I'm alive!!! What an ordeal. When I asked Pete Banko about his trip to Italy a few years ago he said the Campagnolo Granfondo was the best day he's had on the bike. This guy has more miles than anyone I know so when he says it's the real deal I take notice. His advise to me was "train like a madman". Well I must be a madman as I didn't come even close to my goal of fitness. But heck, no problem how bad could it be? 212 K 4000+ meters 9 time zones from home. Well let me say I spent all day on my bike going up grades so steep I'll never want to do this again. And for my sins I'll get to live another day. I'm getting back on the bike this afternoon to test my legs.
I'm in the north of Italy in a area called Val Gardena. The village of Ortisei is where I'll call home for the next 3 days. With luck I'm based at 1200 meters because the passes I'm going over in the next few days over 2200. I'd like to get in some flatter rides but I'm afraid it's back to the same old game of suffering.