Sunday, May 12th
Ride Profile (My Garmin)
After a rest day in Pompeii, we gathered at the camp ground for our daily briefing.
Next "stop" the top of a 700 metre climb about 30 km away. This might seem like a long way between pictures, but it wasn't entirely uneventful. Team Tony followed Team Ted out, but got lost as usual. This meant that by the top of the climb, the pack had spread out, and Team Tartan was in the lead!
Don't they look pleased?! But most people agreed that, while the climb was long, it was not arduous, and so after exiting the tunnel at the top of the climb we were all looking forward to the descent down to the Amalfi coast.
Out of the tunnel next was Ed from Team Ted - a promising sprinter, but not so good on the climbs:
He was closely followed by Brian and Davis from Team Tyrone, more than holding their own against some of the younger cyclists.
They had a well earned break while Mike from BA.com waited for everyone to arrive, and Team Tartan leader Carol looked on gloatingly (she's already ready for the descent as only the Scots can be - do you think it looks cold or wet?!).
Here comes the red Wiggle! The captain of Team Tony dressed for the occasion, and only missed winning the King of the Mountain because he stopped to take some pictures half way up.
Then Tosser Trev from Team Trevor emerged, closely followed by team mate Barbara (no photo due to camera failure at the finish line).
Here comes the rest of the Commonwealth, if the Canadians Monique and George still consider themselves part of the Commonwealth.
Not all here yet, but we set off on the descent nevertheless. This is the day that we all came on this trip for. The sun was out, the views spectacular, and the ride down the mountain thoroughly enjoyable.
There were photo opportunities at every turn, and Team Tony made the most of the - The Red Wiggle was feeling cold, Rob (not a Tony) was feeling Italian, and Tony 2 had to be substituted by Faux Tony (from Team Trevor).
Not another photo op?! There's Team Trevor with one of the members of Team Tony:
Half way down the coffee was looking good, and the views even better, so Team Tony contender for King of the Mountain (the Bianchi Kid) had a latte (why does this guy always have a drink in his hand?!):
Another view, another tunnel, and another photo opportunty.
At the bottom of the descent is the town of Amalfi, and a well earned lunch stop.
By the time most of the peloton arrived we had taken over the restaurant and everyone was in high spirits.
Including Team Tyrone (Brian and David) and Team Tough (Monique and George).
Oh, and Team Tony making a special effort for the day:
Only Seth Efrican Col (Carl) noticed that Team Tony member Rob had been sponsored by Mascot Cycles for the day:
Back on the road after lunch there were a few hold-ups, one caused by a bus and another by traffic lights on a single lane stretch:
Next stop - a gelati in Vierti Sul Mare, a lovely village a little way up from the sea:
Where the local speciality (as the name suggests) is ceramics.
After a nice ride through Salerno, we arrived at the rather "grotty" beach front hotel which seemed a little out of place among some rather ordinary houses and restaurants and a beach front that looked like it needed a good clean.
Fortunately, the beer was good at the establishment just down the road:
And hours later this was also the place we chose for a very convivial dinner.
After a rest day in Pompeii, we gathered at the camp ground for our daily briefing.
Next "stop" the top of a 700 metre climb about 30 km away. This might seem like a long way between pictures, but it wasn't entirely uneventful. Team Tony followed Team Ted out, but got lost as usual. This meant that by the top of the climb, the pack had spread out, and Team Tartan was in the lead!
Don't they look pleased?! But most people agreed that, while the climb was long, it was not arduous, and so after exiting the tunnel at the top of the climb we were all looking forward to the descent down to the Amalfi coast.
Out of the tunnel next was Ed from Team Ted - a promising sprinter, but not so good on the climbs:
He was closely followed by Brian and Davis from Team Tyrone, more than holding their own against some of the younger cyclists.
They had a well earned break while Mike from BA.com waited for everyone to arrive, and Team Tartan leader Carol looked on gloatingly (she's already ready for the descent as only the Scots can be - do you think it looks cold or wet?!).
Here comes the red Wiggle! The captain of Team Tony dressed for the occasion, and only missed winning the King of the Mountain because he stopped to take some pictures half way up.
Then Tosser Trev from Team Trevor emerged, closely followed by team mate Barbara (no photo due to camera failure at the finish line).
Here comes the rest of the Commonwealth, if the Canadians Monique and George still consider themselves part of the Commonwealth.
Not all here yet, but we set off on the descent nevertheless. This is the day that we all came on this trip for. The sun was out, the views spectacular, and the ride down the mountain thoroughly enjoyable.
There were photo opportunities at every turn, and Team Tony made the most of the - The Red Wiggle was feeling cold, Rob (not a Tony) was feeling Italian, and Tony 2 had to be substituted by Faux Tony (from Team Trevor).
Not another photo op?! There's Team Trevor with one of the members of Team Tony:
Half way down the coffee was looking good, and the views even better, so Team Tony contender for King of the Mountain (the Bianchi Kid) had a latte (why does this guy always have a drink in his hand?!):
Another view, another tunnel, and another photo opportunty.
At the bottom of the descent is the town of Amalfi, and a well earned lunch stop.
By the time most of the peloton arrived we had taken over the restaurant and everyone was in high spirits.
Including Team Tyrone (Brian and David) and Team Tough (Monique and George).
Oh, and Team Tony making a special effort for the day:
Only Seth Efrican Col (Carl) noticed that Team Tony member Rob had been sponsored by Mascot Cycles for the day:
Back on the road after lunch there were a few hold-ups, one caused by a bus and another by traffic lights on a single lane stretch:
Next stop - a gelati in Vierti Sul Mare, a lovely village a little way up from the sea:
Where the local speciality (as the name suggests) is ceramics.
After a nice ride through Salerno, we arrived at the rather "grotty" beach front hotel which seemed a little out of place among some rather ordinary houses and restaurants and a beach front that looked like it needed a good clean.
Fortunately, the beer was good at the establishment just down the road:
And hours later this was also the place we chose for a very convivial dinner.
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