About 10 minutes after leaving Panasha, I took a wrong turn. The wrong turn took me over a stunning mountain col and I saw over a hundred dead boar skins decorating a farmer's fence.
Mark, Karyn and Daron wondering which way to go to Calvi. Although longer, the 32km coastal road to the left proved to be the correct one. (Photo by Max)
On arrival in Calvi I realised that the slow group that I was trying to catch up must have made up some ground ahead of me so I set off immediately in pursuit, without stopping for food. About 100km later I arrived in Asco where the locals assured me that no cyclists had passed in a week. I realised that the slow group were not ahead of me. So after a cafe au lait and a lengthy warning about climbing mont cinto I made my way up the 15km climb to the gite.
Climbing over 1,000m provided a beautiful transition to Alpine Scenery. Arriving at the gite, spectacular peaks were framed by the clouds.
While Paddy is climbing the col, Daron, Karyn and Mark "clocking up the miles" on the scenic coastal road to beautiful Calvi. (photo by Max)
Meanwhile whilst I was clocking up the miles, the rest of the group took the scenic coastal route to calvi where they enjoyed a 3 course lunch spread over 2 hours 'which would explain why I did not see them on my pursuit'. After lunch and saying goodbye to perry the group enjoyed a beautiful section of road to Belgodere.
The Active Earth cycling group in Calvi "à table" headed by Perry who was to leave us for the airport straight after lunch. (Photo by Max)
The group was pleased to have clocked up 80 scenic kilometres. David Fox-Pitt had undertaken the whole stretch in his M&S boxer shorts. Alongside David stood Jim Morrissey wearing a pair of budgie smugglers. As David broke into an impromptu Scottish jig, the locals gathered around to witness this unusual spectacle.
A quick look at the map and the watch spread confusion and panic with the realisation that there was still 70km and 1,300m of vertical left to do and it was gone 5 o'clock. Briefly the group motivation faltered and David wondered whether there was sufficient skin remaining on his rear end to last the day.
The group arrived finally at the gite between 10pm and 11.30pm for a welcome meal at the end of another cracking day!
Comments
Mon, 02.06.2008 10:46
Hi Daron Sounds great so far buddy - you are getting some serious training in for the 24 hour MTB race !! Enjoy [...]