Sorano -> Santa Marinella
Ascend: 843m Descend 1213m
I awoke at 9am after a solid nights sleep. Having had a decent breakfast, Grant and I were looking forward to nailing the next stage - Far less climbs and an exciting descent back down to sea level. Here we are lined up in freshly laundered Lycra for the opening shot of the day (taken by Simon Spong - apparently his Uncle is a photographer).
I was feeling a lot better, so much so that Grant and I attacked the 600m climb to the top of Lake Beliscano at a really fast pace. The view was breathtaking. 
Everyone's excitement levels on the tour are rising as we get closer to the finish line .The signs coming into view trigger off many thoughts of the incredible days ahead. 
Mum, Dad and Simon drove off ahead and met Grant and I for lunch after 45 miles in Toscania. We all shared pasta and took in the superb views from the citadel.
We then all set off for Civitavecchia, but as it turned out , Civitavecchia was the equivalent of Felixstowe/Tilbury of England. So Simon found us a charming hotel 8 miles along the coast in Santa Marinella.
By then Grant and I had passed the 60
Mile point, when I started to suffere severe stomach cramps. I had to pull over to side of the road where I began to be sick. Nasty. I then lied down at the side of the road to recover whilst Grant received the new hotel location details up ahead on the phone from Simon. Apparently it was somewhere near the A12. For Crying Out Loud. 
By this stage, many motorists assumed that I was seriously injured and that Grant was calling for assistance so they were pulling over to try to help.
As a result of the destination re-route, the stage was automatically lengthened to 83 miles. I had to Iimp home whilst
Grant then also began to struggle over the last 10 miles, so much so that even he was a little bit delirious by the end.
Thankfully the days stage was over, and after a checking into the hotel and a superb shower, we all met for dinner to consume some much needed carbs, but Grant didn't quite seem all there.
We came back to the room with a bottle of wine and Simon had somehow sourced a pizza.....happy days.
Unfortunately, as we got back to the hotel, Grant made a beeline for the toilet. The bug has struck back, or has it biked back? He's been in the toilet fortwo hours now, whilst Simon and I write this blog.
Will he be ok for tomorrow? Lets hoe so, until then....
Brett x
Gentlemen of the saddle...this is making for great entertainment throughout but we are all feeling your pain these last couple of days! It will only add to the great memories you are creating for yourselves. Hope all goes well from here on - we are in awe!!!! Chapeau Brettski!
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