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Tonight I watched stage 16 of La Vuelta (the Tour of Spain cycling race), which finished atop the legendary Lagos da Covadonga climb in Asturias, the Northernmost province of Spain. It was a fantastic race on an amazing track.
I rode this very climb myself, way back in 2007; I was in Spain for business and detoured up to Asturias to ride the stage and then watch the pros do it too. After an improbable series of barriers surmounted I made it, probably the hardest climb I've ever done then or since. Watching the race today was doubly enjoyable remembering being there which seems like yesterday, 17 years ago...
Rereading my report on the day, I remember feeling a weird sense of inevitability; with each obstacle it felt like something good was going to happen, and then it did. "How did I get here (!)" indeed ... Quite a day.
My report does not go on to mention the incredible spicy Spanish dinner I had that night in Cangas des Onis nor the Rioja wine which accompanied it, but I remember them too. I do not remember finally sleeping but I'm sure I did so, like a stone.
Watching pro cycling in Europe is the best - in addition to another Vuelta stage I've been privileged to watch two stages of the Tour de France, and to ride and then watch the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). I still have to see a Giro d'Italia stage (Tour of Italy), and would love to see the Strade Bianca (which tours Tuscany and finishes in La Plaza in Siena). It's nice to have goals :)
Onward !
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