On today's ride were Dave, Angelo, Denise, Karl and I. My preparation had been poor, having put on 5lbs on a cruise after eating the equivalent of a Roman feast every night and drinking 3 months worth of alcohol in 7 nights! To counter this, the best bike was prepped and kit laid out the night before but then it rained and so the overshoes and winter bike were substituted. We had no rain on the ride save for 5 mins of drizzle. Dave's route took us to Swansea with the promise of trying out a new climb called L'alpe de Swansea!
Now I am fortunate enough to have taken on Ventoux, The Galibier, The Tourmalet and of course Alpe D'Huez so I did not pay too much attention to the route. I could see a couple of hairpins and I thought that was it - how wrong I was! A dozen or so hairpins later I gasped over the line at the top. Angelo had taken off to take the KOM ( he could have gone faster still without his gilet flapping in the wind and 10 gels in his pocket!), but the climb is certainly a challenge!
We then took the bike path to Mumbles and stopped at a new to us- but very good cafe. Back down the cycle track and then the obligatory burn up on the way back. Denise and Karl passed their Pacers Accreditation with flying colours and I hope they join us again. Thanks to Dave for a good route and a great morning out..!
