The back pain was not the only problem caused by the bumps. My rear wheel got bent during the ride and started to touch the frame with every rotation. When I stopped to have a look at the damage I realised that one of the spokes had broken at the nipple. There was nothing I could do. Anyway, I remembered from last year that there had to be another mechanics service at Asciano and I was right. Though, I wasn’t the only one having technical issues and I had to wait for some time. When it was my turn the broken spoke got replaced pretty fast by the experienced Gaudenzi mechanic who seemed to have done this a million times.
Markus was somehow concerned about the cut-off time for all participants of the long route. All those who reached Pianella after 6.00pm were supposed to be redirected towards Gaiole on a direct route along the asphalt road. I hadn’t thought about the time limit before but all of a sudden this seemed to become an issue. I overheard some Swiss guys who did the same route a year earlier and they mentioned that the cut-off time was quite flexible and not so strict. Markus wasn’t so sure about that and we decided that he should go ahead and try his best on his own. At least one of us should make it.
We only knew too well what followed the stop at Asciano: the infamous climb to Monte Sante Marie. While Markus cycled off as if stung by a bee I got off my bike and pushed it up the first steep hill. I hadn’t eaten too much at the last stop and at this point I felt much better than a year before. From there on I tried to ride most parts and only got off my bike when it was really steep.
There was one last refreshment stop before Pianella – Castelnuovo Berardenga. I arrived at about 5.30pm and asked the guy at the checkpoint about closing-time in Pianella. He confirmed that cut-off time was in fact 6.00pm. I got a bit nervous but a German guy next to me who I had already met earlier that day calmed my nerves and told me that it was only about 10km. He added: “We’ll make it easily!”.
After a very quick stop at Castelnuovo Berardenga I pedalled really hard and had only one goal in mind: arrive at Pianella before 6.00pm. Luckily this part of the route was on asphalt and not too hilly so I was able to gain ground. I knew that once I passed Pianella I should be safe and ready for the last 35 kilometres. And there he was: a man with a flag at the crossroads: “This way for the 135km and this way for the long route”, he explained in Italian. What a relief! I made it.
Next chapter: Eroica – Grande Finale