Prep

Ordered this bit of mechanical necessity four weeks ago, and Sandy found it at non-usual front door this morning. The 12t will be used on the downhill, the 29t probably a bit too much on the uphills.

Need to do some bike fettling with the SuperModel tomorrow, swapping for compact cranks (50/34t) and better wheels. Might change the stem from 90mm to 100mm and turn it back to euro-pro.

The new bike is so light and responsive and now with some serious hill-climbing gear I should, while not flying up hills and mountains, be less inclined to grind. 

Starting to sort my clothing choices, layers for riding, and various climatic conditions.  There is still snow on the high peaks in France and Italy and I am a bit concerned by the chill on the descents (as well as braking efficiency - hence the better wheels). Its summer and Sandy is coming to join me and no cycling aand much romance.

Have downloaded free open street maps and uploaded 1.6GB of maps onto the Garmin 810 GPS, as well as the proposed ride routes meticulously planned and plotted by OberGruppenFuhrer.  So here's hoping we dont get too lost, but part of me wants to have some adventures in France and Italy.

Fitness?  There is some there, my asthma is a concern in cold air after big uphill efforts, but I'm generally ok, not much can prepare you for 22km uphills at average 8% here in ancient and low relief Perth.

Here we are at the halfway point of the Liege Bastion Liege in April.