Last nights briefing was definitely targetted at us non attentive Aussies with a couple of truths + one unbelievable fact thrown in to see if we were actually listening !!
"Tomorrow will include 45kms of flat bitumen riding said our friendly guide Tolkeyen. POP said Henley ! "Our accomodation will be 1/2 way up a volcano he continued" ... hmm that"s interesting said self ! "The last 12kms will include 1200 metres of climbing some at close to 20 per cent" ..... after a few seconds both H and I replied "WTF" did he just say" !!!!!!
After a full on day 1 we left Ponte Varas at the civilised time of 10.00a.m. no doubt to allow our UK friends to take in some tea and crumpet for breakfast !
After yesterdays "shitfest" Henley's words not mine, today started off as a dream with 40 glorious kms to lunch covered on a motorway like bitumen bike path with increasingly more beautiful views of the lake and the towering conical shaped Orsorno Volcano.
Lunch was taken in a restaurant rebuilt after being destroyed by another nearby volcano called Calbuco. Here discussion centred around our imminent climb with Julia pre-occupied with the thought that her battery might run out !
Aussies are not reknown for their sporting fairness so without wishing Julia any ill will I kinda hoped that the battery would run out ! I mean come on she'd been so bloody smiley and happy as she repeatedly sailed past us that hoping for a little payback didn"t seem too wrong !
It was now time to face our nemesis ! Having been pre briefed we knew what was in store ...lots of pain !!!!
The first couple of kms were painfully steep at 8-10% and then it just got progressively worse ! One section of 2-3 kms was a gut busting 18% without any relief at all !
Aussie Kev battled valiantly but having reached a new minmium world speed record of 2.6kms an hour he wisely decided to head for the van !
Pommie Kev with his lightweight frame and resume of top French Alp climbs, battled his way to the top in style while I spent a fair bit of my 3 hour climb walking and even that was pretty damned tough !
Sadly for Julia her battery did run out forcing her to walk her Ebike to our accommodation where she recovered with cake and coffee waiting nearly an hour for Pommie Kev - All joking aside a fine effort by Julia !
The weather cleared after we'd rested and showered to provide for a stunning sunset over the lake - what a great way to celebrate the days success !
WAP Henley!!
ReplyDeleteSo there are no hills in the area , , ,just lots of mountains.
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