#RoadsFromRome Day 3 - Front Loaded


Straight out of camp, and into the first climb - a Haute Categorie 15 kilometre ascent of the San Pellegrino in Alpe. It is a serious 9.5% average, with frequent ramps of 15% and the final three kilometres often 18%.

I was reduced to grinding pace before long, and my speed even fell so low at times that my computer auto-paused. It was a true beauty and the beast climb though, with amazing views out over the villages below.

At the summit, I began one of the best descents that I have ridden to date... starting with single-track road, then wide new tarmac; it was a constant thrill for over 30 kilometres.

After a lunch stop of pizza, patisserie and espresso from a bakery, I continued further down the valley and onto the flat lands around Modena.

Strava routing did me proud, and it took me on a great mix of small country lanes and relatively deserted B-roads for the rest of the day. Even the thunderstorm that arrived mid-afternoon was quite welcome and refreshing.

By 18:30 I had reached the day's target, got dinner from the supermarket, and had a shower underneath a tap at a town garage. I headed off to find a camp out in the sweetcorn fields close to Mantova.

Catch up with the day's photos on Instagram: @tim_wiggins1
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