Hello from Sardinia. One thing I have found in Italy is that nothing works as it should. Technology included. I have broken down and am using the "pay as you go" wi-fi internet available only in the lobby of the hotel. 7.50 Euros per hours.
I have been keeping a daily journal and will post the complete story of my stay at the Horse Country Inn, and of the Giro di Sardegna when I can find fast reliable internet service. For now, here is a short summary.
I arrived in Italy completely exhausted last Wednesday. My team mates arrived Thursday and Friday. Our resort is okay, but nothing like it was advertised to be. For the most part the hotel is in major start-up mode with facilities such as restaurants not fully open. It took they hotel staff 5 days to get the phone system to permit outside phone calls from your room. Very frustrating. While the said there was free wi-fi, it has never worked. There is a pay internet kiosk in the lobby and now pay wi-fi. This is all the complaining I am going to do, for now.
The racing started on Sunday. I did very well i the Individual Time Trial. It was shortened course, 12.5 km. My time was 19:03 good enough for 5th in my age group. There are 25 in my age group. I also got bragging rights for the day with the best time for our team. Things would change tomorrow.
Monday was the Grand Fondo. The course was lengthened to 160 kms. It was cool and raining for much of the race. I did not do as well as I wanted but I did survive. My time was 5:15, a long time to be on the bike. The course was beautiful. Very hilly. It was great to finish and get off the bike. I wasn't feeling positive about tomorrow.
Today (Tuesday) was a 107 km race. Hilly but nothing like the Grand Fondo. I finished strong at 3:01. Average pace of 35 kph. Very fast! Tomorrow is a 115 km race. The stage looks flat, or rather not as hilly as today.
That is a brief summary of the racing to date. I'm having a blast and "livin' the dream". The scenery is very Tour de France. We race through small villages. The towns folk are out cheering their support. Not the numbers as in the Tour but very cool none the less. I miss home and I dreadfully miss Dana. I am living in the moment and concentrating on riding safe. I have a story about the scariest corner I have every gone around. It happened yesterday in the Grand Fondo. I can tell you it is something that will wake me up in a sweat for some time to come. Fortunately I am okay. Focus and Control are words I have taped to my handle bars. I will be careful and race in control.
That is all for now. I have many pictures but I cannot upload them right now. I will when I can. Ciao from Sardinia!
Barry
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