Today (the day of Milan – San Remo, or ‘La Primavera’), C. participated in his first organised tour of 2011.
Since he did not know how he would get out of the winter season, he had registered for the 75 km as a precaution at the beginning of December.
Either that or 150 km, which would be best kept for later, he thought at the time…
His first “Joop Zoetemelk Classic” too and since he turned out to be in pretty good shape, the tour was not more challenging than, for example, the ‘Grand Depart’ of last year.
Way too many narrow cycle paths (overtaking near impossible) and ridiculously many twists and turns, through tunnels, over construction sites and more than one tricky intersection.
No wonder that it still took him almost 2:30 for the 77.1 registered kilometres.
The parts where he cycled alone – and sometimes in a fast group – went quite smoothly, but when you are behind a group of fellow cyclists who never yield while moving at a walking pace, you have enough time to eat a sandwich on your bike…
It was a bit chilly this morning, about 3 degrees. Of course he brought thermal clothing, but no gloves with fingers and they were bought on the spot.
The roads were still wet here and there from yesterday’s rain, so the bike will have to go through the car wash.
And of course the dreaded ‘Col du Bourg à la Crème’ was almost too much at the end and nearly finished him off 🙂
By the way, the last 10 kilometers or so, his rear tire slowly but steadily deflated and at the top of the col, he had to quickly pump some air into it in order to be able to continue.
All in all a nice ride, but whether or not it will be a keeper…
