Cycling Day Four - Wandering In The Rain

Today will still be memorable but not for the usual reasons.  We joined the 60 km tour along with Warren, Marci, Nola, recent Toodler graduate Sam.  It was Warren’s birthday today so sister Nola stepped down a group to spend the day with him.

Nola and Marci Before the Ride.

The Birthday Boy was Unimpressed with Paulo's leading of Happy Birthday!

These Italian Ladies Could Have Cared Less About Us.

Everything started out normal except that the group had grown to 32.  32 is a bit unwieldy and it lends itself for longer waits at the top of the long hills for everyone to catch up.  On the other hand it is kinda cool to be part of a whooshing line of cycles as it winds itself through the curves.  On the flats today we hit 33 to 35 km.

The Line Snaked Away into the Horizon.

The disappointing part of today was that we were unable to reach our destination.  After days of clear blue skies we were faced with clouds and showers.  The temperature was still 26 but our leader Paulo had to keep scanning the skies and changing our route hoping to avoid the showers that were in the area.  Unfortunately we were unable to avoid them.  The showers either moved to us or we climbed a hill and the change in temperature resulted in rain.  The rain was not the problem.  The wet roads were.  Negotiating curves on a slippery surface is a little too exciting when you are riding a bike frame on two pizza cutters for wheels.  Riding was a little more tense today than fun.

To make matters worse we had a new “sweep” Claudio responsible for the end of the group.  With that many numbers the leader could not simply look back and see that everyone was there.  Claudio usually pulls bike wrenches but today he got to fill in as a tour leader and designate Sweep.  Unfortunately, Deborah (riding the slower hybrid) was at the end of the group on the days longest hill.  Unable to get any momentum before the hill she dropped back.  Claudio passed her and continued on the hill.  She soon lost sight of the line and got lost.  No phone, no money, no language … much worry.  It was a long climb and as we waited, we realized we were a group of 31.  Paulo gave Claudio a reaming out and sent him back to find her.  After a wait, they crested the hill and I would like to say that all was well but in reality it was all Deborah could do not to kill the little Italian stallion.

Paulo on the Phone Trying to Find Claudio - Disappeared Again.

We stopped for cappuccinos again to wait out the weather but there was no real improvement.  The trip was abandoned.  We cruised home as fast as we could and arrived back at the Belvedere in time for yet another meal.

There is Always time for Another Coffee.

Warren’s birthday celebrations will carry us to and into the evening.

Not sure we will ride tomorrow.  San Marino is on the menu but the choices are ride 60 km with the last 10 strait up or take the bus from the hotel.  Depending on the number of drinks consumed tonight, I think we will ride the bus and not the bike.