Day 2 - Training, a Boat Ride, and More Eating

We went to bed later than we had hoped, but still slept well before the call for breakfast in the morning. We were hanging out behind the wrong group of cyclist after breakfast and didn't notice the "A" team go off. We spend the ride with the development team.

It was a 70 km ride with a few rolling hills. After about a 20 km warm-up, we broke into groups of 8 - 10 for big ring intervals. The coach pulled up to the group in the team car and started yelling out numbers. Fortunately, I know enough Turkish numbers to pick out 53-19. It also help to see everyone shifting. Needless to say the tempo picked up.

For the last 30 km they had us do 2 individual timetrials. We started one at a time at 10 sec intervals. The goal was to timetrial to the first rider if you could. Hey, we finished in the front group both times.

After the ride we showered and joined the team for lunch. Then it was out in Alanya for some sight-seeing. Alanya is a beach resort city although it is relatively quiet this time of year. Everyone who lives and works there said it is not the place to be in the summer.

Down at the marina, we were talked into a boat ride around the castle by a persistent fellow. It was a great relaxing ride. As it always turns out, Rustem strikes up a conversation with the captain who is from the same region in Turkey. After the ride we stayed on board for a few cups of cay.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the market. Rustem said that Friday was market day (it looked like a busy market to me even though it was only Thursday). Gary bought some spices and we snacked here and there. You can make a meal out of the samples.

Back at the hotel we joined the team for dinner and then retreated to the room for a Efes Dark. We didn't want the coach to catch us with that beer. We felt like little kids trying to sneak a couple of beers.

Tomorrow we will be nice and early and make sure we go off with the "A" team who will be doing 80 km with intervals. Good night.