The Debora Matthews Fellowship

Phone blog again. Another very long day. Finished up at 122km, over 100km of which were in teeth of strong headwind. Again. At least was warm and sunny, but we have certainly offended the wind gods in Italy. Started with 200m climb so that Cat could do a hill. She did the whole day – and she’s not on a fast road bike. She’s on a borrowed hybrid bike which is way too big for her. Not surprisingly she was exhausted by the finish. Her last day as she and Lisa are heading home on Saturday. Rest day for Joe and Frankie which we are ready for. Some big climbs to come.

Just before we set off we did a video of me with some thoughts on why we are riding for Debora. I’m very grateful to Filip Matous for all the effort he put into filming and editing it. Find out more about Filip on Standstrong TV

Here is a still of me and one of my training partners.

And here is the full video:

Rain. Lots of it. All morning.
Very slow going on busy roads until we reached the lake. By that time Cat was very cold so we packed her into the car. It was a good effort though in horrible conditions.
Frankie and I then did the East side of Lake Garda from bottom to top. Meanwhile the wind was making the same journey from top to bottom. You can see why it is such a windsurfing Mecca. They were screaming along out there. Didn’t do us any favours though, and it was a very long day. By the finish of which I was knackered. Stunning scenery notwithstanding.
Haven’t done much since apart from shower and eat. Now blogging on whilst lying on the bed prior to sleeping on it.
Forecast is better for tomorrow. Let’s hope they’re right.

There wasn’t any real way of avoiding the main road between Milano and Brescia. That was a shame as it was very very busy with large trucks belting through at serious speeds. It was still hot too so it all made for a bit of a tiring slightly stressful day. We’re all arrived safely though, and really well done to Cat. She’s not an experienced cyclist and she hasn’t spent 2 1/2 weeks cycling herself fit. She did the whole way today including the ride out of Milan (for which we found a good rat run avoiding any horrendous junctions with the Tangenziale).
We were very sorry to say goodbye to Neil and Francesca though who had been fantastic hosts. Still we will see them again on Friday when they come up to Bolzano to be with us for the weekend. Or is it Saturday – I am really losing track.
Frankie’s day was made by finding an Alfa dealer with the new Guilietta in the showroom. It does look very nice, although as a confirmed Alfa fan I may be biased.
Might try pasta for dinner tonight… or how about a risotto ??

One thing sums up cycling through Milan. Bloody cobbles. More like slabs actually. Sufficient to shake Frankie’s cycle computer off. Strangely nobody managed to run it over and he was able to recover it in working order.

This blog is taking a very long time to write because it is being constantly interrupted by Francesca serving me ever more courses of fantastic food. Her risotto was way better than last nights and that wasnt bad. If I can walk at all tomorrow never mind cycle I shall be doing well.

Cycling still flat today and will be tomorrow, but that will be the last of it. Not sorry in truth because theres only so long that paddy fields can hold your interest. Still hot and likely to remain so.

Well actually we are a few km past Vercelli which is a very attractive town in the heart of the Italian rice-growing area. After cycling through paddy fields all day, I now have a risotto craving which I intend to satisfy as soon as is decent.
Frankie and I navigated ourselves through the Northern side of Torino. I am sure there are pleasanter routes through but you would have to know Torino to find them. We didn’t so our route was efficient rather than scenic. The Iveco trucks outside the factory looked nice though. Once we were through the city Cat joined us on the ride – her first day on the continental part of the trip.
A few things to catch up on…
I’d forgotten just how wonderful Monetier-les-Bains is. Go there in Winter for the skiing, summer for the walking and cycling, anytime for the spa, Briancon for the fascinating old town. Go there: see Mel if you need an apartment or help with just about anything else Eurekaski; stay with Paul at the hotel Rif Blanc if you prefer to be looked after Hotel Rif Blanc, and for skiing lessons Gavin at New Generation Skiing New Generation Skiing . Yes I am plugging my friends, but they were all very kind to us and deserve it. They are also all great at what they do.
We’re taking a break from camping tonight as there aren’t really any sites in this part of Italy, and instead are staying in a strangely Germanic sort of motel (it’s very nice, but you’d have to be here). It’s still very hot, and there was a headwind although not as strong as yesterday. It’s also been the first ride that has been almost entirely flat, with only the odd bridge over an autostrada for relief.
Shortish ride into Milan tomorrow to sample Francesca’s cooking. Really looking forward to this. As well as putting us all up for the night, she and Neil have been really supportive all the way through. They are also coming with us from Bolzano to Selva.

Another quick blog from the phone. The ascent over the Col du Montgenevre seemed quite tame after what went before. But hey we are over the alps! Awesome descent down the other side. Followed by 70km ride to Turin to meet Lisa and Cat. Mow eating pizza and ice cream.