A short local ride today after our rest day swimming in and relaxing by Kalterer See yesterday. Our route was blocked by a classic car rally which featured a Lancia Delta S4 driven by Miki Biasion! I think my life may now complete!

95km to Auer in 7 hour 55 mins. Killer 1730m altitude gain, 2454m loss ruined by an up valley wind. Number of falls, 1 (yup, me this time).

6 hardcore days. Today was massively tough. My lack of fitness letting me down. Altogether an incredible experience. Tonight: beer, tomorrow: day off.

41km to Caprile in 5 hours 46 mins. 1422m up, 1913m down. Accidents, 2 (not me – touch wood). I think Rafi’s accident deserves a little explanation. He had, as we all have, a little trouble getting his foot unclipped. He managed it in time though and went to put his foot down. Unfortunately he chose to put his foot where there was no ground… Result; Rafi and bike tumbled down a good 1.5 metre drop.

It gets better. The hotel has a sauna & jacuzzi, which we took full advantage of, followed by a splendid 3 course meal. 1 more weissbier before I collapse.

Enjoying a beer on the terrace in the Italian sun. A tough day, but getting used to it by now. Some great single track, but a bit too much pushing the bike.

7 hours 58 mins on the road to La Villa. 58 kilometres, 2572m gain, 2077m loss. Thunder storms, 1.

Toughest day so far, and physically one of the toughest of my life. Last 2 hours in heavy rain was really tough with some treacherously steep and slippy gravel.