The Toe of Italy to Monte Carlo

If food is hard to digest, the tendency is to eat more.

Simple tricks of digestion:

Raw before cooked.

Don't drink with meals.

Lovely and helpful of you to reference Scarlett and his book, cliveo. Happy birthday for later this month, and good luck with the ride - not long now!

Raw before cooked.

Isn't all food raw before cooked?

CliveO

Bike being boxed in the morning

Prepare for self-sufficiency!

I do however love the image of a General (one-star) overseeing such an exercise!

The reason for overseeing it is to ensure I know how to unbox it and then rebox it for the return journey without upsetting the carefully calibrated fit. It turns out to be easier than I had thought.

Thank you Miss M. All food is raw before being cooked. Some food is eaten without being cooked. Refried beans are cooked before being cooked. Scarlett bullied me into it. He's like that.

Ideally, to obtain peak performance from my body, I will continue to avoid gluten but this is unrealistic when I will be moving through Italy burning 5,000 calories a day.

As someone with coeliac disease, I've found Italy to be one of the better places to cycle as there are plenty of gluten free lunch and dinner options in most restaurants.

Fingers crossed. I have to say, Spelt pasta and bread is rather tasty.

Result Clive!! You can ciao down without worry! Boom boom!

I see you fly out tomorrow @cliveo, have a fabulous, fun and safe journey. Keep those wheels turning.

Looking forward to reading the updates.

Good luck with this Clive.

Your blog has been inspiring and has almost caused me to follow suit. Diet-wise obviously.

I've cycled in Italy - even when everything hurts it's still beautiful.

Enjoy it!

Thank you all.

Fly out in the morning. Will try and knock out a final blog piece overnight and have it up tomorrow.

During the ride I will be doing shorter daily blog posts for Reactions Magazine http://www.reactions.net They will open them up and allow access without a password. A link will appear on the Lloyd's Wellbeing site. I will also tweet on @cliveoconnell

Very busy at work which makes preparation difficult and promises to infringe on recovery time each evening.

Good news is that temperatures are down to 27 or thereabouts which is manageable. Bad news is that this is caused by a northerly wind which will blow into our faces.

I am as prepared as I am going to be. Fingers crossed for a safe ride with no mechanicals.

Thank you all for your support and advice. it has meant a huge amount to me.

Best of luck, Clive.

Remember to enjoy it, even at those points where enjoyment is furthest from your mind. I'm sure it'll be amazing.

"For he's a jolly good fellow..." and all that business.

Cheers

The correct link is

http://www.reactionsnet.com/

Good Luck Clive!

Thanks Chris.

When do you expect to arrive at MC? Is there an official finish line spectators can cheer from.

http://www.reactionsnet.com/Article/3377872/Sectors/23074/Lloyds-Cycling-Club-Tour-2014-Day-One.html#.VA16u_ldWy8

Arrive Saturday. Not sure of time yet. Prob 4pm ish

Keep at it Cliveo.

I've read all the blogs (probably doubling traffic to the excellent reactions website).
A little suffering is ensuing.

LFGSS can be proud that Cliveo is so far only one of 6 of the original 26 that hasn't needed vehicular assistance. I doubt he is thinking of us but he might still be swearing at his garmin or his fogged up glasses.

The forecast appears to imply Sun for the last leg. Hope you are enjoying the last stage C!

^ that!
Good work meeester

done.

@cliveo

Congratulations

How are you feeling?

Good job. Pity the Scor lounge isn't open... A celebratory drink or two is well deserved

Chapeau cliveo!