Transalp finished

We start our "victory can can" dance line.

Transalp is done! We enjoy our celebratory dinner, then adjourn to the outdoor cafe in the plaza at the center of the old city of Arco, for some of the local spirits and a wonderful hazelnut gelato sundae.  Good to sleep in a bed for the first time in a week -- the isolation mat feels a bit thinner as the muscles get more sore, though it has served me (David) very well.

David and Juliane post an excellent result, 56 out of 85 (more if you include those who started the first stage).  MOB and I did not fare quite so well, due to the extra 4.5 hours resulting from the 11-hour time assessed on Stage 3 when MOB's rear wheel failed.  232 Masters teams registered; 228 raced Stage 1; 203 finished the event; ... of which we placed 197.  But for the stage 3 issue, we would have been around 170.  Next year!

The oldest participant, on the "grey wolf" team, is 72 years old.  He looked like one tough old SOB ... and was a lot faster than any of us.  He crashed on Stage 6 and was back on the bike in no time.  Chapeau to the grauer wolf and to all.