Don't stop, keep pedalling... :-) Well done Craig!
You've made me feel envious, glad I'm not doing it, lazy and unfit all at the same time.
Look forward to hearing all the gory details when you're back in the office.
Enjoy putting the calories back on.
Congratulations Congratulations Craig, we are so proud of you what an amazing effort. Hope you can put your feet up and relax for a bit. Speak to you soon. :) xx
come on - just a day to go keep going dude - well done on getting this far - one last push and you will be there. Will have a cold beer waiting for you mate!
mate, this is where all the hours of training in the gym come into play. Ipod on, The Pretender on constant repeat and get up to the top of the mountain. Failing that I am sure you can find a lovely pub and sit out the inclement weather.
Best of luck sir and see you when you get back.
Tough ask... Stelvio and Gavia would be an extremely tough ask if you were fighting fit, had no pack, were fresh and rested for several days - oh and were a few years younger...
You are doing well though... once over the Stelvio then it's plain sailing from there - almost. To be more precise, nce you're at the bottom of the other side then it's plain sailing - almost.
Good luck and God's speed matey and I have to say there are lots of people reading your blogs daily here in the office. Quite the topic of conversation...
Failure, the new success Thanks Dad, however I'm not giving up just yet. I have two days in Austria that were only meant to be 90 miles long, so even with a shortened day today it's still doable. It's really just a matter of getting over this mountain at some point (earlier the better) today, then riding as far as I can into the sunset.
A support team would be handy right about now though :)
Forza Craig Just catching up on your blogs Saddo. Doing well and love the pics. Heading to Croatia in two days. Call me if you end up near there. Enjoy Italy! Or divertiti Italia (or somesuch)...
we are impressed We are impressed - first the col du Tourmalet and now the colle della maddalena (col de Larche)- We have done the colle della maddalena twice but by car.
Cheers
Are you there? Exactly how exposed was this climb, considering you haven't posted in 3 days?
Or is it the kind of 'exposed' that I got in trouble for on Clapham Common?
Keep on cycling dude, if only so I can read more blog posts about ferrets (cover it in chutney next time)!
Lunch in Arreau and the start ofthe persourde Craig,
Well done for making over it the persourde and into Spain after doing what was really stage 17 of the Tour de France this year with all the main climbs included. I enjoyed your company at lunch... i rode the Tourmalet the following day and it was really tough.
Glenn
Keep Going Mate! If it's any solace I truly hate Monday's too - especially as they seem to be getting darker and darker in the mornings - I think I have seasonal affectiveness disorder!
Your blogs are the little respite I have each day before plunging headfirst into what the day has in store.
Keep going mate - you will be out of France before you know it!
Probably bad physio advice Hi mate,
Sorry about the Toumalet! Sounds like it beat you up a bit but well worth it when its all done! The cross winds sound horrible but the cheery German girl after a bad day on the bike sounds much worse!
On the hand front, I had a similar sensation for about 10 days when I get back from Paris ride. It ran from my left forefinger down to my palm and I was quite worried about it both on the ride and off it. However, when I got back I spoke my sisteer (doctor) and a couple of other people and they assured me it is just a trapped nerve and will heal only with time. I was advised to keep the finger moving (not that hard as it is on my hand) and not to worry about it. If its the same thing I'm afraid it will probbaly stay with you for the rest of the ride but it should be do you any harm. (disclaimer: I take no responsiblity for the sudden loss of your hand).
Anyway, your through the worst of the ride for sure now (ignore the bad weather). You've done a great job so just keep going, unbelieveable what you've achieved so far so just keep that in mind and keep the wheels turning. In the mean time to keep you going, see this quote from Michael Barry author of Le Metier and long time domestique in numeours tour de france:
“In my teens, I found the point where suffering on the bike became pleasure. Pushing myself to physical and mental extremes I arrived home elated. To find the sublime there is a balance where elements of pain and passion become equal: on a bike, pedalling in the environment, a human being can find divinity.”
Keep going!
Craig you are an absolute mental person, i am so so impressed at how well you're doing. just looking at your pictures and reading your blog makes me exhausted, keep going and WELL DONE!!
xxx
ps. i am jealous of your ferret experience
A word of encouragement Keep going Craig - I thought I had already sent you a message willing you on, but it seems you did not recieve it! Keep your updates coming - Oli is loving tracking you!
I totally don't feel sorry for you! Hi Craig, guess who! Hope you're having lots of achey fun and don't have to use your cream too much. Everyone is doing good and there's a tube strike tomorrow! We have complete faith in you and know that you're going to do great going up all the hills etc, have fune!xx
Take the Col du Tourmalet! Easy to say from the sofa, but take the col du tourmalet! You cna just pretend you've got contador on your shoulder the whole way up and you'll be up in a flash.
Great job so far mate - really enjoying your updates. Lots of love for the Saddo (no pun intended) over here in Bangalore.
Thanks :) As I've just started my French course, I'm appreciating these new words you're relating! Ralentisseur is definitely one I intend to remember, hehe.
Satpal Sandhu
non-member comment
Don't stop, keep pedalling... :-)
Well done Craig! You've made me feel envious, glad I'm not doing it, lazy and unfit all at the same time. Look forward to hearing all the gory details when you're back in the office. Enjoy putting the calories back on.