Sardegna day 3
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:32 am
What a difference a day and some anti-biotics makes. That was a lot of fun today, in between the sufferingin the headwind that was blowing 30 kms/hr at the start. Today's distance was 109 kms with only 1050m of climbing. Dave came in with a group of fifteen at 3:17 only 20 minutes back, with an average speed near 34km/hr. John and I hung in with the peloton for the first 27kms including a little rise of 120 meters. I felt like a bike racer. I had a tear in my eye when one of my front spokes lightly clipped someone's derailleur during one of the many surges as we squeezed by cars pulled over. Enough of that emotional crap, keep an eye on the road. John and I were dropped when the road pitched up to 7%. After we crested, a guy who had flatted cruised by, tapped me on the shoulder, pulled in front of me and pulled us for 5 kms in the headwind. Priceless. Later on we caught a wheel for a few kms of another rider who had flatted and passed but otherwise we saw no one. John and I came in together at 3:48, averaging just over 29kms/hr, finishing 125 and 126 out of 137 riders. A good ride for us considering the wind and the fact we were alone for 70kms. I still sit second last overall but now 3 riders are near so I hope to crush then during tomorrow's jaunt of 160 kms with 2235m of climbing. The race would be even better if more Victorians were here. Save $300 per month and you could go next year. Who needs money for retirement or food for their children when you could bike race in Italy?
