21 July 2008: Stage Fourteen & Fifteen: Italy
Siamo en italia! To be precise, in a small bar just past the 15 km to
go mark. I am watching the riders on TV as they tackle the same roads as
we did yesterday and today.
After passing the 3000 km total mark, made it within a few km of the
summit of Prato Nevoso before the polizia closed the street, then rode
back down as far as I could toward Cuneo, the site of tomorrow's start.
Yesterday was epic. After finishing the remainder of stage 14, CJ and I
conquered the Col d'Agnello--the second-highest summit in this year's
Tour, and with the possible exception of the Tourmalet, the hardest to
date. Actually, if it weren't for the help of a few Italians and Germans
in camping cars near the summit, we may well have ended up as
hypothermic popsicles before finding the Aussie's car and our camping
spot, 8 km down the Italian side of the mountain. (Word to the
wise--don't attempt the most technical descent in the Tour after
sundown).
We have parted ways with the infamous Aussie, and it looks like CJ and I
may have to split up tomorrow and meet again the following day on the
road to Alpe du'Huez.
The knees are bad in the mornings, but seem to warm up after 3 or 4
hours of riding. As Hinault said, sometimes the doubts are overwhelming;
but it seems that the best way to overcome them is to keep pedaling. And
to have faith in "camping cars."
Tomorrow's plan is to jump a day ahead of the Tour by completing (at
casual, knee-friendly pace) stage 16 while the Tour takes a rest day.
Watching the Tour, small town Italian style (above). Czelusta with la ragazza italiana,* Maria Bertolino di Frabosa Sottana (below).
*la ragazza italiana = the Italian girl
