Well its been a very nice relaxing week here in Offenburg having Anna's house to myself. Had some friends over for dinner last night which was fun. I cooked up a storm including Golen Syrup Dumplings with ice cream for desert. I had cooked so much I thought ill be eating left overs for days but boy was I wrong. You get three marathon riders to dinner and you have nothing but clean plates at the end. I neede the 4hrs on the bike today just to burn it off. They stopped at the end and had massive ice creams and coffees. Geez they go through some food. Suppose I would too but im still trying to shed the extra punds from Itlay and France. The day after the Albstad marathon we all went for a recovery ride. I figured this would be 2 to 3 hrs nice slow and flat. Hmm how wrong was I. Yes it was slow but we did 5.5 hours and a 1000 high meter climb just for good measure. The next day I rode with the Offenburg version of Bruce (nice bikes and bloody good rider) Anyway did another 5.5 hours and 4 climbs totalling to around 2500 high meters. Man was I shatterd at the end of that one. Been taking it easy since then as at that rate this weekend I wouldnt even make half the course. I must admit im a bit nervous about this weekends race. Ive seen the course profile and it starts with a 22km climb up 1400 high meters. What a start. They are talking of it taking around 7.5 to 8.5 hours for us to finish. Thats a bloody long time on the saddle. Well one thing is for sure, its going to be an experience.