It started as novel fog, then to humorous drizzle, and eventually (for two thirds of stage3) bucketting rain like in Forest Gump’s Vietnam – Rain from above, sideways rain, rain from below… Puddles of water deep enough to swollow half the bike.
It become primative survival racing the freeze and sense of humour failure in conditions more nuts than a bowl of peanuts on a bar counter sharing everyones ‘clean’ fingers. Bobby was faster in the Irish weather conditions, arguably as a consequence of not being able to see much. Honestly made for big laughs and a few minor spills.
It was another 73km day with more than 1700m of elevation. The compounding effect was telling too. I was on the ropes most of the way.
If not for my S-Works Epic’s suspension I would still be on the side of a serious rain rut. A predicament Conrad’s line got me into. The bike is like a get out of jail for free ticket.
Anyhow, woke this morning, the rain hadn’t subsided, so we decided to trade the 20km TT for a longer breakfast and extra coffee. And even a game of chess (Bobby beat me). Down in Bosch tomorrow morning, where the real training will have to start.
Much appreciation to Ian and the DCM crew for a magic weekend.
