Saturday 4 June 2016

A Grand Day Out

Over the Gotthard We Go ...

... 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 ...



Plaudits and Farewells

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.

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 ...


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 Ride and Seek 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.

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 Holden Cheetah; 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 ...


Yes, it was pretty cool up there!

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.

Another Wet Start

Wet Streets viewed from our hotel

Wet weather gear for everyone; Sarah poised for action as ever

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 ...




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.

Getting On With It

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 ...



... and a lovely snap of Richie and Tony riding together ...


We got a bit of tunnel vision  alongside the lake and into the woods at times, with this clearly older arrangement ...



... along with the more modern high tech solution ...


... meanwhile, what I believe was a ferry boat cruised up the lake...


Getting Closer to Gotthard

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 ...


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) ...


... and Don got a couple of great photos of some old roads, bridges and tunnels ...




A few punters stopped at this lovely little establishment for an extra break ...




... and with a welcoming entrance like this who wouldn't be tempted to stop ...




A Spanner or Two in the Works


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 ...


... and José ...


... were on hand to watch and encourage while Tony got to grips with this particular episode.

I did find the sign in the background a touch ironic given the situation!

Lunch and Beyond


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 ...



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 ...



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.

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. 

The Mighty Gotthard

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 ...



... and a sequence of photos of folks pleased with their arrival:

Here's Ian and Emily ...



... and Jo and José ...



... and a delighted Di Batten ...



... and one of the ever-inscrutable Sharon ...


 Sarah took my photo by the Gotthard monument ...




Don got this great detail shot of the monument ...


... and Di contributed this photo showing how much snow was still about generally ...


I liked this photo Don framed up of the directions to Milano and Lucerne, with a statue in the background ...


Here's the van, packed with people and their bikes taking the easier way down to our hotel in Airolo ...


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 ...



... and another of the cobbles stretching away in the distance before taking the first of 21 hairpin bends ...



Down at the hotel we savoured the local brew ...



Harold had worn his new Bianci jersey for the descent, but nevertheless looked like a real old-time bike warrior  ...



We very much enjoyed reliving the day's adventures over dinner ...


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!

2 comments:

  1. So unlucky with the weather, but congratulations for the fantastic way in which you are embracing the challenge. I love those tunnel/bridge combos. Best wishes.

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  2. Great write up Doug and thanks for the kind comments! I'm enjoying catching up with your blog as I wait for my plane back to Australia!

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