Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page. This is the 3rd consecutive  year that I have undertaken a cycle challenge to raise funds for Guide Dogs Cymru and as everyone has been so generous in the past I have no expectations that donations will be forthcoming again this year.  Having said that any donations would be hugely appreciated by Guide Dogs Cymru and those for whom they provide this remarkable service. 

Well, Team Kersley successfully completed the challenge covering the 1007.6 miles in 8 days, 5hrs and 55 minutes.  Even with the meticulous training it was much, much harder then expected.   Each day  Rob had to dig so deep physically and mentally to tackle the relentless climbs, heat, traffic and strong afternoon winds.  

The first day, climbing Col du Grand St Bernard was amazing. The road became steeper and steeper, tapering from a wide double carriageway to a twisting, turning single track snaking up the mountainside like laces in a boot. On the Swiss side there are no barriers so getting the motor home up there was as challenging as cycling.  The descent down the Aosta Valley was exhilarating, Rob going faster than Liz. 

The following day was flat and fast to start with, then there was a huge mountain range to climb to get down to Genoa and the Mediterranean. Even though the route stayed close to the west coast, the mountains come right down to the sea, so the road undulated sharply, clinging perilously to the hillsides for most of the way. Between Rome and Naples it flatten out, but it is a very congested, urban stretch which brought crazy traffic and strong afternoon cross winds.

After an overnight stop in Pompei, it was thought that there were only 2 major climbs for the day.  The first one was gruelling in the heat. Coming down the other side Rob clocked nearly 50mph!  At the bottom DEVIATION!!!!

Only way round was UP.  6 miles  ascent of 1,707ft to a tiny village called Petina perched high up on a rock outcrop on the side of the mountain.  The last section into the village was so steep that Rob could hardly keep his front wheel on the bumpy tarmac.  The van struggled. To add to the drama, a thunderstorm was rattling around the slopes and mountain tops.

The descent down to Polla and back on the course made it all worth it.  However, Rob had yet another col to negotiate to get back down to the west coast.  It was such a hard day. 126 miles.  The reward was the beach side pitch on great campsite near Maratea,  a swim in the luke warm Med whilst dinner was cooking and the soothing sound of waves lapping the shore lulling us to sleep.

The final days were hot and long.  A relief on reaching the most southerly point in Italy, Melito Porto Salvo safely. It was also sad in many ways it was over.  It was quite an emotional hour or so.  What is so amazing is that despite the terrible conditions of the roads and the stress the bike took during the ride, it did not have a single puncture or mechanical problem. The main issue in the latter part of the ride was that vicious, unseen bitey things attacked legs and ankles despite copious amounts of insect repellent designed for the jungle.  Rob had a horrible allergic reaction to them in that the ones around his ankles blistered and were extremely itchy and painful.  On the journey home a trip to a doctor was necessary to get antibiotics and cortizone.

Every day was an adventure riding through, over and often under the stunning Italian landscapes.  Hugging the west coast most of the way the journey went through miles of urban development which was hazardous coping with the mad, crazy, manic Italian traffic.  Driving in a straight line as fast as possible is the law often meant cars, scooters, wheelchairs driving down the wrong side of the road if it meant getting over a junction or into the stream of traffic quicker.  Constant vigilance.  Rob was safer on the bike than Liz was in the van!  Unsurprisingly accidents were a common occurrence.  Rob saw 3 in one day.  Out of a vehicle, the Italians are delightful, so warm and friendly, nothing is too much trouble and time is irrelevant.

The return trip back to Wales was much more leisurely taking in some of the sites of Italy such as Popmpei, Pisa and Lucca.  The bike has cleaned a stow away safely in the back of the van, job done.

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated and given huge support.

It certainly lived up to expectations.

Ciao

Rob, Liz & Woody.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.