Gold, Silver and Bronze

Back with the Early birds this morning - some lovely weather still, although a little crisper feel to it.

Went as far as Barden with Cacophony, El Cid carrying on to Grassington.

There was some email discussion between myself, Harry and El Chat as we found this on the Etape website:

Etape du Tour Mondovélo 2008 - Pau / Hautacam
Catégories Distance Temps
Médaille "Or" Médaille"Argent"
A 169,2 05:50:00 06:30:00
B 169,2 06:05:00 06:45:00
C 169,2 06:15:00 07:05:00
D 169,2 06:30:00 07:10:00
E 169,2 07:05:00 08:10:00
F 169,2 07:05:00 08:30:00
G 169,2 07:15:00 08:50:00

So for me, as a Cat C rider to get a silver finish would need to make 7:05 - quite a ask I think, but after Sunday's performance and with a little good-fortune it might just be possible (I actually forecast a finish time of between 7:30 and 8:00 but you never know).

My rough estimate of what I'd have to do is:
.................................distance (km) - speed(km/h) - speed(mph) - time (hours)
97 km to base of Tourmalet.....97 ...........35.........22........2.77
23 km Tourmalet ascent.........23 ...........12..........8........1.92
33 km Tourmalet descent........33 ...........45.........28........0.73
16 km Hautacam ascent..........16 ...........11..........7........1.45
total hours: 6.88

Mmmm...

Jason Le Chat, who after his win at the Polka Dot was after a gold, but will have to finish in 6:05 - again, quite a challenge.

Obviously, for me the aim is to finish and not get swept up by the broom-wagon, and I don't want to chase going for a silver making me blow and not get round. However, getting a silver would be great achievement for me if I could manage it. Should I go for it? It will probably mean pushing hard from the start, not waiting too long at any food-stop and taking some chances on the descent?