Day 10 - Pont st Martin to Gavi

Well today seems to have lasted a week! We started off our day in the shadow of the alpine foothills and were pleased to emerge into the Po valley and be able to remove our armwarmers as the sunshine finally cast its spell upon us. A puncture was the only disruption to some steady miles and an organised road train working together to knock off the miles. We stopped at Strombino rail station for coffee sitting amongst what looked to be Strombinos octogenarian society founding members. Some members of the peloton were feeling somewhat jaded after a night of frequent visits to the bathroom and some opted out altogether to recuperate in the car. 

The sun was out and the weather fine and after many miles straight in the main road we turned off to rural country roads with corn growing on either side to at least 7 ft tall. It's actually proved very useful for the odd person needing to dash off at short notice into the bushes! 

We then after many miles of the Po valley started to see some more gentle hills and road for a while crossing back and forth across a valley bottom and river before starting to climb more regularly to little hilltop villages visible from miles away with their churches and castles silhouetted against the bright sunshine. 

On many occasions we saw these Villages from a distance before winding our ways between the fields and along the rural 'strada' to them. They were all quite beautiful and charming with their rustic architecture, quiet cobbled streets and terracotta hued colours. The riding became exactly what I expected of this part of Italy, stunning hilly arable land with hill top villages plucked straight from a picture postcard. 

The gradients kicked up and showed us the meaning of >10% and our legs started to complain regularly. At least there were some sweeping downhills too but sadly the road surface doesn't generally permit the hands to relax from the brake levers to really enjoy the descent. Just as we were getting into our stride atop the hilly ridges between villages we found the road was closed for repair. After 80 odd miles no one was very happy to take a long detour around so we all pushed or carried our bikes 'cyclocross' style around the ploughed and muddy field to the end of the road works. 

There were a few near misses after that as shoes an cleats were full of mud and release mechanisms were a little slower. A few wobbles at traffic lights made it clear we all had a shoe and cleat cleaning session to come at the hotel. Mud and pedal systems aren't a good mix.

Everyone survived the long day well. Alex suffered a bit more than others but both him and Nick Beven are showing what young people are capable of when you have youth on your side. Their strength is improving day by day and although they both suffer silently at times we all know they are finding things tough. Their perseverance and determination seem to win through each day and they come back for more. Nick is turning into quite a climber I think, his willowy figure ideal for power to weight ratio's. 

The land rover with Liz and Angela aboard followed us and met at various points along the way either for a picnic lunch or to just restock supplies and drinks. The sun was hot and we valued their support. 

Then at 92 miles into our day we arrived to meet them at a cafe where Liz had texted us to say we could get an ice cream. When we turned up the patron had left and would not return for 15 minutes. The peloton weren't happy. The thought of that ice cream is what kept us alive for the previous 15 miles ( well that's what it felt like anyway!). Mutiny was almost afoot when the cafe owner returned and opened up offering very generous portions of 'Gelati' . Jeff and I both enjoy our first Italian pistachio ice cream.

By the time we had munched our ice creams and found out the village was adorned with ribbons for a reason then wind was up and the clouds were gathering fast. We all stuck a raincoat in our pockets and soon stopped to put them on. 

The rain was heavy and lightening lit the way occasionally. The pace line of weary wet riders broke up as people became bored of 'spray in the face' from the rider in front. The we were down to almost 5 miles to go. The rain eased off from the thunderous downpours to ease into a blue sky dotted with rain clouds and the town of Gavi came into view, we were all happy with the impending end to the day but with one last climb to navigate up to the hotel our stamina was truly tested. A 1mile plus steep uphill led to the hotel with gradients hitting 12% then eventually we found our drivers and other support car and settled in for the night at a beautiful old Italian villa set on the side of the hill. the sun was setting between the stormclouds as we started the evening routine. A washing machine in the room meant a quick wash of our soggy cycle gear was in order and some shoe cleaning to remove the dirt from earlier then we were set to eat.

The hotel being as remote as it is up on the hill had no restaurant due to a power cut earlier in the week so Scott went to town in his car and ordered 20 pizzas. (All were demolished) .

Some of us stayed up to sample some local Gavi wine while the younger team members went to bed at 20.30! 

Tomorrow is a day I fear, much more than the alps. If the data is to be believed we have a day of 82 miles mostly perpetual climbing up and down at gradients into double figures. It's one I asked Jeff to review for me such was my fear. His opinion was the data must be wrong. Lets hope he was right. If he wasnt I think we may need to ride ahead to drown out the complaints from the peloton. I shall be glad to get to Borghetto di Vara tomorrow I know that much..