1424635!3e0?hl=en" target="_blank">this</a>. On paper, about 105 kilometres, 2300 metres of elevation gain and two mountain passes to cross. Beautiful scenery, generally good roads with little traffic and a promising forecast. After yesterday's inclement weather we were all glad that the forecast suggested we could look forward to an entire day of dry riding.<br />
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It really was all about cycling through beautiful country today so there will be few words and almost no "character" shots. In fact, the landscape was so delicious I had to really force myself to stop to take photographs rather than just lap it up from the seat of my bike. Here's one of the early vistas we enjoyed ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw0iuZUcC69h6g561nXZGxzHWfN2cBRxFfTFo3NmjVyzaoD1g2EQ6racHpYU7tpm8ZOoyVjehGzpxIG89W7HBFZdObWEJbIjg3e3Dy0r4EDiHqqLczIIF9Y36paXAvNaqNLe7CAHUSa0/s1600/A+Hillside+village+pano.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw0iuZUcC69h6g561nXZGxzHWfN2cBRxFfTFo3NmjVyzaoD1g2EQ6racHpYU7tpm8ZOoyVjehGzpxIG89W7HBFZdObWEJbIjg3e3Dy0r4EDiHqqLczIIF9Y36paXAvNaqNLe7CAHUSa0/s640/A+Hillside+village+pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Loved the look of this scattered village nestled under the peak</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><i>NB: if you found that today's post took a little longer to load it would probably be due to most of the photos being slightly larger than what I normally post. Quite a few are panoramas so that you can get a better look if you blow the photos up.</i></b></div>
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This next photo is looking back towards our starting point about 15 kilometres away, and you can see the road winding into the distance ...<br />
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A little further down the road a gorgeous side valley presented itself, with a series of villages disappearing up into the hills ...<br />
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Clearly the grazing is incredibly rich to support the numbers of people squeezed into these high mountain villages.<br />
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Soon an impressive mountain began to dominate the landscape. As we moved closer towards it I couldn't help stopping numerous times to photograph it. Here is an early panorama ...<br />
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Around the next bend I looked over my shoulder to spot this hillside village with its church spire ...<br />
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Next up along the road was the mountain village of Brenta ...<br />
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The name "Brenta" is famous amongst mountaineers and hikers, with the <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/brenta-group/150821" target="_blank">Brenta group</a> being home to many great mountain adventures.<br />
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It was about this time that José came wheeling past me, but I caught up to him again when we both stopped at an outlook that provided the best view of the peak seen in the background of the photo above ...<br />
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Some of you reading the blog will probably be able to identify this peak for me (come on, Tony!) as I am sure it looms large in the minds of mountaineers who visit this particular corner of the globe.<br />
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It would have probably been just about here that Di took a short video of me coming down past her while a group of motorbikes were going in the opposite direction ...<br />
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The next thing I took note of was this more densely populated valley village ...<br />
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... soon contrasted by another small, hilltop village with its church spire shining in the sun ...<br />
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It seems a regular feature of many of the villages we've passed through to have the church near the top of the town. I wonder: was this strategy put into place so it was easier for devotees to get home after church, or to elevate the church in the mind of its followers? Probably the latter I reckon.<br />
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Di and I had been leapfrogging each other as we stopped in turn to take pictures. Almost before we knew it we found ourselves arriving at lunch atop the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duran_Pass" target="_blank">Passo Duran</a>, our second and last major climb for the day. (This pass is regularly used by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giro_d%27Italia" target="_blank">second biggest bike</a> race on the planet.) We arrived to find Fede setting up lunch in front of the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1026435-d2633925-Reviews-Rifugio_San_Sebastiano-Zoldo_Alto_Province_of_Belluno_Veneto.html" target="_blank">Rifugio San Sebastiano</a> ...<br />
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(The mob of motorcycle riders at the rifugio seemed rather jealous of our delicious spread.)<br />
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Across the road was this lovely little chapel with a craggy Dolomite peak as a backdrop ...<br />
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After lunch there was one more reasonably significant climb to deal with, where I got this photo of Di just getting to the top (this is one you really should look at in a larger view) ...<br />
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We cruised through that col together and I took a short video just as we exited the town ...<br />
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There was a long, wonderful twisting descent into the warmth of the valley below. Wanting to savour the sunshine and extend the sense of journey in general we stopped at the bottom for a coffee and watch the passers-by.<br />
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Another, shorter climb followed and then a traverse through a series of many tunnels. We rode alongside a lake for a while which was nice to watch go by. Di was a bit nonplussed that I didn't take any photos of this section of the ride, or that I didn't stop earlier than I did to wait for her. (Sorry Darling, but I was just enjoying rolling along at this stage. 😉) I did get this photo of her against another grand Dolomitic peak not long before we finished for the day ...<br />
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We knew from our travel sheet for the day that we were going to arrive at a special place to spend the night. A former bishop's residence dating back to the 1700's, this plaque on the front of the hotel tells about its origins ...<br />
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The hotel was recently extensively renovated and is a wonderful building with large open spaces. Here's a panoramic photo I took just after arriving ...<br />
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(Not a great picture, but you should get some idea of the grandness of the place.)<br />
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The attractive grounds of the hotel, strewn with sculptures made for a very pleasant arrival.<br />
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Here's another photo showing a few of our group enjoying conversation in what could be described as classic surroundings ...<br />
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To finish the day we had a convivial dinner seated all together around a huge table, concluding what was a marvellous last day in the Dolomites. Tomorrow we have a long haul to Venice and then a rest day. It will be interesting to move out of the mountains and travel down the renowned Po Valley.</div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-77454511306011126882016-06-10T04:29:00.000+10:002016-06-11T01:24:47.319+10:00Deluge in the Dolomites<h3>
<a href="http://www.robertburns.org.uk/Assets/Poems_Songs/toamouse.htm" target="_blank">The Best Laid Schemes ...</a></h3>
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<a href="http://www.robertburns.org.uk/Assets/Poems_Songs/toamouse.htm" target="_blank">... o' mice an' men gang afta glae</a></h4>
The day that Dianne and I had been looking forward to most, with equal parts dread and excitement was this one, the crossing of Passo Pordoi. Not the highest or hardest col by any means on this epic journey, but we'd been here <a href="https://dougandi.smugmug.com/Europe/Other-1/Dolomites/Sella-Group-Traverse/" target="_blank">hiking in 2010</a> and were keen to ride through the same terrain. Our plans were skittled by the weather but, as it turned out there was a section of climbing that looks like being the hardest of the whole tour. More of that later.<br />
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We set out as a group from Bolzano with temperatures in the high teens. Unfortunately they did nothing but decline during the course of the day. Here's a shot of some of group pumping up tires and getting ready to set out ...<br />
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There had been a bit of route modification so Dylan had to lead us out as a group for the first 10 kilometres. Here's a shot of some of the group waiting at a traffic light, with an attractive interloper photobombing ...<br />
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There was a neat little graffiti wall alongside the bike path at one point and I managed to get a photo of Dylan and Harold riding alongside it. If you look closely you can see Dylan indicating for those behind to slow down for a pedestrian ...<br />
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Shortly after we paused for the group to consolidate. José decided to be an outsider for this photo of the group posed by the graffiti: look for him on the right side of the path ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx9s6NtEujRXvDGEo_prDKjl6HCrjUNzOofUGudVfup4v-S1cBm-02WDbVj1mLyuvQAzjBHgGWP1OTMrwnIIJ8eXbOAtG_4zuCV6IAnNTP6Vi9MuLGjE_X6mFYH6GMCgAbYmGBDls3VQ/s1600/D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx9s6NtEujRXvDGEo_prDKjl6HCrjUNzOofUGudVfup4v-S1cBm-02WDbVj1mLyuvQAzjBHgGWP1OTMrwnIIJ8eXbOAtG_4zuCV6IAnNTP6Vi9MuLGjE_X6mFYH6GMCgAbYmGBDls3VQ/s640/D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hillsides exiting Bolzano were covered in vines, much like the approach into Bolzano yesterday ...<br />
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Just before we left the bike path Dylan had to have a bit of a look around to find the old railway tunnel that has been converted into a bike route. It gave me a chance to do a few character shots while we waited. Here's Aaron, our ace climber, poised like a cat for action ...<br />
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... and José, the definition of cool, just hanging out ...<br />
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The two male members of Team Wagga were doing some bonding ...<br />
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Meanwhile the "We're <i>together</i> but not <b>together</b>" couple from the Gong communed with Sharon from Blaxland ...<br />
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<h3>
Death On A Stick!</h3>
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Dylan put the wind up us all before the day began with his description of the "steep ramp" leading up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiers,_South_Tyrol" target="_blank">Tiers</a>. As a result some of us - the smarter ones - chose not to ride this section. Those of us who did narrowly avoided <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=death%20on%20a%20stick" target="_blank">death on a stick</a>, and are still looking for the appropriate stick with which to beat Dylan for routing our ride via this fiendish section. More than just a ramp, Dylan!!! This 6.8 kilometre climb had an average gradient of 9 percent. In itself that would not be too, too bad but it was the increasing "rampiness" of the climb that was the problem. It got steeper, and steeper and steeper. Here's some general data ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uIsLf0wnz5AFlIrfqArF0DSnVF7_du6thILsuoUfRy_GTtfiD7myr9-XhF0D9a_qB5iPHOiR9wSlFLHuWqApeO3oNvkYT82tAjhOpZ05EmA7QKhxFynzw4GHtXF-meSMPiKmSKxD92s/s1600/Q+Blumau+to+Tires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uIsLf0wnz5AFlIrfqArF0DSnVF7_du6thILsuoUfRy_GTtfiD7myr9-XhF0D9a_qB5iPHOiR9wSlFLHuWqApeO3oNvkYT82tAjhOpZ05EmA7QKhxFynzw4GHtXF-meSMPiKmSKxD92s/s640/Q+Blumau+to+Tires.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... a photo from Kay that shows clearly how steep it got towards the top ...</div>
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... and a little snippet from Strava that suggests it gets even steeper just past here ...</div>
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Actually, to be fair, those of us who rode up the "ramp" are pleased to have done so. It's a bit of riding we'll always remember. So, thanks, Dylan.<br />
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At the coffee stop there was a quaint little figure hanging from the ceiling I thought was worth photographing ...</div>
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<h3>
A Wet Blanket</h3>
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Having escaped somewhat scathed but still ready for more, we set off from the coffee stop at Tiers with loins girded for Passo Nigra and then the pièce de résistance for the day, Passo Pordoi. Unfortunately the rain started to fall ... and fall ... and fall. Arron the Ace, Ian, José and Harold skipped the coffee stop and kept moving. I also got to coffee ahead of schedule but, given the adverse forecast wanted to ensure that I had more clothing to put on if and when the weather hit. Actually, I didn't see the van and rode on a couple of kilometres before turning back, whereupon Harold went past me, pausing briefly to check that he was going the right way. With the weather going off, José decided that the warmth of lunch was a better option that getting a wet arse so he pulled the plug there. Arron, Ian and Harold pushed on individually and each managed - just - to avoid a close encounter of hypothermia.</div>
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<b>UPDATE: </b>After talking with José it turns out that Ian was actually in the early throes of hypothermia when he reached Arabba. He couldn't find the hotel and was babbling. José managed to get him settled down so that he could reset his bearings, get into the hotel and get warm. Potential disaster avoided.</div>
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I had decided that I would try to take some photos today, but with the weather packing it in there wasn't much in my camera by the end of the day. Here are a few that I did shoot ...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqpIdR0LjBpG4HAygSNbBRRV2LzfYGQqwbfGeFTN9-2ttpyJaYcYeUbWJtGvoT6u4KjsgzXxTNV0x-zo5Ioczky4vvDrPTZa-VFkpWbKK7RZ6-Xd8LFE3FRxFD52RBDcRPv8V2bbbGxg/s1600/J.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqpIdR0LjBpG4HAygSNbBRRV2LzfYGQqwbfGeFTN9-2ttpyJaYcYeUbWJtGvoT6u4KjsgzXxTNV0x-zo5Ioczky4vvDrPTZa-VFkpWbKK7RZ6-Xd8LFE3FRxFD52RBDcRPv8V2bbbGxg/s640/J.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The only shot today of some classic Dolomitic geography</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS288RJiZC3G7T3MJ2YBYcNCdis4hvDokKGHadGkr_yUvGNa1LC-C4VOU1oqCO9GHYMmCThyphenhyphencjiE0CYGldKuVyNl0UJi1PRoq6FtoQZP_QT-9glmnLgrpoYrbxR5QcNoK52gDM84j17I/s1600/M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS288RJiZC3G7T3MJ2YBYcNCdis4hvDokKGHadGkr_yUvGNa1LC-C4VOU1oqCO9GHYMmCThyphenhyphencjiE0CYGldKuVyNl0UJi1PRoq6FtoQZP_QT-9glmnLgrpoYrbxR5QcNoK52gDM84j17I/s640/M.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">And heading up into the misty peaks before the rain has settled in</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRIC1GU54wyLHeRu1ofBnE1rlazV_GRb4E4sU-wdygpKhe5mctEjr2oRm-R3Ukg3Sp2bW1EfV5HvZOPDqfIxnXz_kcyh7_QFoOe1gJv5LYV0nibJa1_4AQAEcOMb40PJNxyBqLFB2AXQ/s1600/O.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRIC1GU54wyLHeRu1ofBnE1rlazV_GRb4E4sU-wdygpKhe5mctEjr2oRm-R3Ukg3Sp2bW1EfV5HvZOPDqfIxnXz_kcyh7_QFoOe1gJv5LYV0nibJa1_4AQAEcOMb40PJNxyBqLFB2AXQ/s640/O.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Looking down valley for a last glimpse of sunshine for the day</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK8mnlHJjqu37E4_BoadaUNbtQHM5hzMTWQ7_-GijPicJhKaPWr3VEfU5c06Yhd2AJZMCetEW4LXZdQZY-L3Cm6fE1d7z3siTfQs3WZz2SQqjH4jfvzBXwR1oQJLVKk9JrNGkhtSKyFk/s1600/P.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK8mnlHJjqu37E4_BoadaUNbtQHM5hzMTWQ7_-GijPicJhKaPWr3VEfU5c06Yhd2AJZMCetEW4LXZdQZY-L3Cm6fE1d7z3siTfQs3WZz2SQqjH4jfvzBXwR1oQJLVKk9JrNGkhtSKyFk/s640/P.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Approaching one of the lovely villages buried in the high Dolomites</span></b></td></tr>
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So, sadly, my dream of riding every kilometre has been ended with consideration for long term health and enjoying the last day of riding in the Dolomites tomorrow. We'll have to come back to ride Passo Pordoi. We of the resolute Caesar brigade live to fight another day. Sitting here at the dinner table with excellent company, enjoying good food and conversation I am very pleased with how things have panned out today even though I leave tomorrow without having ridden Passo Pordoi. I guess I'll just have to come back again some time ...</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-38512353794751033302016-06-09T06:30:00.001+10:002016-06-10T04:59:18.749+10:00Bolzano Bike Culture<h3>
Our ride from Silandro to Bolzano ...</h3>
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... was a very pleasant relief from the long days we've had in the saddle. There are no pictures for me to share with you, as I was on a mission to get to a bike shop and have my brake pads replaced. We've got three days with lots of descending ahead and the state of my brakes was starting to be of some concern. If you want to see details of our ride today you can click on <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/602610943" target="_blank">this link</a>. It was a lovely transition from the hard stage yesterday to tomorrow's epic adventure taking in two Dolomite passes but not very memorable.</div>
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Fact is, I wasn't going to do a post at all for today but when we strolled into the old town for dinner and Di started snapping photos of folks on bikes I couldn't help myself. What you've got then is a bunch of images that show the way people live in the heart of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolzano" target="_blank">Bolzano</a>, this lovely city that is the capital of the <a href="http://Sud Tyrol" target="_blank">Sud Tyrol</a>. The heart of the old city is car-free, so people can stroll and cycle around at will. Absolutely lovely.</div>
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Here are a bunch of images that we took from a table while waiting to get the call for dinner. We hope they might help give you an idea of what it feels like to be in this area ...</div>
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From bikes parked randomly wherever there might be an available space, to couples on their way home together, to yuppies cruising along in their own inimitable style, to a couple of mates stopping for chat, there was the complete cross-section of urban society engaged with the bicycle. Not a car in sight. Absolutely brilliant. It felt so good to be here. Would have liked to have a day to relax here. Must come back.</div>
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Before leaving Bolzano, I must mention in a little more detail the bike shop. <a href="http://Zanolini Bike Professional Bolzano" target="_blank">Zanolini Bike Professional</a> is all you need to know if you are ever in Bolzano and need some bit or other, or have something that needs fixing. There's more cycling kit in this place than I've ever seen in a bike shop in my life. Besides that, there were three mechanics busily beavering away. I was hugely grateful to arrive, have Gerry realise who I was and set to immediately fixing my bike. Along with installing new brake pads he greased my Speedplay pedals and tweaked the shifting. Perfetto!<br />
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Anyway, mission accomplished with the bike fixes, I am ready to engage the dragon of two beautiful Dolomite passes tomorrow. I hope to have some stunning images to share with you. Let's hope the rain holds off long enough. </div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-31041739222825311082016-06-08T05:57:00.001+10:002016-06-08T14:28:11.372+10:00STELVIO SUFFERFEST!<h3>
Going the Extra Kilometre</h3>
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Most people who ride up the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stelvio_Pass" target="_blank">Passo dello Stelvio</a> from the west start at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bormio" target="_blank">Bormio</a>, 22 kilometres from the summit and where the "real" climbing starts. Not we stalwart foot soldiers in <a href="http://www.rideandseek.com/" target="_blank">Ride and Seek</a>'s Caesar division. Our starting point was the lovely elevated town of Teglio, another 50 kilometres distant. By the time we got to Bormio we'd already done 1150 metres of climbing. A bit more than a warm up for the 1545 metres still to go. Many of you will know that the route over the Stelvio is the <b>second-highest paved road in Europe</b>. I guess in designing this route Sam and Dylan really wanted to test our mettle, but more of that later.</div>
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Team Wagga had decided to wear their club colours as a show of solidarity for the challenges ahead. Here's a photo of them getting ready to go ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Ian, Emily, Roberta and Chris ready to go</span></b></td></tr>
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The descent out of Teglio was steep and twisty on a very narrow road for at least 2 kilometres so everyone took it nice and easy. Once that was done we had a number of small villages to negotiated on a rather up and down road, then we crossed the river for more up and down road through more small villages. I paused to take a photo of the basilica in Grosio, as much to show you the basilica high on the hillside as for the old church down here in the valley (you might need to look closely, or blow up the photo) ...</div>
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Just around the corner I stopped for another photo showing the elevation and a nice looking hotel ...</div>
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Bormio and Beyond</h3>
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Di had paused to take some photos of the environs of Bormio when Ian arrived, surveying the landscape in classic Ian fashion ...</div>
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It must be said, Bormio is set in a beautiful position ...</div>
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As you can see, the weather was looking a bit ominous at times. However, we were lucky to experience only a very light sprinkle on the way up towards the Stelvio. </div>
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Once through the town the route steepens up immediately. There were a few kilometres of consistent 8 ½ to 9 percent before easing back a bit in the middle section. I paused a fair way up to put my on my arm warmers and vest as a cool headwind had sprung up. Here's a shot looking at the road ahead ...</div>
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I think there was still about 7 kilometres to go at this stage. Behind me, Di was chugging away, stopping occasionally to take pictures, make wardrobe adjustments and refuel. At one of these stops, where the gradient was marked on the road as 14%, she got this nice photo of Jo Wakefield in her Australia kit ...</div>
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And about halfway up she took this great photo looking back at the first major set of switchbacks ...</div>
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Further along still, she took this photo showing the amount of snow along the roadsides, again looking back the way we'd come as a couple of cyclists descended past her ...</div>
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As you can see, the skies were still quite threatening-looking at this stage. </div>
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Eventually our tired legs carried both of us up to the summit of the Stelvio. At 2760 it's the highest pass that we''ve climbed and the 1535 metres of ascent from Bormio, where the climb "officially" commences, is the longest single climb that we've done in a day. And I think that the total ascent for the day of just on 2700 metres is our biggest day of ascending, so it was a big day out for both of us. </div>
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Most of the Caesar crew made the top and those that didn't were very satisfied with their efforts on the day. Hats off to our support crew who kept a close eye on how everyone was going and were there to give encouragement and pick up riders when they'd had enough for the day.</div>
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Summit Festivities</h3>
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The top of the Stelvio, like a number of these European alpine summits, is a charming mixture of hucksterdom and celebration of the world of cycling, with a major dose of motorcycle culture thrown in as well. Here's a photo just past the summit that illustrates this mix, with a bratwurst stand, a bunch of cyclists reliving their ascent an a motorbike adding an exclamation point ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_nevO7Nz3yT4FmlxPSZnJhUxZ0Sv3CLQiINMr95aKk0t_KEgkhqOIOOZ98nCpaWjsDnwUIK8-2WiTX67-2tldWdcujeRFWAc7cAFYQddzCBhrfsSy8n4fLWAvoqtu-dl0uXlrcK-8Dk/s1600/E+Summit+circus+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_nevO7Nz3yT4FmlxPSZnJhUxZ0Sv3CLQiINMr95aKk0t_KEgkhqOIOOZ98nCpaWjsDnwUIK8-2WiTX67-2tldWdcujeRFWAc7cAFYQddzCBhrfsSy8n4fLWAvoqtu-dl0uXlrcK-8Dk/s640/E+Summit+circus+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This pass is famous in the world of cycling and there are at least two shops specialising in cycling gear. Here's a stand showing some jerseys on offer ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1MUvuab9GnMrUeoSDb5ASsroiwdJYk9Aw43XO0EVUHXS0wWlfSOD8Qjiwoe3NX85J1SAAEBvPyISejJvZrwj6JAl2OffUK1LViaYUGkESukBNldXK3z9EsrRHP6kZZcNCkRu9x6IM4I/s1600/F+Jerseys+for+sale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1MUvuab9GnMrUeoSDb5ASsroiwdJYk9Aw43XO0EVUHXS0wWlfSOD8Qjiwoe3NX85J1SAAEBvPyISejJvZrwj6JAl2OffUK1LViaYUGkESukBNldXK3z9EsrRHP6kZZcNCkRu9x6IM4I/s640/F+Jerseys+for+sale.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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Di and I both bought the jersey in the foreground and a neck gaiter for cold descents. </div>
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Like many of these high alpine passes, the scenery is stunning. Here is a photo looking back in the general direction from whence we'd come ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOb35xouCENmf-6ZLSpYJzqb-3nPVqBOItdMLzSv2wLN7JscoMhFQMEyZeJJy4Ww1-2QkATrM2fUzTaxMvu7zUHwM6KpSlIuxaFoI4AtUc7plNeqcGI4_D0ZSJU3lNYzlMC385SMXkqc/s1600/E+From+the+summit+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOb35xouCENmf-6ZLSpYJzqb-3nPVqBOItdMLzSv2wLN7JscoMhFQMEyZeJJy4Ww1-2QkATrM2fUzTaxMvu7zUHwM6KpSlIuxaFoI4AtUc7plNeqcGI4_D0ZSJU3lNYzlMC385SMXkqc/s640/E+From+the+summit+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and here's a view looking down the top part of the descent we had still to negotiate ...</div>
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I think Di read somewhere that there is something like 45 hairpin bends on the way down.</div>
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Here's another more panoramic shot looking in the same direction ...</div>
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From the top of the Stelvio we had just over 40 kilometres to go before arriving at our hotel. Around 30 kilometres of that involved descending slopes of varying steepness and then we had about 10 kilometres of relatively flat riding through apple orchards. Apparently this area is the centre of apple growing in Italy and they get something like 300 days of sunshine per year. As it turned out it was quite warm down in the valley, so that seems to fit.<br />
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I've called this post "STELVIO SUFFERFEST" but really should add a rider. It was very hard work, and having a heavy cold didn't really help make it a fun outing. Disruptions to our training program before leaving home also meant that we weren't quite as ready for such a long climb as we'd hoped. Di, using intelligence rather than sheer doggedness, stopped a few times on the way up and enjoyed the challenge more than I did. And there were some in our group - the natural climbers - who had a ball. Aaron, our Ace Ascender, virtually flew up. Both José and Sarah, who are lightly built and able to find a more sustainable rhythm clearly revelled in the challenge. Ian too, of the flatlander Wagga mob, had a great ride. And on the descent there were literally hundreds of cyclists still on their way up, some riding smoothly, some weaving about a bit and even some walking for a spell. The point is all these people were setting themselves a challenge and finding satisfaction in the undertaking of it. As ultimately all of us did on the day, whether we made it to the top or not.</div>
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Well, I'm more than a little tired and think I will call it a day. We are all looking forward to an easy day into Bolzano tomorrow: our first sub-100 kilometre outing since the day we left England so long ago.</div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-71203320599319696392016-06-07T06:10:00.002+10:002016-06-07T13:43:10.972+10:00Another Self-Powered Adventure ...<h3>
... Adeptly Supported by Ride and Seek</h3>
<h4>
Lake Como Cruising</h4>
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Thanks to our retired status, Dianne and I are used to being able to ride whenever we want and go at our own pace. On this grand adventure from London to Rome it's been great to ride with others and share stories at the end of the day, but today we largely rolled along just on our own. What mainly precipitated this was a fairly short but sharp hill as we were leaving Como. </div>
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The Dynamic Duo, as is their wont, had cleared out in front. I was conscious of the big day climbing the famous <a href="http://thecolcollective.com/col-collection/col/Passo-dello-Stelvio-from-Bormio" target="_blank">Passo della Stelvio</a> in front of us tomorrow. Determined not to spend too many pennies today, I didn't even think about trying to keep up with them. Nonetheless I found myself ahead of the rest of our merry band, who no doubt were also preserving themselves. Dianne was latched on to my wheel, as were Harold and Federica. They stuck on to the back of us until the first of two designated coffee stops at 33 kilometres, where they pulled over with the Dynamic Duo. Dianne and I could see no good reason for stopping so soon so we continued on.</div>
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Riding alongside the lake was so beautiful that I didn't really want to disrupt the rhythm. Nonetheless I did pause to take this photo as we were coming into a gorgeous village ...</div>
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Directly across the road was this very attractive gate that I thought I might as well record too ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk7-dY5NywNHY8pbPO3ce3kEu0hnLuqqy0wiqC0bXPcfzlBGIdd4J98Q54-VuTjwpsJFMjTjDpbkejb8N7L-Rq4Xq8mB6IgThlhHST6uhmFFS7ogSNvERSDqPEBc1hyphenhyphenPG26ZP3dG8CO8/s1600/B+gates+and+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk7-dY5NywNHY8pbPO3ce3kEu0hnLuqqy0wiqC0bXPcfzlBGIdd4J98Q54-VuTjwpsJFMjTjDpbkejb8N7L-Rq4Xq8mB6IgThlhHST6uhmFFS7ogSNvERSDqPEBc1hyphenhyphenPG26ZP3dG8CO8/s640/B+gates+and+house.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you ride a bike and don't mind putting up with a bit of traffic then I can highly recommend the journey up from Como up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongo,_Lombardy" target="_blank">Dongo</a>, where we had lunch today, and back. The riding is gorgeous and this town is worth visiting just for the fact that it is the place that Mussolini was captured on the 27th of April by the partisans while trying to avoid his day of reckoning.</div>
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Here is a photo of the local school with a monument in front ...</div>
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Leaving Lake Como and Riding Into the Mountains</h4>
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While riding alongside Lake Como was very, very beautiful we were really looking forward to moving into the mountains. Not long after lunch we were into the valley system that will eventually lead us up to the Stelvio tomorrow. Traffic eased off a bit once we did leave the lakeside and I was able to sit up and shoot a video of the terrain we were passing through ...</div>
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Just shortly after we came alongside the river. It was so pretty that I just couldn't help myself shooting another clip ...</div>
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... and then a beautiful chateau came into view and I had to photograph it too ...</div>
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The view was even better as we swooped down the hill past that beautiful building, but there was no way that I was going to stop in the middle of a descent just for a picture of a house!</div>
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A Hard "Pinch" and then Gorgeous Balcony Cycling</h4>
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"What's this balcony cycling"? I hear you asking. Well, when Di and I traversed the Pyrenees in 2010 there was a day when we hiked along the <a href="http://www.walkopedia.net/walks/display-walk.asp?WalkID=1023&WalkName=Canigou" target="_blank">Balcon de Canigou</a> with expansive views towards the Mediterranean Sea for hours. The last part of today's ride wasn't quite in the same category, but it <b><i>was</i></b> elevated, with great views down into the valley as we ascended slowly to Teglio, our stop for the night. However, that was after the climb out of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sondrio#Geography" target="_blank">Sondrio</a>. And that was a somewhat <b><i>extended</i></b> "pinch". (This was where Di and I finally parted company after spending 105 kilometres together, as we do ride up hills at a slightly different pace.) Perhaps more than the bit of minimisation that was put on it during last night's briefing. However, once up that bit of a biter the riding was pure enjoyment.</div>
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Di stopped to take a couple of shots of the valley with mountains behind, wreathed in clouds, that I thought were rather nice ...</div>
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Although showers threatened, they held off until the pre-dinner briefing, which we all thought was rather good. I spoke with a few riders about what they thought of the day's outing. Here's a direct quote for you: </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> "A stunning day's riding".</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> J. Sanchez</i></span></div>
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Not much more to say, is there? Nevertheless, I will try a brief summary. This morning we left the best bed we've had after the best day's cycling; today we superseded yesterday's best day of cycling on the tour so far with another best day. And in this small regional village we've now had the best meal on tour so far: much more simple fare than many of our previous meals but the best balanced with the best mix of protein and carbohydrate and absolutely delicious. </div>
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It's just about time to sign off so as to get enough sleep for tomorrow's challenge. We're all hoping that the<a href="https://elivar.com/" target="_blank"> high tech recovery drink</a> for old farts that Dylan got us to swallow upon arrival will stand us in good stead for the Stelvio tomorrow. Dianne and I have done our laundry and hung it in the window embrasure ...</div>
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... here at the wonderful, historic <a href="http://www.hotelcombolo.it/en/" target="_blank">Hotel Combolo</a>. </div>
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Tomorrow we enter the heart of the <a href="http://www.visitdolomites.com/en" target="_blank">Dolomite Mountains</a>, with their fabled passes. We are all very excited and hoping for good weather.</div>
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Finally, I thought I might leave you with an image of today's route and elevation profile ...</div>
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You can see more information and zoom out on the map by going to <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/600464457" target="_blank">this link</a>. And that's it for today!</div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-87625939594296505022016-06-06T02:31:00.001+10:002021-05-26T08:59:23.751+10:00Caesar Marches Into Italy<h3>
Prelude to the Challenges Ahead</h3>
After yesterday's difficult day, we were delighted to wake to dry roads in Airolo. There was a good chance we would get wet later in the day, but it had been a bit demoralising to start cycling in the rain day after day for the past week. Here is our unit preparing to head out, with Centurion Sam marshalling the troops ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6tsfpBufpP1jUeeQ4v3MMhrkHrFEWxak97t4SPMuRWNnrH4DGulNAnVxXe_siRofMasNH2nbENdl38IxyM_0aUA8V1y5zxnCFrQNlBsXOrtWFQCVfHbBG0BHNyIWm_i_YDO02sX3XBI/s1600/A+Centurion+Sam+marshals+the+troops.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6tsfpBufpP1jUeeQ4v3MMhrkHrFEWxak97t4SPMuRWNnrH4DGulNAnVxXe_siRofMasNH2nbENdl38IxyM_0aUA8V1y5zxnCFrQNlBsXOrtWFQCVfHbBG0BHNyIWm_i_YDO02sX3XBI/s640/A+Centurion+Sam+marshals+the+troops.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Centurion Sam rallies the troops</span></b></td></tr>
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Before describing today's ride, it might help readers understand our position to have the detail of the past week's campaign. We had been riding for six days straight, covering about 945 kilometres and climbing nearly 10 000 metres. With all the rain were a pretty tired bunch. A dry start to the day was a huge morale boost, as were the day's other particulars: a long, long descent, relatively little climbing, warmer temperatures and a rest day ahead. We were keen to get going.<br />
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<h3>
The Italian Campaign Begins</h3>
<div>
Here is a graphic showing our route for the day and the elevation profile ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbaiD53R4Jebzp7o0S3G1pszTblExi9-IdOMBJrwnwN5PHoFXYqHXGQRuAhog2oD02ftXgMXIQGgzOvdKxJ0QM6uk9XCex80o-BJhyphenhyphennSeMSpDSrvEnw-UJhIqmkwFrB-ahOZlikw2WOg/s640/K1+Airolo+to+Como.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Airolo to Como</span></b></td></tr>
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A close examination will reveal that we have a net loss of about 1000 metres. And what a buzz it was! We actually descended, with almost no climbing at all, for the first 70 kilometres. Along the way we detoured via quieter roads and lovely villages. I paused to take a photo from one bridge crossing the river we were following down into the valley. Notice a viaduct in the distance carrying the main highway ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32pgGZUT108XoUIK39iK41xmQWXoDBIsDS898d-hdzr4AndEP1h7kSKgTuAZGlHjFHHesrcsqamETsQ7G7NxP-fZ9zPO0JC65r7NZqopE208mg8Tkhj6ZvnZq6jfxPJ8kErqkg7WlNGI/s1600/B+View+from+bridgePG.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32pgGZUT108XoUIK39iK41xmQWXoDBIsDS898d-hdzr4AndEP1h7kSKgTuAZGlHjFHHesrcsqamETsQ7G7NxP-fZ9zPO0JC65r7NZqopE208mg8Tkhj6ZvnZq6jfxPJ8kErqkg7WlNGI/s640/B+View+from+bridgePG.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">River, village, viaduct</span></b></td></tr>
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Most of our group stopped again at another bridge leading into the town where we were going to have our morning coffee stop ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sGgsNMCo53wcXvq3KJOaEChf7FX2cYL59C6ZocN52hjJDpFUVx78nOuuK3XywEc1N_W8GNk8kQ0eDaBgjfc8mn3t1kbl6iJXXVf3skf_MJrSHgKjhchA8zo85tVyYB17dkJGmFnIMAg/s1600/C+Bridge+village+and+terraced+gardens.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sGgsNMCo53wcXvq3KJOaEChf7FX2cYL59C6ZocN52hjJDpFUVx78nOuuK3XywEc1N_W8GNk8kQ0eDaBgjfc8mn3t1kbl6iJXXVf3skf_MJrSHgKjhchA8zo85tVyYB17dkJGmFnIMAg/s640/C+Bridge+village+and+terraced+gardens.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Another gorgeous European village</span></b></td></tr>
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It was great for Dianne and me to notice that the terraces here were still being cultivated. (When we visited Corsica a couple of years ago it was rather sad to see that most villages had untended garden terraces.)<br />
Here is another view of the same bridge, but with a little more detail (zoom for a better look) ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6a2ZICtzHYcP1N18IEFDYncCk9NHtKfD7MoFCIzq2gi8OXPNfZCS2opRqv0yEOwuGCU0T-ct-atAQRUBmhDMkjBlU9D05_Klin-vm-hku3fE9fZ5xIEx4O2LJ_KMK7ixVNnROTNbN1I/s640/D+Bridge+detail.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bridge detail</span></b></td></tr>
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Although we continued to descend after lunch the decline was not as steep or rapid and the valley widened. At one point we passed a herd of sheep that had been mustered up ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr_Vkvl_JI5x4kPlNV088BdEpVK89hwQJOqDH3TJO5lczF6cMV022BdOx0zol3IdrUFkwBo4FCaSkni35R1N7GlNFVP4yq8rD0uJ6UOKCZ0SWg3q4DmCtssCJ_Yt34FoEwH3LWk12Ys4/s1600/F+Sheep.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr_Vkvl_JI5x4kPlNV088BdEpVK89hwQJOqDH3TJO5lczF6cMV022BdOx0zol3IdrUFkwBo4FCaSkni35R1N7GlNFVP4yq8rD0uJ6UOKCZ0SWg3q4DmCtssCJ_Yt34FoEwH3LWk12Ys4/s640/F+Sheep.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Multi-coloured sheep</b></span></td></tr>
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As we pedalled along, with rain threatening, I sat up and filmed Di cruising along the route ...<br />
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A little further along we passed a large granite quarry ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw-oeYRhyphenhyphenneFd90FZpk1U5vUgIgXXpW204cFdflBJBc-nzz0tM4TlHlfanXhzwI2ejFIv40FzPHTCLPkmc-ykQ8S41DP2ENwLiJ0MdqNEKNmX9ZQ1igjTbfUfbvtMbOWmehvzy5_jqRw/s1600/H+Granite+quarry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw-oeYRhyphenhyphenneFd90FZpk1U5vUgIgXXpW204cFdflBJBc-nzz0tM4TlHlfanXhzwI2ejFIv40FzPHTCLPkmc-ykQ8S41DP2ENwLiJ0MdqNEKNmX9ZQ1igjTbfUfbvtMbOWmehvzy5_jqRw/s640/H+Granite+quarry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Granite quarry</span></b></td></tr>
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If you own a grey Italian granite bench top I guess there is some chance it could have come out of this hillside.<br />
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The image I showed earlier of the route and its profile shows a significant hill at about 70 kilometres. We had to surmount that climb before lunch and I think most of us found it pretty hard, with some pinches up around 14 percent. When Sharon and Kay rolled into lunch after getting up the hill, I think I took perhaps my best photo for the trip to date ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-H-SdtNiqA21hAHYjyN1glCjQZisWhzGhkxumqvCSRLONWYlLiL2UjwNeqX1et0bYhsMta5c8N6yCrMMjhVCDLRez3C4j9nw5DH8tmqyFVi9GyVebyTVErL0SwYj4Ntx1OJEUTwSjjM/s1600/H1+Sharon+%2526+Kay+at+lunch.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-H-SdtNiqA21hAHYjyN1glCjQZisWhzGhkxumqvCSRLONWYlLiL2UjwNeqX1et0bYhsMta5c8N6yCrMMjhVCDLRez3C4j9nw5DH8tmqyFVi9GyVebyTVErL0SwYj4Ntx1OJEUTwSjjM/s640/H1+Sharon+%2526+Kay+at+lunch.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Sharon and Kay happy to have reached lunch</span></b></td></tr>
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More nice descending brought us to a charming village where I paused to photograph a roadside icon (please enlarge for the detail - it's gorgeous) ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTyT99aopMhUvU0sSGKJA_hCNUUADlWFh11vgoHfPdXYsRRcjuCm7X2R8BhbnBsW2odL4Hv5AUuuXwRbFrY0sZKdhvUwvKtyu4tOjVgRRu84Qe_v0N-9X8BUJ42NuiI7FxBOmGl63lI4/s1600/I+Chapel.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTyT99aopMhUvU0sSGKJA_hCNUUADlWFh11vgoHfPdXYsRRcjuCm7X2R8BhbnBsW2odL4Hv5AUuuXwRbFrY0sZKdhvUwvKtyu4tOjVgRRu84Qe_v0N-9X8BUJ42NuiI7FxBOmGl63lI4/s640/I+Chapel.JPG" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Roadside icon</span></b></td></tr>
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It seemed that almost before we knew it we were riding alongside the beautiful <a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lago_di_Lugano" target="_blank">Lago di Lugano o Ceresio</a>, which the English like to call Lake Lugano. Sam set up afternoon snacks at this spot ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqrI8NpWJRHrwzxg9ZvrxRNGsUrq5M8lxAj0tF-a_4Dx-nq8ecgi8QAJZn5y4LK0ZlW7kcnQGJp46vYLpGIzORhlVZom0qX-Yux24DdlJ_2v2XkwRH3zYd_9gFKnhwgT3djWfNDYJlDo/s640/J+lakeshore+snack+stop.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lago di Lugano o Ceresio</b></span></td></tr>
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Although rain had threatened all day it never really developed into anything. We thought these clouds could drop something on us and indeed we did feel a few big fat drops but that was all.<br />
<h3>
Into Italy and on to Como</h3>
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As we rode along the lake the clouds split apart and the sun came out to play. We had one more short, easy climb before dropping down towards Lake Como and its namesake city. Before negotiating the streets to our hotel we passed through the Swiss/Italian border ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKGnQyBKc3KknswzUI-o_AGqCavp9E5qeD1wNUGRZpQ2AmmtO3f8GV3c6FlwpsnfKxBvN3afayTryZZL85_z-71PvnqlxaWxSiKObSbY2VUP1-UvCyTQeN76Pa5I1PR8MKVZ56ufhGI0/s1600/K+Arriving+in+Italy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKGnQyBKc3KknswzUI-o_AGqCavp9E5qeD1wNUGRZpQ2AmmtO3f8GV3c6FlwpsnfKxBvN3afayTryZZL85_z-71PvnqlxaWxSiKObSbY2VUP1-UvCyTQeN76Pa5I1PR8MKVZ56ufhGI0/s640/K+Arriving+in+Italy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Entering Italia</span></b></td></tr>
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It was so nice to be crossing into Italy! Things just felt somehow <b><i>different</i></b>. Less officious, perhaps? I can't really put my finger on it but there was a sense of carefree welcome in the air. A number of people expressed the view that it was the best day's riding yet. No doubt that was influenced somewhat by the fact that - apart from a few very light sprinkles - it didn't rain on us, but also due to the fact that we had so much wonderful descending and little climbing which suited our tired legs. Some of the terrain we've been through has been more spectacular, but we haven't seen as much of it as we would have liked due to the rain.<br />
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After settling into the hotel, which for a change was very easy to find, Patrick, Dianne and I headed off to a nearby bike shop to buy some supplies for the upcoming two weeks. On the way we passed a church where a wonderful bit of bell ringing was happening. Unfortunately neither Di nor I had our cameras with us to record this treat.<br />
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<h3>
Rest Day Ruminations</h3>
Di did take her camera out this morning and recorded the bells but it was only a sounding of the time rather than the artistic performance we'd enjoyed yesterday ...<br />
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We then headed over to the lavendaria to do our laundry and while we were there a bunch of our fellow riders arrived so I thought I'd take a photo to show this moment of domestic solidarity ...<br />
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Di went for a stroll at the lake's edge while I watched over the drying and was interested to observe how much quieter it was this Sunday morning than it had been last night when it was absolutely teeming with people ...<br />
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She also observed something neither of us has seen before: an interesting aquatic vehicle prowling around the lake shore scooping up garbage and then dumping it into a holding tank ...<br />
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Back at the hotel, Richie and Sam were seeing to our fleet of bikes, getting them ready to roll tomorrow. Here's an image of the bikes lined up on the terrace awaiting the caring touch of our guides ...<br />
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... and then, after pampering, another of them all bundled under cover to protect them from this afternoon's thunderstorm ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnSZeAi7z1CiYax9zUcbMZiPfVKeKd-_ba-yYfZo7BXNLmNjbeZV0N46VHuD0zFURaHi-lJ0FwSGM0q9-3M3SWhV7M6jyCinZ_RkjYoGjSPONj4uVnLh5-TCtiAKYP1TodaQNkrzRcrs/s1600/R+Bikes+snug.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnSZeAi7z1CiYax9zUcbMZiPfVKeKd-_ba-yYfZo7BXNLmNjbeZV0N46VHuD0zFURaHi-lJ0FwSGM0q9-3M3SWhV7M6jyCinZ_RkjYoGjSPONj4uVnLh5-TCtiAKYP1TodaQNkrzRcrs/s640/R+Bikes+snug.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This next image is actually from another day but could easily have been taken on the cobbled space near our hotel ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NhH-tMaLxx_BoslJHJP6vNOLGwilZHgDnudN8xClI84cxUskgGKGnv405xOLD2Tqoe1u4N6A5cmtZ8OOAoPFkqSODBjELlzVgxXEUmf05u6t-etkFTaRCSqsGx5Ol8SB4CnAqEMUl-U/s1600/W+Chris+stylin%2527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NhH-tMaLxx_BoslJHJP6vNOLGwilZHgDnudN8xClI84cxUskgGKGnv405xOLD2Tqoe1u4N6A5cmtZ8OOAoPFkqSODBjELlzVgxXEUmf05u6t-etkFTaRCSqsGx5Ol8SB4CnAqEMUl-U/s640/W+Chris+stylin%2527.jpg" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris the <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/razzle%E2%80%93dazzle" target="_blank">Razzle Dazzle</a> man, stylin' on the cobbles</span></b></td></tr>
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<i><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Or is that Chris the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razzle_Dazzle" target="_blank"> Razzle Dazzle</a> man?</span></i></div>
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<i><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I'm sure Howard the Turtle would have something to say about those antics.</span></i></div>
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We are now halfway through our epic adventure. Here's a graphic that shows where we've come from, where we are now, and where we're going ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EoVXFLrtppcwzkseXdqrEpz4b9hMwUzxb96PeUEuD-jMU4cBuJPbqBZ17TgEslHF-Drhzods92hJV1cBQqemcd1CxBG80F8NVhmb-kPpEEVMePNucncWIrfv10Fz5hTv__8LiRjHRBc/s1600/Beginning+Middle+End.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EoVXFLrtppcwzkseXdqrEpz4b9hMwUzxb96PeUEuD-jMU4cBuJPbqBZ17TgEslHF-Drhzods92hJV1cBQqemcd1CxBG80F8NVhmb-kPpEEVMePNucncWIrfv10Fz5hTv__8LiRjHRBc/s640/Beginning+Middle+End.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, I know. It looks like we are a lot further than halfway. And we have covered slightly more than half the distance. However, the rest of the route is quite convoluted and has a lot more uphill riding than we've done so far.<br />
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We are about to enter the toughest week of the tour as we make our way into and through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolomites" target="_blank">Dolomites</a>. Lots - and I mean <b>lots</b> - of elevation gain. Hopefully the weather will pick up and be more like what Dianne and I enjoyed <a href="https://dougandi.smugmug.com/Europe/Other-1/Dolomites" target="_blank">when we hiked there in 2010</a> than we've experienced the last couple of weeks. The next two days are looking good, despite it raining outside at the moment. With luck we'll have some beautiful cycling along the lake tomorrow morning in the sunshine and then up towards the mountains. With all the positive vibes coming from all you folks reading about our adventures we have to get some consistently good weather ... don't we?</div>Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-66860648253973943152016-06-04T07:44:00.002+10:002021-05-26T09:12:33.780+10:00A Grand Day Out<h2>
Over the Gotthard We Go ...</h2>
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... but before that a little self-indulgence. Most of you probably won't be interested, but if you have time and space in today's far too frantic world you might enjoy a bit of fun - especially if you have a certain referential background that allows you to connect with the title of today's post ...</div>
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<h3>
Plaudits and Farewells</h3>
Now if you've bothered watching the vid, I don't meant to cast aspersions on the organisation of the great adventure we've been on today, and indeed for the past 14 days. Quite the contrary. Especially given that we've had a one in a century event as far as the amount of rainfall is concerned, and precipitation for 5 out of the past 6 days. Despite the inclement conditions, everyone is still in good spirits and, if anything, the sense of a group identity is stronger than ever. Clearly a testament to both the organisation behind the scenes and the extremely hard work of our four support crew.<br />
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So to honour the team that has supported us all since we met together in London on the 21st of May here is a group photo at dinner this evening ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm6fT20QjhImScPB_R6KEAn53T6VtNPfImMV2HW9oAxOJ4IgA_MwRPQuncl-ISqvSHoauCq1bfigSjwbQXEuIG5UYztVoWzehphVwCiZX0rSrQ3CM-0DFaTKIwH3U4vCjxnYUmIFSTXI/s1600/Support+crew.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm6fT20QjhImScPB_R6KEAn53T6VtNPfImMV2HW9oAxOJ4IgA_MwRPQuncl-ISqvSHoauCq1bfigSjwbQXEuIG5UYztVoWzehphVwCiZX0rSrQ3CM-0DFaTKIwH3U4vCjxnYUmIFSTXI/s640/Support+crew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Apologies for the poor quality of the photo but the lighting wasn't great and I had to grab the opportunity before three of our support crew leave for (given the rain we've had) less green pastures. At the back is London Richie, mechanic, rider, and raconteur extraordinaire, and Sam - co-owner of <a href="http://www.rideandseek.com/" target="_blank">Ride and Seek</a> and an unflappable presence who also climbs like a mountain goat on the bike. In front are Bruno, wine connoisseur and cheese aficionado who can peddle with the best of them; and Federica, the fun-loving Italian member of our party who is always ready to help with every need. What a fantastic team we've had to support us through the first half of our journey from London to Rome. We're sad to farewell Sam, Bruno and Richie who move on to other commitments. No doubt Fede will alert the three new support crew - including Dylan, the other co-owner of the company - of our individual idiosyncrasies so as to best pump up our tyres and massage our egos.<br />
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We're also losing the New Zealand contingent of our merry band. Tony and Jo could only manage to get away from the Twilight Zone - aka the workaday world - for a fortnight. We'll miss Tony's tales of Targa and other revhead exploits - especially the videos of his <a href="http://www.cheetahcars.co.nz/" target="_blank">Holden Cheetah</a>; we'll miss Jo's style and grace and equanimity, but most of all we'll miss both of their good humour. Here's a photo of the two of them at the top of the Gotthard Pass ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPzt-yC09pRH7oDC438tXlrxWINAXiVQvIG42o-ydooK5XkiwAaQUdIjevyJTRH2LtEu-3RkkLPS8XE6cISaosFwOh-qcS-Nz9uCmQF6OJ2bAwsNcW2cf40mDNsgwaTWTFojDjL4V1I4/s1600/Tony+%2526+Jo+at+Gotthard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPzt-yC09pRH7oDC438tXlrxWINAXiVQvIG42o-ydooK5XkiwAaQUdIjevyJTRH2LtEu-3RkkLPS8XE6cISaosFwOh-qcS-Nz9uCmQF6OJ2bAwsNcW2cf40mDNsgwaTWTFojDjL4V1I4/s640/Tony+%2526+Jo+at+Gotthard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, it was pretty cool up there!<br />
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Now I've already talked far too much. For the rest of the post, it'll be the pictures doing most of the talking with mostly just captions form me. There's a lot of photos from a lot of folks, so the less said from me the better.<br />
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<h3>
Another Wet Start</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTrKgVt19eWbi768FYZ6mebMOQtdPUoSxQZjcnctWOTXckFlRqV10gq2NAEAXagJFS1SO3IvJdcYGSWi1PZdQdNIWKXDaW-bouONtop0urFmTXHd3A-EFRl2r4GOYm6vWWnh7D7Nc8Zw/s1600/View+from+hotel+wet+morning.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTrKgVt19eWbi768FYZ6mebMOQtdPUoSxQZjcnctWOTXckFlRqV10gq2NAEAXagJFS1SO3IvJdcYGSWi1PZdQdNIWKXDaW-bouONtop0urFmTXHd3A-EFRl2r4GOYm6vWWnh7D7Nc8Zw/s640/View+from+hotel+wet+morning.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Wet Streets viewed from our hotel<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFS_8OhNpP4HLaJzB2GloVKcfHLEqQ6zIl_dIqUYN3-6eFQzAOtuO4hZ2_dYkdui466tZyIwZvh35zeLgJM-KoANlwTk6OU3BY6CSi5OefEu2bNYBrAOoCMdrIK1FRUe0Js71e4abpp4/s640/Getting+ready+to+go.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wet weather gear for everyone; Sarah poised for action as ever</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We all rolled carefully across the cobbles through the old part of together before arriving at the pedestrian crossing that would take us over to the lakeshore ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnVmf6rp4D94kTSlXAHPHI1XfuVtZqIx1KS2LmooxDJqZOz8BWg7xAMVxGe29k4MtL-8FUVYJO1INehr8cdbi_RIPodNkt-ep_OMZ9qkh1SfW1exr3l3jvEpUOq3Ud1INyzpSeFbVlb0/s1600/Crossing+to+the+lake.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnVmf6rp4D94kTSlXAHPHI1XfuVtZqIx1KS2LmooxDJqZOz8BWg7xAMVxGe29k4MtL-8FUVYJO1INehr8cdbi_RIPodNkt-ep_OMZ9qkh1SfW1exr3l3jvEpUOq3Ud1INyzpSeFbVlb0/s640/Crossing+to+the+lake.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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We all got through the wet, wet, wet conditions to the morning coffee stop at 41 kilometres unscathed and not very strung out. Richie and Sam were doing a great job leading and bringing up the rear to make sure everyone was happy and on track.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Getting On With It</h3>
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What a great group of people this is! Despite the conditions everyone started today. While we might have all hoped, dreamed and even perhaps expected excellent weather for this epic trip the conditions we have endured have perhaps brought us more together, and made for an extremely memorable trip so far. And, given the forests hereabouts, today we did see Lake Lucerne in conditions that are probably more the norm than is presented in postcards. Here is a view across the lake to a rather exclusive dwelling ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive4qNXbuTr0TyaBDYCAdmFXETM0xmEsaoOsiJ8e7f1EkeuISzXXs8a_1OokdczGmdR3U45XWH5WC0XoCdBIpK5St3ACRNWIjX-AEFZyrMCHqRUKnN3q9DhX0rtRMohLk-l7sVcColxTU/s1600/B+lake+house.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive4qNXbuTr0TyaBDYCAdmFXETM0xmEsaoOsiJ8e7f1EkeuISzXXs8a_1OokdczGmdR3U45XWH5WC0XoCdBIpK5St3ACRNWIjX-AEFZyrMCHqRUKnN3q9DhX0rtRMohLk-l7sVcColxTU/s640/B+lake+house.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and a lovely snap of Richie and Tony riding together ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhtV1QYNX5x1WSl84d3ZXiTFCNYgf6EDE2O8KkpmGp0hez00CF_tvkxAzAaT51Uf_Pq1_D_KlRT2GqHw0Il1c3cP0dvgmG99vrEDGeYoyPHYivFaXlZ9UzkEo4nbfdEkks2Je58UAwZE/s1600/Tony+%2526+London+Richie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhtV1QYNX5x1WSl84d3ZXiTFCNYgf6EDE2O8KkpmGp0hez00CF_tvkxAzAaT51Uf_Pq1_D_KlRT2GqHw0Il1c3cP0dvgmG99vrEDGeYoyPHYivFaXlZ9UzkEo4nbfdEkks2Je58UAwZE/s640/Tony+%2526+London+Richie.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We got a bit of tunnel vision alongside the lake and into the woods at times, with this clearly older arrangement ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAenAFhx_eSrN_WkWzETbjED89Atk6rS6lsymTb8P0XvEsAIO2Sc00EbyoejIEGTRk4WPCqVP9RfRGmHij_-ZTM1i9OLfodWZuj2zLHojezJ4odkXAfDvBZJa6HwU0t_Ht2sGVLyUaoIw/s1600/C+tunnel.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAenAFhx_eSrN_WkWzETbjED89Atk6rS6lsymTb8P0XvEsAIO2Sc00EbyoejIEGTRk4WPCqVP9RfRGmHij_-ZTM1i9OLfodWZuj2zLHojezJ4odkXAfDvBZJa6HwU0t_Ht2sGVLyUaoIw/s640/C+tunnel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... along with the more modern high tech solution ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA8buElzz1obN_yG2Md3jXg_wsM_dsD4On48agqcqTvMCdpsa6UzY7I7ncsZ92wm9FmDhl8MZQv-PkmbBn39yPjVITQPxsT6KSV_S9jU4wuazjDorzFGwTFZ9iB3feCz_UD16fBRrOuA/s1600/Tunnel+vision.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA8buElzz1obN_yG2Md3jXg_wsM_dsD4On48agqcqTvMCdpsa6UzY7I7ncsZ92wm9FmDhl8MZQv-PkmbBn39yPjVITQPxsT6KSV_S9jU4wuazjDorzFGwTFZ9iB3feCz_UD16fBRrOuA/s640/Tunnel+vision.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... meanwhile, what I believe was a ferry boat cruised up the lake...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMtmbW4FKzGxamKbEqrfINzIKxrAVm39qsBineNWzJeMzFKMXuNz1viXRcvYEs9H7t79AdJiOFcJBmkrjPtcRRf7bBuXgKNuSKACd-NwWZujXNl-bqkFzUpwhqq_gISigYjTu3m5ktnU/s1600/A+cruiser.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMtmbW4FKzGxamKbEqrfINzIKxrAVm39qsBineNWzJeMzFKMXuNz1viXRcvYEs9H7t79AdJiOFcJBmkrjPtcRRf7bBuXgKNuSKACd-NwWZujXNl-bqkFzUpwhqq_gISigYjTu3m5ktnU/s640/A+cruiser.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Getting Closer to Gotthard</h3>
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Leaving the lake led us briefly into territory more akin to what we've been traversing for the past few days. There were bike routes that meandered away from the main road, gradually gaining height. I took this video while riding solo a little while after the morning coffee stop ...</div>
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The terrain soon pinched down to the narrow gorge that leads up towards the Gotthard Pass. I took this photo of a fantastic foot bridge (you can see this photo in a larger format for more detail) ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j9w4_l08r220LrYVIcI0wgtHRt6pHwOKEHOWCK7i5WpCLU66EfyUV2N5ByttK7gi0rwJdDnUvUltvtntfKuP7lsHPW_9UzyHKMSNs_TSgqXBdPYO-vVM2fGTLVXheNvFYWzdtF1YC4s/s1600/E+footbridge.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j9w4_l08r220LrYVIcI0wgtHRt6pHwOKEHOWCK7i5WpCLU66EfyUV2N5ByttK7gi0rwJdDnUvUltvtntfKuP7lsHPW_9UzyHKMSNs_TSgqXBdPYO-vVM2fGTLVXheNvFYWzdtF1YC4s/s640/E+footbridge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and Don got a couple of great photos of some old roads, bridges and tunnels ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0ILsWcmYBBsaSgFY_FG-gtaV1Uq7VHFmeeghsFKuECNHRxuxCWm2WeczI2DqaGiLEEud_mghtwF0DmLdeJ5E-7ohVNwYeJE_L_7T0TqZs9bsJ0awIshSBDynQSCn43ju9ezsGlw_Gvw/s1600/Road+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0ILsWcmYBBsaSgFY_FG-gtaV1Uq7VHFmeeghsFKuECNHRxuxCWm2WeczI2DqaGiLEEud_mghtwF0DmLdeJ5E-7ohVNwYeJE_L_7T0TqZs9bsJ0awIshSBDynQSCn43ju9ezsGlw_Gvw/s640/Road+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few punters stopped at this lovely little establishment for an extra break ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifltwiGevVE7B3Ul05ZjTGHD2AsEQLUV9avKPceXHNIS1FU03tUf7To3xBEIbDsAfOi1FyC0MjMV01p3xWxA3Cw3D_NbIFtcSlfdN7LkmBm8tiPUkXhKxgQwxt-J1no2z8wzCHZQ0Ynh4/s1600/Another+refreshing+stop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifltwiGevVE7B3Ul05ZjTGHD2AsEQLUV9avKPceXHNIS1FU03tUf7To3xBEIbDsAfOi1FyC0MjMV01p3xWxA3Cw3D_NbIFtcSlfdN7LkmBm8tiPUkXhKxgQwxt-J1no2z8wzCHZQ0Ynh4/s640/Another+refreshing+stop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and with a welcoming entrance like this who wouldn't be tempted to stop ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssU4xM_l2VIaRMMeeRArwGaXcsbMwjP1JO9y_VPALo2v1F3Z9BdnAtzsBBMK4dIx0SEOZ089Hf-CYGmL-wioFd9eZ_94GTMxhit8cJ1tEAlzd3ax9je_vOFxH55AefzaGjj1a5238KJ0/s1600/Random.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssU4xM_l2VIaRMMeeRArwGaXcsbMwjP1JO9y_VPALo2v1F3Z9BdnAtzsBBMK4dIx0SEOZ089Hf-CYGmL-wioFd9eZ_94GTMxhit8cJ1tEAlzd3ax9je_vOFxH55AefzaGjj1a5238KJ0/s640/Random.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A Spanner or Two in the Works</h3>
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Unfortunately, one of the hazards of riding in the wet is the increased likelihood of punctures. Today was Tony's day, with no less than four challenging his good humour. It just so happened that Richie ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV5PHiRWPzLCCKvfsOV3yyn25tVGj9w2mlkwk9QKD0GMYZHhmJrA02aRci3RVHymVshducsBrUdUYp5IJ0Bjvmsft5zjh7U8zT85nfjY7r6TeSJAumLX2FzQ0CtgvtnwkWhqketlukUc/s1600/Puncture+time+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV5PHiRWPzLCCKvfsOV3yyn25tVGj9w2mlkwk9QKD0GMYZHhmJrA02aRci3RVHymVshducsBrUdUYp5IJ0Bjvmsft5zjh7U8zT85nfjY7r6TeSJAumLX2FzQ0CtgvtnwkWhqketlukUc/s640/Puncture+time+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and José ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-7zu6iFUN-lOEXA5qzmo5SPscIyng69XxjOSQFiZk54a3UMdBzSvZqV4Hi0ZNtSSJv6WXOJ1fHRzfrFRS_vFwZ5mK0EmO6LxPNvlXClYg2SlfcZGIsJ6Ij6-5uw_ZOy2zv_-C_kl8Kg/s1600/Puncture+time.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-7zu6iFUN-lOEXA5qzmo5SPscIyng69XxjOSQFiZk54a3UMdBzSvZqV4Hi0ZNtSSJv6WXOJ1fHRzfrFRS_vFwZ5mK0EmO6LxPNvlXClYg2SlfcZGIsJ6Ij6-5uw_ZOy2zv_-C_kl8Kg/s640/Puncture+time.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... were on hand to watch and encourage while Tony got to grips with this particular episode.</div>
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I did find the sign in the background a touch ironic given the situation!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Lunch and Beyond</h3>
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Fede was on car and lunch duty today and, aided by Sarah, set up shop in a hotel at about 80 kilometres. Here's a shot of a bunch of riders enjoying the warmth, each others' company and the excellent spread - where hot soup featured for the first time ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWCK4xUG-6-_nfj1b1MJ51WCMIYqTrAT27q3iK2JkRGZwU3Y3hZHFh14RTpFhgCSqfohzq2UmLUA6pzVbJV8orfEI23F-qVgFa9LEw4YvxAGuWcoIN000U2m8DUs1Rb90J5Cm0ZkDzzk/s1600/Lunchtime+Team+bonding.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWCK4xUG-6-_nfj1b1MJ51WCMIYqTrAT27q3iK2JkRGZwU3Y3hZHFh14RTpFhgCSqfohzq2UmLUA6pzVbJV8orfEI23F-qVgFa9LEw4YvxAGuWcoIN000U2m8DUs1Rb90J5Cm0ZkDzzk/s640/Lunchtime+Team+bonding.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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By this time Aaron, Mooloolaba Richie, Harold and I had moved on. Aaron was out in front and narrowly avoided being stopped at a point about 5 kilometres from lunch. Not so for Richie, who arrived next. A works foreman made it clear that cyclists would not be allowed through. I arrived shortly afterwards, followed by Harold. Here's Richie, and the work happening behind him ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8PYcA_UC52ItDEEZInHD4oCFq2d0N_V4XghFASMObbPSbEJ1pO199-zcf7CZiC6oiZpSwb1DkM8L7Ydh8Rk6W0UJxlaZJNdKXfhZ7vvMnbMAuWONwyJfKELKKqmaowaKYpkIQLC96KE/s1600/E1+Unhappy+cyclist.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8PYcA_UC52ItDEEZInHD4oCFq2d0N_V4XghFASMObbPSbEJ1pO199-zcf7CZiC6oiZpSwb1DkM8L7Ydh8Rk6W0UJxlaZJNdKXfhZ7vvMnbMAuWONwyJfKELKKqmaowaKYpkIQLC96KE/s640/E1+Unhappy+cyclist.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Clearly, the one open lane was not wide enough to allow following cars to pass, and this sort of work was happening over the next three kilometres or so. Richie made a call and thankfully Bruno arrived in the van to ferry us through. The rest of the team would have to be ferried from the lunch stop.</div>
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I should have got a photo of more of the works as we passed. They were taking place in the steepest and most spectacular part of the gorge leading up to the col. Given the weather of the past week and our sixth day in the row on the bikes perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that we didn't get to ride this section. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The Mighty Gotthard</h3>
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Most of the group got back on their bikes after being ferried through the roadworks. There was still about 15 kilometres of uphill riding, so quite an achievement on the day after riding most of the previous 80 kilometres in the rain and now the cold and mist. Here's a bunch of them getting bikes ready to roll again after their ride in the van ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74lS5NC7m-l7VQWZSQ7C9wdUOXmYkWWjXoAJzZYlffHw1laqpLB9jlxPXLnbWa8PIq_U-7Op-35TuPnAihYBnPU5gDIPUbXfHjdb2Rk0NnbgbNYuZNUqE6UR81AFITlqDCgjwQYp1Vz4/s1600/Bike+++adjustment.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74lS5NC7m-l7VQWZSQ7C9wdUOXmYkWWjXoAJzZYlffHw1laqpLB9jlxPXLnbWa8PIq_U-7Op-35TuPnAihYBnPU5gDIPUbXfHjdb2Rk0NnbgbNYuZNUqE6UR81AFITlqDCgjwQYp1Vz4/s640/Bike+++adjustment.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">... and a sequence of photos of folks pleased with their arrival:</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here's Ian and Emily ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfewExUoqK8F8_Hn1u34llu4QQb-eT1swKAlE9Wwx1lIevZq0v_wXflq9laS-LhOrJbdRPAkkaNOiT7FDY_3k8pAZKEIM-YpFyE7AcUInvnVrbF4bJzZeDejZAKxTrlYq8ljanRTYFjeU/s1600/Ian+and+Emily.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfewExUoqK8F8_Hn1u34llu4QQb-eT1swKAlE9Wwx1lIevZq0v_wXflq9laS-LhOrJbdRPAkkaNOiT7FDY_3k8pAZKEIM-YpFyE7AcUInvnVrbF4bJzZeDejZAKxTrlYq8ljanRTYFjeU/s640/Ian+and+Emily.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">... and Jo and José ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWVgf7ECNuwKuNxpH25ScaIhHIpfH5QOvUHdGaNZ7qJVrI0UubxIgfr2w96ywyJlXCKzFEi4w8bbsLKhSzjef1CoDHSK9UPYFm2X-OZxygXA703TLreeBKaxwGxpQCJFB4t8L9dCR0gw/s1600/Jo+and+Jose%25CC%2581.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWVgf7ECNuwKuNxpH25ScaIhHIpfH5QOvUHdGaNZ7qJVrI0UubxIgfr2w96ywyJlXCKzFEi4w8bbsLKhSzjef1CoDHSK9UPYFm2X-OZxygXA703TLreeBKaxwGxpQCJFB4t8L9dCR0gw/s640/Jo+and+Jose%25CC%2581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">... and a delighted Di Batten ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA-o3C_EVtM2hFnYvwtNcVm2_D3s4kmmrqn1uDgX4RlGAZCdTLu4bMjdSwXIg376XKxJLH2_8M5SNYZtdl7koEQ5aLt18L_V01ppsIt6l16fRolhxZIab8S7lllwVvZAU01q2-La5HHQ/s1600/F2+Di+atop+Gotthard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA-o3C_EVtM2hFnYvwtNcVm2_D3s4kmmrqn1uDgX4RlGAZCdTLu4bMjdSwXIg376XKxJLH2_8M5SNYZtdl7koEQ5aLt18L_V01ppsIt6l16fRolhxZIab8S7lllwVvZAU01q2-La5HHQ/s640/F2+Di+atop+Gotthard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">... and one of the ever-inscrutable Sharon ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDKC8kkLcVcotTWO-nab6i38RRf4_rKTccA5-zNEmOv7NNRPo0a8mdcN79fANeKv3cwHaPL8h-2Sx21RoITCae2yxe6YOPtlGMOLDbBslCAUBDdSsd20lopk1vTICWuHilXj2FSJhVkU/s1600/Sharon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDKC8kkLcVcotTWO-nab6i38RRf4_rKTccA5-zNEmOv7NNRPo0a8mdcN79fANeKv3cwHaPL8h-2Sx21RoITCae2yxe6YOPtlGMOLDbBslCAUBDdSsd20lopk1vTICWuHilXj2FSJhVkU/s640/Sharon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Sarah took my photo by the Gotthard monument ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp-FmFxoMi1DjJhZrD5aa-7I1oYS5EPndK8p0biRewgRWh1_E9Au9thurZvTrAciKPixtNmwKFDGE7TJahyphenhyphenZQ9xJvG6KeHM_6qcoMDrIc0ljbWLvXzY8OZUSJcwyMznKXh0LylbwpdcE/s1600/F+tired+but+happy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp-FmFxoMi1DjJhZrD5aa-7I1oYS5EPndK8p0biRewgRWh1_E9Au9thurZvTrAciKPixtNmwKFDGE7TJahyphenhyphenZQ9xJvG6KeHM_6qcoMDrIc0ljbWLvXzY8OZUSJcwyMznKXh0LylbwpdcE/s640/F+tired+but+happy.JPG" width="552" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Don got this great detail shot of the monument ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vxYtDwj5dAUXaN6tYYHj-ZtW-ox15P2Ujfs7yaPNkY4yFH40vTgEAvmLPkomUE6MK-GBf3a9PzgGhzGpKhEskn1y0Fh5hh9SRyNJDlSUz6n63l2KmWK-jI9IsnObOWtjaPL1psrhqkQ/s1600/Gotthard+figure.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vxYtDwj5dAUXaN6tYYHj-ZtW-ox15P2Ujfs7yaPNkY4yFH40vTgEAvmLPkomUE6MK-GBf3a9PzgGhzGpKhEskn1y0Fh5hh9SRyNJDlSUz6n63l2KmWK-jI9IsnObOWtjaPL1psrhqkQ/s640/Gotthard+figure.jpg" width="538" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">... and Di contributed this photo showing how much snow was still about generally ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9rge2GgzEUk7Ike79KgZdkG7TLWXkz5WYSfIPPTjTNN5gPsEr_OappJHyrkeU4bro_xhGG16BtIVJl1QGc2mrn95MC26aCDML_tncrBOlNpVFbps9cX8IjOhd_JiQyYoLUKJ6R5ROls/s1600/F1+Gotthard+in+snow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9rge2GgzEUk7Ike79KgZdkG7TLWXkz5WYSfIPPTjTNN5gPsEr_OappJHyrkeU4bro_xhGG16BtIVJl1QGc2mrn95MC26aCDML_tncrBOlNpVFbps9cX8IjOhd_JiQyYoLUKJ6R5ROls/s640/F1+Gotthard+in+snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I liked this photo Don framed up of the directions to Milano and Lucerne, with a statue in the background ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3hax3h0URzATghPJG5ilm6S-X9WXNb6ty1DqorrTIzunhbKGPE2DCm_JoN6wffaKPFTCkUhJHeM9cWaLrW3FhlpIJ2X9fapK4wbFVorytTcxUqxM7Q1og45x8XMSqrSWrX6aOymEm7s/s1600/Gotthard+directions.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3hax3h0URzATghPJG5ilm6S-X9WXNb6ty1DqorrTIzunhbKGPE2DCm_JoN6wffaKPFTCkUhJHeM9cWaLrW3FhlpIJ2X9fapK4wbFVorytTcxUqxM7Q1og45x8XMSqrSWrX6aOymEm7s/s640/Gotthard+directions.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here's the van, packed with people and their bikes taking the easier way down to our hotel in Airolo ...</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Meanwhile, London Richie decided to check out the cobbles (most of us had taken the fast road due to the conditions. If you look closely, you can see the convoluted route of the cobbles displayed on his Garmin ...</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">... and another of the cobbles stretching away in the distance before taking the first of 21 hairpin bends ...</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Down at the hotel we savoured the local brew ...</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Harold had worn his new Bianci jersey for the descent, but nevertheless looked like a real old-time bike warrior ...</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We very much enjoyed reliving the day's adventures over dinner ...</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Some people repaired to the bar for a drink before bed but most of us set off for a well-earned kip. All is quiet now as I finish this post and bid you good-night, but first a final word of thanks to our fantastic support crew. Once again they put in heaps of effort to ensure we all had a good day. There was a new set of challenges thrown our way with the road works but they all ensured that the day was still a great success. Outstanding effort, Bruno, Fede, Richie and Sam!</span></div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-2624768659899394162016-06-03T01:01:00.002+10:002021-05-26T09:24:54.465+10:00Across the Border Into Switzerland<h2>
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Champagnole to Lyss</h2>
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Rolling Through the Jura Mountains</h3>
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<b><i>Before the details of today's post, a message for those unfamiliar with Blogger:</i></b></div>
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<b><i> you can see the previous posts by looking in the column to the right.</i></b></div>
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We woke today with the promise of little or no rain, a welcome relief after enduring <a href="http://www.thelocal.fr/20160531/heavy-rain-hits-france-and-theres-more-to-come" target="_blank">some very wet weather</a> - people were saying it was the heaviest rainfall in northern France for over a century. With all our bikes looking a bit sad and sorry after two days of constant rain, our support crew did a massive job of prepping our bikes before we set off, with Richie, Bruno and Sam setting up an assembly line of washing, tuning shifters and lubing. Brilliant work, guys! In the meantime, Federica was left with the job of packing all our bags into the trailer and the second support vehicle, with a little help from we punters.</div>
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With the wet weather many of us have picked up sniffles. Unfortunately, Ian has the worst case and looked pretty bad at breakfast so a non-starter for today's ride. Hopefully he will be well enough to resume tomorrow.</div>
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The profile for today's ride showed that we would have the biggest climbing day on tour so far: somewhere around 1900 metres. Most of that would involve long gradual ascending over the first seventy kilometres or so, but a short nasty-looking climb after lunch loomed large in the minds of most riders.</div>
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After the first long climb we were greeted by this charming sight, which Richie paused to record ...</div>
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Shortly thereafter we started a gradual descent and I decided to shoot a video. Hopefully you will be able to see the raptor I was trying to capture ...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/40BruHUcyNo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/40BruHUcyNo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Although we all started out as one this morning, the climbing broke the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloton" target="_blank">peloton </a>up relatively early. With a big climbing day ahead, I tacked onto the front bunch while Di found a more comfortable pace further back. Our first coffee stop came at about the 45 kilometre mark, and I was pleased to see Di come rolling in with the second group, happy with her progress. Sam was riding with us up until this point but he and Richie swapped places for the next section so Richie could stretch his thin and wiry mountain-climbing legs.</div>
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Into Switzerland: and the Mountains Begin!</h3>
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Straight out of the coffee shop a steeper bit of climbing confronted us and broke up our leading group. Richie and Aaron - the young whippersnapper of our cavalcade - began the battle for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_the_Mountains" target="_blank">KOM</a> honours, Richie from Mooloolaba and I battled on behind. Sarah and Harold - our American contingent - dropped a little further back. On this first skirmish Aaron conceded initial honours by pulling over for a photograph while Richie sped away to the top of the climb, as it turned out to take pictures of us passing by. Soon after we found ourselves descending towards the Swiss border and a photo stop. While we were hanging around Sarah and Harold rejoined our group and José also caught up to us. For some reason my camera didn't like the conditions and the best I could do for a photo is this very grainy effort (which perhaps you could generously view as looking "historic") ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Doug, Harold, Richie, Aaron, José, Sarah (Richie #2 in background talking to hiker)</b></span></td></tr>
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More climbing, now a bit more gradual again but at a fairly hot pace, which again broke up the bunch, brought us to expansive views of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Neuch%C3%A2tel" target="_blank">Lake Neuchâtel</a>. What followed next was a stunning descent of perhaps 15 kilometres towards the lake. Aaron took off like a scalded cat with the two Richies and yours truly in hot pursuit. The four of us reunited at the bottom of the hill and made our way to lunch, with Sarah and Harold arriving shortly afterwards. </div>
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Bruno had chosen an excellent spot at about 88 kilometres for our feeding station ...</div>
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A Hard Grind; Through Neuchâtel and on to Lyss</h3>
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For those of you who like graphics, this extract from Strava will show the lovely descent we had into lunch, and you will also be able to see the steep ascent a few kilometres after lunch ...</div>
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Our lunches have been pretty sumptuous and it's hard not to eat too much. This certainly was the case for me today as I struggled up the hill, which just happened to be the steepest of the day. I hope I have finally learned my lesson, with the long steep climbs of the Dolomites ahead of us next week! Here is a graphic showing our overall route for the day and the profile ...<br />
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It was a pretty hard day but rewarding day in the saddle, with 147 kilometres of riding. The amount of ascent for the day was notionally 1882 metres, but a couple of unwanted detours (basically not slowing down enough to allow Mr Garmin to catch up when coming to a turn) I actually got just over 2000 metres. We were very pleased to have a dry day, otherwise there would have been more people riding in the van again. Finally, here's a shot of most of our group enjoying some early evening sunshine before we went in for dinner ...<br />
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We've now been in four countries since setting out from London 11 days ago. It's been very interesting seeing change in culture from England, through the Ardennes region of northern France and Belgium, into Champagne and Burgundy, then the Jura mountains and German-speaking Switzerland.<br />
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Lyss to Lucerne</h3>
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Rain Greets Us Once Again</h4>
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The mood was just a little gloomy over breakfast this morning with rain falling, and the likelihood if it doing so all day. Nonetheless, almost everybody suited up for riding at least as far as the coffee stop scheduled at about 40 kilometres. Once out in the open and dressed for battle spirits seemed to lift. Here's a couple of shots of Sharon and Di getting ready to set off ...</div>
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They both look pretty chirpy, don't they? </div>
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The likelihood of rain all day and a shorter stage led Sam to decide that we would have two coffee stops and then lunch at the hotel. Here's an image showing the route for today and the elevation profile (right click for more detail) ...</div>
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With rain falling steadily we made a careful start to get out of Lyss. José set a sedate pace and we were cruising along. A couple of complex bits of navigation and then a set of hills broke the group up at about 20 kilometres into the ride. A little while after that we stopped so I could take a photo of Di in front of a classic old Swiss chalet (again, get a larger view for more detail) ...</div>
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It was still raining steadily and the temperature was quite cool by the time we arrived at the first coffee stop. We were all intending to have a reasonably short stop. Bruno and Harold were the first back on the road. Di arrived and I shared a coffee with her and we each had a delicious nut-filled pastry before I got back on the bike as I was getting chilly sitting around. </div>
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Climbs were popping up regularly and before too long I came up to Bruno and Harold climbing a steep pinch. Bruno was waiting for Harold but I decided to press on at my own pace. Before I know it Bruno shot past me. </div>
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Eventually I caught back up to him on a long descent and he pulled over to wait for Harold at the bottom. The three of us were through the town of Willisau before the support vehicle arrived so we all just kept moving.</div>
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The rest of the ride was a very pleasant rollercoaster, with nothing too long or steep. The weather even improved for the last 30 or so kilometres. When we got here we were greeted by Aaron, who had had a great solo day. He hadn't bothered to stop for any breaks and arrived nice and early. In fact, with a relatively short 104 kilometre day it wasn't long before others started drifting in. Here's a shot of London Richie, Sharon and José, with Richie showing someone on the other side of the table where he set up the second coffee stop when he eventually got there ...</div>
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Nobody who passed through before Richie arrived was at all concerned as the riding was not to taxing and we could all sense the finish line not too far away.<br />
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Free-ranging in Lucerne</h3>
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It was our weekly evening for us to go out and forage for ourselves. Mooloolaba Richie, Aaron, Fede, Don, Patrick, Di and I went into the old part of town to find some dinner. We had a most satisfactory meal in a brewery/restaurant. On the way Di took a few photos. Here is one of a collection of building across the river ...</div>
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... and another of the old 14th century covered bridge, with the tower that was once used as a dungeon ...<br />
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Near our hotel there was an apothecary that had the most wonderful sign ...<br />
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Moments later, in this city of sublime beauty we found ourselves confronted by the ridiculous sight ...<br />
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As mentioned previously tomorrow is a big day with the Gotthard Pass to deal with so it was back to the hotel early to sort our gear and get an early night.<br />
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That's about it for this post. Sorry there aren't more photos, but things haven't been particularly conducive over the past couple of days for stopping. A long day yesterday, with lots of climbing and the possibility of rain falling - which didn't eventuate - meant that I just wanted to keep moving. And with rain today for the first 3/4 of the journey, the relatively short stage and a very big day looming tomorrow I thought I'd just like to get to the hotel early and get the blog done. However, I can leave you with an arresting image ...</div>
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That's my right hip (tastefully cropped ) showing the damage I did the morning we left Meursault a few days ago. I was just inching along, turning around as we were getting ready to set off, and not paying sufficient attention to what I was doing. Something distracted me further and over I went without enough time to get my cleat unclipped. That was the third fall on this trip after not coming off the bike for many years. I hope that will be the last of my tumbles on this epic journey!</div>
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Tomorrow we leave Switzerland for Italy, via the fabled <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthard_Pass" target="_blank">Gotthard Pass</a> with about 3000 metres of climbing in front of us. To say that we are all filled with a certain amount of trepidation would be an understatement. Can anyone who is reading this please send positive vibes to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Send_%27er_down,_Hughie!" target="_blank">Hughie</a> for us? We will be going up to an elevation of 2, 106 metres and it would be nice if the weather is favourable.</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-55964672627266408162016-06-01T02:36:00.001+10:002017-05-11T06:14:40.700+10:00Two Days of Rain; 265 Kilometres<h3>
Saulieu to Meursault</h3>
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In some ways, the less said about today the better, but on the other hand it was quite a memorable part of our epic journey. We left the Champagne region and moved into Burgundy.The weather for the first couple of hours was atrocious and a few people pulled the pin there when we were having morning coffee. The next hour and a half to lunch at the famous site of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibracte" target="_blank">Bibracte</a> (where a major battle between the Gauls and the Romans under Caesar) was just about as bad and another group stopped at that point. In the end, only 6 of our 19 punters and the two guides on the bikes rode all the way into Meursault, the charming village at the heart of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meursault_wine" target="_blank">Meursault wine region</a> and our port of call for the night.<br />
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During his reconnaissance of the route, this past winter Sam was looking forward to this day's riding most of all. He stopped to take a photo of this view ...<br />
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What a lovely, winding road! On this day we could barely see the road ahead but still enjoyed winding our way up the hill.<br />
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The vineyards here, spread across hillsides, are just gorgeous to look at and ride through ...</div>
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Sadly, these are not the conditions we experienced either through the day or when we arrived. (It would be good to come back and cycle the same route in fine conditions because the riding was sublime.) The hotel however was wonderful, with lovely spacious rooms, and we had an excellent commentary from Bruno on the wines of the region along with a little tasting, followed by an excellent dinner.</div>
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Here's an image showing our route for the day ...</div>
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We could have gone from A to B on a shorter, much more direct route but had it been fine this route would have probably been the best day's ride of the entire tour, taking in magnificent terrain, great scenery and the ancient battle site of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibracte" target="_blank">Bibracte</a>.</div>
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Meursault to Champagnole</h3>
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With rain forecast for the entire day, the fact that all 19 riders fronted up with cycling kit on, ready to get on their bikes, is testament to the fortitude of this group. We set out pretty much together but due to operator error with the Garmin, I pulled over just on the outskirts of Meursault to try to figure out what I was doing wrong. Di pulled over to keep me company. Still not able to sort things out, we set off relying on Di's Garmin to guide us as everyone else had now passed us. We managed to latch on the the Wagga Wagga quartet and rode along with them for some time.</div>
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By the time we arrived at the morning coffee stop we were ready for a rewarm and a hot chocolate. The first riders in had left but most of the rest were still there. Tony and Patrick were getting warm ...</div>
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... and Don arrived in his usual wet weather Caesarian battle dress of rain jacket, shorts and sandals ...</div>
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Unlike yesterday when she really suffered with the cold, after a hot drink Sharon was looking rosy-cheeked and ready for more action on the road ...</div>
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To avoid getting a cold shock when we got back on the bikes Di and I didn't linger, setting out alone. After about 10 kilometres of flat riding we found ourselves riding through lovely, short undulating hills. I shot this video of Di riding in front of me (you might want the sound off for this one) ...</div>
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Soon after we were riding through larger, more rolling hills and into the mountains of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jura_(department)" target="_blank">Dura department,</a> with its own attractive vineyards. Here is a panorama of some of those vineyards (worth looking at in a bigger view) ...</div>
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... and a photo of Di from the same spot ...</div>
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Almost before we knew it we found ourselves ascending the wonderful climb up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau-Chalon" target="_blank">Chateau-Chalon</a>, the designated lunch stop for the day. The village is perched at the top of a hill. Richie had been there for quite a while and had endured worse weather than we'd been getting lower down on the flats. Kudos to Richie for his stoicism. It was a very scenic spot and as we were leaving the village I paused to take this panorama looking across to it and hills behind (again, it's worth looking at this in a bigger view)...</div>
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About 12 kilometres before our destination we crossed a bridge where I had to stop to record the river in spate below ...</div>
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It didn't look like it was far off breaching its banks. All day we'd been crossing waterlogged fields and rivers and streams that were near to bursting. It was pretty clear evidence that it had been raining pretty steadily over at least a few days in this part of France.</div>
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We rolled along quietly the rest of the way into Champagnole where we were greeted by Bruno, who was waiting as the punters arrived, directed us to the drying room where we parked our bikes and hung up our wet gear. We were immediately reminded yet again of how well selected the hotels have been and how helpful the guides are. Our room is spacious, the bed fantastic ... it sounds like dinner is going to feature local cuisine and be absolutely delicious. Tomorrow we will cross into Switzerland. Things are looking up.</div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-39882060634241890392016-05-30T15:28:00.002+10:002021-05-26T09:30:46.360+10:00History, Herstory ... oh, and that guy called Caesar<h3>
Greetings from Burgundy!</h3>
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Yes, we have traversed from one famous wine-growing area (Champagne) to another. As we say when we're roughing it like this, <b><i>somebody's got to do it</i></b> ...</div>
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Hmm. Sorry for that indulgence. We do recognise how lucky we are to be enjoying such wonderful locations, in this time in history especially. The landscape we have been through today has seen shocking privations and decimation through warfare, both in ancient times and during more modern history. Sam, our history expert, has been detailing for us the appalling things the Romans did to the Gauls when he was in this area. My brief summary is this: of the 3 million Gauls alive at the time of Caesar, 1 million were killed by him, 1 million enslaved and the other million left to wander around wondering what had hit them. More about that later, but let's go back to the beginning of today's journey.</div>
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Leaving Troyes</h3>
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There was a lot of discussion around breakfast today about appropriate dress code for today's ride. Rain was almost a certainty: but when? And how much? Should one take one's heavier rain jacket or the more streamlined version?</div>
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Here's Chris contemplating his choices ...</div>
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Meanwhile Jo, realising she has an excuse to put on her stylish new booties, is about to break into a smile ...<br />
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... especially as she has her manservant José to help put them on ...<br />
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The roads were damp but it wasn't actually raining while we waited to get underway ...<br />
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... but it looked like rain could start falling at any moment so we were all either carrying or wearing a rain jacket, and some of us had our waterproof booties on.<br />
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When we got underway we were all together for a while and I got a photo of Chris and Roberta from team Wagga Wagga rolling along in front of me. They have excellent club jerseys which you can see in this snap but I will have to get a photo of all four Waggans together in their colours before trip's end ...<br />
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By the first rest stop the Dynamic Duo and their entourage had pulled away slightly and here they are at the rest stop, champing at the bit to get underway again ...<br />
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While not as remarkable as many of our morning stops, there was a good bar-restaurant to visit for coffee and plenty of room for us to congregate, fill our bottles and have a quick snack. Here's Sharon arriving ...<br />
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... and Emily and Ian pulling in with Don just behind ...<br />
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With the longest day of the tour underway (on paper it was shown as 165 kms), most of us moved through the first stop fairly quickly. Di and I followed and were closing in on the leaders when the team car went past ...<br />
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We were working a little harder than we wanted to be at this stage so decided to ease back, enjoy the scenery and preserve ourselves for the hills in the latter half of the ride.<br />
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Once again, Sam and Dylan had put together a superb route traversing almost exclusively quiet roads with very little traffic. The fact that this was a Sunday also meant that there were few people in motor vehicles cluttering up the byways of southern Champagne and northern Burgundy. We travelled through forested sections and lots more cropping country. I stopped momentarily to photograph what I think might be an old grain silo ...<br />
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... and noticed a roadside attraction on a smaller scale while I was stopped ...<br />
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Like the day we rode from <a href="http://londontoromebybicycle.blogspot.fr/2016/05/artres-to-sedan.html" target="_blank">Artres to Sedan</a>, we found ourselves at this point on something of a plateau with rolling fields all around ...<br />
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... but before long we descended into a green forest tunnel ...<br />
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Lunch in an Idyllic Setting</h3>
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Our tour organisers had selected a superb spot for lunch on this day in the form of the magnificent <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/165" target="_blank">Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay</a>, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Here is a plaque identifying the site ...</div>
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The group was still not very dispersed at this stage, with small bunches arriving quite close together. Here's a shot of the last bunch parking their bikes in anticipation of lunch ... </div>
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Once again lunch was superb, but on this day it just had to take a backseat to our location. We all spent a bit of time looking around. Here is a short video of the inner grounds so you can get some idea of what the place is like ...</div>
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If you are ever touring around this part of the world, I would suggest that it's a stop you mustn't miss. </div>
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Speaking of touring around "this part of the world", I guess I should show you exactly where we travelled this day ...</div>
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Two French War Heroes and a Genocidal Invader</h3>
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Some folks won't like that heading but hey - it's <b><i>my</i></b> blog! The two French french war heroes I'm referring to are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vercingetorix" target="_blank">Vercingetorix</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc" target="_blank">Jeanne d'Arc</a> (or the Maid du Orléans). Most of us rode up to view the impressive statue to Vercingetorix ...</div>
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On the way I stopped to photograph the statue of Jeanne d'Arc ...</div>
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... but the main attraction for the day was the museum showing the exploits of Caesar in the local area ...</div>
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One must admit, he was a military genius. His achievements <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alesia" target="_blank">here at Alesia</a> are regarded as his greatest tactical victory. Here are a couple of photos that Di took inside the museum ...</div>
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... and a neat photo of a woman drawing the walls that Caesar had built ...</div>
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It was a very interesting and sobering display of military power and ruthlessness. Once again, our tour has been spectacular in showing us this part of the world.</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-79928019871476578562016-05-28T16:53:00.001+10:002016-05-28T17:01:28.565+10:00Quiet Roads and Quaint Villages<h3>
Traversing the Champagne Region</h3>
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We spent most of today riding along quiet country roads, wending our way through numerous little villages and enjoying a generally more relaxed day in the saddle. Of course every village has its church, some quite large and others more modest. There was plenty of visual evidence of the villages ancient origins. What some of us are finding most interesting is that often quite small villages will be home to very impressive churches. Here is an example ...</div>
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Lots of barns and houses displayed the timber and mud plaster construction used in this area during medieval times. Some are clearly very old; some of those are still in very good condition while others are barely standing. No doubt this construction has continued into more recent times. Here is an example of a building alongside the road in one of the villages we rode through. </div>
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One of the things that Dianne and I have really appreciated in past visits to France is the integrity of architecture in most places. Our friend Michel has explained to us that there are generally strict regulations about what sorts of building styles can by implemented. I must say that I find this consistency quite pleasing to the eye.</div>
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The group I was travelling with was moving along very nicely together, with a strong tow from Bruno. Here's a video that José shot ...</div>
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Our first break for the day was in a town square that was home to quite a large church that was undergoing extensive refurbishment, with the leftmost of two towers wrapped in scaffolding ...</div>
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Stopping to Smell the Roses</h3>
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We'd been moving along at quite a clip for the early part of the day, partly because we had a fair bit of ground to cover, partly because conditions were perfect for riding and partly because we were looking forward to arriving at Troyes (pronounced "trois", as in the number three in French) and our upcoming rest day. As the day wore on we decided to slow up and enjoy the scenery a little more. This allowed me to shoot this video as I rode through yet another quiet little village ...</div>
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Into Troyes along the Bike Path</h3>
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After two breaks for snacks and 100 kilometres of riding we arrived at our lunch stop with about another 40 kilometres to go. With scrumptious catering provided courtesy of Richie today, we enjoyed a great break out of the sun under the awning he'd set up right at the start of the 40 kilometres of bike path leading into the heart of Troyes. It's a marvellous bit of infrastructure that also circumscribes a loop around wetlands north of the city. We saw plenty of cyclists out taking advantage of this great resource. I paused a short way along the path to take this panning video of the scenery we were enjoying ...</div>
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After lunch Di and I rode with Jo and José. With about 30 kilometres to go we paused for a toilet and coffee stop where the bike path briefly joined a road. The café was a bit of a throwback: quite dark and with a thick fug of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauloises" target="_blank">Gauloises</a> hanging in the air. The two blokes inside had obviously been ignoring the law against smoking in bars - and probably forever. Needless to say we took our coffees outside. This very relaxing break, coming so quickly as it did after lunch, set us up nicely for the roll into town.</div>
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The route was mostly through open country but also wound its way through a bit of forest. Which was lovely except when we came through a slippery s-bend and I went down, despite travelling at only about 12 kilometres per hour. I remember putting just a slight lean on the bike to do the turns (I should have just rode straight through) and over i went quicker than you could blink. I landed with a fair thump on my right side despite the slow rate of travel - maybe because I didn't really skid at all.</div>
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A Good Drenching, Another Tumble and a Beautiful Arrival</h3>
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Nearing the city, we'd noticed a huge, dark blue cloud building up for some time. Di and Jo were both thinking about stopping for a photo and it's a pity that they didn't because it would have led in quite nicely to the drenching we experienced about 10 kilometres out of time. More than cats and dogs, it was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5aZJBLAu1E" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">raining men</span></i></a>! The heavy downpour was washing the salt from my sweat-soaked helmet liner into my eyes and I had to remove my glasses to see where I was going. We found an overpass to shelter under briefly then continued on when the rain lightened. Although drenched, we were enjoying the riding until we got within about 3 kilometres of our hotel. At this point I noticed my saddle bag was flopping about: perhaps it'd come loose from when I had my fall in the forest. With the traffic quite busy now, and slippery roads, I thought I'd pull off onto the footpath to fix it. There was just the slightest lip on the edge of the footpath and, sure enough, I went over again. I couldn't believe it. After riding my bike about 15, 000 kilometres last year, including <a href="http://cyclingacrossaustralia.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">4700 kilometres across Australia </a>and not having had a single mishap I've now come off my bike three times in four days: twice in one afternoon! I'm hoping that's all the bad luck over.</div>
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Recomposing myself, with the help of José, Jo and Di, I climbed back on the bike and rode into the centre of the city. Just before arriving at the central square I was struck by the beauty of the canal we were riding along and felt I couldn't pass by without making a record of it ...</div>
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A welcome rest day now awaits. Laundry, café lounging, postcards (yes, they do still exist), a massage and a generally lazy day should recharge the batteries for the longest stage of the tour the day we leave Troyes. There may be a "Rest Day Reflections" post - or maybe not. We'll see how things go. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>C'est tout pour maintenant. Je vous verrai à plus tard.</i></span></div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-8872091643489294592016-05-27T15:08:00.000+10:002016-05-27T15:32:46.211+10:00Into Champagne Country: Sedan to Chalon<h3>
Setting Off</h3>
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We were delighted to be greeted by clear skies this morning, the first time it has been so promising since the morning we set out from the heart of London, and that day deteriorated as we moved towards the coast. It was cool enough for all of us to be well rugged up, but Tony was ready for the sunshine ...</div>
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Meanwhile, Jo, his better half was taking a more conventional approach to the cold conditions ...</div>
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The dynamic duo of Aaron and Richie were also more warmly dressed, and ready to lead the bunch out once again ...<br />
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We were faced with something of a rude shock in the form of a steep hill just out of town before we were properly warmed up, and that certainly broke up the bunch leaving six of us at the front.<br />
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Struggling to the top, we turned right an plunged into an emerald green valley. Cruising along the valley floor at the front of the group, I shot this short video ...<br />
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This day the first group had settled at six riders after the selection process of climbing that first steep hill. José I both liked the look of this lake and stopped to take a quick shot ...</div>
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A little further along there was a barn in a field that caught my eye ...<br />
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We stopped just over this bridge for our morning snack and coffee break ...<br />
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More great riding took us through gently rolling hills with the occasional tougher pinch. We were surrounded by an intensity of green everywhere, with lots of wheat growing alternating with an occasional splash of yellow canola ...<br />
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Lunch today was in a fairly quiet village with an attractive war museum ...<br />
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... which paid particular homage to the American forces that helped liberate the area ...<br />
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Bruno had prepared a magnificent spread for us all ...<br />
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The dynamic duo took a bit of a break together after lunch to contemplate the remaining part of the day's ride ...<br />
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They set off with Harold, while José, Sarah and I opted to pause at the café on the edge of town for a coffee before we got back on the road.<br />
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We started to see patches of poppies by the roadside ...<br />
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While the morning's ride had been amongst the most exquisite I have ever enjoyed, the afternoon proved to be a bit less so, with long straight and largely flat roads. The edge was also taken off the day somewhat by a bit of a headwind, but we were still having a pretty good day out considering it remained sunny for the first time on this epic journey.<br />
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We had left lunch with 50 kilometres of riding left, and José the Hardman, King of the Domestiques towed Sarah and me almost all that way. Chapeau, José!<br />
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I paused to take this photo of an attractive farmhouse just before the turnoff down into Chalon ...<br />
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Sam was waiting for us just another hundred metres of so down the road to point those of us who wanted a little side trip in the direction of St Etienne to see the basilique there. Here it is in all its glory ...<br />
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It would be a very impressive structure anywhere, but considering it is sited in a very small town it is even the more so.<br />
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I got a couple of photos of architectural detail ...<br />
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... before going inside for a look ...<br />
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One of the things we liked most about this building was that it wasn't overly ornate inside, unlike some large cathedrals.<br />
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Here is a graphic showing the route we travelled today, with profile of the terrain ...<br />
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After checking into our hotel it was time for a cold drink. While José and I were enjoying a beer our better halves arrived, and Di took a photo of José and Jo together, highlighting their legs ...<br />
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Speaking of highlights, we were treated by Bruno to a very informative and excellent seminar on the ins and outs of champagne before getting to sample various styles. Thanks Bruno! A very convivial dinner followed and that was another great day done!<br />
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<br />Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-27417334891616529652016-05-26T14:45:00.002+10:002016-05-27T13:03:57.998+10:00Artres to Sedan<h3>
A Ride in Two Halves</h3>
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Today's journey was 147 kilometres long. Another chilly start saw us set out all rugged up once again. According to my fancy GPS watch it was 6.8 degrees Centigrade, but the lack of rider comfort was largely due to the high humidity. </div>
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It seems that most of us saw the ride as being made up of two very clearly delineated halves. The cool and very overcast morning took us through lush but ultimately not very interesting farming country, especially with the somewhat gloomy conditions. I don't want to say it was boring as we were riding largely on quiet back roads and there was such a greenness about the landscape that made one think that if it was warm and sunny we would probably have thought of the riding as quite glorious, if not overly endowed with magnificent views. And let's remember: any day on the bike is a good day!</div>
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The second half of today's ride was really quite marvellous. I'll come back to that in a moment. First, here are some photos from our lunch stop. As for yesterday, the midday break was in such a great spot that neither Di nor I could do without taking a few photos. Here's one of the magnificent fortified church adjacent to our lunch stop. Note the turret in both the middle of the facing wall but also on the far left of the building. Maybe the rationale in building a church thus fortified goes along the lines of <b><i>God helps those who help themselves</i></b>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDZMwz4YlzKOjd_cia0Pp32_7BIPFMRu4o6urfR3dBsblHplOsTZPcRIQliXK0m2Ujd94cGAJ1I8pr0JmiWumyraz3mDfbY-VShsE0V59NbV1hFtqgItYOg80WOyGQeeBSPbcdsCHtJg/s1600/B+Fortified+Church+Signy+Le+Petit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDZMwz4YlzKOjd_cia0Pp32_7BIPFMRu4o6urfR3dBsblHplOsTZPcRIQliXK0m2Ujd94cGAJ1I8pr0JmiWumyraz3mDfbY-VShsE0V59NbV1hFtqgItYOg80WOyGQeeBSPbcdsCHtJg/s640/B+Fortified+Church+Signy+Le+Petit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The little town where we had lunch is called Signy-le-Petit. Its central square was most attractive and Sam had set us up in the bandstand right in the middle ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCqagrVOXQktDWKQVpff71OmLIKDzyNTXm1aB5ccv-sLmNv2WYujayNS1jf8bO2co7McyNOOzuEFgCE9E1RDTfgFWhVBHVkykCAx4P7Yl7iBNZPtYtIEDJL6-8gwW6Nv-kH-bLJ9omJk/s1600/A+Lunch+at+Signy+Le+Petit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCqagrVOXQktDWKQVpff71OmLIKDzyNTXm1aB5ccv-sLmNv2WYujayNS1jf8bO2co7McyNOOzuEFgCE9E1RDTfgFWhVBHVkykCAx4P7Yl7iBNZPtYtIEDJL6-8gwW6Nv-kH-bLJ9omJk/s640/A+Lunch+at+Signy+Le+Petit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo that Di took of me munching on a sandwich will give you an idea of the temperatures still in play at this stage ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUyaRPLrKSYL5xGhFGpoX6GmCqPMSgWnuA8WtKpcspOclIZw16aqjHp8Z6wY8zYcHkv_wIAbkYH4x6sHvgc_sZ-AdJxE9gUnkGAALvsUt-XnXzPETbSb8439evWr-JmvmiE8uaheXhrU/s1600/Ab+Doug+lunching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUyaRPLrKSYL5xGhFGpoX6GmCqPMSgWnuA8WtKpcspOclIZw16aqjHp8Z6wY8zYcHkv_wIAbkYH4x6sHvgc_sZ-AdJxE9gUnkGAALvsUt-XnXzPETbSb8439evWr-JmvmiE8uaheXhrU/s640/Ab+Doug+lunching.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As indicated by its name the town was quite small but there were a number of quite impressive buildings ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5oYfBBY8NiebUfoB84KK3YJI41Z3-o2rFcrBbBYIFNGxEPjy4hSRbzehI-GJatDU4CTymoY_TXApDVyLQw_tJYYC4vUfWMjFMQCLwup4jE0lmp4-LdduSJWRklK7MSbKDcHMUQcHEvM/s1600/C+Signy-Le-Petit+a+Ses+Enfants+Mort+pour+la+France.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5oYfBBY8NiebUfoB84KK3YJI41Z3-o2rFcrBbBYIFNGxEPjy4hSRbzehI-GJatDU4CTymoY_TXApDVyLQw_tJYYC4vUfWMjFMQCLwup4jE0lmp4-LdduSJWRklK7MSbKDcHMUQcHEvM/s640/C+Signy-Le-Petit+a+Ses+Enfants+Mort+pour+la+France.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... which I guess testify to the richness of the surrounding farmland. </div>
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<h3>
The Beauty of the Ardennes is Revealed</h3>
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Up until lunch we had been gradually climbing, as you can see in this cross-section, where I've marked our lunch stop with a dot ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvnQMZKX2gNx-VGxzprcPxI8P8L9aLYswUB3q06Dxm4PLxiG1NEpxyw49CP28SGgL_9i5OvHkftsbxW-nKBO-vzzf4oqqjHaC20rgqQm7gi4yVcI_v76rG9tfkz3LMm2vDKD8KhLZNoQ/s1600/Cross+section.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvnQMZKX2gNx-VGxzprcPxI8P8L9aLYswUB3q06Dxm4PLxiG1NEpxyw49CP28SGgL_9i5OvHkftsbxW-nKBO-vzzf4oqqjHaC20rgqQm7gi4yVcI_v76rG9tfkz3LMm2vDKD8KhLZNoQ/s640/Cross+section.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although the altitude gain wasn't significant, what it did mean was that we finally started to get some more expansive views in the second half. Di and I had decided to ride on our own today so that we didn't feel we needed to keep up with the gun riders, which worked out really well for this section of the journey as I was able to stop and photograph and shoot some of my very amateur videos while moving slowly.</div>
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As you can see from the graphic above the twenty kilometres or so of riding was through a plateau of mostly gently rolling hills. Right near our high point I waited for Di to roll past ...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mxCr01-iOfU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mxCr01-iOfU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Just a little further along I paused again to pan across the landscape ...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hLs3p1z-nJs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hLs3p1z-nJs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I was going to cut the front part off this next video which I took while moving slightly uphill, but decided to leave it as it is because you can hear me puffing as I hold on with one hand and I think it gives a slight sense of the gently undulating nature of the terrain at this point ...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XnxMp5rwv9s/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XnxMp5rwv9s?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<h3>
Route des Églises Fortifiées ...</h3>
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... or, the route of fortified churches is where we were riding for this section. In fact, the heavily fortified church in Signy-le-Petit where we had lunch marked the start of this road through history. I paused at one of the little villages along the way to take a photo of one of numerous signs marking the route ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVhgejMsZuEyziHdrKNmHUHc82w1hBSL11AN_BzEbUoV4Fnc8bnocdcRDtAbQErWLL7dgVWIRx7nQ0UMh8siDpjEkGcENiWZS72mOYOOe4ZFr8salWLn9JQ76pioiGqZrq_-FEkFr6a0/s1600/DA+Route+des+E%25CC%2581glises+Fortife%25CC%2581es.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVhgejMsZuEyziHdrKNmHUHc82w1hBSL11AN_BzEbUoV4Fnc8bnocdcRDtAbQErWLL7dgVWIRx7nQ0UMh8siDpjEkGcENiWZS72mOYOOe4ZFr8salWLn9JQ76pioiGqZrq_-FEkFr6a0/s640/DA+Route+des+E%25CC%2581glises+Fortife%25CC%2581es.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whereas the first part of today's ride was largely farmland with towns sparsely scattered along the way, in this section the villages and hamlets came more re<br />
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gularly and each had its own fortified church, mostly small in size but still a stronghold against bands of marauders who would have been roaming the landscape in unsettled times. Here are a couple more examples ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolBZyRO7WOnXOHcAskz17D4QK3Di7LtBIw_So6kuDpQTRWGQDkQK6A6Ne5tTejDeFHixfP4MbGj7qCL2nIhfRoub6-Vo0XepuCGxk-RBe0_fTBTBe-UvfAMZH77Rnyd0X1AzHnxoo-pQ/s1600/F+Chateau+de+Hardoncelle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolBZyRO7WOnXOHcAskz17D4QK3Di7LtBIw_So6kuDpQTRWGQDkQK6A6Ne5tTejDeFHixfP4MbGj7qCL2nIhfRoub6-Vo0XepuCGxk-RBe0_fTBTBe-UvfAMZH77Rnyd0X1AzHnxoo-pQ/s640/F+Chateau+de+Hardoncelle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQiVz1OH5QnJ6-TQvGVJN8n3U37q20OnedvcE7PrUvSDMn5-ZO0AIzqr9C_vqWs6PrInacSxWktIle2TX05SW89vMj6eDoqE88rLOZRoJCfA4aXp-MvQ97Ko1ZQNzktmmWtb9gtgaQ04/s1600/G+Another+fortified+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQiVz1OH5QnJ6-TQvGVJN8n3U37q20OnedvcE7PrUvSDMn5-ZO0AIzqr9C_vqWs6PrInacSxWktIle2TX05SW89vMj6eDoqE88rLOZRoJCfA4aXp-MvQ97Ko1ZQNzktmmWtb9gtgaQ04/s640/G+Another+fortified+church.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Garmin Glitches and Losing Ground!</h3>
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A great thing about using a GPS unit with pre-loaded courses is that it gives one independence. Each of us is carrying a Garmin which means that we can generally follow a route without having to be led all the time. Unfortunately, just before we entered the city of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleville-M%C3%A9zi%C3%A8res" target="_blank">Charleville-Mézières</a> not far from our destination of Sedan Di's Garmin died, which meant weren't able to cross-check the route through the city and missed a crucial turn. </div>
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As this map shows, the city is a little complicated with a myriad of meandering waterways ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHsL1QNf_sdqMdLQxPPLUAwxD9Tl3QlXvfLXlCivfRHz3b83r0EHJG4lmhuDH7NdbN4cM_M5XnuSw_YsQ4sn7khKJDRGH7xVzhTPJR6PVfDwDZA5vKjIIfDWFWkSw4nM6UuAQ-RJZz1M/s1600/Charleville-Me%25CC%2581tie%25CC%2580res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHsL1QNf_sdqMdLQxPPLUAwxD9Tl3QlXvfLXlCivfRHz3b83r0EHJG4lmhuDH7NdbN4cM_M5XnuSw_YsQ4sn7khKJDRGH7xVzhTPJR6PVfDwDZA5vKjIIfDWFWkSw4nM6UuAQ-RJZz1M/s640/Charleville-Me%25CC%2581tie%25CC%2580res.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While my unit was still working it had momentarily frozen when we stopped to work out where we'd gone wrong. Still being a bit of a Garmin rookie, I forgot that if you tap the unit it will relocate one's position. We spent about 20 minutes going around in circles before finally getting some directions that got us going the right way, but then only after another small detour. Our helpful local spoke quite quickly and I hadn't done due diligence and double check what she was saying. Another lesson learned: our French is improving but at certain times we need to be careful we get the info we want!</div>
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Finally back on track we rode the rest of the way at a nice leisurely pace we stopped once more so I could take this snap of a more modern faux-fortified building in a small hamlet ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI9nXs-j-jikhaWMno_wWunmbsXAxcC7Jqm7IC_ldDQ9hjGYfljdO-c5oj5ViJzaIYidIZtyU-aQRzCZ7Z7fUtPrxZXKyioxPCqpwKqtH0NgVd15gNERxPpDQBvq2aRXXRLUAkyFpl3k/s1600/H+random+building+with+turrets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI9nXs-j-jikhaWMno_wWunmbsXAxcC7Jqm7IC_ldDQ9hjGYfljdO-c5oj5ViJzaIYidIZtyU-aQRzCZ7Z7fUtPrxZXKyioxPCqpwKqtH0NgVd15gNERxPpDQBvq2aRXXRLUAkyFpl3k/s640/H+random+building+with+turrets.JPG" width="282" /></a></div>
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<h3>
In Sedan</h3>
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When conceiving our route, Sam and Dylan had originally planned to spend this night in Charleville-Mézières as it is the capital of the region and has a number of interesting aspects, including being the home of the famous and influential poet <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Rimbaud" target="_blank">Rimbaud</a> and a centre for puppetry. For various reasons they decided to bring us to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedan,_Ardennes" target="_blank">Sedan</a> for the night and we were all glad they did. Sedan was founded in the early 15th Century and, reputedly is home to the largest castle in Europe, which now contains the hotel where we are spending the night. Here's a photo Di took which gives a bit of an idea of the place ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6wRVM9EPgfvVEbbJgjTcYUhGVCPC4BBtntwHU_-Vrr2D7kx8cdIMM1hRFC-HEW81JQ545wobTyTtqK8WgQVloMOXCc6FXiBNeS-iOfewuz5aaXyAyo7Jx08E2cw-v11I4hRZQ6576sg/s1600/I+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6wRVM9EPgfvVEbbJgjTcYUhGVCPC4BBtntwHU_-Vrr2D7kx8cdIMM1hRFC-HEW81JQ545wobTyTtqK8WgQVloMOXCc6FXiBNeS-iOfewuz5aaXyAyo7Jx08E2cw-v11I4hRZQ6576sg/s640/I+Castle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and another of our able <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_team" target="_blank">soigneur</a> Richie ministering to one of the bikes ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIeNvprzEO8GynczH2TA6Cc51m7QYgnRHNWD1YlnmkoHg_ZNSMdg__QIKavE_GmSL8WgtWaYlrzqSn2DYj5T-y7kOcD9yyJ8ohfHEbCUr575Gnx3UJKkrlIpuv4t9g-A48Hh7q3jAJBM/s1600/J+Richie+bike+mechanic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIeNvprzEO8GynczH2TA6Cc51m7QYgnRHNWD1YlnmkoHg_ZNSMdg__QIKavE_GmSL8WgtWaYlrzqSn2DYj5T-y7kOcD9yyJ8ohfHEbCUr575Gnx3UJKkrlIpuv4t9g-A48Hh7q3jAJBM/s640/J+Richie+bike+mechanic.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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(Unfortunately, massage is <b>not</b> within his scope of duties:</div>
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that will have to wait another two days when we have our first rest day in Troyes!)</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Featuring Faces</h3>
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After the delightful day's riding we gathered in the bar for pre-dinner drinks. When I saw the great dress that Jo was wearing I had to get Di to take a photo with her man José ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5E4PU83IMejsrZabMy-5RWfZpr-9jownF3eP0sKhS1K3Yrgpc9kyBpcTQNP4Qea3Khu98LDUYOaU5FkBeHnG8gB9G-d__bO1uHkX7pawK8ndMogNNWSouvTooWrdYvUNczt1NpaqV18/s1600/I+Jo%2526Jose%25CC%2581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5E4PU83IMejsrZabMy-5RWfZpr-9jownF3eP0sKhS1K3Yrgpc9kyBpcTQNP4Qea3Khu98LDUYOaU5FkBeHnG8gB9G-d__bO1uHkX7pawK8ndMogNNWSouvTooWrdYvUNczt1NpaqV18/s640/I+Jo%2526Jose%25CC%2581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jo and José herald from Sydney and have been heavily involved in triathlon and ironman, respectively. Great riders and great company.</div>
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<h3>
Where are we exactly?</h3>
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Here is a graphic showing the route we covered today, traversing country near the Belgique border ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9_KbaL83heexveGiKtbokNWgu3RWzt3dN7YWF6ka0iXwyyXA2IQhmrKJDG3KK9kHsSDbwDBkj6KrpjVGvTzN3Ip85sXS4U-roxIJD9SulzHGH7mAmNqgwZ8t1wpvEe8v-doPyf4pLWw/s1600/Strava+Artres+to+Sedan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9_KbaL83heexveGiKtbokNWgu3RWzt3dN7YWF6ka0iXwyyXA2IQhmrKJDG3KK9kHsSDbwDBkj6KrpjVGvTzN3Ip85sXS4U-roxIJD9SulzHGH7mAmNqgwZ8t1wpvEe8v-doPyf4pLWw/s640/Strava+Artres+to+Sedan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The area also hold some special significance for me personally. As a small child (some say I am still that ...) I lived only about 20 kilometres from Sedan, across the border in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florenville" target="_blank">Florenville</a>. Here is another map showing how close it is ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ngKj4NofXMzjjWTryp2pBOV0kDX8wVETE5I-C5hpE6gGp3o-8jImKT8xvZkNvQ7ISToYNshBhgQcdDdCxxLkOcqX2p_0GE4jOKPqu_9M1NdWKJX-67tBAKBvVL5VT15XJFYp_eRUWAg/s1600/Sedan+and+Florenville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ngKj4NofXMzjjWTryp2pBOV0kDX8wVETE5I-C5hpE6gGp3o-8jImKT8xvZkNvQ7ISToYNshBhgQcdDdCxxLkOcqX2p_0GE4jOKPqu_9M1NdWKJX-67tBAKBvVL5VT15XJFYp_eRUWAg/s640/Sedan+and+Florenville.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were many reasons why Dianne and I wanted to join this wonderful tour, and this connection provided me with yet another. If you want to know more, buy me a beer sometime! And with that invitation to a future rendezvous I bid you Adieu!</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-68669067759350186962016-05-25T13:49:00.002+10:002016-10-04T15:50:37.878+11:00Riding through the History of Northern France<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1NK3rSIcZJHllBsH6cmifO1K79cBB4Wh2yjSz8_So1oHoaHtgz19Asmq0Bo3rjSr2GHn1OFgDVw6-_9lOdBwyPx-v6_6tjRv6hY0E4CtpBl9b6QQaaTefdzMTUdg1SBb-aN7GHkxYRY/s1600/A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1NK3rSIcZJHllBsH6cmifO1K79cBB4Wh2yjSz8_So1oHoaHtgz19Asmq0Bo3rjSr2GHn1OFgDVw6-_9lOdBwyPx-v6_6tjRv6hY0E4CtpBl9b6QQaaTefdzMTUdg1SBb-aN7GHkxYRY/s640/A.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bring on the </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>pave</b></span></td></tr>
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Tonight, pictures are going to have to tell the main story. I'm a bit shagged, well, - half cut actually - after more glasses of red wine than I would normally consume. Briefly though, it was another day redolent with history: both of a cycling nature and of social class and early industrialisation.<br />
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We're talking of the Lille region, as well as the towns of Roubaix and Orchie: real Emil Zola stuff straight out of <a href="http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/background/zola.htm" target="_blank">Germinal</a>. Thankfully, we are in a different time and able to see the area from a historical perspective, rather than being caught in the middle of a brutal class struggle 200 years ago.<br />
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Leaving Ypres</h3>
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After last night's observances it was hard to imagine another day of bike riding would be so steeped in history and culture. However, one of the things about travelling through a landscape at the pace one does on the saddle of a bicycle is that it provides the opportunity for contemplation and observation. And when you combine that with expert knowledge of local guides and an archeological historian ... well, the chance for soaking up deep understanding of local culture and history is enormous. Farewelling Ypres was interesting; it would have been good to have a few more hours there, but now we're got an incentive to come back some day.</div>
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Hitting the Velodrome in Roubaix</h3>
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Our first stop for the day involved visiting the famous Roubaix velodrome, finish line for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris%E2%80%93Roubaix" target="_blank">the world's most revered one-day bike race</a>. An obligatory aspect of visiting this famous temple of cycling is to ride around the velodrome. What a buzz - especially for those like Dianne and myself who have never ridden on a bike track before, let alone a steeply-banked one! Here's Chris and Roberta, having just arrived, brimming with excitement ... </div>
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Man Meets Road</h3>
After our respective periods of worship, including buying bits of cycling kit, we drifted off, as we'd arrived, in various bunches. In my case, "drifted off" was indeed the correct term. Only a half-kilometre or so out of the velodrome I was thinking how wonderful it was to be doing just what we doing when a car suddenly appeared out of a side street and I wasn't ready for Richie's call of <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"</b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Slowing!"</b> and came crashing into him. Luckily we were only going about 15 kilometres per hour. Ritchie landed on me, which I was so pleased about as I would have been absolutely mortified had he been injured by my inattentiveness. As it turned out, apart from my pride, neither us nor our bikes were injured and I received a timely reminder that one just has to be attentive even the most innocuous moments when riding in a bunch.<br />
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Lunch!</h3>
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Normally a lunch stop wouldn't merit mentioning. However, today's stop in the beautiful square of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchies" target="_blank">Orchies</a> does. We arrived with the van and trailer pulled up in front of the town hall ...</div>
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... and Federica busily preparing sandwiches. Bruno, who'd been towing us along for most of the day pitched in to help her ...</div>
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After refuelling and having a quick coffee at a bar-café across the square we were back on the road and passing this interesting bit of kitsch on the way out of town ...</div>
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Riding the Rough with the Smooth</h3>
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After our visit to the Roubaix velodrome it was obligatory to ride a few sections of cobbles, which was a real eye-opener. Perhaps I will be able to edit this post in a day or two with a video and some additional photos from other members of the group. In the meantime here is a view of cobbles on the famed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_PSHOxe-d8" target="_blank">Arenberg forest section</a> of the Paris-Roubaix race ...</div>
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We all rode some bits of cobbles but Kay and Aaron easily win Queen and King of the cobbles for staying on the pavé for all the bits that we traversed.</div>
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At the complete opposite of the spectrum of riding experiences is this bit of road alongside one of the canals we passed today ...<br />
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<h3>
Another Great Day Comes to an End</h3>
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After about 115 kilometres of fairly flat riding we arrived at our two hotels relatively early. Here's a photo I took of the other hotel, about a kilometre down the road where Di and I were not staying ...</div>
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... and one of our hotel after we rode back up the hill ...</div>
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Before going inside for a delicious repast a few of us enjoyed a couple of drinks on the terrace while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive ...<br />
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Featured Face(s) Section Part 2</h3>
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Yes, I know. That isn't actually a face. But I couldn't resist getting a photo of Harold's impressive calves pumping away between his old-school shorts and footwear. Harold, who is one of two Americans in our party, is an endearing, voluble bloke whom we have decided bears certain resemblances to Jack Nicholson. He's from Savannah, Georgia, but we won't hold that against him, especially with his smile you can see from a mile away ...</div>
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<h3>
We're starting to get somewhere ...</h3>
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After three days of riding we are beginning to put some distance between us and our starting point in central London. Here is a graphic roughly showing our route so far with today's ride highlighted ...</div>
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Bearing in mind that today's ride was about 115 kms and, jokes about riding across water aside, you can certainly see some distance has passed, but also that we are really only just starting when you consider how far we still have to go to get to Rome ...<br />
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Next up we move into a less populated area for a while, with a 140 or so kilometre stage along mostly quiet country roads and laneways, headed for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedan,_Ardennes" target="_blank">Sedan</a> and the largest castle in Europe. Looks like yet another fantastic day in the saddle ahead!</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-71812365749281487642016-05-24T15:25:00.005+10:002021-05-25T11:49:51.147+10:00Three Countries in a Day<h3>
No Big DEAL?</h3>
The first thing on the agenda for today was a quick trip down to Deal to see where Caesar landed in 55 B.C. It turned out to be not quite such a quick trip but the only way you'll hear about that is if you leave a comment on this post!<br />
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Not everyone thought going to Deal in the cool, showery conditions was the best use of some leisure time, but those who weren't put off by the endless jokes about English weather thought the side-trip down to the "beach" was well worthwhile.<br />
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Here's a photo of Sam sharing the good oil on Caesar's visit to a rapt audience on the shingle ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvvtWj724nRPhKXI4jTAY7TGEPpHFg588du0xgHDQhgskaE1XyPcISnxljuTsd4g-atf_iSGelCxPshSZ9gHVzo0AIhrwRHUnF0TtpcmkiUqfCJsyEw58brbMGBpJkncZZ9MUfILR2kY/s1600/AA+Deal+seminar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvvtWj724nRPhKXI4jTAY7TGEPpHFg588du0xgHDQhgskaE1XyPcISnxljuTsd4g-atf_iSGelCxPshSZ9gHVzo0AIhrwRHUnF0TtpcmkiUqfCJsyEw58brbMGBpJkncZZ9MUfILR2kY/s640/AA+Deal+seminar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Caesar Seminar on Deal Beach in authentic English conditions</span></b></td></tr>
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The way Sam tells it, Caesar came to Britain as much to build on his own mythology, crossing the "English Channel", or "La Manche" as the French know it, to show that he could; to demonstrate to the plebs back in Rome that there really was a land across the water. So it was actually a "big deal" so to speak, to cross the channel, land at Deal and influence the course of history on the islands - even if he didn't hang around.<br />
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Not being a serious or even very good student of history, I played hooky from the seminar and took this photo of white cliffs along from where class was in progress ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJInBBQQvxp6W1Y_tNMKjvJFtyk5QXg01mpO5EyXTBWeFytVtdJAXl8YdsXLEwZI7eiGfsHGVAikFpSofy9VH_-X2wuwb9q9IVurtNa9kbEyKoxQ4D1c-A6hyKhmDV7SwoS4bPyVj-Nc/s1600/AAA+White+Cliffs+from+Deal.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJInBBQQvxp6W1Y_tNMKjvJFtyk5QXg01mpO5EyXTBWeFytVtdJAXl8YdsXLEwZI7eiGfsHGVAikFpSofy9VH_-X2wuwb9q9IVurtNa9kbEyKoxQ4D1c-A6hyKhmDV7SwoS4bPyVj-Nc/s640/AAA+White+Cliffs+from+Deal.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>At Deal "beach"</b></span></td></tr>
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Di took this photo of Sharon on her way back up to Cliffe via the bike path ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKjenwMCKGk4OtPFY9mttoQeQ65UDQD8cQM73aeBpTZ7pVez2utYM4bsQ47XlhTftDSdHP0ARo7JnyiyWmh_z-wCMpPPyJYx9_peAOcVvxc6lP7TRqV1z48_-7Yh8OTl4NtSAeBhflZM/s1600/Sharon+bike+path.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKjenwMCKGk4OtPFY9mttoQeQ65UDQD8cQM73aeBpTZ7pVez2utYM4bsQ47XlhTftDSdHP0ARo7JnyiyWmh_z-wCMpPPyJYx9_peAOcVvxc6lP7TRqV1z48_-7Yh8OTl4NtSAeBhflZM/s640/Sharon+bike+path.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Sharon ahead of the trailing pack</span></b></td></tr>
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<h3>
And so to Dover</h3>
Back at our hotel we assembled for the group ride down to Dover. Here's the Red Team ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSYp5YFtRoBQrwHNIHQ9o1zxi9NzOh6HgmVTGUi99uQzMkIjNltLghyJ6j6vxq5zkKrKJmB8y5KbrCFR4AUDN9fV5_qed46vupfSkrryrCL9OAiMrETWso8MK5p6DFAOj-eU7AX6fE6w/s1600/B+The+Orange+Team.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSYp5YFtRoBQrwHNIHQ9o1zxi9NzOh6HgmVTGUi99uQzMkIjNltLghyJ6j6vxq5zkKrKJmB8y5KbrCFR4AUDN9fV5_qed46vupfSkrryrCL9OAiMrETWso8MK5p6DFAOj-eU7AX6fE6w/s640/B+The+Orange+Team.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Federica and Roberta for the Orange Team</b></span></td></tr>
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... and the Blue Team ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcOjCaTv_vtbTn-LGmeMmSMC-E65yWtOp8dfaKAiGI3kqcSiGwb1WyhMzeCO3Ixr1XRlSjDCJOIiRLA__i1u4e081fqVGfaJqp21rDEJ5DoJ2-gnp1SBSQZr3_f_b2nqVMNOaBvr1N5c/s1600/C+The+Blue+Team.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcOjCaTv_vtbTn-LGmeMmSMC-E65yWtOp8dfaKAiGI3kqcSiGwb1WyhMzeCO3Ixr1XRlSjDCJOIiRLA__i1u4e081fqVGfaJqp21rDEJ5DoJ2-gnp1SBSQZr3_f_b2nqVMNOaBvr1N5c/s640/C+The+Blue+Team.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris, Emily and Don for the Blue Team</span></b></td></tr>
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The rest of us were just a patchwork bunch. Maybe once the weather warms up again we can go back into full team colours ...<br />
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All ready to go we rolled off towards the port of Dover a handful of kilometres to the south to catch the <a href="https://www.google.be/maps/dir/Dover,+United+Kingdom/Dunkerque,+France/@51.021274,1.1951905,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x47dea4d1553332ff:0x32785c875ad74851!2m2!1d1.3134027!2d51.1278758!1m5!1m1!1s0x47dc8b6dd9ff20b9:0x40af13e81646da0!2m2!1d2.3767763!2d51.0343684?hl=en" target="_blank">ferry for Dunkurque</a>. Once down near the docks there was the interesting sight of what appeared to be a railway line built into the cliff, which Aaron and I stopped to photograph (you can get a better look by opening the photo for a larger version) ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4CWPya8pfGRgccS2oTSv4TlzVOmsnkPo4-ihhXF_Io2HxmKeVP87a9uocqDzRnCuGXCM-SBS3oUP4Ei290DGVVCn41nW_tgIT62NmKlcSgxiXC-JraBoqC5Sp1UPWJlFaC-bXFRhYCA/s1600/E+White+Cliffs+railway.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4CWPya8pfGRgccS2oTSv4TlzVOmsnkPo4-ihhXF_Io2HxmKeVP87a9uocqDzRnCuGXCM-SBS3oUP4Ei290DGVVCn41nW_tgIT62NmKlcSgxiXC-JraBoqC5Sp1UPWJlFaC-bXFRhYCA/s640/E+White+Cliffs+railway.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Is that an old railway line, now disused?</span></b></td></tr>
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After all the fantastic organisation that Sam had put into timetabling our departure from Dover for 10:00 he was informed that the ferry operators were changing our booking to the midday sailing. This meant that we were going to be much later arriving at our destination for the night, the historic town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ypres" target="_blank">Ypres</a> - or Leper, as it is actually know within Belgium. While we would have liked to have those extra two hours to do a bit of laundry and generally relax and explore the history of the town there was nothing for it but say "c'est la vie" and get on with it. Luckily, it wasn't too far and we had a nice tailwind to look forward to.<br />
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<h3>
France and Belgium: our entrée to the Continent</h3>
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Once off the ferry there was another brief, minor glitch. Having to get the bikes off the top of the van and trailer and put all the front wheels back on took some time, so we were well behind all the motor vehicles leaving the ferry. When we arrived at the massive gates providing access to the exit we found them shut. After hanging around for about five minutes we were just starting to go back and search for a way around when suddenly they mysteriously swung open and we were on our way! Yeehah! A long held dream of mine held for over 40 years - to ride a bike in Europe - had finally begun!</div>
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Federica set a leisurely pace initially, but then the reins were loosened and a breakaway group established itself. Here is that leading bunch rounding a corner, team car behind and Aaron bridging up ...</div>
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There wasn't much of a gap before the main peloton came around the bend in pursuit ...</div>
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We rolled on along mostly quiet back roads and the occasional bike lane before coming through a gorgeous little town with this figure in front of one of the buildings on the main square ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXapOntNlfB1gsT4bUOpNmS1iqz2l2BGikKw1VAimeaiiyLRTcp1RVyOW3JH6v69pByT3p5ypTCmaehUI5FeyzcbbRaNpFqfikBYdRCuZvppZSExCtoXn5lpASwrWNqQEwOUyvL1AKEDc/s1600/F+Big+man.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXapOntNlfB1gsT4bUOpNmS1iqz2l2BGikKw1VAimeaiiyLRTcp1RVyOW3JH6v69pByT3p5ypTCmaehUI5FeyzcbbRaNpFqfikBYdRCuZvppZSExCtoXn5lpASwrWNqQEwOUyvL1AKEDc/s640/F+Big+man.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Look at me, Mum!</span></b></td></tr>
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Attesting to the agriculture wealth of the area which allowed for spending on imposing public buildings there was also an impressive clock tower ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEXCfrQXhI2ROmzrMs2LPsMaaaQKWZr-Fu6akaWaHacrlQ_MArlE2O8FLE3RI360S_l51v53WWYHEzaSHrQph7XsgSuOExHPw4dZe2V1CPLsFK-zW14cwe8MsTRwtLuoUKgo70Jl8M8Y/s1600/G+Tower.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEXCfrQXhI2ROmzrMs2LPsMaaaQKWZr-Fu6akaWaHacrlQ_MArlE2O8FLE3RI360S_l51v53WWYHEzaSHrQph7XsgSuOExHPw4dZe2V1CPLsFK-zW14cwe8MsTRwtLuoUKgo70Jl8M8Y/s640/G+Tower.JPG" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Clock Tower</span></b></td></tr>
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Despite not being a very good student of history I was aware that we were now entering the Flanders region, with its fantastic soils - which were of course the bane of foot soldiers battling in the trenches of World War I. It was quite moving thinking about all those poor souls enduring the quagmire. On this day a century later, I couldn't help but appreciate how lucky we were to be traversing this countryside on our bikes, looking at the richness of the landscape, the cows and horses feeding off it, the bounteous crops growing. I felt I really had to stop and take a picture of a ploughed field awaiting planting ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPTNfFI6rV8w8tx1GyoJ1mFNRyFlAVBmtGMP_qOD6wx1K9SXkJIF8BpOeusTRQ2g16DZ7LB4frpbDKcFT5HN19-X1cZxN2eNyTmpKkFpZIdD-ZSBSlth7qgQbjK-sYUZgSIsFcMn0wcM/s1600/H+Field.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPTNfFI6rV8w8tx1GyoJ1mFNRyFlAVBmtGMP_qOD6wx1K9SXkJIF8BpOeusTRQ2g16DZ7LB4frpbDKcFT5HN19-X1cZxN2eNyTmpKkFpZIdD-ZSBSlth7qgQbjK-sYUZgSIsFcMn0wcM/s640/H+Field.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Just how deep are these soils?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Much of the rest of the journey involved rolling along secluded bike paths, interspersed with quiet country roads. </span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
In Ypres</h3>
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A major reason for stopping over in Ypres was to witness the playing of the Last Post at the famous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menin_Gate" target="_blank">Menin Gate</a>. Due to our later than anticipated crossing, it was a bit of a rush to check in, shower and get to the gate for the nightly ceremony, performed at 8:00 p.m. sharp, without fail since 1928. While we were waiting for the ceremony to begin we had a look at the gate itself, a majestic structure. Here is a little detail ...</div>
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There was a bit of operator error trying to film the Last Post but Don came to the rescue and here is his video, which largely just captures the music ...<br />
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Di did manage to shoot this lovely little video of the musicians finishing the ceremony with Taps ...<br />
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After the ceremony we paused to look at the river ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkevecoF4qs7uKkte2TeiTNDcN9-vgf1nfttiy-XAqicorI5lx7CaXVxuKJoEZ0Weum-WLZkrlk3KTSnnTBlwhRYYzvG8mPXbmYNLPBhA7SF1y6RVJyZNqMF-Ny0C0BBldlYJ5ylgOPpU/s1600/River+at+Ypres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkevecoF4qs7uKkte2TeiTNDcN9-vgf1nfttiy-XAqicorI5lx7CaXVxuKJoEZ0Weum-WLZkrlk3KTSnnTBlwhRYYzvG8mPXbmYNLPBhA7SF1y6RVJyZNqMF-Ny0C0BBldlYJ5ylgOPpU/s640/River+at+Ypres.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... then wandered back to the centre of town to admire the public buildings and forage for dinner amongst the many fine restaurants on the square ...</div>
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The Ypres cathedral is a very large, ornate building ...</div>
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In contrast to these signs of history, we were tickled to pass a shop specialising in stiletto shoes and boots. Di took this wonderful photo of the cathedral reflected in the shop window ...</div>
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... which instantly brought to mind for both of us a wonderful tune by the late, great Kirsty MacColl which I will leave you with ...</div>
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</div>Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-79356920468078102016-05-23T12:58:00.003+10:002021-05-26T11:21:28.413+10:00An Epic First Day on the Roads of southeast England<h3>
Preamble</h3>
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This post is dedicated to Bob. He was scheduled to join us but his plans were derailed just before leaving home. Here's to you Bob. Get well soon. We're sorry you're not with us ...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiKs_3RSG3YWTIhpJ-mBcgOBez_hV-Ht0dlkw2Tned7sooykgQGEpzyBE3ZcUJuoq8oQsWUujAJGxsXW6gLz0JliCyTO5UHlw8CJXMr1B2C0iqd8FMtNw-2m75FZ2iFiEWnTBG-2sYD0/s1600/Bob.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiKs_3RSG3YWTIhpJ-mBcgOBez_hV-Ht0dlkw2Tned7sooykgQGEpzyBE3ZcUJuoq8oQsWUujAJGxsXW6gLz0JliCyTO5UHlw8CJXMr1B2C0iqd8FMtNw-2m75FZ2iFiEWnTBG-2sYD0/s640/Bob.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bob Berg</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everything about today, our first day of real riding (as opposed to our little wander yesterday), was epic. Breakfast, the departure, stops at two famous places along the way, the change in the weather, the terrain; but most of all, on what could have been a difficult sort of day, the wonderful support from our brilliant crew.<br />
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Setting off</h3>
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Even though it was Sunday, I was a bit skeptical about our chances of getting out of London without some sort of delay or drama. I needn't have bothered; these guys know what they are about. Our departure was perfectly organised and we got away as planned at 8:30 on the dot.</div>
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Here's a photo showing the van and trailer just about ready to go, with Bruno, one of our four guides, wondering why this bag is still sitting outside the trailer ...</div>
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Moments later we were rolling through Hyde Park, but unlike yesterday, it was clear and sunny ...</div>
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Next stop was Buckingham Palace. For those of us here for the first time, this grand statue in the square out front demanded attention ...</div>
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There were some timely adjustments made to Sarah's saddle while the rest of us offered advice from the cheap seats before we gathered for our obligatory photo call in front of palace on the inaugural <b>Hail Caesar: London to Rome</b> cycling epic. </div>
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<div>Queen Elizabeth must have forgotten we were coming. We could see from the undermanned guard stations that she clearly wasn't home, so she missed out on our photo shoot. She'll be sorry she wasn't in this picture when word gets around about our visit. </div>
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Note: please right click to see the photo full size. It's a real beauty because Sam took it rather than me.) Oh, and with the names: don't be concerned. There <i style="font-weight: bold;">are </i>actually two Richies and two Jos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Richie, Aaron, Doug, Dianne, Ian, Chris, Roberta, Richie, Harold, Don, Kay, John, Emily, Patrick, Sara, Jo, Tony, Jo, Sharon, José</b></td></tr>
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Here are some random photos from Morning Tea stop #1 which came after about 48 kilometres of riding ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3b0LaBd7SuPPjMLEeTqNlIWyY0EkvWVCLALJd-ZZ2Yd2myYigg89LRDTuesKLWbN4mcjL5xLn0YmqFuf-2coRmyjM8fOHZ0u1r6IHqibvx0s6HBEvlVnUDLFCYLtTs8fFqE4ongTEcg/s1600/IMG_0545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3b0LaBd7SuPPjMLEeTqNlIWyY0EkvWVCLALJd-ZZ2Yd2myYigg89LRDTuesKLWbN4mcjL5xLn0YmqFuf-2coRmyjM8fOHZ0u1r6IHqibvx0s6HBEvlVnUDLFCYLtTs8fFqE4ongTEcg/s640/IMG_0545.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How </b><b><i>do </i>these Garmin things work?</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7FgTS0lTT0jAMCjt30yu6G5x_L3dQFWFp-elde3TNaaPyWQSj5LnNtFiTbzVt_IBO9cmv10RMAi4FpZbIJEeP40CsXdxSyB-qs5sr_Ijzna-vW9D2yQtOut2TjnZYhJOGlBDgtk1Yy0/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7FgTS0lTT0jAMCjt30yu6G5x_L3dQFWFp-elde3TNaaPyWQSj5LnNtFiTbzVt_IBO9cmv10RMAi4FpZbIJEeP40CsXdxSyB-qs5sr_Ijzna-vW9D2yQtOut2TjnZYhJOGlBDgtk1Yy0/s640/IMG_0546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Attention right!</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SxRaA_6HkTcn0OU0zZnhY5opwJ8uWKUJfQ1GQHoEvtxYdlmnB_X2m8jPsZyYbcewZnQ2sHWYFNPB7F0WbFDiQHxDZ0fPOPY3huk3Unieia6BTxzoydHvp2ILmX8-zJVdbKk-dbRawAw/s1600/Jo+and+Tony.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SxRaA_6HkTcn0OU0zZnhY5opwJ8uWKUJfQ1GQHoEvtxYdlmnB_X2m8jPsZyYbcewZnQ2sHWYFNPB7F0WbFDiQHxDZ0fPOPY3huk3Unieia6BTxzoydHvp2ILmX8-zJVdbKk-dbRawAw/s640/Jo+and+Tony.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Having fun yet?</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4BPFojJim1Y4K7xxEc_Af8tdJKZHggDuhWD9kPdnjXsCnuGE5D0BT2qB0RCo00gPLrnTmCglvDNpKRJsxxxWd1CxYX7NPlr0H9nIK7jQRMiTTNh8_4vaNyniN0OYwWAoLZ_8m5d6_0g/s640/Morning+tea+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Au réponse dans le café</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Richie and Harold sharing a moment</span></b></td></tr>
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Morning tea done and dusted, the next point of interest was Rochester, with its seriously olde worlde castle ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlR_ch53JruGqJFjC_6wsQpfCL72NcixhndMOUe2wrF2vMJ1j4N-x6oxI6UwqBI7SZYUvBPCPajIDbtubNloh8Xo19O9HN1ZqfHfwvBdDkMklsYfyXWSc497x96hko5kHgFYycnCvyrU/s1600/Rochester+Castle.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlR_ch53JruGqJFjC_6wsQpfCL72NcixhndMOUe2wrF2vMJ1j4N-x6oxI6UwqBI7SZYUvBPCPajIDbtubNloh8Xo19O9HN1ZqfHfwvBdDkMklsYfyXWSc497x96hko5kHgFYycnCvyrU/s640/Rochester+Castle.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Grey skies in Rochester</span></b></td></tr>
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At least as impressive for me was the cathedral with the beautiful tree ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rochester Cathedral with an impressive tree out front</b></span></td></tr>
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There was a bit of pinchy climb out of Rochester where we all regrouped and then were let off the leash to travel at our own pace for the rest of the journey. </div>
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Surprisingly, or maybe not, some of us - led by the exuberant Sarah - got a bit over-excited and missed a sharp right-hand bend about halfway down the wonderful, swooping descent off the top of that pinchy little climb. Thinking I ought have a quick look at the route on the Garmin I discovered that we were indeed off course. Bugger! </div>
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After we turned around and found the correct exit - and Richie, one of our wonderful guides, coming to get us back on track (with a small admonishment to pay attention to where we were going - in the nicest way possible of course - we'd added about an extra kilometre and a half to the day's travels. (Sarah used this extra gain in distance as an incentive at the end of the day to complete her imperial ton and claim the Strava kudos points for the day.)</div>
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The corner we missed was a great vantage point where Federica, the sole female member of the Fantastic Four (that's our team of guides), took the opportunity to grab some great photos, including this one ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJP_HUO2zXl1Vsx2vWINXlvzvisbNuMdrAwH9uiYvxsRmynp2IOb8-HYfX9Yh14fh7Fy-EtMuk9MDQS9SOhGqlecJm3Cu7OAzp-3FQYhfvL-SkGQfIY8CDfeSjucnYYVhJUhtZaJBpvg/s1600/Bugger%2521.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJP_HUO2zXl1Vsx2vWINXlvzvisbNuMdrAwH9uiYvxsRmynp2IOb8-HYfX9Yh14fh7Fy-EtMuk9MDQS9SOhGqlecJm3Cu7OAzp-3FQYhfvL-SkGQfIY8CDfeSjucnYYVhJUhtZaJBpvg/s640/Bugger%2521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Chasing hard, I eventually managed to catch Richie from Queensland and Aaron from Sydney. (Further up the road this hard chasing would come at a cost as I struggled with cramp for the last sixty or so kilometres of the ride.) Somehow we managed to miss the second morning tea stop and rode through to our late lunch rendezvous at the whimsically named <a href="http://www.thetickledtrout.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tickled Trout Hotel</a> in Wye on the River Stour. It was a brilliant place to stop, but we didn't linger long as the roads were wet by now and more rain looked possible, if not likely.</div>
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As it turned out, the last forty kilometres after lunch proved to hold the steepest and longest climbs for the day. With my legs fading, Aaron and Richie kindly nursed me home - which was fortunate as my Garmin died about twenty kilometres from the finish line. This rookie will be getting a tutorial from Richie over breakfast on how to minimise power usage on long days when following a route). Aaron - whose Garmin also died on the journey - earns the KOM points for the day, and Richie is the route-finding king for keeping us on course.</div>
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Upon arrival at the White Cliffs Hotel we found Bruno, today's point man for the Fantastic Four, waiting. He had already loaded all the luggage into the hotel and set out a spread of nibbles for us to tuck into. He then proceeded to wash down our bikes for us, which were covered in mud and organic matter (it appears there are lots of horses on these narrow twisty Kent country laneways). The three of us were also covered in mud and organic matter so we quickly made our way to the showers. I can't wait to get back on the bike tomorrow and do it all again!<br />
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This photo doesn't show the mud and "organic matter" very well, but trust me, the bottom half was pretty well coated. It was great to get it cleaned up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv-P4Ug9BVSSnYXN4kFlhZ6dggqBAeL8GmQTqO3lMUmOZ8DfyjX7fo9voFFkN1d9sm-VmWUYWlTXH2kAY8BomZ-vCjEaz2QHqwEsRGhincTLG4sg31BnJ3BCSMcfdSkI6Amkb8K7eVxg/s1600/G.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv-P4Ug9BVSSnYXN4kFlhZ6dggqBAeL8GmQTqO3lMUmOZ8DfyjX7fo9voFFkN1d9sm-VmWUYWlTXH2kAY8BomZ-vCjEaz2QHqwEsRGhincTLG4sg31BnJ3BCSMcfdSkI6Amkb8K7eVxg/s640/G.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It looks like dinner each day is going to be one of the great things about this long journey. The chance to sit down with a bunch of mad cyclists and rehash the day's adventures over a good meal and a glass of wine every night for a month, hearing about different folks' life journeys through cycling ... if the first two nights are anything to go by, it's going to be brilliant. Here's a couple of snaps of part of our merry band resting between courses ...<br />
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Di, who is prone to cramp after a hard day's exercise, suddenly gut up from the table to stretch out her muscles as she was on the verge of knotting up. Lucky for her, Bruno's talents extend past ministering to the bikes, and he kindly helped her with her stretching ...<br />
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Apparently my Garmin, though dead at the end of the day, should have saved our route for me to share with you, but it's not there. For the record, we rode about 155 kilometres and enjoyed 1500 metres of elevation gain. This graphic showing our starting and finishing point will have to do for the moment to show where we started and finished our first day ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGihm4x6TAxenPWO99yMbA-Lg8UOWJJda-Pk0-k5JcW7P752xiocfLv9H2Nq0XM1WSAQaGfBa0FOYudley7UcnKfEO07xQmRe1vRGr7M_9fEUH-kPs6xd4klG830o9QT_mplTQ_wkikyQ/s1600/southeast+england.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGihm4x6TAxenPWO99yMbA-Lg8UOWJJda-Pk0-k5JcW7P752xiocfLv9H2Nq0XM1WSAQaGfBa0FOYudley7UcnKfEO07xQmRe1vRGr7M_9fEUH-kPs6xd4klG830o9QT_mplTQ_wkikyQ/s640/southeast+england.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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And finally it's time for today's <b>Featured Face(s) </b>section. In conversation over dinner on day one, I found out that Kay was from Wollongong. She was sitting with John, whom I'd previously discovered was from Wollongong. When I asked them if they were together, their answer was mixed. They ride together in "The Gong" as their home town is affectionately named, and have some great bike tours together, including <a href="http://www.rideandseek.com/epic/hannibal" target="_blank">Hannibal </a>twice, but they are not <b><i>together</i></b>, so to speak ...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The Gong Squad</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We are, together ...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>... but not <b>together</b>!<b> </b></i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-jodb26IGhaaDDlpde989WgpUgVGMlcOFysob6dA-NdlJPcW1UT_SlgQUQ-vYNnz4EOJyCS0pxb2TErrUf0fsba6NlRVHa8wM__44PUb7ggB6QnaMHjQrDRIR06sn-cv1kck8a_-pXE/s1600/Kay+%2526+John.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-jodb26IGhaaDDlpde989WgpUgVGMlcOFysob6dA-NdlJPcW1UT_SlgQUQ-vYNnz4EOJyCS0pxb2TErrUf0fsba6NlRVHa8wM__44PUb7ggB6QnaMHjQrDRIR06sn-cv1kck8a_-pXE/s320/Kay+%2526+John.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kay and John from Woollongong</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-53098488156644987932016-05-22T08:35:00.003+10:002021-05-25T11:43:01.764+10:00Early Skirmishes<h3>
A Set Piece, in which we meet, greet and gambol in Hyde Park</h3>
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(A late night, short summary of day 1)</div>
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And so, after all the anticipation, we are finally starting our epic cycling journey from London to Rome. Fittingly, we commence our journey at the <a href="http://www.thecaesarhotel.com/en/home/?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=caesar%20hotel%20london&utm_campaign=Brand%20Caesar%20London%20EN&gclid=COj7yrPu7MwCFbYV0woduYMI5Q" target="_blank">Caesar Hotel</a> ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-2Dhnlaz33cr6C6wRxKBy1XW3TF1Iq-FfSe1_pTmH7avJ-OLhMl4x-rJZ8kCAmZXsGdtH0pryqriEMi8jpii_sb6C2Madmc33AOzg2O6CW4kdYbc-4rhE22n_IZU0tQAkrw2lJSkrCUp/s1600/caesar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-2Dhnlaz33cr6C6wRxKBy1XW3TF1Iq-FfSe1_pTmH7avJ-OLhMl4x-rJZ8kCAmZXsGdtH0pryqriEMi8jpii_sb6C2Madmc33AOzg2O6CW4kdYbc-4rhE22n_IZU0tQAkrw2lJSkrCUp/s1600/caesar.jpg" /></a></div>
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The purpose of today was to get together, make sure everyone's bike is working okay and set some parameters: in general for riding as a large group - coming together and splitting apart at various intervals - and, in particular, getting out of London safely.<br />
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Tomorrow we have one of our biggest days on the bike first up, with a 160 kilometre journey to Dover, so it was necessary to take the time today to really make sure all the gear is functioning properly.<br />
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After dissemination of tour materials, including battle dress of jersey and bib shorts, we headed off to the park for a late lunch. Here are our bikes neatly assembled and patiently waiting while we came to grips with victuals provided by the local populace ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDGZDg5kAidmfOq1X9NtkLhFnnPWB6YeiY3KaGzh2p6sgLqopmLTuyRK4nM-40wesKgQsnGhGqc6tNCFiLtyzI3kQ-bJxHhj2aBQdg0NxnIezrA72QMILIVoMu28A1dNO8Z_RbuUWLf5t/s1600/Bike+parade.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDGZDg5kAidmfOq1X9NtkLhFnnPWB6YeiY3KaGzh2p6sgLqopmLTuyRK4nM-40wesKgQsnGhGqc6tNCFiLtyzI3kQ-bJxHhj2aBQdg0NxnIezrA72QMILIVoMu28A1dNO8Z_RbuUWLf5t/s640/Bike+parade.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Supernumerarii Bruno and Richie making sure the transport is ready to go </i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">while we </span></span><span style="text-align: left;">gregralis gregaris get refuelled.</span></i></b></span>
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</tbody></table>Pretty organised, eh! Well moments before this is what how the scene actually looked ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhP0YI7wY9-KbCfz76X4axzjKMceiZgRyTVz2Ee7yX-wg_X6dl6irkKubw7KSliCaSMfKUEOk90ZS-MNoQgSb1gzVokJweroWmxYaaiOAheo-n_8tBVfqPZwm7P_oxSaVnpf2R_UHle1o4/s1600/Parking+in+Hyde+Park.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhP0YI7wY9-KbCfz76X4axzjKMceiZgRyTVz2Ee7yX-wg_X6dl6irkKubw7KSliCaSMfKUEOk90ZS-MNoQgSb1gzVokJweroWmxYaaiOAheo-n_8tBVfqPZwm7P_oxSaVnpf2R_UHle1o4/s640/Parking+in+Hyde+Park.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Order restored, we moved inside. By all accounts, Caesar's fighting forces were well looked after by various attendants, but I doubt they had this sort of service ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJG7peylJTD3IW_yG5KBinr2N3X_WQXpAj-nxxASECN8PvvmkJOZEAaZmeHPqODkfWu7JyJDNx5_7xxhPwH3GE72RqEfk8TL0S4e0iUmCXUni0eeFT56ekpOuPfY4mB1w01nvEAQY0N-J/s1600/The+mob+takes+lunch.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJG7peylJTD3IW_yG5KBinr2N3X_WQXpAj-nxxASECN8PvvmkJOZEAaZmeHPqODkfWu7JyJDNx5_7xxhPwH3GE72RqEfk8TL0S4e0iUmCXUni0eeFT56ekpOuPfY4mB1w01nvEAQY0N-J/s640/The+mob+takes+lunch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As indicated at the beginning, this is just a short post to kick off the action but it <b><i>is </i></b>important to establish the origins of our multinational force. Here is a map showing where we all have come from over the past few days to gather for this expedition ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVC9nCOdRuZrTwbngl_6XaHTxux0DZ_QSxwVA916FyZtLNdLbWwZcaXNXlajNmXlrKScQF1ivdP6_-7YMhGNbKPdNoSvT8vyulwJKDYPbyAIO42w2kuo7onj_GjS8ivwsRaoGCDKin1E/s1600/Where+we+are+from.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVC9nCOdRuZrTwbngl_6XaHTxux0DZ_QSxwVA916FyZtLNdLbWwZcaXNXlajNmXlrKScQF1ivdP6_-7YMhGNbKPdNoSvT8vyulwJKDYPbyAIO42w2kuo7onj_GjS8ivwsRaoGCDKin1E/s640/Where+we+are+from.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> Mostly Australia, but six countries in total! (right click for a larger view)</span></b></td></tr>
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Tomorrow I'll give more details of our group's make up, but for now please be content with this graphic showing the<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Six Nations of Caesar </i>..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE89Fo8i8zkyJ8gg_6gbsgZ3IJWd61mGaG34vEP352G_y-rYknQnXtat8drvNjnq_kkM5Dyq4hgSfD1VuLdiRxNnw58TMG5dPAa3jYW2ksjVve8temLEjkrKY7oFgNivydsK64Ux_ln-Z/s1600/Six+Nations+of+Caesar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE89Fo8i8zkyJ8gg_6gbsgZ3IJWd61mGaG34vEP352G_y-rYknQnXtat8drvNjnq_kkM5Dyq4hgSfD1VuLdiRxNnw58TMG5dPAa3jYW2ksjVve8temLEjkrKY7oFgNivydsK64Ux_ln-Z/s640/Six+Nations+of+Caesar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We did just meander about today, getting a feel for moving together as a group. Quite pleasant as this very short video will demonstrate ...<br />
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Let's hope, as Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody say, <i style="font-weight: bold;">from little things big things grow </i>...</div>
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I had hoped to share some photos of our first dinner together but things haven't quite gone according to plan in that regard. Here is one photo of <b><i>Centurion Sam</i></b> telling us about the significance of Caesar and why he and Dylan thought it worthwhile to add this journey to their repertoire ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcxXNhyphenhyphenGx1QLe-GVe1ENeAqgyObNIvj1GIBNgrdCZT-Xbq-ltUE5MJubW7pq6v-b-qydxnitnmT2K_kGNMHjeoTYzHkruJwzDCp47YUzH9XWhgQnXNEc2iwPxA0OuEuokLJ6paR5d01F/s1600/Sam+historizing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQcxXNhyphenhyphenGx1QLe-GVe1ENeAqgyObNIvj1GIBNgrdCZT-Xbq-ltUE5MJubW7pq6v-b-qydxnitnmT2K_kGNMHjeoTYzHkruJwzDCp47YUzH9XWhgQnXNEc2iwPxA0OuEuokLJ6paR5d01F/s640/Sam+historizing.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>
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That's about it for today as there are a lot of kilometres to cover tomorrow. </div>
Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-64058791620888055242016-05-01T18:27:00.002+10:002021-05-26T11:18:28.626+10:00Training for Day 10 of Caesar<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Risk and Reward: Riding into the Southern Highlands</h3>
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<i>and comparing a favourite loop in southern Tassie<br />with<br />a ride we'll do on our upcoming epic European tour</i></h4>
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Yesterday's forecast was for light nor'westerlies becoming stronger in the late morning. Di had been wanting to ride from Granton to Bushy Park, up through <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Hollow+Tree+TAS+7140/@-42.4851974,146.3511971,9z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0xaa6e2ace77502707:0x403c94dd0de0430?hl=en" target="_blank">Hollow Tree</a> and on to the historic town of <a href="http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/regions-of-tasmania/hobart-and-south/bothwell" target="_blank">Bothwell</a> for some time, but the risk in that was the possibility of having to endure strong headwinds for a long time - like the last time we did that ride. We hoped that if we got up early we might just beat the nor'westerlies before swinging around to get the benefit of having them at our back.</div>
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Emerging From the Fog</h3>
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The Derwent Valley is notorious for generating a strong fog - often referred to as the "<a href="http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/bridgewater-jerry-a-cool-winter-treat-on-river-derwent/news-story/c43893cca1a054c7ff814a9f05561b8c" target="_blank">Bridgewater Jerry</a>" - once it reaches the northern extremities of the estuary.<br />
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Here's a brilliant time lapse video of the jerry rolling down the river ...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gDsVB5Nz3K8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gDsVB5Nz3K8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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We had fog all the way from Granton to Bushy Park, apart from those occasions when we left the river's side and climbed short hills from time to time. In this photo you can see the fog rolling down the river in the background ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zPoH1ZTjUVmiFm9U4X3zjgmrikSh5sVcylblKM7fb5qZUiud5A0lAIkp7ltEXIYxCtBAuzyDWv_6mgHw2BpQnk-1vGLFBJt3_v57LWIOU_b5OcgjHORbVs4TsFGpSEklNMpGCUuEt0Q/s1600/Granton-Bothwell+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zPoH1ZTjUVmiFm9U4X3zjgmrikSh5sVcylblKM7fb5qZUiud5A0lAIkp7ltEXIYxCtBAuzyDWv_6mgHw2BpQnk-1vGLFBJt3_v57LWIOU_b5OcgjHORbVs4TsFGpSEklNMpGCUuEt0Q/s640/Granton-Bothwell+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Warming the Cockles and Savouring the Sunshine</h3>
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Arriving at Bushy Park we decided to pause long enough at the servo to fill our bottles and use the toilets, as the fog made us both feel the need. When we went to use the facilities they were locked and one had a sign on the door that said "Do not BLOODY open." We thought that maybe if we had a hot drink we would be granted access. It turned out to be an excellent call, as not only were we able to relieve ourselves we also had a great hot chocolate before getting back on the bikes.</div>
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Leaving Bushy Park and heading towards the Lyell Highway we emerged into clear, eggshell-blue skies. Here's Di arriving at the top of a long hill ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpd9CViIzeEjwyxkbNx-qvW_EmhZzHN9Uxx_HUtHlUDeHgkXIOtL6oVXY2qLLB1JoR9Ylbv950SPD-icBgz3y0E49Bmb-iQfcNbkD3HVg99s28Ba_q2G7tK8MnU6kzxWBI372ldYUH4M/s1600/Granton-Bothwell+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpd9CViIzeEjwyxkbNx-qvW_EmhZzHN9Uxx_HUtHlUDeHgkXIOtL6oVXY2qLLB1JoR9Ylbv950SPD-icBgz3y0E49Bmb-iQfcNbkD3HVg99s28Ba_q2G7tK8MnU6kzxWBI372ldYUH4M/s640/Granton-Bothwell+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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... before descending toward the turnoff to Hollow Tree Road ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7bXHOGwIwUaXMPa0ZCfMl61rg2JCfHTP2vA7U2K3L8blIwkWY8bfaSpbdsGKB2irBj-h8jy9UKEgk4QGFEr9FIaj8W3aMO4DVjewzffRgYmlEX9V0boA36airBe3JNb56SjhTc3CVRU/s1600/Granton-Bothwell+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7bXHOGwIwUaXMPa0ZCfMl61rg2JCfHTP2vA7U2K3L8blIwkWY8bfaSpbdsGKB2irBj-h8jy9UKEgk4QGFEr9FIaj8W3aMO4DVjewzffRgYmlEX9V0boA36airBe3JNb56SjhTc3CVRU/s640/Granton-Bothwell+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hollow Tree has been considered a "<a href="http://www.chestnut-blue.com/Chestnut%20Blue-o/pi1290.htm" target="_blank">settled area</a>" for almost 200 years. The <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-42.5566572,146.8671936/Hollow+Tree,+Tasmania/Bothwell+TAS/@-42.4744591,146.8201989,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m15!4m14!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e2ace77502707:0x403c94dd0de0430!2m2!1d146.9350519!2d-42.5325951!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa71d5bea21f58df:0x403c94dd0de0350!2m2!1d147.0090844!2d-42.3843683!3e1?hl=en" target="_blank">road through the area</a> - which provides some gorgeous cycling - was completed in 1842 after many years of lobbying to create a link between the historic towns of Bothwell and <a href="http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/regions-of-tasmania/hobart-and-south/hamilton" target="_blank">Hamilton</a>.</div>
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I paused as we rolled through Hollow Tree to take this photo of "Strathborough" a large old sandstone manor house ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8tnjMYzS4zIMPlS1Rtgb1h8ETSvHOh1lCzO7BnyW2hHGFI0KuUGnVv6k7KJrmYe5vYSI45djbwxIaI5nGlKJko1JsvnwKejqDsWa08bNDvd63zQo5TG9vCaeqbD8gGghvUr6Z35u93E/s1600/Granton-Bothwell+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8tnjMYzS4zIMPlS1Rtgb1h8ETSvHOh1lCzO7BnyW2hHGFI0KuUGnVv6k7KJrmYe5vYSI45djbwxIaI5nGlKJko1JsvnwKejqDsWa08bNDvd63zQo5TG9vCaeqbD8gGghvUr6Z35u93E/s640/Granton-Bothwell+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little further along the road I paused again to take a photo of a more modest dwelling ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RnzPdMJ3GHRp2qnBQFuKR6t8Zsd0KOzKNuXfU0KJWV5DOw8krcesHKGOjaORcFniiLchsP7LW-OGIORbM5gcEeYdgStYxM-6p1ZzEN5suis1TkWtqr4CAp4pVX4FRejtRZzciZoHZA4/s1600/Granton-Bothwell+5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RnzPdMJ3GHRp2qnBQFuKR6t8Zsd0KOzKNuXfU0KJWV5DOw8krcesHKGOjaORcFniiLchsP7LW-OGIORbM5gcEeYdgStYxM-6p1ZzEN5suis1TkWtqr4CAp4pVX4FRejtRZzciZoHZA4/s640/Granton-Bothwell+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It looks like both places were deserted, but clearly someone had been watering the lawn around Strathborough, whereas the small homestead looked like it had been pretty much abandoned. </div>
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<h3>
The Wind, The Wind</h3>
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For once we managed to luck out as far as the wind is concerned (or maybe it was just good management, eh!). We did have to battle into a light headwind along part of Hollow Tree Road before arriving at Bothwell, our main stop for the day. A coffee and a sandwich and we were back on the road, this time heading east towards the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midland_Highway_(Tasmania)" target="_blank">Midland Highway</a> before turning south, where we were delighted to discover the wind building and driving us towards our finish line at Granton.<br />
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Here's an image of a large slice of southern Tasmania showing our complete route ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcIe1x_LWKf38Nh-V97qCZX-j16bJltnPWGdpc9E6our_ZLmI76o1w5XAbkFTRoNlhWKfofu3RIwe_7tvggjvEqtV7XNrizqzF8d1QzjNIkg-HmZ1NQmua-aYyBHWcTABl80H15IvOr0/s1600/Granton-to-Bothwell+route.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcIe1x_LWKf38Nh-V97qCZX-j16bJltnPWGdpc9E6our_ZLmI76o1w5XAbkFTRoNlhWKfofu3RIwe_7tvggjvEqtV7XNrizqzF8d1QzjNIkg-HmZ1NQmua-aYyBHWcTABl80H15IvOr0/s640/Granton-to-Bothwell+route.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once we headed south we made brilliant time, with the wind even pushing us up over <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Mood+Food,+Midland+Highway,+Kempton+TAS/Constitution+Hill,+Dysart+TAS+7030/Bagdad+TAS/@-42.5722721,147.1388682,28282m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e21af06d54391:0x7c8d9ba4df56933c!2m2!1d147.189058!2d-42.5134265!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e18ac5cb4b819:0x7f2bab6f188386be!2m2!1d147.2166667!2d-42.5666667!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e19ce197968bf:0x403c94dd0de0600!2m2!1d147.2233785!2d-42.6311952!3e1?hl=en" target="_blank">Constitution Hill</a>, our last sizeable obstacle on the route. It was so nice to finish with a roaring tailwind rather than struggling against the southern Tasmania sea breeze!</div>
<h3>
April 29th vs May 30th</h3>
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Yes, I know that sounds like a very odd heading. <b><i>Well </i></b>... here's the rational:</div>
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<li>yesterday (April 29th) we rode 145 kilometres and climbed 1676 metres</li>
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... here's a look at the cross-section of the ride ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLf4fljnasQUmouMVTqjLK6pqM1cOAVkSccQosnlH25LgFet-kMa86e2o5mt0xEKO6Wbgmmld5mjPTKAGeRkm9JUiW8Z-_MLCLvC5qTudkcgP9fd4sOmo8TjU4C8HXAmqbuh2u3x906U/s1600/Granton+Bothwell+Granton+x+section.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLf4fljnasQUmouMVTqjLK6pqM1cOAVkSccQosnlH25LgFet-kMa86e2o5mt0xEKO6Wbgmmld5mjPTKAGeRkm9JUiW8Z-_MLCLvC5qTudkcgP9fd4sOmo8TjU4C8HXAmqbuh2u3x906U/s640/Granton+Bothwell+Granton+x+section.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>on the 30th of May (Day 10 of Caesar) we will ride approximately 142 kilometres and climb about 1630 metres</li>
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... and here's a look at the elevation profile for that day ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN_HG7-MTXt8IpOp3tIS6CnePr61ywqk7pG1_b_pe1gwLZS4cjS_vefFkWdH1S3jbJvRbUv6dSehq1yKdoemTRJeFXb0tDxBZTItk7uMBHVY0CQNp7p7tHBLv-165WGMElQgfiXGhLmM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-01+at+6.17.29+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN_HG7-MTXt8IpOp3tIS6CnePr61ywqk7pG1_b_pe1gwLZS4cjS_vefFkWdH1S3jbJvRbUv6dSehq1yKdoemTRJeFXb0tDxBZTItk7uMBHVY0CQNp7p7tHBLv-165WGMElQgfiXGhLmM/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-01+at+6.17.29+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although there is slightly less elevation gain it <b><i>looks</i></b> more lumpy!</div>
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One thing about this day of our great Caesar ride though is that there will be undoubtedly more history along the way. Here's the description that Sam and Dylan have put together for that day, which has us licking our lips in anticipation ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HQ0UzdPRpMYeaZLQZ0VoBRuD2ZiQU6FdCoRlMBAn5SpzslWERBH_cT2LZ2nFqK3gWabuZ9zny5R1oBSHpEt7aj0CbDuouK7DVt8IjRKIFy0eHBtRw15j430ASQCvYXsvM-ZLiiQX7eM/s1600/Day+10.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HQ0UzdPRpMYeaZLQZ0VoBRuD2ZiQU6FdCoRlMBAn5SpzslWERBH_cT2LZ2nFqK3gWabuZ9zny5R1oBSHpEt7aj0CbDuouK7DVt8IjRKIFy0eHBtRw15j430ASQCvYXsvM-ZLiiQX7eM/s640/Day+10.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, although yesterday was a lovely day on the bike, the 30th of May looks even better!</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-53487722661931659022016-04-27T17:21:00.001+10:002021-05-26T11:07:26.766+10:00Caesar Says ... Carpé Diem!<h3>
Every Day a Treasure</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeBg-phpU723cmED2VAdOws7_WO1-v57Z0m_n27zHFmewyaSHZQ1pa1hgeQZIZyBd1YHHginK7KHSnAv5Yvd60qO-bUjNDm2sxIVX8Tje5JUr_J32cqUDJMIbB0S-NleGRPEu2zRcyjAz/s1600/At+the+Picnic+Basket.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeBg-phpU723cmED2VAdOws7_WO1-v57Z0m_n27zHFmewyaSHZQ1pa1hgeQZIZyBd1YHHginK7KHSnAv5Yvd60qO-bUjNDm2sxIVX8Tje5JUr_J32cqUDJMIbB0S-NleGRPEu2zRcyjAz/s640/At+the+Picnic+Basket.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Greeting from the Picnic Basket</b></span></td></tr>
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Another fantastic forecast. With the run of brilliant weather continuing (not so great for the farmers in Tasmania, but that's another story), it seemed an absolute must to get out and make the most of it. I was awake early and saw that there was almost no wind. Perfect cycling weather again in southern Tasmania. </div>
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There was no way I wanted to squander a day of light winds and warm temperatures - in other words, autumn glory at its best- especially at this time of year. Who knows when we'll get another such day? A walk would have been good, but after having a toenail extracted a week ago I thought it might be prudent not to hammer away on a rough bush track, so a ride it was.<br />
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To take advantage of the still conditions I decided to forego breakfast and get on the road ASAP. The plan was to get a coffee and a nibble at the Brighton Bakehouse and then decide on a further course of action.</div>
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I wasn't entirely sure how I'd go after having my left calf excruciatingly tortured by Bec the physio yesterday afternoon, but thought I'd just head out and see how things went. Of course, once on the road it's sometimes hard to hold back. Still a bit tired from <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1141210727" target="_blank">a big ride</a> a couple of days ago, I set off at a measured pace (yes, I can do that!).<br />
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After Brighton, I couldn't resist the lure of Richmond and Grasstree Hill. And then of course, the lure of a century kept me ticking along. Eventually, my ramble took me around to the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g2703920-d3960762-Reviews-The_Picnic_Basket-Kingborough_Greater_Hobart_Tasmania.html" target="_blank">Picnic Basket</a> at the foot of the Bonnet. Without Di there (she was have an R&R day) to urge me homeward I thought a stop for coffee would be nice before riding up the hill then turning for home. </div>
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A slight variation on the last Richmond/Grasstree route, here's where <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1143659982" target="_blank">today's ride</a> took me ...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmXM7W2QgtByDf_gIDKIN8XBTK9Oz5LbEU-JOZLN-kgISfazk2JE8aqYQ_ZNCmvQ_DlUSjUwfcdetRpvnM9GjIFcXOxCsuY0IQ7mJtWrGkYQKVZWDWeYPFEDQRUSrBLd63vA6BfqEsYKY/s1600/Today%2527s+ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmXM7W2QgtByDf_gIDKIN8XBTK9Oz5LbEU-JOZLN-kgISfazk2JE8aqYQ_ZNCmvQ_DlUSjUwfcdetRpvnM9GjIFcXOxCsuY0IQ7mJtWrGkYQKVZWDWeYPFEDQRUSrBLd63vA6BfqEsYKY/s640/Today%2527s+ride.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The black dot is coffee, the green </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>marker is my start and finish line</b></span></td></tr>
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And here's the elevation profile ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCquLPgTogB6Sg6Ejg20vKRy4T7DogKgqQWhbgVC9ieHgcnSCXXf31g1nMLlwrEqYL0NBgGWkoeUWoaIj0cJATHgV0uOo-41o68LfekPqTv0WAM68jc9urdkPEp5m1xyXPO19QP94ACFo/s1600/Elevation+profile+richmond+bonnet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCquLPgTogB6Sg6Ejg20vKRy4T7DogKgqQWhbgVC9ieHgcnSCXXf31g1nMLlwrEqYL0NBgGWkoeUWoaIj0cJATHgV0uOo-41o68LfekPqTv0WAM68jc9urdkPEp5m1xyXPO19QP94ACFo/s640/Elevation+profile+richmond+bonnet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A relatively flat ride by Tassie standards, with only 1200 metres elevation gain in 107 kilometres of riding.<br />
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It's on a day like this - which is just about as good as it gets, I reckon - that I count my blessings. Apart from not currently doing any rock-climbing, this is pretty much what I had hoped for when undertaking retirement. However, as signified by the raison d'être for and title of this blog, we are not only being in the moment but also preparing for ...</div>
<h3>
THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY ...</h3>
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... when we get on the plane to link up with the folks from <a href="http://www.rideandseek.com/" target="_blank">Ride and Seek</a> and the other eighteen punters with whom we are teaming up with for our epic ride from <a href="http://www.rideandseek.com/epic/caesar" target="_blank">London to Rome</a>. I've been wording up Sam from R&S to tow some of us up the long passes. We'll see how that pans out. </div>
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Three weeks is less than one of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour_(cycling)" target="_blank">Grand Tours</a> takes to pass, so our departure is not far off at all now! We are so looking forward to this big adventure. Out of curiosity, I've just looked up the distances of each of the Grand Tours for this year. In chronological order they are:</div>
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<li><a href="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/giro-ditalia/giro-ditalia-route-192184" target="_blank">Giro d'Italia</a>: 3383 kilometres</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-route-192041" target="_blank">Tour de France</a>: 3519 kilometres</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/vuelta-a-espana-2016-route-151659" target="_blank">Vuelta a España</a>: 3277 kilometres</li>
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They'll do those distances in 21 days of racing. With only a couple of rest days along the way. Amazing. We are only covering 3120 kilometres in 26 days of riding - not racing! We'll have three days in iconic places (<a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/champagne/troyes" target="_blank">Troyes</a>, <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/lombardy-and-the-lakes/lago-di-como" target="_blank">Como</a> and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/venice" target="_blank">Venice</a>) to recharge our batteries between stints. Some days are going to involve a lot of saddle time, especially those with lots of climbing. There are actually a few days where we cover less than 100 kilometres per day so we should get a bit of time to savour the sights along the way. I suspect on the four days of 150 kms or more it's going to be primarily a matter of enjoying the sense of movement and appreciating the scenery as it passes by. One way or another, it's all going to be grand: and EPIC!<br />
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(Pssst! If you ride a bike can you please fill in my chamois creme survey on the right? Here's a <a href="http://londontoromebybicycle.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/smooth-riding.html" target="_blank">reference point</a> if you don't know where this is coming from.)<br />
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Oh, and one more thing. A belated thank-you to my friend Ivan who brought all his wheel-truing and tuning gear over on the weekend and sorted out my rear wheel for me. It's done 453 kilometres since then and has stopped making those annoying noises at slow speeds. Nice one, Ivan!</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268067566917426433.post-7629639644312723222016-04-18T18:15:00.003+10:002021-05-26T11:04:29.072+10:00The Countdown Continues ...<h3>
One Month To Go and training the house down!</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryCQUPpd14qBj74pyAQUHTtlbs4j_82S9h0rI7YDA3QYLWXVl3qJpXvHmMbNdrVwa9kX5RzstegCpv5CaTvF077DqWDAYn6ulcOSxLAU96_6a5mwm83aAxJ_zGorK-5Evz9n5Oh21nIU/s1600/The+two+of+us.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryCQUPpd14qBj74pyAQUHTtlbs4j_82S9h0rI7YDA3QYLWXVl3qJpXvHmMbNdrVwa9kX5RzstegCpv5CaTvF077DqWDAYn6ulcOSxLAU96_6a5mwm83aAxJ_zGorK-5Evz9n5Oh21nIU/s640/The+two+of+us.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>We Ride!</b></span></td></tr>
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(Kudos to whoever can first identify my jersey and its most significant wearer and post a comment.)</div>
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Today is the eighteenth of April, so it is one month to the day before Dianne and I fly out of Hobart for London and the start of our great cycling adventure. Yes, we are excited. And focussed. </div>
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Di's injury put something of a dampener on our preparation for a time, but she seems to be recovering and is managing to get more riding done with less discomfort each time she gets on the bike. So far I have managed to avoid any setbacks since getting back into proper training towards the end of March and have put in some quality kilometres on the bike. Yesterday climatic conditions in southern Tasmania were outstanding for bike riding, and I managed to do my first <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1129046642" target="_blank">imperial century</a> for the year. Di repeated the ride from <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1126436566" target="_blank">Richmond to Colebrook and back</a> that we did a few days ago, but at a faster pace.</div>
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One aspect of <b><i><a href="http://www.rideandseek.com/epic/caesar" target="_blank">Hail Caesar!</a></i></b> we are really looking forward to is meeting our fellow riders. Of the 20 punters, we are told half are couples. The age range is from 28 to 71. I expect the 28 year old and some of the other <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Young_Ones_(TV_series)" target="_blank">young ones</a> (?) will be able to tow some of us older, slower folk along some of the flatter bits so we can save ourselves for all the climbing (over 40,000 metres of it in 28 days of riding). Whether we'll be able to keep up is another matter.</div>
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Today's Ride: A Derwent Duet for Dianne and Doug</h3>
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After my big ride yesterday and Di's encouraging solo foray we decided to head up the scenic Derwent Valley for <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-42.7774068,147.0560965/Plenty,+Tasmania/Bushy+Park+TAS/Rosegarland,+Tasmania/2+Rocks+Road,+New+Norfolk+TAS/@-42.7389449,146.9681783,12z/data=!4m32!4m31!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e4019ec68c1d3:0x403c94dd0de0520!2m2!1d146.9547123!2d-42.7392196!1m10!1m1!1s0xaa6e3f4a60a11fb5:0x403c94dd0de0360!2m2!1d146.8977243!2d-42.7089373!3m4!1m2!1d146.929551!2d-42.697656!3s0xaa6e3f434b0484ff:0x1303c94dbcaa3530!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e3f0e5a822ab1:0x403c94dd0de0530!2m2!1d146.9420129!2d-42.7025695!1m5!1m1!1s0xaa6e6b64df41358b:0x92fa09bb35d14bdb!2m2!1d147.056347!2d-42.777084!3e1?hl=en" target="_blank">a short but rewarding loop</a>. Di says that this is her favourite short ride. I too like it very much, and if the road surface on much of the south side of the river wasn't so bad I might agree with her. Riding along the Derwent towards Bushy Park brings one close to the river for much of the way, then it's past cherry orchards, the Kinvarra Estate winery and on to the hop fields, across the Styx River and then the Derwent itself. A lovely climb yields views such as this one down on to the river ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLwRjA15NJnjU7n15FfOJUY69bow2CRWG76ZFhih7TZNgwsK9lYgL7qmCu7XA2sMVxx2mQkX4y1o6-6dv9rAFzWObawWap_jCX5LIwinIcVaYUfALQl1OTiCPw4t9tec7EAQ4UFAqxsw/s1600/Derwent+River+near+Bushy+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLwRjA15NJnjU7n15FfOJUY69bow2CRWG76ZFhih7TZNgwsK9lYgL7qmCu7XA2sMVxx2mQkX4y1o6-6dv9rAFzWObawWap_jCX5LIwinIcVaYUfALQl1OTiCPw4t9tec7EAQ4UFAqxsw/s640/Derwent+River+near+Bushy+Park.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... which looks lovely even on a dull day. </div>
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Here's a photo I took from the same spot, of Di, looking back towards Mt Field National Park in the distance ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ID_gjj0OamGYJ-DUq4_ZOolijSGMZC1GJO0eaCwr_LUVLVrGgAKOfZZZRFjgIl7GRXICy1S264-39wF9XcmAGt1j4a92aY3jeVjDJmPwf7w78MozxkYk0c-Om4FZYYWqsYgTBKqw-CE/s1600/Di+at+rest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ID_gjj0OamGYJ-DUq4_ZOolijSGMZC1GJO0eaCwr_LUVLVrGgAKOfZZZRFjgIl7GRXICy1S264-39wF9XcmAGt1j4a92aY3jeVjDJmPwf7w78MozxkYk0c-Om4FZYYWqsYgTBKqw-CE/s640/Di+at+rest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once on the other side of the river a short, sharp climb gives way to a long, swooping descent and more great views of the river and more orchards. Quiet country roads, open vistas, interesting terrain and attractive scenery. What's not to like? </div>
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We cruised along, taking turns at the front and just enjoyed being out. Another day of living life and interacting with the environment. And the major bonus is that we've gone a little further down the track to being ready for a gorgeous, month long cycling extravaganza.<br />
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Caesar's Itinerary Keeps Us Motivated</h3>
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Every once in a while we have a peek at the details of Caesar. Looking at the route from time to time and reading about some of the historical highlights along the way is really good for keeping us on task. I can now share what that route looks like ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HYXZPhLfM8GjtuSTh30Ncv64PYAq4znFv5Tn_z0D-Im3CsUa23RcEuDOyUVJOGfSF4sE9UJSo8oTQWjKWapibjLdDaviQYz-oFfYE0NJSK4bp3_HQU-iNdxMJJ5Ozr_sCFv_vwJ9Jew/s1600/Caesar+overview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HYXZPhLfM8GjtuSTh30Ncv64PYAq4znFv5Tn_z0D-Im3CsUa23RcEuDOyUVJOGfSF4sE9UJSo8oTQWjKWapibjLdDaviQYz-oFfYE0NJSK4bp3_HQU-iNdxMJJ5Ozr_sCFv_vwJ9Jew/s640/Caesar+overview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each purple dot represents an overnight stay, with <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/champagne/troyes" target="_blank">Troyes</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKsGYmCkswc" target="_blank">Como</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Venice&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&imgil=4ibNQANe5FDJaM%253A%253ByVf_k08-AKl4UM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fmiriadna.com%25252Ftag%25252Fvenice&source=iu&pf=m&fir=4ibNQANe5FDJaM%253A%252CyVf_k08-AKl4UM%252C_&usg=__h0PlaINHg8zby1DuYCMW7ZiAt9A%3D&biw=1213&bih=610&ved=0ahUKEwievoer0pfMAhUM_mMKHSACAkQQyjcINQ&ei=6YkUV96lKYz8jwOghIigBA#imgrc=4ibNQANe5FDJaM%3A" target="_blank">Venice</a> marking two-night stops and a rest day <i style="font-weight: bold;">and</i> a chance to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzf1_6ROslI" target="_blank">do the laundry</a>! </div>
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Finally, if you're a serious cyclist how about taking part in my chamois cream survey on the right of the page? It would be fun to see what people think about different potions and lotions to keep things peachy down there!</div>
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Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12724255802945843203noreply@blogger.com4