Raid Corsica – Stage Five: The Queen Stage

Life on the bike has moved into a regular pattern. We get up, eat as much as possible, ride for almost the entire day, climb between 8,000 and 9,000 feet, arrive at stage end, have a beer (or two), stuff as much food into your body as possible at dinner, find a clean kit for the next day, and then go to bed. It’s an interesting existence. It’s both simple, yet very complex. So many things to consider. Just trying to replace calories is a chore. We’re burning between 4,500 – 6,000 calories a day. We try to make it up in beer and wine, but sometimes we have to stuff down solid food like pasta, rice, potatoes, and salad as well.

Today was no exception. We rose about 6:00 AM, dressed, repacked our suit cases, eat breakfast (or tried to) and clipped in about 7:35. We made a right hand turn out of the hotel and immediately started the first climb. It was about a 24% grade, but it did end before we literally tipped over.

Today’s stage had four named cols. The Col Bivio Tavogna (960m), the Col de Illarate (991m), the Col de Bavella (1,218m) and the Col de Larone (608m). While they are all tough, there is an interesting connection between the last two. After you ascend the Col de Bavella and then descend about 15km, you immediately start climbing the Col de Larone. These two were part of last year’s Tour de France.

When we got to the top of the Col de Larone, it was again very cold. So has become the pattern, we again bundled up and started the decent. From the top of the mountain back to the sea is almost a 30km decent. Along the way down, we almost it a bull, a piglet, numerous potholes, the occasional hiker, and sand and gravel. The temperature went from about 50 degrees to 75+ on the way down. Once we hit the bottom, we turned left and made the 44km race to the hotel. Despite being completely totally exhausted, we did a little pace lining and made it.

Yes, today was the Queen Stage. From my perspective it was the toughest with the most challenging climbing and almost the longest. We did it, and are somewhat looking forward to the final stage tomorrow.

Tomorrow's stage can be found at: http://www.strava.com/routes/321983