Training Log Archive: Stijn

Brilliant day riding along the shores of Lake Como via Belaggio to Lecco. Charne has joined us for the stretch to Venice so it was a good start for her until the last part of the day out of Lecco - 500m climb in the rain at 7pm. It's a good thing we have crazy friends...

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move65273565

Busy trafficky day. A few quiet forestry sections, but mostly battling it out with the cars. At least we're in Como now, which is spectacular!

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64901109

Only need to be in Como to meet Charne tomorrow night so 2 easy days for us. Nothing too noteworthy today, just rolling hills, mostly downhill and hot, humid weather. Camped on the shore of Lago Maggiore.

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64775889

Got an early start and found a cafe for coffees and pastries straight away. Then we had a tortuous climb up to Andrate. None of this consistently graded alpine stuff. Nope, this one was 15% gradients followed by flats or even downhills and them back up to 15% on repeat. The kind of climb Pantani loved apparently. Awesome narrow contouring road to reach the Santuario di Oropa, followed by a steep climb up to a tunnel and a steeper descent into the valley. Finally, a 600m climb past the Bielmonte ski station and then down to Castagnea, where we're spending the night at a farm stay. Loads of climbing - pity the views were so hazy.

Good luck for EA everyone!

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64681603

Beautiful day to start, but got hot and windy later on. Spent the whole day "descending" the Aosta valley, but plenty of small steep hills either side of the river. Back into the mountains tomorrow, Como on Saturday.

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64560255

It rained overnight and was still raining in the morning. Turns out our 10-year old tent is not that waterproof anymore! And there were slugs everywhere... Packed everything wet and set off for the nearest Boulangerie in Bourg St Maurice. Fortunately the weather started clearing after breakfast and we had a glorious sunny ride up the Col du Petit Saint Bernard to the Italian border. We were even able to dry all our stuff out on some picnic tables while we had our lunch two-thirds of the way up. The climb was long (28km) but easy (4-5% gradient) and soon we were bombing down into the Aosta Valley in Italy. Camping (slugless) in Arvier tonight.

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64465603

Col de la Madeleine today. What a monster... 1500m climb over 19km, with a relentlessly consistent gradient. Took us 3h to cycle up including a 30min coffee break halfway. Not as scenic as the Galibier, but still well worth doing. The AG2R team were out training on the pass and naturally they were caning it past us. At least they were kind enough to shout out some "Allez!" of encouragement on their way down ;) Yet another awesome downhill (1500m over 27km) and then 30km up the valley to a campsite right next to the bike path, about 6km before Bourg St Maurice. Italy tomorrow!

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64373253

C • Epic 2