Well, to be fair, the rain only started after 90 kms and I wasn’t singing.
During the Granfondo Sean Kelly Classic today, it was almost 10 degrees warmer than last week and that makes a difference.
When we were having breakfast, it was raining, but by the time I got on the bike at the start, it had cleared up quite a bit.
And when a watery sun actually came out, I was looking like an idiot in my new overshoes…
I left just after nine and the first 8 kms or so we descended at high speed.
There was already a photographer at the bottom of the first climb of the day (Jevigne), but only 140 kms later there was one again.
The climbs – about 15 ‘official’ ones – followed each other in rapid succession.
At Vielsalm I cycled the extra loop of 11 km, including the not so easy climb to and beyond Petit Thier.
The Wanne was ridden slightly differently than last week (no descent) and on top I also included the optional round with the Stockeu.
That was a bit less of struggle than last week, because it was much earlier in the route, but it remains a tough loop…
However, the heavy lifting starts from kms 90 onwards: the Redoute, Chambralles and Ferrières combo – in the now pouring rain – was a struggle.
Stupid is as stupid does, so I didn’t flinch at the prospect of the Rideux – a pain in itself, but since it continues at 10% for a few kilometers through Heyd, I ran out of breath.
I skipped the 3rd and final supply post – only at the 2nd (before the Redoute) I did grab something to drink, a waffle and a banana from the tables – and started the endless road up.
You are starting somewhere around 220 meters and you know that you have to get to 670 – you have about 20 kilometers to get there, but you can’t really take a breather anymore.
The N806 climbs steadily, grades between 3 and 5 percent, but only for about 10 kms.
Then it often becomes very steep via Grandmenil, Oster and (especially) Odeigne, with 12% being no exception.
In short, I was glad when I passed the finish line – and it started to rain cats and dogs again after I did…
The Garmin registration – I sometimes forget to press the start button again after a break, so also today there are a few ‘ski lifts’ in the track.
Today’s goal was to see if I can obtain a gold certificate at the Vélomédiane: less than 6:35 over approximately 170 kms, with 3,300 meters of elevation gain.
I’m not sure…
