Sunday, 23 July 2023
Alex writes: After 2130 km with 19000 metres of climbing, 3 punctures, multiple tubes of bum creme, and innumerable pizzas, croissants, gelatos, coffees, beers and negronis, we did it; we cycled to Rome.
I can't quite believe that what had started out as idle musings several years ago had actually happened! Without doubt the planning paid off. The company was great, the sights fantastic, the challenges challenging, and the 'pilgrimage' completed!
My best moment. This is difficult for many reasons, not least because there were a lot of very special moments and many have already become blurred; largely because they were 'in the moment'! The feeling of satisfaction after completing many of the tough climbs rank highly, as did riding around The Colosseum and past the Arch of Constantine, but visiting the velodrome in Roubaix has to be right up there. The sense of cycling history was, for me at least, very special and seeing the iconic yet understated facility was quite moving.
My worst moment. Without doubt the descent from the Col du Bonhomme! – descending is the weakest skill in my cycling locker and although I enjoyed the smooth, sweeping roads at the top of this near 1000m col, lower down was a different story! The road was pitted, straighter, narrower and probably faster. These features combined to cause a high-speed wobble which was very scary! With some difficulty, I did manage to stop the oscillation and made it to the bottom safely. The reasons for wobble are multi-factorial and I was very relieved that it was not repeated on any of the later descents.
My favourite piece of equipment. My second bidon! With the high temperatures this was invaluable. The first was filled with water plus sugar-free electrolytes; the second just with water, topped up at every stop and worth its weight in … water!
What I'd do differently. Thanks to all of the preparatory work and fantastic camaraderie/teamwork, not a lot!
My best moment. Probably the boat trip on the Po with ferryman Danilo Parisi, although my Italian haircut was quite special and on further consideration just pips the boat trip.
My worst moment. At about 1.30am in the morning on either night 4 or 5 when I was very seriously planning to head home in the morning due to lack of sleep.
My favourite piece of equipment. Am I allowed to say my wonderful Trek Domane? If not, then my new Ortlieb handlebar bag.
What I'd do differently. Take my sleeping pills earlier! Or have even less kit –overnight washing and drying was very successful.
This was a really great trip, made more enjoyable by the other participants!
My best moment. There were several, but perhaps my favourite was when, after climbing in the heat all afternoon on Day 4, I finished the final descent to see Glyn ready outside the hotel with 4 large beers.
My worst moment. When I discovered I'd left several items of clothing at the Hotel de la Poste in Bouillon (but it was great when the hotel posted them back to the UK!)
My favourite piece of equipment. My biggest sprocket.
What I'd do differently. I had too many waterproofs and generally too much gear in the wrong place on the bike. Another time, I'd have a handlebar box and a much smaller pack on the seatpost, and not panniers.
This was a fantastic adventure and I was pleased and relieved to arrive in Rome, since before the tour I'd been dubious about my ability to complete the trip, following a succession of illnesses I had no fitness, a lot of excess weight, and no cycling mojo. Still, I "cycled into fitness" and my excellent companions were patient with me which meant the whole experience was a joy.
My best moment. Among so many to choose from, it has to be the day getting over the Alps and ending on the shores of Lake Maggiore. I'm not very good at climbing, but I do enjoy it – and to reach Italy and feel the end was in sight (if over a week away) was deeply satisfying.
My worst moment. The end of the first day: as we neared the Thames my back was aching, my knees were singing, my head was splitting and I felt totally cooked (not least by the hot sun). My doubts about whether this was a wise undertaking were confirmed. Next day however, all was good ...
My favourite piece of equipment. My gearing. I'd carefully worked out what I wanted and bought the things to implement it: a "mullet" 1x system with a single 38T chain ring at the front and a 11-50T cassette using a mountain bike derailleur. It was just what I needed with a real "granny gear" for when the gradient ramped up.
What I'd do differently. Maybe take some cologne to add a touch of class to the evenings?