The peloton was the biggest of the trip today. After the arrival of Denise and Massimo yesterday their friends Giorgio and Susie also joined us today. Giorgio has a clear pedigree in cycling as I am told his father was the trainer for Fausto Coppi. I rode behind him for a short while and noticed he wore a helmet with gold decorations and world champion stripes on it. I assumed a connection to Paolo Bettini the italian ex world champion and Olympic gold medalist in Bejing and asked if he was a fan. Yes he said "He lives near here". then Massimo told me that he also had dinner with him a few weeks ago and proceeded to show me photos of them together. I was in awe!!
We also were joined by Mark Hudson who many years ago (in fact 2008 he reminded me) came with us to ride Vatternrundan in Sweden which is a 186 miles around a lake and ridden in one day. He met us at the hotel with Laura his wife and children and they became a second support car for the day.
Leaving The hotel in Lucca after breakfast there was a beautiful view of the sun coming up. which felt like a taster of the incredible scenery to come.
I took up the back rider position and we hadn't even gone beyond the city walls of Lucca before we had a puncture to fix but 10 mins later we were on the road again weaving between the city traffic. Somehow a peloton of 15 had more gravitas with the traffic than one of 11 or 10. It's amazing how at a roundabout holding up a hand on an outstretched arm to command the traffic will do. They really are somehow willing to accept its your right of way and not theirs.
The first 40 miles we were a disciplined road train even though we had never ridden altogether before. We rode mostly in a line and our average speed went up considerably. It made the miles tick by quickly and on several occasions I had to admire the view from the back end as a snaking peloton weaves around the corners with wheel rims glinting in the sunshine. We looked for all the world like a well oiled team after a few days on the road the novices had learnt a lot and it showed. We looked good and it was exciting to he a part of the team.
Riding through one town the route took us straight through the market. I am surprised no one came out the other side with clothes hanging from their handlebars we were so close to the stalls.
Then we started to climb the tuscan hills which was hard in the heat of the day but not impossible. The views were spectacular.
There were only a few things as the back to deal with but mostly we moved on and came to a lovely lunch spot from our fine support crew. I wasn't hungry though and tried to force some food down. Today wasn't my day and my legs weren't as full of energy as I would have liked.
The hotel had a pool so I handed my responsibility over to Chris for the tail end position and Jeff, JP and Matt joined me on the express train to the hotel. 33 miles until we could swim.
The motivation was high to get to the finish and we worked hard between the 4 of us to get there. The last three miles were on busy dual carriageway which we have subsequently discovered bikes are banned from. It didn't stop us though and the speed we were doing almost equated that with most trucks. We quickly adapted the usual changeover routine of pulling out onto the carriageway to allow the rest of the team to come through. With cars and trucks passing so close and so frequently (don't read that bit please dad!) we made use of the lay-bys every mile or so. The lead rider pulled off into the lay by while the other riders came past. Then the previous lead rider pulled back onto the carriageway at the end of the train. It was fun and we all four of us enjoyed the last 30 miles immensely. I felt like I didn't have the legs today though and was holding the others back. We made it to the end though without incident and hopefully I didn't most of my share of work on the front.
We made it to the hotel before the forecast thunderstorms (which have still not arrived). Our reward a quick dip in the pool before everyone else arrived.
Just as I was walking to the pool the Landy arrived and I felt terribly guilty at the thought of the bags to be unloaded and the rooms to be sorted so after a micro dip in the pool went to help the support crew. It's not their Job to wait on us hand and foot and I see no reason for them to be carting our bags in and out. For anyone who has been a support driver I say it's more exhausting than actually riding an event. So the more help they can have the better. I had the ultimate pleasure of serving them Prosecco while they took a quick dip in the pool.
THANK YOU SUPPORT! You have been amazing and I hope you realise how valued all your efforts are.
I am afraid between my duties at the back and constantly racing to catch up or racing off the front with the fast boys I took very few photos today. Having no energy I wasn't up for stopping for pics then knowing the inevitable chase to catch back on would be coming. Matt has given me a couple of his to add in so hopefully it won't be too dull today!
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