TransAlps 2015: Day 7 Trento to Arco

Day 7. Trento, Italy to Arco, Italy.

91km. 2,300m of climbing.

3hr6min. 8th in Masters on the day. 8th in Masters GC for the event. 28th overall in the entire field.

It’s hova. Done and dusted. Finito. Finished. 

The two hardest days of these events are Day 1 and Day 7. On the last day, teams are fighting for position, prepared to empty what is left in the tank. We were one of those teams. Excited to get to Arco but wary of what was still to come. Riders take more risks on the last day. The worst crashes I've seen at TransAlps have been on Day 7. Serious at the start line.  

We started the day in 8th place in Masters. The Fins in 7th were 9minutes ahead. We weren’t going to catch them. The Czech’s were in 9th and 90seconds behind us, so our position was at risk. Czech's lined up marking us at the start and it was clear they wanted our spot based on how they road.

Very hard start for me. Went straight uphill full gas. At this stage in an event, it takes my body about 30min of effort to get warm. Big effort cold does not feel good. At the 14km mark the course flattened out. We stuck with our group and it was a good thing as the pack was moving very quickly. Big climb was a 1000m of gain over 25km with a flat spot midway.

Ended up and over the big climb with all the usual suspects. Short descent and then a final 3km up before 8km down to the finish. Pulled out our old trick and accelerated away from the Czeck’s on the last climb. Caught the Italian twins and descended safely. Passed a rider who crashed out 2km from the finish.

Great finish in Acro on Lake Riva. Lots of celebration. 

Fast bike pack and then a drive to Verona for a nice dinner and flight home the following day.

Not much time to reflect yet, but very happy with the result. Accomplished the objective, despite early hurdles.

A couple turning points that defined the event for me.

1. Day 3 flat at the start of the stage. Watched the entire field ride past as we fixed the wheel. After poor Day 1 and Day 2, thought about parking the competitive ambitions while standing on the side of the road. Instead, motored through the field, eventually passing a bunch of teams ahead of us in the standings. Attacked on the last climb to win the Nations Champ jersey. Big jump in the standings.

2. Day 5. First climb was tough and I wasn’t feeling great early. Was dangling way off the back 2km from the top of a big descent. Missing the group would have meant losing chance at a top 10 spot. Went deep to catch back on right at the very top. Ended up finishing strong that day and put time into the groups we almost missed at the start.

Few shout outs. 

Great partner. Never easy to spend 10days 1-1 with anyone, particularly when 7 of those days are under great physical stress. Still friends. If Wilbur had a partner of equal age and strength, he'd be on the Grand Masters podium - probably on top.  

Le Domestique Kenny. Good to have friend who’s a great bike man.  

Foxy at Bici for loaning the Gopro camera. Awesome guy. Fantastic store.

Joerg, Matt and the entire Magic Places team. Excellent logistics let Wilbur and I focus on the riding. 

Short TransAlps video here with better visuals of what we rode.

Until next time.

TransAlps 2015: Day 6 Kaltern to Trento

Day 6. Kaltern, Italy to Trento, Italy.

126km. 2,300m of climbing.

3hr47min. 7th in Masters on the day. 8th in Masters GC.

Been here before. Love Trento. Great Italian town. Excellent part of these events is experiencing places you would never visit otherwise. All time favourite Trento memory is Ribs rocking the air guitar and drums at the start line in the Trento main piazza before day 7 in 2012.

Our day started in Kaltern. We chose to start closer to the front of the pack due to the profile of the beginning of today's stage.

7km downhill neutral and then 26km hammer along a relatively flat valley. Lots of riders trying to be heroes early. Had to ride defensively. Treacherous roundabout to navigate 500m before the day's first climb. I went inside. Wilbur went outside. Big crash in front of Wilbur (he stayed up) but Wilf was caught out at a bad time. About 3minutes into the subsequent climb I realized Wilfred was nowhere to be found. Sat up and started looking around as teams passed me. Shortly spotted Wilf working his way through the field. We reunited and then started making up lost time. 

Next two punchy climbs broke up the field of strong A-riders, but it kept coming back together into a large pack. Thought that would happen again on a climb at the 77km mark as it was followed by a 30km downhill, then flat, section. We crested at the front of our group and had dropped a lot of teams. Surprisingly, the pack never came back together.

Final 3km climb before 6km descent into the finish. We were with all the groups who are within a few spots in or out of top 10 Masters overall. Wilf and I both felt good and turned it up. Dropped the group, passed a couple riders up the road, and bridged on to the wheels of my Italian twin friends. Surprisingly, Tweedledee and Tweedledum were not too friendly upon our arrival and there was little teamwork as we worked to the finish to stay ahead from the chasing teams.

Hot now that we are out of the Alps. Over 30degrees. My tan management has gone by the wayside the racier this event has become. Former National Champ turned DJ showed me how to strip off a jersey and ride shirtless. Handy trick.

Met our Magic Places friends at the finish and were escorted through the cobbled lanes of Trento to our hotel.

Last day tomorrow. Big day. Can't really move up in placing as 7th has 9minutes on us. Can always go backwards. After Day 1, Day 7 is typically the hardest effort of the event. Also need to be aware of other teams taking risks. Plan as per usual is to ride smart, keeping heads up and rubber down.

TransAlps 2015: Day 5 Aprica to Kaltern

Day 5. Aprica, Italy to Kaltern, Italy.

138km. 2,400m of climbing.

4hr07min. 6th in Masters on the day. 10th in Masters GC.

Another great day in the saddle with very little drama. Well, maybe a bit of drama.

We've figured out who we're chasing to get into the top 10 and who we need to be staying with to move up spots. Makes the stages quite interesting and a little "racey".

Stage started with 17km downhill neutral. Road turned up for a 1000m, 28km climb. Again, crazy hard at the start. My hardest part of the day as body not yet warm and legs felt like lead. Was fighting it to hang onto our group. Top of climb was followed by downhill, rolling 50km, so if we lost our group on the first climb, we would have gone backwards today. 5km from the top, I let a gap of about 200m form. Told Wilbur I felt bad. Fortunately 2km from the top, body came around and managed to drill it to catch back on and descend with the fast group.

Group was quite large but thinned out as there were some small climbs that popped riders before the day's final climb. 22km, but only 800m, so not very steep. Both Wilbur and I were feeling good as this point. 

Here's where the drama started.

Italian twin brothers from Livigno were in our pack today. They got lots of attention yesterday as we started in their hometown. The were with us on the final climb. At some point, one twin shot up the inside to get on his brother's wheel. Big bump as he went past me. Dangerous and unnecessary. I may have told him to f-off but revenge is sweeter. Wilbur then hammered at the front and when we crested the climb, the twins and the rest of the group were gone.

We knew at least two groups ahead of us int he GC were in the group just dropped so we descended hard. A bit too hard. I did a Tokyo drift around a hairpin and at that point Wilbur suggested we dial it back a bit. Put 30sec on the chasing group.

Gave one of the twins the stank eye at the finish line.

Timing ended about 6km from the finish town so was able to take some photos as we rolled to the ceremonial finish.

"Nice(r) bikes", aka the mixed leaders whom we've tagged as one of the teams we need to be with.

Wilbur's buddy from day one (no helmet). What happens on the road, stays on the road. Have now made friends with him - kind of.



Total routine day-day here. Finish line. Eat finishers' food. Find hotel. Checkin. Put kit it sink to wash. Massage. Lunch, hopefully wheel and beer. No wheel close to hotel today.

Referenced clown Canadian Express friend #1, Ribs, from our 2012 and 2014 tours. I'd be remiss not to give clown friend #2 a shout out as well. He tells us he was the only guy in Vancouver "working" on Canada day. Sure.



End in sight tomorrow.

TransAlps 2015: Day 4 Livigno to Aprica

Day 4. Livigno, Italy to Aprica, Italy.

143km. 3,475m of climbing.

5hr15min. 7th in Masters on the day. 12th in Masters GC.

Queens stage today, meaning hardest day of the event. Tackled one of the most famous climbs in Italy that often figures in the Giro d'Italia - Gavia. 25km and 1,500m of ascent. Followed that up with the Mortirolo, another climb that has been included in the Giro. We climbed the "less" steep route up, but it still was plenty steep gaining around 1000M in 12km.

Canada Day. We got to wear our Nations Champions jersey and were called up to start at the front of the field with the other overall leaders in each category. That was the high point.

Low point. My partner swore at me. We don't save the expletives just for the (other) clown riders, we also dish on each other. Frankly, surprised it took four days.

Back story. Last Thursday, prior to departing for Europe, Wilbur, Method Man (our 2012/2014 Canadian Express teammate) and I met for a quick chinwag. 

Method Man from our 2012 tour for those who are new to the blog.

Method Man (aka "Ribs") has ridden more events with Wilbur than I have. I asked Ribs - "what do I need to know about riding with Wilbur?" One answer was, "Wilbur likes to ride in front of his partner". Problem is, so do I.

Came to a head today 2/3 of the way up the Gavia. I believe the direct quote was "Get the f*ck behind me!" Well I did, and pretty much stayed there for the balance of the day.

Given today's ride was quite a cracker, no photos from on course. Day started with almost immediate 20min climb. Gangbusters as usual and we rode hard to stay with a fast group. Quick down and short up meant more of the same.

Long descent to Bormio (famous Italian ski town) and then on to the Gavia. We rode well (partner dynamics aside) and crested with a good group. Had a 40km descent and flatish roll to the base of the Mortirolo. Hung onto the group during the nervous descent as the quality of pavement really deteriorates once crossing over into Italy. Group of 9 then pace-lined to the base of the Mortirolo. We were out of liquid so stopped for a feed which meant we rode the Mortirolo and subsequent 30km finish into Aprica on our own. Probably a good thing as the road was narrow and choppy. Day's result was our best of the event.

Shout out to wifey. Not sure how long she'll let me keep this photo up, but she and sister (also pictured in photo) are in France on a family trip. Very fortunate to have wife that is encouraging of all the riding and other activities I get to do. She hid an awesome note in my bag that I found a couple days after arriving in Germany. Great surprise. She's a good one.

 

Easier day tomorrow, but to hold or improve our position we will have to ride hard.

TransAlps 2015: Day 3 Davos to Livigno

Day 3. Davos, Switzerland to Livigno, Italy

133km. 3200m of climbing.

4hr55min. 9th in Masters on the day. 16th in Masters GC.

Excellent day. Rode back into this thing. Didn’t start that way.

Image of food I carried on course today. Banana, fig bar, two waffles, two Rice Krispie squares, one Snickers and one Shot Block. A lot of food to get down while riding hard.

Pink socks had not been working for me so I recommended the switch to green. Wilbur obliged.

 

Team Canada day. Award for fastest Canadian team. There are two other Canadian teams who are strong. Both beat us yesterday. We were motivated today.

Rolled out of Davos at the back of the A-group (first 85 teams) pack. More safe than fighting for the front with the aggressive Euros and relatively easy to make up position as soon as the road turns uphill.

Unfortunately day got off to a challenging start. Another flat 5km into the stage. Watched every participant pass us while we fixed the wheel. Looked at Wilbur and realized we were both very close to declaring the day done and switching gears to an easy ride. We didn’t.

Hammer down for an hour to ride through most of the field and get back up to the other two strong Canadian teams. Rolled with them until 30km to go. At the start of the last big climb of the day (like a Seymour) we hit it and gapped the group we were riding with. Rode solo for most of the balance of the ride. 

Descended and had 7km flat terrain to the finish. Were with the leading mixed team at this point and they asked for help pulling them to the finish. We worked for them and they showed appreciation at the finish. Coincidentally, this is the same team we met in 2012 and nicknamed “nice bikes” due to their - nice bikes. They didn’t have much time for our Canadian humour in 2012. More time for us today.

 

Finally got my legs under me. Nice to not be holding Wilbur up. We had a blast out there. Finished the day with customary “wheel” and beer. In a beautiful Italian ski town tonight. Village elevation is same as the Whistler Roundhouse. Typically poor weather here due to the mountainous conditions. Not today.

Attended the day’s award ceremony and received our Nations Champion jersey. We will wear them tomorrow and be called up to the front start line for the Day 4 stage.

Biggest day of the event tomorrow. Hoping we don’t pay too much for today’s effort.

TransAlps 2015: Day 2 Imst to Davos

Day 2. Imst, Austria to Davos, Switzerland.

136km. 3200m of climbing.

5:08. 22nd place in Masters.

Though we went backwards in the placing, moved forward with the quality of riding. Bad luck on the road, but spirits high.

Big decisions take place during the morning of these events. What color socks today, Wilbur?

Race start staging area was surround by big mountains. Hard to see in photos but makes me want to come back and ski in Austria.

Day started with 4km downhill neutral through the town of Imst. 700 school children lined the cobbled village streets waving flags. Very cool. Would have taken a photo but tight streets, big pack and downhill riding meant two hands on the wheel.

Following Wilbur's lead yesterday, did my part to keep up Euro-Canadian relations. Was bumped hard in the pack during the neutral and almost went down. Though a field of approximately 1000, tend to see the same riders on the road day-day. By the end of 7-days, hard to remember who've you've made friends with and who've you told to f-off.

We rode first 16km, 850km climb very well. Crested with a strong and fast group. Next up was fast downhill - high 80s km/hr. Unfortunately I flatted on the downhill. Getting a flat at high speeds can be dangerous. Fortunately flat was my rear wheel and on a straightaway. Had to futz with wheel/tire/tube and cost us 10min. Very untimely as the bottom of the descent was followed by 60kms of rolling terrain - why we wanted to be hitched to a fast pack. Instead we were stuck dragging slower riders for around 2hrs.

Hit the big climb to finish the day 13km, 1000m. Fleulapass is one of the most scenic of the event. Started strong but power slipped as climb went on. Wilbur stronger again today. The tell - he had time to shoot video and take selfies. 

Was feeling it towards the end of the final climb.

Tomorrow we leave Switzerland an are in Italy for days 4 through 7. Already thinking ahead to Day 4, Queens Stage (hardest of event).                                                                                                                                             

TransAlps 2015: Day 1 Sonthofen to Imst

Day 1. Sonthofen to Imst

121km. 2400m of climbing.

3:55:37. 17th place in Masters.

Hard start. More on that later. Joerg and Matt briefing Magic Places Team Canada.

Spun for 20min and then rolled to start for photo op. 

Photo from 2012. Wilbur and his badass necklace care of his wife, and world famous designer, Shereen de Rousseau. Generous lady gave me my own this year if I promised to bring Wilbur home safely.

Ran into Uwa, Joerg’s German photographer friend who follows the tour and takes photos. Have to say my German is coming along quite nicely - jah?

Start announcements in three languages, German, Italian and English.

Day started as planned. Crested the first climb with lead group in sight. Caught them on the flats. Rolled for 70km with a couple 10min to 15min climbs interspersed. Felt weak on the 2nd climb. Kept rolling. Hit bottom of Hahntennjoch, the day’s big and final climb with moderate energy but blew to pieces about 10min into the ascent. Hard to know why. 

Probably gave up 12minutes on the 16km, 1000M climb. Felt like I was going backwards at the top. Still happy to be riding my bike in Europe. Could be worse. Was the usual smattering of crashes and mechanicals out on course. Good to be into the finish safe on what's typically the event's most frenetic day.

Notice difference in meal choices between Partner and I. Maybe that’s the secret.

Bigger day tomorrow. Today's effort plus another Cypress added on. Expecting a better day.

TransAlps 2015: Day -1

Day before event starts.

Slept well last night. Sleeping arrangements not quite to North American standards. "Coffins". No choice but to sleep close. Strict no touching rule, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Rode the first 20km of tomorrow's route. Includes the Oberjoch, a 20min hill at 8km that will serve to break up the field. Sure to be a gangbuster climb. Weather was suspect so it was dark kit day. Managed to stay dry. 

Unfortunately there was some excitement today. I flatted my front tire on the descent back down the Oberjoch and then my rear wheel some time later. Both flats had no obvious source. Despite new tubes and tires, will be on the mind tomorrow.

Traditional post ride kaffe and kuchen.

Then wurst and sauerkraut for lunch. When in Rome.

Found Jamie's cousin again. First photo from 2012. Second photo taken today.

Should be good weather tomorrow morning. Heads up. Rubber down.

TransAlps 2015: Day -2

Travel day. Vancouver to Munich. 

Typically like to get some activity in before long distance travel. Rode early in Vancouver with Coach Al. Big Al rides are some of my favourites. Usual program is crack of dawn for something short and hard. Alpaca typically gets more out of me during these workouts than I get out of myself. All puns intended. :  )_

Last year I took heat from the clowns for riding front bus (on points) while they rode cattle car class. Back of the bus this year.

Magic Places Joerg met us in Munich and we immediately transferred 2.5hrs to Sonthofen, Day 1 start town.

Always a little unsettling to take apart a perfectly functioning bike, pack it up and hand it over to the airlines for TransAtlantic flight. Never know exactly what's going to arrive on the other end. 

Job number one upon arriving in Sonthofen is build bikes. Appears all good thus far. Major bike drama last year at Haute Route. Hoping to avoid the same this summer.

I have a keen interest in interior design. Always interesting to see the latest fashion showing up in Europe first.

Tomorrow easy ride followed by race registration and final preparations.

TransAlps 2015: Day -6/-5/-4

Here we go again. Departure week. Starting with a serious quote. If documenting our latest adventure on bikes in Europe approaches anything near this serious, please stop reading. Wilbur and I are a couple of clowns who ride our bikes too much. We wear bad glasses (future post material), baby wipe our bikes, coordinate our socks and generate nicknames for the fellow riders we think are bigger clowns than us. 

These trips are about having fun. Will do my best to share it with you as we go. Have a couple additions to this year's edition. Enjoy our ride. 

Prep for these trips generates good anticipation. Changing up the food program this year. Wilbur has convinced me that dirtbags (us) should consume calories at the lowest cost. Instead of sports nutrition bars, it's Rice Krispie squares and Snickers. A week's worth of race food. Sure I'll toss 1/2 of it as I'll be sick of what I brought by day 4 and on to a strict diet of white bread and Nutella. 

My partner Wilf/Wilbur/Wilfred - the original dirtbag. The only dirtbag who lives in Shaughnessy and drives a Porsche (two!).

I completed TransAlps in 2010/11/12. Year off 2013 and finished Haute Route last year. Most of it chronicled on this blog (Wilf's also done all 4 and TransAlps 2009). Back for TransAlps again. A similar course to the 2011 version. 

It's all about the bike. She let me down at last year's Haute Route. Electronic shifting packed it in 1hr into Day 2. White Lightning v2.0 debuted a month ago. 

So far so good, but always nerve-racking taking apart a perfectly functioning bike and packing it into a case in pieces. Never know what's going to come out on the other end.

Met Wilbur on Tuesday night for a serious spin, very serious.

Fly Vancouver - Munich tomorrow night. Easy spin tomorrow early morning to keep the legs active. As they say, the cake is baked.