You know how sometimes things look better in the brochure or on the website than in real life? Well, that was much to Gary’s dismay, definitely the case with the Borgo di Fiuzzi Resort and Spa in Praia a Mare!
Can I have an extra towel please? No!
Do you have any beer other than Tenants Super? No!
Can I drink the water in my room? Definitely No!
Needless to say, we declined the offer of the dinner buffet including wine for 20 euros and headed into town for pizza and a nice cold Peroni.
Day 2 started bright and early for the boys, decision made to skip the hotel breakfast and get some miles under the wheels before a stop for coffee and pastries. The day would see the awesome twosome tackle the first significant hills of the tour, as they crossed from Calabria into the province of Basilicata. Here the mountains come right down to the sea, forcing the roads to wind around the rugged coastline.
There are some fantastic little seaside villages along the coast, and the lads were making good time despite the steep climbs and a small “technical” for Gary when his derailleur malfunctioned.
Soon after mid-morning caffeine and croissant (cornetto in Italian – who knew?), the terrain hit back as the route headed inland and a monster climb from sea level to 1200 feet proved to be quite a challenge. A quick pit stop at a fuel station at the top of the climb saw Gary making friends with a fellow Manchester United fan, before the time reward – a downhill run along a steep-sided gauge down to Palinuro on the coast. … and lunch!
55 miles and over 1000m of vertical climb done before lunch – the boys are flying! The afternoon session looked inviting enough – 30 miles along the coast to Acciaroli, but the reality of the terrain soon set in. Mountains right up to the Tyrrhenian Sea means steep climbs, hairpin bends and spectacular mountain- top villages like Pisciotta all set to test the boys’ stamina to the limit. The sting in the tail on Day 2 was yet to come though – a thunderstorm combined with a section of clifftop road that had subsided off the edge, created a rollercoaster section of broken and unstable tarmac, that threatened to turf the boys off their bikes and into the ocean!
Having survived that little scare, they had another 20 miles of coastal road to conquer, ending up at Acciaroli a beautiful village with a small marina.
78 miles and over 6000 feet of climbing in the day, tomorrow brings a new challenge as the boys take on the crazy Italian motorists in Naples! 🚵♀️🚵♂️
Looks amazing!!! Keep smiling chaps!!
Great pictures and awesome challenge … would love to sponsor your super human effort undertaking this challenge Best Adrian
Well done guys!! I note the distinct lack of smiles on day 2… lol. A worthy cause and well worth all the pain I am sure you’re in… keep going.
Ha ha great work guys! Gaz miles looks like he has been towing you on that picture! I am definitely coming next year if they only sell tenants super! Keep going guys doing a great job and losing pounds whilst raising them for a great cause! What a combo 👏👏👏