Transalp Stage 5 - St Vigilio to Alleghe

This morning was a test of mental fortitude. The promised sunshine never materialised and the rain battered off the roof of the van as Stevie and I forced our breakfast down. Normally porridge, followed by eggs, bacon and coffee wouldn't be a problem but the quantities of gels, energy bars and drinks during the day then all the lactic acid in our systems at night is just making us feel constantly sick. The hidden pleasures of endurance racing!

Down at the start we're all shivering under the canopy of a cafe. Inside the espresso machine is working overtime and there's a steady stream of people heading for the loo, the cafe owner is too busy to notice or is simply resigned to his fate for the next half hour.

I find Brian and Martina hiding in a corner. They're from Stratford on Avon, although Martina's Dutch. They are racing as a mixed pair and doing pretty well, 18th yesterday and only a few minutes behind us. Its a great excuse to hide in the warmth for a few minutes having a chat.

A few minutes before the start its announced that the weather conditions above 2000m are pretty bad, 2 degrees C and snow. The organsisers are considering finishing the race at the 2nd feed station at 50km to avoid going over the highest point of the route at 2400m.

Stevie's head has been down all morning, he's rather out of sorts at the minute, his left knee is hurting, but the daily battering is taking a greater toll. I'm bearing up ok, its a Scottish thing, never properly happy until there's a bit of misery involved!

Whilst I'm happy to push Steve along for as long as I can, its bloody hard going. Got to take my hat off to the guys in the mixed pairs you see pushing their partners along for most of the day. Not only is there a skill involved but its really difficult to gauge the amount of effort to put in. I usually have to give-up after a bit and go and recover on my own.

If your on Facebook, go and find "Craft BIKE Transalp" there's loads of info, links to results and photos of each stage.

At the 1st feed, we were told that the stage would finish at the 2nd feed station in 20km. Got to admit I wasn't even a little bit disappointed although we did still have to ride down to Alleghe, but hey, twisty alpine roads, on a bike with disc brakes, and cars to overtake and outbrake into the hairpin bends... Well you just would, wouldn't you!

Again we've finished 44th today, but have moved up in the overall standings to 39th.

Tomorrows a tough day with 3100m of ascent, I fear that Stevie is on the brink of abandoning. Hoping we can re-build him again tonight... The 6 million dollar postie!