The rain it Italy stays... everywhere.
This year's Giro is a real soaker. The only days that I do not remember rain were stages 2, 3 and 6 in the Netherlands. Two-thirds of the race has been wet and stage 7 added mud to the menu.
As I watch this, I can't help but think back to the trip Giuseppe and I took to the Giro back in 2007. Everything started well enough. The first we had a little spin up the river valley. Skies were cloudy but it was a nice day. The next day was warm and sunny as we rode the rolling hills around Bassano.
After those two days, the fun began in more ways than one. First, we hit the mountains. As grueling as they could be, there is great satisfaction in cresting a big mountain. Second, the scenery became amazing. The Dolomites can be absolutely spectacular. Third, and fun in only the most sarcastic way, the rain began.
Day three - rain for about one-third the climb of Passo Rolle
Day four - pouring rain for the climb of Tre Croce, and some light mist at other times.
Day five - Good weather for Passo Campolongo and Passo Gardena. Rain began to fall as did the temperatures on the descent of Passo Gardena and the climb of Passo Sella. We ate lunch in the restaurant at the top of the Sella. After lunch it was basically dry except for some we roads but when we reached the top of Passo Pordoi it was 1 degree celsius and we were chilled to the bone. My arms were quivering most of the way down the approximate 40 switchback turns. Unpleasant and a little scary.
Day six - snow as we watched the race pass by on Passo Campolongo.
Day seven - beautiful day for the climb of the Marmolada
Day eight - Another nice day
Day nine - A few dry points in the middle of the ride but lots of rain at the start and the end.
Day ten - Rain as we watched the final time trial. The skies cleared for the last part.
Day eleven - okay weather
Day twelve - Most of the day was good but it rained on the descent of Passo Stelvio
Day thirteen - a little light rain as we packed up our bikes.
Despite having a few nice days mixed in, the mind tends to remember the bad things and by the end of the trip it had seemed that we were rained on every day. The guys racing are probably feeling the same way about now and waking up every morning with a feeling of dread, knowing that it will probably rain again.
Here is to a few days of racing in the sun. They deserve it.
As I watch this, I can't help but think back to the trip Giuseppe and I took to the Giro back in 2007. Everything started well enough. The first we had a little spin up the river valley. Skies were cloudy but it was a nice day. The next day was warm and sunny as we rode the rolling hills around Bassano.
After those two days, the fun began in more ways than one. First, we hit the mountains. As grueling as they could be, there is great satisfaction in cresting a big mountain. Second, the scenery became amazing. The Dolomites can be absolutely spectacular. Third, and fun in only the most sarcastic way, the rain began.
Day three - rain for about one-third the climb of Passo Rolle
Day four - pouring rain for the climb of Tre Croce, and some light mist at other times.
Day five - Good weather for Passo Campolongo and Passo Gardena. Rain began to fall as did the temperatures on the descent of Passo Gardena and the climb of Passo Sella. We ate lunch in the restaurant at the top of the Sella. After lunch it was basically dry except for some we roads but when we reached the top of Passo Pordoi it was 1 degree celsius and we were chilled to the bone. My arms were quivering most of the way down the approximate 40 switchback turns. Unpleasant and a little scary.
Day six - snow as we watched the race pass by on Passo Campolongo.
Day seven - beautiful day for the climb of the Marmolada
Day eight - Another nice day
Day nine - A few dry points in the middle of the ride but lots of rain at the start and the end.
Day ten - Rain as we watched the final time trial. The skies cleared for the last part.
Day eleven - okay weather
Day twelve - Most of the day was good but it rained on the descent of Passo Stelvio
Day thirteen - a little light rain as we packed up our bikes.
Despite having a few nice days mixed in, the mind tends to remember the bad things and by the end of the trip it had seemed that we were rained on every day. The guys racing are probably feeling the same way about now and waking up every morning with a feeling of dread, knowing that it will probably rain again.
Here is to a few days of racing in the sun. They deserve it.
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