Stage 15 - Climbing to new heights

Today's route: 68 Miles 

Wassen -> Vira (Lake Maggiore,Switz)

Ascend: 1325m Descend 1857m

Today's stage has given me sleepless nights for a while now. It has taken a longtime to build up my ability to cycle longer rides, managing more than 50 miles in one day was a huge achievement for me only six months ago. Even then, I didn't enjoy cycling up hills. 

It was only 2 months ago, coached and accompanied by my good friend and keen cyclist - Grant Woodthorpe, that I cycled my first "100 miler", London to Brighton AND back, over the South downs and Surrey Hills. 

Upon finishing that day, I started to believe that the Alps just might be possible, but It was to remain an unknown....until today. A day of reckoning. 

Stationed at Wassen for the night, we were already at an altitude of 900m after the exertions of the previous day. We said goodbye to our latest new friends....a gaggle of  generous German bikers, and set off. 

Immediately upon leaving there was a 13 mile, non stop 1,200 metre climb, (no downhill) to the top of the Gottard pass. Quite simply, horrific. 

Graham accompanied me for the first 400m, he did not intend to complete the climb, but was keen to support me for as long as he could and to get a taste of it. Dominique dutifully scooped him up into the support car. They both then followed my progress, shouting encouragement at regular intervals. 

What does climbing like this feel like ?  Well, Imagine getting on an exercise bike and setting it to hardest level , then setting the timer to 2 and half hours.  That's what it feels like. Horrific. 

After 2 hours and now at 1850m, still with 250m left to climb, I paused to take this shot. You can see the pass I had been climbing in the background. 

There was to be another half an hour of  climbing and digging deep. I had all manner of things going through my head, Clive's name was mentioned more than once. 

Finally, after 2hrs and 20 mins I reached the top, had a bit of a large sob and stumbled into the waiting arms of Dominique. 

What a feeling. I had reached new heights. It was possible. Just. 

Time for the glory shot:- 

After a brief celebration, and drying our eyes, it was time for the 55 mile, 1900 metre descent.  Which looked like this:-

Graham rejoined me, it was fast and a little dangerous, >50mph in places, but a lot of fun...similar to skiing. Here's a no handed selfy of us both on the way down:- 

I found the last 10 miles into Lake Maggiore a real struggle, exhaustion was setting in a little, so I just stayed on the back of Grays wheel and kept plodding on.   Thank heavens Graham came out to the Alps and thank heavens that his wonderful wife Helen gave him permission to neglect his family for another weekend in order to support the tour. Thank you Mrs Stokes, you are an angel. xx

We reached the hotel with enough time for Graham to have a shower and us to share a quick beer before he set off for the Airport. 

Dominique and I then had dinner under the stars, overlooking Lake Maggiore, and struggled to take in everything that has happened over the last two days. 

And tomorrow?  A mere 55 mile bike ride around Lake Lugano, final destination : Lake Como, where MY PARENTS will be waiting to greet us both!!!

We can't wait to see my Mum and Dad, they have been holidaying at Lake Como for the last two weeks celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Golden times indeed. 

Until tomorrow, Brett x