Day 7: Kaltern to Arco

117 km, 2,239 meters of climbing.

It's done. Like 2010, no crashes, no flats, no mechanicals - very fortunate.

For the last couple of years, Day 7 has been an easier day. Not this year. Big climb out of the gates (Seymour +), followed by another sizable climb (Cypress +) and ending with 400 meters of punchy rollers before the 17 km downhill to the Arco finish line.

A bunch of us chose to ride together today. We spread out on the first two climbs but regrouped at the summits. Unfortunately saw a couple bad crashes with less than 40 km to go. Both were minutes from each other and involved riders veering into the oncoming lane. Smashed windshields, medivac helicopters and stops at closed roads told a sobering story. Can't believe riders out of contention would be that reckless so close to the finish line.

Some of the gang savoring our last 9AM start to XXXX's Barbara Streisand Club Remix.

GM posing down at the top of the first climb while we waited to regroup.

Saw some different riders on the road today as we were not with our usual group. This GUYS hair was worth a photo.

The final 10 km of TransAlps are downhill with Lake Garda in full view. It's a beautiful sight on several levels.

We were a little looser and hung around the finish line a little longer for obvious reasons. Max showing off his circa 1988 NV gang signs.

All in all, another great experience. Though peak performance was not attained, completion became a worthy result when all's considered.

My most significant lesson learned based on this 2011 TransAlps experience:

- set a goal

- when it gets really tough, bare down and grind it out

- even if it feels too far/big/high/long, you'll eventually get there and feel better when you do

Simple stuff, but with a little more personal meaning after the past 7-days.

2012?