less than 12 hours to go and its raining..

Less than 12 hours to go and it's raining. It is also bedlam as 9000 cyclists and their families try to get in and out of registration in Alta Badia, via La Villa and Corvara. The roads are full of cars, cyclists and pedestrians vying for space.  No point cycling very far today; road rage everywhere.

The serene view of Corvara from the empty car park above the town has disappeared under a throng of caravans, cars, cyclists and walkers all trying to get a photo with the sign. Cycling Weekly organizers picked this spot for a photo shoot with 500+ other cyclists for the magazine this morning. It was chaotic, however we had a plan, get to the back and high up, wear bright yellow and hope we can spot ourselves in the magazine photo ☺
Before the official shot, we tried to get a photo of the sign, but only managed to bag the end letter A:

for 10 seconds before it was someone else’s turn. Brits and Aussies are good at queuing!

Quick change, last minute food shopping and off for a walk to San Cassiano along the riverside path taking in the artwork (which we tried to emulate) on the way..

Time for a large gourmet pasta lunch with apfel strudel and expresso at the Rosa Alpina winebar and grill. (this place is highly recommended for food)

Next door we spotted more local artwork. The cows around here seem to have a good life.

We have spent the arvo watching the Tour De France on Italian RAI Sport channel and tonight we will put our legs and feet up and enjoy the footie. Tragic that Cavendish crashed out in Harrogate on the final straight of TdF stage 1. Hope he is ok. We loved the views of so many people out supporting, aerial views of "le chateau de Bolton", the yellow sheep, the drawing of the sheep on the bicycle in a playground, the green green grass of the Dales and, of course, the typical (awesome) Yorkshire weather!
The RAI channel will cover the Maratona Dles Dolomites tomorrow but little chance for Sarah or I to be on it (Sarah will not be wearing her See You Jimmy Hat) I am in my Clarence St Cyclery Sydney yellow shirt and that will be the closest I ever get to the Maillot Jaune.

I am still not 100% well and although the cough is a bit less, it is still painful and noisy. I am settling for the middle course at 106km and will watch my heart rate throughout. I might even stop for coffee and cake and put my feet up for a while once past the timed cut off at 55km☺ and fit in a massage at the end (a cunning plan!). Sarah meanwhile is aiming for the 138km as long as she can beat the cut off times (but it's going to be close).

Weather forecast is not good for tomorrow - starting out clear at c 10C at 6.30 with rain by 11am.  We will be doing a sun dance later. Fingers crossed for an enjoyable day for us both.