Bartolo talking to us about Granfondo Selle Italia 2014

No Number for me today!! Cervia, GF Selle Italia: exasperated agonism is not allowed for me today... maybe a bit of "tacchetta" while climbing with my  fellow travellers but at the top of the climb we wait each other to relish the amazing "ristori" (Italian name of food stations which includes cakes made by various "nonna", salami, ham, cheese, pasta and wine).

The Start.

Above all the long time lost friend's company is be the primary reason for me to be here today. He is also a SaddleDrunker, mainly for MTB and not a roadie.

Then, 05:45 wake up call!

Copious breakfast, check backpack to ascertain that everything has been packed (shoes is a must!!), then careful not to wake up the rest of the family, I slide like a snake as quiet as a butterfly to the garage.

Arrival in Cervia at 7.00, where I find all the "chipped riders" already revving up their legs in the line up like horses pawing waiting for the gates to be opened.

This time I am actually taking it easy and I slowly go to the meeting point to wait for my friend's arrival. I call him at 0725 and luckily he is awake but he is running late. Not bad at all!  It means I can indulge myself in a nice "espresso".

Avis Faenza Ciclismo.

I walk inside the bar and...wow..surprise . . : There I find some cyclist friends from 'Avis Faenza Ciclismo", a team from my home town that last winter I joined for occasional rides with my wife.

Yes, they all have race numbers but they seemed relaxed. As they are led by  "Granfondo" expert and veteran Gian Franco Lama, I am sure they will also have a wonderful and enjoyable ride admiring sceneries and the ristori.

Just time for a coffee and a quick chat, then time to join the back of the queue in the grid.

8am we start! I should say at 8am the first ones are departing. We cleat about 10 minutes later: wings of people and loud music follow the riders from the start line along the seafront.

The first 20km are flat and at these kind of events you have to take extra care as the amount of people can easily create crashes.

We rejoin the group of the Avis Faenza Ciclismo, they are really well behaved, all in line like a team and still led by Lama. Sometimes I wish there would be more teams like this one.

Legs are warming up, after a little climb,we approach the first real climb, then again we can start relaxing and chatting...Then another one in S.Teodorano..where we find the first ristoro! Cakes, jam tart, fruit … but the best is the ristoro “d'epoca”. Due to the fact that today there is also the vintage bikes GF, the "ristori" also provide a vintage menu.

The "ristoro d'epoca' provides meat pie, veggie pie, mushrooms, bread with honey, panini with salami, bread with butter and sugar and Sangiovese to avoid the mouth being dry.

We carry on cycling. After various climbs and downhills we reach one of my favourites climbs called "La Ciola".

At the top of "La Ciola".

Then,  at this time my friend starts to experience little pain in his legs. Probably due to the the transition from MTB to Road Bike. Thanks to him having this little pain, we have a chance to take it easy and enjoy the panorama of the surroundings. This is something that most of the time I don't have a chance to do as I push too much on the saddle.

After a little while we approach Montevecchio, “Cima Pantani”, nicknamed in the honour of the Pirata who used to come here and train.

After taking few photos we keep cycling until we reach the last 30km of flat with wind against us. I could see the pain on my friend's face, nothing to be worried it is quite common for cyclists.

We finally cross the finish line with a really good time!

The weather in Cervia is beautiful. The sun is out and the temperature is pleasant making us reluctant to say goodbye to each other.

We had a great morning of cycling, sharing a passion. We discussed the various issues of the morning before heading back to our cars.

SaddleDrunk Kit still looking good after 5 hours of riding.

The wife and the kids are waiting to hear from me. They are looking forward to share my amazing emotions on my return at home.

A quick shower and drive off to a nice cool-down and relaxing with wife and kids.

You can have a look at the profile of the race,click here 

http://www.strava.com/activities/127747300

Ciao for now, and let's get SaddleDrunk.

Bartolo.

The season has finally begun!

The month of March is the month where the pros start to rivet for the oncoming season.

We had an amazing Tirreno-Adriatico with great cycling accompanied with great weather, and some great climbs.Forget about the winner..Already too many people talk about the winner of this event.

Then few days later we had la"La classicissima" Milano-Sanremo, where the weather was not the best for cycling, as 86 riders retired from the horrendous weather? I would ask myself why? did not have enough clothes to warm up,or was it too cold, or they don't get paid enough..whatever..Hat off to those have finished the race.

Instead thinking the reason behind all this DNFs,  I rather watch this nice video from 1922 and many other from "La classicissima" or any other races where nature prevailed on the riders.Where those from the past, carried on with no problem at all with their "man bits" up to the throat for the cold.

Still my favourite.

No turbo trainers in the past.

Then we are at the beginning of the season, everyone will be talking about the same stuff in and out, left and right,top and bottom like the last 15 years or more.

Cross Training.

The main concern that everyone should talk about and reflect,it is that cycling has become a "prima donna" sport like many others.

A lot of cyclists like to follow the Velominati rules,but they buy turbo trainers and train with Sufferfest. Having tons of bicycle for each occasion.This is not cycling.I would call it differently.But I have to stop myself.

All of this has to be taken in consideration, that if we carry on with this mentality, cycling will be destroyed by literally nothing.

My final conclusion is that the season has begun, how many races will we watch with nearly half of the riders with DNFs?

Cycling is for passion. Cycling is the connection between the human body with nature.

Let's get SaddleDrunk.

Racing at 1877 Preston Park Velodrome in Brighton

Last Sunday I had the pleasure to race in the oldest cycle track in world, the Preston Park Velodrome was dug out by hand by the British Army in 1877.The length of the velodrome is only 580 metres, the thought of racing around it for 40 plus minutes gave me a feeling of boredom. Therefore I have decided to enter first race of the "Apres The Hot Recovery Drink Wacky Races Series".

One of the false flats.

Surprisingly, my boredom kicked in really quickly,I recall checking my computer at only 13 minutes into the race.Through my mind a lot thoughts were flying, from my father passing away to the way of pulling out to this boredness.

Following my father advise during my life, I did not want to give up so I have turned up the engines and start riveting.

Another great view from above.

The field of 32 was a good quality of riding,there were few slow ones,but that is part of the game.I was quite impressed to see few guys with turbo trainers before the race to warm up then I did not see them at all during the race.Usually those are the ones who push.But obviously not in this case.

Racers getting ready to go on track.

The speed and pace was high for a cat 4 race,but I was comfortable so I stayed always at the front and made it up if I lost a position due to wrong position or coming out from the front pack.Few guys that we lapped, suddenly were with us again racing for a postion.

That was a bit of shock for few of us that overlapped them twice, but interesting on sportsmanship conduct principles.

Well done to the Blazing Saddles Team to work as a real team and to get all the 3 steps in the podium.

It was a good result and also good to gain the first 2 point after 4 races for this season with a finish in 8th position.

Those photos were taken in the warm up lap.

Someone shouted at me to keep hands in the handlebar,I nearly choked.

Until next time enjoy riding.Keep getting SaddleDrunk.

Ciao.

SD.

Yak Attack Nepal 2014 report from Cory Wallace

Hi all, I have managed to get in touch briefly with Cory Wallace from Nepal, reporting from Day 1 at the Yak Attack North Face 2014.A multi stage MTB event held in the beauty of the Himalayas.

Cory and I in Taiwan for the KOM 2013 last November.

This is what Cory had to say:

Day 1 we road across some terraces overlooking the Kathmandu valley. Later on we descended into a valley of chaos with Lose dogs, farm animals, people and cars everywhere. It was half bike race, half dodging the chaos. It is beautiful here racing below 7000 Meter mountains

A view of the track.

Scenery form the top.

Here at SaddleDrunk wish Cory a good luck during this amazing challenge.

I will keep you posted with more photos.

Intense moments for SaddleDrunk

Ciao everyone, you have not heard from me for a long time.The reason is because 2 weeks ago my first and greatest friend,guidance of each step of my life passed away.

RIding in the Italian Apennines in my Father's honour.

My Father, now will follow me forever in all my rides, each centimetre I ride, He will look from above.Rest in peace mio Amico.You will be missed by us all.

After this short reflection in honour of my Father, I give an update of the future plans ahead.

First, we will have the first SaddleDrunk Bike Ride in London soon where everyone is welcome to join.Any levels,bikes,clothing are welcome.Barriers should not be raised by those factors to those who love riding.

Then, I will be going to South Africa in Cape Town to take part in the biggest cycling event, "The Cape Argus" where I will be riding with a local team from the Western Cape.

Also, while there I will be having a pleasure to cooperate with a Japanese top cycling website and a South Korean cycling magazine. Talks will be held about the event and to arrange future plans for cycling in those two countries.

Modern Art in Madrid,Author Gian Nicola B.

The following weekend, I will be racing back in UK on a closed circuit than on a Sunday I will be road racing. It will be different story.

More races and events will be in SaddleDrunk calendar for 2014 , but one not to forget will be the biggest cycling event "Over The Hills" in Italy starting the 25th of April 2014 for 3 days.

You can email SaddleDrunk to get more informations,details and also to register and be part of the SaddleDrunk Team.

I will be riding for the occasion a bike from the Tour De France 1998 winning team. The team of the greatest rider Marco Pantani "Pirata".The bike is one of the Gregarios of Marco.

Gavino's bike,in the garden in Italy.

The photo was taken by Sirotti.The bike is the one at the front right.

Thanks again for following. Do not forget to get SaddleDrunk.

Ciao

SD