Day 7 : The One With The Hills

Day 7 : Turkismuhle to Steinsel Ride Stats

A short 103km Sunday ride through the German and Luxembourgish countryside, hopefully arriving in time to watch some football.

A thought hit me last night that maybe St Gotthards came too soon. Only 3 days in, it seemed to be the pinnacle, challenge-wise of the trip. Doing it so soon meant that there was nothing as big to look forward to until we hit Manchester. It may also have caused Dan and Steve to injure themselves by pushing too hard, too soon.

If it was today, we’d have a big event at the half way point to look forward to, and would be properly prepared physically and mentally for the climb. But that’s not the case. So we have to find the challenge/enjoyment in each day. For me, today is entering a new country and getting a half day to look forward to.

The route is so short (!) compared to the usual that Soner has left one side of the route card totally blank. Reading it there are two big climbs – one either side of the checkpoint (40km and 90km) so not too daunting. But we all thought that yesterday, so I prepared myself for the worst. Visualise steep climb after steep climb and be prepared or pleasantly surprised. And in the interests of preparation, Weatherman Dan predicted heavy showers in Lux so rain jackets were in the pocket just in case.

I decided to ride with Dan and Steve C today and we set off at the back ,easing gently into the ride, and warming up my aching joints and their injuries. Weird watching everyone else hare off into the distance and not want to give chase.

A combination of villages and countryside, with climbs through the villages. The boys were fine, slower on the slopes, but looking good on the flats. A pleasant sunny Sunday ride, good banter and the day was comfortable.

We met two German cyclists who stopped to say hello. “Where are you going?” they asked. “Manchester, in England.” Steve replied. “Really, today??” came the surprised response. We clearly looked in better shape than we felt!

Just after 20km we entered a forest and saw the longest, reasonably shallow, but seemingly never ending climb through the trees. As before I pulled away from the boys, finding it impossible to not go at my normal pace without risking some injury or other. Scattered ahead were yellow jerseys, and one by one I managed to catch up with them. Ian, taking a comfort break, Lewis, Steve M, Neville, Rod all taking it steady up the slope. Dan and Steve had disappeared from view. Feeling physically comfortable at least, I didn’t want to leave them behind – but knew they were together and I’d wait at the checkpoint. I also feared for my safety when we get back to Malta – Hannah won’t be happy to know I left Dan again.

Can you believe, this climb didn’t even get a mention on the route card? Almost 15km of steady climb totally un-noticed on the pre-ride trip. But I really enjoyed it – I’ve found that the steady hill climbs are a favourite for me and my legs once I get a decent rhythm going.

Down a ridiculously short hill the other side, no time to recover and then into the climb we’d been expecting all along. Another 3km, this time a far steeper 13% which really stretched out the pack, before a great downhill into the village and the checkpoint.

The checkpoint is busy – everyone is enjoying the fact that it’s a short ride, and the great hospitality and cakes on offer at the stop – and most of the advance riders are still there. The atmosphere is relaxed, very much a Sunday feeling. Even better, Dan and Steve arrive less than 10 minutes behind me, clearly able to fly down the hills twice as fast as the rest of us.

The others slowly head off and we follow after cake, chocolate, coffee and a few other bits to keep us going. Fabulous. We stay together for the next 7km until another 2km / 13% climb. It seems steeper and moving ahead I meet up with Mark, Natalino and Victor from Weasel Company. Its getting cloudy but it’s still warm and humid. We reach the top of the marked climb. But it doesn’t stop there.

Through small village after small village with winding roads we continue to climb. Each turn un-veiling another piece of the ascent. The Weasels carry radios to keep in touch. As we reach the top of each corner Mark repeatedly radios ahead to Patrick and says “Apparently there’s more....”

I had to laugh. The last few were so steep, they towered above us, more like walls than roads. And with high brick walls on both sides the sense of claustrophobia was interesting. Out of the village and the road points Sky-ward. Mark suggests this is the road to Heaven. Bizarrely I’m finding the whole experience entertaining. I’m laughing out loud with each new turn. Hyterical. Or maybe just hysteria?

It’s like predicting the future and seeing it come true. Prepared for it, I just click down the gears and keep peddling. But thank the Lord it isn’t as sunny and hot as yesterday!

Up one last stretch and what’s that up ahead? An omnipotent all-seeing, all-knowing Being surrounded by a horde of angels? Was Mark right? Was this the road to Heaven? As we approach I see the clipboard and wonder if they’re going to let us in or send us “down below”. But something isn’t quite right. Where are the white robes, flowing white hair and beard, harps, wings? This chaps got no hair, and the angels are wearing yellow t-shirts! – it’s Alan and the back up team, there to cheer us on.

As I say, by this time hysteria had set in and I couldn’t get the dream sequence scene from Grease out of my head, and pictured Alan and the girls singing “LifeCycle Drop- out” to us all as we passed by. Ridiculous I know, but it made me chuckle.

The steepest climbs yet, but they were great. And guess what? Mostly not on the cards, but it didn’t matter. Natalino and I waited at the top, for photos and to wait for Dan and Steve. They’re feeling stronger and weren’t far behind at all.

We re-group and head into Lux. It starts to rain, and the jackets go on. At 90km the next (and last) set of steep climbs through winding Lux villages with Charles, Paul and Willy with us for the ride. 103km and we’re home, just after 1.30pm. What a great feeling all done for the day and it’s not even 2pm!

The ride was tough, despite the relative short distance (who’d have thought I’d ever say that about 100km???) but was probably one of my favourite days. I enjoyed the challenge of the climbs and also being back riding with Dan and Steve. My knees are still aching, but no worse. I’m using a fair amount of Sudacrem and will probably have to buy a new tub for the new arrival! But, again, no worse. I’m getting used to riding with the pain just there in the background now, and can get by without worrying too much while riding, which is helping immensely.

Maybe, just maybe, Soner could have used the other side of that card to give us a bit more of a clue about those climbs.  But, just for today, I didn't mind either way.

We’re now in the Pizzeria (not serving food until 6pm!!) and Alan is having kittens at the Newcastle scoreline. The locals have left, completely amazed at how excited someone can get at a game of football. Lucky they won’t be here for the next match!!

One week down, 5 days to go. 1,150km down, 900km to go. A big day tomorrow, in mileage and climbs, but an even bigger one the day after that. If we get through those, we’ll be hitting England the day after. So far so good :)

Oh, and thanks to everyone who's reading the blog, and particularly those leaving comments - it helps to keep writing at the end of the day to see that you're reading this.  :)