The storms of yesterday had passed over, leaving the valley green and lush. If things remained this way there was an excellent chance of the boulders drying out.
Heading out to the boulders, it felt humid, but it had dried out. Squeezing through the gap in to the scivolo area some of the mello team were drying out holds on one of the competition routes. Another group were leading a route on the Scivolo slab itself, this felt more like it, life was returned to the valley.
I ambled over to a route I had done many times before, a 6b overhang which was no more than a hang off slopers, heal up and mantle. My fingers felt moist pulling down on the rock, my left inner elbow whined from the efforts of the previous day. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be happening today. I moved on to a slab, it looked straight forward enough, but the pieces were not falling in to place.
Times like these you either man up and fight it, or go find something more enjoyable to do, which is what I did. In the distance, on the other side of the valley, a road weaved its way up the valley side. I didnt know where it went, or how far it went, but I wanted to. Back at the van I swapped bouldering kit for cycling kit.
That lube I thought I packed just wasn’t there. I checked again.. no definitely not there. The rusty chain glared at me, why should I be feeling guilty, I had only had the bike a few weeks how could it go rusty already! I knew something had to be done. The options I had were toothpaste or olive oil.
The climb was on, weaving its way up the valley at a nice angle. I have decided I like switch backs, because no matter how many there are you can feel you are making progress. And it went until a tunnel loomed. In I rode till suddenly it was pitch black. I fumbled to switch on the gamma i just happened to have on my bars, but going from bright sun shine to pitch black it takes a while for your eyes to adjust. Eventually the sides of the tunnel became visible. I kept myself in the middle of the arc of light, trusting there were no rocks or holes in the road surface. The tunnel went on longer than I thought, so it was relief when I finally exited.
I reentered the tunnel prepared, lights blazing.. But it made little difference and I was riding on my senses. As I exited the tunnel I noticed a small switch on the tunnel wall.. yes, there was a light switch!
I am able to push myself harder on my bike than I can in climbing.