Recovery Day vs. Rest Day

Miles from Home - 5309.75
Firsts / Highlights - Rode to Cancano
Miles Ridden - 21.44 miles
Vertical Feet - 2,704 ft.
Route - View Today’s Route Here
People - 2 Italian kids escorted me to the bike shop in their matching race kits. Same mechanic as Monday installed front brakes and trued my rear wheel.

This post is from June 18, 2009.



I learned today the difference between a “recovery day” and a “rest day”, at least by Daniele’s definition. I asked him for a route selection that would let me recover from yesterday’s big climbs. He suggested that I go to a couple of lakes called Cancano in Stelvio National Park where his family has a cabin. All of the hotel guests are invited to visit his cabin tomorrow for some homemade polenta.

So, what is a recovery ride? It was 47 switchbacks and 2,700 vertical feet. Nothing like yesterday, but not the kind of ride I would seek out the day after doing Tour de Steamboat. Your legs are toast? Why don’t you take it easy and just climb Rabbit Ears Pass.

Tomorrow’s weather forecast looks like I may be rained out for the first time in 6 weeks. Given my need for a rest day, it couldn’t come at a better time. After 26,000 vertical feet in 4 days, kicking up my feet at Daniele’s cabin and maybe making some progress on my upcoming itinerary sounds pretty good.



On my way off the mountain today, I encountered the woman in this picture who put all of my recreational effort into perspective. She was walking up a very steep hill to her house after it appears she spent the day cutting and raking hay. Even after what must have been a demanding day, I said, “Buona sera” and she lit up with a big smile.