Stage 13 - Meet THE Kumar and a surprise!

Stage 13 Rest day - Sursee

Distance 0 miles

Another rest day I hear you say? What's this, some sort of jolly holiday?  Nothing of the sort I'm afraid. It's a preparation, refuelling day ahead of the big climb up the Alps over the next 3 days, which culminates with a big descent into Lake Como. 

802 miles now covered, about 1200 to go.  Tomorrow is going to be beautiful as we travel around lake Lucerne, with a ferry crossing too!  

Tomorrows route, split into two stages:-

Stage 1 (taking us to the ferry) http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=599069

Stage 2 - Climb to Wassen at 900m 

http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=599085

Today was spent eating as much as possible and enjoying the local Spa. 

At the Spa I met Kumar.....

Kumar is a Biology student, who mastered in physiotherapy in 1974, he also specialises in Chinese medicine . He treated Indira Gandhi 6 times in 1979 when she had neck issues, (so he told me). After promising me that I was about to experience the best stretches of my life, he proceeded to inflict severe pain, but in a very reassuring manner.  After discovering my knee and IT band niggles , he used his latest shock wave therapy machine on me...see him holding it in picture. It did the job. Legs fixed, I think.

Thanks Kumar. 

Dominique arrived at 5:47pm which is a great morale boost, she will drive the support car for the next three days down to Como. She quickly changed the dressing on my arm, (I was being a bit of a wuss about it) and then we caught up over an amazing meal, made by Mario and his team at the lovely Italian restaurant attached to our hotel, see me photobombing them here:-

Mario, the owner is a big Ferrari fan, my bike is in his garage next to spotless Ferrari. Check out his hotel toilets:- 

And the surprise? I will now be accompanied by Graham Stokes!  Who has this evening made a surprise comeback to the tour by turning up at Sursee, flying out of London at the last minute!  He will ride Clive's bike for as much as he can over the next two days. Lets see what he has left in the tank after his heroics from last week .

We set off at 9:30an tomorrow, 75 miles, some climbing, and some magic scenery around lake Lucerne. Plenty of great pics to come hopefully.  We will finish at an altitude of 900m, with the big climb upto 2100m (the highest point on the tour) to come on Sunday. 

One last mention has to go to my nephew Alex Cook who rode the first four days with me down to Brussels. He starts his first day at Nottingham university today.  Best of luck Alex, you are making your family very proud, especially your Mum and Dad. X 

Til tomorrow ....Brett