I woke very early to the sound of wind. Bugger! I got up and stuck my head out the window trying to work out the orientation of the house. Bugger…it was an easterly!
I climbed back into bed but slept restlessly as I knew it was not going to be a walk in the park kind of day.
After breakfast we bade our farewells and hit the road.
All geared up and ready to roll
This is the route we took today. When I checked the forecast in the morning it was for 25-35 mph ( not km/h) in the morning easterly direction, changing to up to 50mph in the afternoon. Bugger! As can be seen from our route, we were heading in an east to,south easterly direction.
Today was the hardest day I have ever done in a bike, regardless of distance.
We rode a total of 174 km incredibly slowly due to the wind. I was pedalling downhill and doing 15 kmh on a 3 percent decline. On the flats I was lucky to get 10-12 kmh in the worst winds.
We also climbed just over 1600 metres.
The wind was in our face all day, without reprieve. I’ve not experienced such unrelenting wind before as often you change direction or the wind settles down.
It is difficult to picture wind but in the photo below, you can see the dirt being whipped off the farm land.
We rode through a number of charming villages.
One a variety of surfaces.
Taking any opportunity to draft!
Predominantly an agricultural region with the canola in flower. Canola is grown widely here as a form of bio fuel. Apparently the Republic’s president has a financial interest in many of them bio fuel companies.
Thirst was not an issue today, but we found a few of these drinking machines where you can purchase still or carbonated water.
Service stations were the go today, as they had clean toilets and ‘food’.
Probably our favourite town today was Limotsyl.
Hindsight shows that we should have stopped here as it started to bucket down with rain just after for some 30 km.
We refuelled at a pub around 30km from our destination for much needed tucker. This also got us out of the wind and rain and in front of a nice wood heater. I had no idea what I ordered for dinner but recognised one word ‘schnitzel’. Obviously no Czech translation so,ordered two!
The downside to stopping meant we completed the last 20 km of the ride in the dark. That was a challenge as we only had our warning lights on the bike. There was a climb in total darkness between two villages. No lights, no moon due to the rainy sky. That was technically challenging as was the descent as there were toads all over the road. No pictures either!!
We were pleased to arrive at our accomodation only to find that Tony’s mobile was flat and we could not ring the owner to come and let us in. Half an hour later we were in, showered and went to bed!
Given tomorrows forecast it is likely we will tweak the itinerary as the strong winds are forecast for the next few days. A real shame, but nothing you can do about the weather but act safely!
After my Easter Monday whipping by the local boys, I thought it was safe to walk out the front door, what did I find?
Yet more local boys!
This bunch sang a song as they used their canes ( far more gently than the older males earlier in the morning!). This is a hilarious tradition I must say and I could see some politically correct ‘do gooders’ finding offence in Australia. A third group arrived shortly thereafter and I submitted again!
We had arranged to meet a local group of riders, ‘up the road’ at 10 am. Tomas, Milos and Kat I had ridden with before, but I had not met Jaroslav or Honza.
It was quite windy, but a pleasant 20 degrees as we headed to the town of Podebrady.
Once in town, I had requested we visit the spa fountain. I had been here 12 months before and was very surprised to taste the water here. It is naturally carbonated.
Tony having his first drinkThe classical epitome of elegance!
As you can see in the photo above, locals visit the taps to fill bottles to take home. Far healthier than the original bottle contents too.
We then headed around the town to a series of cafes adjacent to a large park. The place was swarming with people walking and enjoying the lovely weather on what is also a public holiday in the Czech Republic.
Here we are at the cafe. Whilst the weather was great, it was quite cool in the shade, hence the old granny blanket in the second photograph. I had a great iced coffee. Most of the guys had a beer, including a chocolate beer!! I will take my chocolate neat thanks!
We headed out via the park, walking our bikes as it is illegal to ride in the area.
Lo and behold, another water fountain. The boys replenished their bidons.
Cruising out of town past the first water fountain.
Turning right into a busier main thoroughfare.
No roses, but hey I am making the most of smelling the non scented tulips! 😜
I love riding with this Czech group….they enjoy their regular refreshments. Our numbers had dwindled … but the remaining lads ( Mirek and Milos) knew of a place! Prerov nab Labem!
The view from the pub looking back towards the town Prerov nab Labem
We needed to wait a short time for a table. Here we are assessing the likelihood of a table becoming available within a short time. We were fortunate.
After a lovely bowl of a Czech soup that I thought was beef with funny tasting meatballs I found out the meat balls were actually liver!! Hmm…
We were only 5 km out of Cekalovice and we went looking for an ATM so we could have some local currency and then headed home via the Elbe River.
We stopped for a picture at a small chapel. Behind us is a locked metal gate. Behind that is a small chapel, maybe 1-2 person capacity.
We were quite taken by this topiary
Now we are packing our bikes up ready for an early start tomorrow. We had tweaked the route as were were heading to Podebrady, but given our visit today, we will do a slightly different route.
The forecast is looking pretty good for the next few days. I am not sure about the wind, but I am hoping it eases otherwise it will be a headwind all day if it maintains the same easterly direction.
There is nothing glamorous about long haul travel. 4 plane flights later and we have arrived in Prague.
We were collected by my Zwifting friend Mirek and his daughter Eliska. I spent a week with Mirek and his family last year. Having me stay is his ‘reward’ or ‘punishment’ for ‘convincing’ me to ride in the 24 hour Zwift event last year!
We detoured via a higher part of Prague to overlook the city and see the largest sports stadium in the country.
The stadium is in the background. The tall tower directly behind us in an air vent for the tunnel beneath us. Very tall!
Highest priority once in Cekalovice was putting the bikes together. All appears fine and they have blended into their new home well.
Sarka was busy decorating eggs when we arrived. It is an Easter tradition on the Monday here to have the decorated (hard boiled) eggs, which later get eaten. I was learning the finer art of decorating. Sarka teaches children at a primary school, (3 grades) and I can tell she is very experienced at this! I did not find it that easy at all!
Straight into the Czech Easter tradition
Here are some of the finished products.
I can see a Sharron Yaxley original design in the bowl!
The egg below was decorated by an elderly local lady. After colouring the egg with a dye, the egg is carved with a pin head! Extremely intricate and painstaking!
We wandered into town via the river for dinner. I have swapped my mode of transport. Scooter it is….although I am not ambidextrous, only being able to push off with one leg. I did manage to get the route onto strava!!
Mirek is busy at breakfast building a wheel for his bike before heading off for the Easter Monday tradition.
Easter Monday, I was told that ‘boys’ knock on the door and ‘whip’ the girls backsides with their canes. I interpreted boys as pre puberty age male
I was wrong. Traditional Czech welcome!
The Czech Easter welcome!
In return, the children receive Easter tokens. The men receive a shot of an alcoholic beverage!
Amazing hand made biscuit art work
So with that, I will sign off and get ready for a ‘coffee ride’ with my Czech friends I rode with last year. I think we might be heading to Podebrady, so Tony can experience the surprising water fountain.
Charlie Brown once said to Snoopy, “We only live once, Snoopy”. He responded, “Wrong! We only die once. We live every day”.
People often ask me, “How come you ride so much”? “How come you travel so much”? “Gee you have a lot of holidays”! One even suggested I will be “crippled” by the time I am retired.
Who knows what tomorrow holds? I do not have those answers.
I do know this – I have been to far too many funerals for people who died far too young – they had dreams and aspirations that went unfulfilled!
I made a conscious decision to work to live! I am doing today what I may not be able to do tomorrow. I get it that not everyone understands that, or agrees with me – but then, this is my life and not theirs. I am fortunate that I have a husband who happens to agree with me.
We do what we want these days – and do not try and fulfil others expectations, as invariably, we fail!
Yes, I know that I have physical limitations that make these rides bigger challenges, but I try to balance it by being as fit as I possibly can.
If I had a dollar for every time I have been told I could not do something, I would be rich! Negative feedback tends to do the opposite and fire me up!
As a child I was restricted for many years after being diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. 10 years later I’m hanging off ropes in dark caves and sporting a wind surfer (that I was hopeless at). I was bush walking carrying heavy backpacks and canoeing. I ran at track and field and cross country events. Ventolin was a god send!
In my late teens, I was restricted after a skiing accident resulted in major knee surgery, taking me two years, and a lot of rehabilitation, to walk without a perceptible limp. I fluffed my way into the Australian Defence Force much to the horror of my parents.
I prolapsed two discs in my back as a young mum – and kept working despite the pain and did not take one day sick leave. I have had pneumonia and pleurisy to an extent the doctors wanted me hospitalised, and I refused.
In my 30’s I had an undiagnosed ruptured appendix (gangrene and peritonitis) for 3 days and played it down enough that the doctors thought I was not as unwell as I was (that was my closest escape in life…as I was told after surgery that I would likely have died within a further 24 hours).
After my fourth knee surgery, three and a half years ago I was told by my orthopaedic surgeon that I could not ride more than 5 km on my bike.
Since that day, I have ridden over 95 000 km. I’m now the leading female distance rider on Zwift globally (65,000 km). In addition to riding on the roads in Australia, I have also ridden some 10,500 km in Europe and 4,000 km in New Zealand.
Last year I broke a couple of ribs in Europe after coming off my bike on the cobbles in Switzerland and still managed to ride myself to hospital. I then went on and did a further 1000 km through Europe. Most people had no idea about my broken ribs. Did it hurt? Absolutely! I kept it fairly low profile as I did not want the travel insurance company to tell me that they would not cover me if I kept riding, or that I had to come home early!
Rib pain or awful pasta?
Last year I rode solo 1150 km in what was a massive, personal challenge in New Zealand. Day 2 was Cyclone Hola with big winds and incredible rains. I had friends telling me not to proceed. Did I give up? No!
Day 2 solo trip. I have taken all my wet clothes off and all my dry clothes on…still smiling!
So I know I have guts and determination in buckets that is not always understood – but for me, it has been a survival instinct for some of my other life experiences and challenges (not the subject of this blog).
Reality is I know I am one of the tougher chicks I know (regardless of age) and I know what I have to overcome to achieve what others either avoid totally, or do more easily. I know how hard I train!
My experiences show that those that criticise the most are often the ones who talk the talk, and never walk the walk. To criticise is easy.
So the impending challenge is my biggest yet.
I thought Pas de Payrol, Puy Mary (Massif Central, France) in 2015 was my limit, with 3 km of 13% gradient near the top! I know I was cussing near the top!
Then I did London to Venice with even bigger climbs including Fluela Pass in The Alps (below). A brilliant trip.
The following year I tackled The Pyrenees (France and Spain) en route from Bordeaux to Barcelona. The climb below is heading up Superbagneres.
Last year I conquered Colle della Finestre (Italy) when I was riding with the Italy Bike Tours gang. That is my biggest single ascent to date.
These photos are on the descent. The last 8 km of the climb is gravel. I am a nervous dirt rider so was unsure as to my ability to get to the top within the required time parameters (remembering I did this climb with 2 broken ribs). I did it with time to spare. Check out the wall of snow on my right hand side, and a number of the hair pin bends (55 on this climb).
This year Team Yaxley is undertaking what is a huge challenge, by anyone’s measure. Certainly the biggest for either of us.
4,300 km riding, 33,770 metres ascent, 10 countries, one month, self supporting. That means we carry all our gear for the month including basic mechanical gear. We do have the luxury of staying in accommodation with beds! We have ‘rest’ days scheduled for Budapest and Split.
There are risks. Life is risky.
The route – with the blue line between Split (Croatia) and Anacona (Italy) representing our overnight ferry transfer.
The countdown is on, and we fly out this Saturday afternoon.
Upon arrival into Prague, I have provided one full day rest for jet lag, particularly important as jet lag is one of the major triggers for my epilepsy.
Our first day is a mere 172 km (910m ascent) or so heading into the eastern section of the Czech Republic. Day two is another 174 km (1540m ascent) taking us into southern Poland. Baptism by fire.
By the fourth week, we will be in the Dolomites (Italy) and I have some unfinished business there – as last year we were unable to complete the planned day ride looping through a number of climbs. Last year it was very cold and the decision was made to descend asap rather than risk pushing on.
The descent down Passo Falzarego is the coldest I have ever been on a bike. We sought refuge and hot drinks at this cafe. I was so cold that I was having difficulty steering my bike through the hairpins.
This trip there will just be the two of us – no support crew, no riders we can cruise along with. Based on my touring experiences to date though, we will meet people and create many new memories to share.
I look forward to sharing our adventures with you – and thank you for your continued support and encouragement. It is humbling when I know how some of my ‘regulars’ look forward to each blog, including Tony’s Uncle Jim, and ‘older generation – young at heart’ friends Noeline and Margaret!
Early morning start to head off to Aosta for our final Giro ride…a shorter ride that was to include a long climb of around 28 km to arrive in Cervinia, very close to the Swiss border, and not that far from the French border either.
Two of Italy Bike Tours great team getting ready…Stephano and Roberto.
Riders getting ready….
I can’t forget Marco, another Team Italy Bike Tour member. He does not ride, but organises!
After a 10 km warm up we peel off to climb up Cervinia. Not as steep as Finestre (thank goodness) but a lot longer. 28 km of climbing is a long climb.
As is my preference with long climbs, I do it on my own…trying to maintain a consistent pace, cadence and wattage.
Looking at the climbing graph you can see it is a solid climb, starting at just under 500 metres above sea level, heading to just under 2000 metres, with 4 slight reprieves on the upward journey….small, but welcomed.
The temperature was in the high twenties and I sweated, necessitating a quick water bottle fill at a small Italian village..walking into a bar asking for some tap water.
Again, there were thousands of cyclists on the roads, some in small groups including one team wearing blue that had a strong cyclist with their hands across the shoulders of the second cyclist helping push them up the hill.
Electric bikes…there were a few of those. One lady went last me a few times motor whirring, and then she would stop…
An Italian rider asked me where Clive was?? ( I was wearing Italy Bike Tour kit, and Clive is the IBT owner). I told him ‘somewhere between the bottom and top’….but not riding! He laughed. I saw this guy a few times as he pulled over and was chatting away to people.
The higher you climbed, the temperature dropped, but the spectator excitement rose as you were cheered, had horns blared at you, and one couple rang their cow bells. Yes, gimme more cow bells!
More alcohol was being consumed and I was offered a glass of wine…and a sausage….there is a direct correlation between noise levels and alcohol!
Passing through the 25, 20, 15, 10 km banners they finally went 9,8 and so on until the 2 km mark , where they then drop by 100 metre increments…nice feeling!
I had been suffering painful stomach cramps the last 5 km or so and was keen to get to the bathroom!!
Down the finishing shute I was astounded by the beauty of the area. Cervinia is a valley of mountains, with the Matterhorn looming in front.
I could not get to the finishing line due to it being blocked by security forces some 200 metres out so that was it. Stop the Garmin! Time to soak up the atmosphere and find a bathroom!
Alas, I needed to pack my bike up first, ready for the flight to Rome….then…..bathroom and then this…
Cervinia is an awesome village, skiing and rock climbing mecca. You could see people skiing high up.
After the race we wander around, finding gelato…and then the Wymper bar, dedicated to Wymper an English man who was the first to climb the Matterhorn.
Outside the skies were darkening, and then BANG! Thunder rolling around the valley and we all try to hotfoot it back to the sanctuary of our hotel, making it just before the rain bucketed down. Others were not so fortunate.
We stayed in Cervinia until about 10 pm, having a meal at the hotel just metres from the finishing line.
Late night as we arrived into Torino to prepare for a 4 am alarm to transfer to Rome and the Giro finale.
yakkablog 