Histria, Istria the Croatian Peninsula

The beautiful Istria ,carries an immense amount of history that could be read while sitting on the beach, or disperse on the top of a small bar drinking coffee in the beautiful town Groznjan overlooking the panoramic views across the Mirna Valley.

Cycling through the cobble streets of Groznjan.

Few months ago I was out riding in Italy, cycling through the hills with a nice group of people from various part of Europe. Along this group there were Julius & Luka.

Julius from Austria & Luka from Istria were also invited to join in for a weekend of cycling and to share beautiful rides that we all have taken around the globe.

Sunset in Poreč

During the rides I discovered that both of them are working together in a cycling event the Istria 300 which take place in October every year. They decided to invite me over anytime to go and visit Istria. I was in Italy few weekends ago and decided to drive for few hours and spare a bit of time discover the beautiful area.

I was flabbergasted by the welcoming of the people along the various town we rode through, the amazing food which reminded me of Italy. I am talking the amazing olive oil grown there, truffle found in the forests which covers Istria,, the home made produced cured meats & cheeses, then to finish off with the fish & meat delicacies combined with the lovely wine from the area also.

Riding through old railway line.

I stop here now because I don’t want to spoil you. I strongly advise you to stop wondering which event and where to go this year in October for a long weekend. Just register yourself at Istria 300, it is a great event that you will be able to do all of the above while also relaxing by the sea, you can benefit a discount if you type “SADDLEDRUNK“ for entering the event.

There will be many of us there, join in the fun and get ready for a great weekend on 2 wheels.

SD

Polenta with Truffle

Italian Trip 2019,Le Cime di Romagna

Ciao everyone is time to plan the 2019 Cycling Trips.We are offering 3 trips to all the SaddleDrunkers worldwide to join the members of the “SaddleDrunk Cycling Friends Club” in their trips.

We are planning 3 different trips.

The trips details will be published in the next few days.

Trip 1 is to Faenza our annual trip taking part at the beginning of April in the Appennines only 65miles away from Florence & 25 miles away from Bologna. This trip is ideal preparation for any spring classic events.

See details of the trip below & if you like to join us feel free to contact us.

Day 1 Friday 5th April

• Flight with British Airways BA540 departing from London Heathrow at 8.00, arriving at Bologna G. Marconi Airport at 11.10.

• Private transfer from Bologna Airport to Faenza where we’ll have lunch on route.

• Stop in Imola by the old Formula 1 race track.

• Arrival at Agriturismo La Sabbiona in Faenza & check in.

• Bike preparation

• Afternoon cycling ride including aperitif on the hills. Maps of the routes are available on Strava under SaddleDrunk Stef’s profile.

• For non cyclist, relax at La Sabbiona, possible walk on the hills or around Faenza.

• 8.30 pm Dinner at Osteria La Sghisa & night out in Faenza town centre.

DAY 2 Saturday 6th April

• Relaxed morning start with breakfast 10 am approx. Cycling gentle ride (4/5 hours) with lunch en route. Maps of the routes are available on Strava under Stefano’s profile.

• For non cyclists possible tour to Ravenna or Forli’.

• Return and relax at the premises before dinner.

• 8.30pm dinner in town at Casa Spadoni.

DAY 3 Sunday 7th April

• Early wake up 6.30 am breakfast

• 7.30am – 8.30 am French rolling start of the race

• Ride to the event start in the town centre (http://www.lecimediromagna.it/)

Three event route option to choose:

1. Corto: http://www.lecimediromagna.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/corto.pdf

2. Medio: http://www.lecimediromagna.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/medio.pdf

3. Lungo: http://www.lecimediromagna.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lungo.pdf

Please advise which one you would like to do.Along the course there will be Italian style feeding stations.Finish of the event with a nice Pasta Party (included in the event entry) with food and drinks also available for the non racers.For non cyclists option to meet the riders en route while sightseeing through the hills.

Return to La Sabbiona relax and celebration dinner on site.

DAY 4 Monday 8th April

• Relaxed morning start with breakfast and checkout, ride for maximum 3 hours.

• 10.30 cooking course for those interested at cost of Euro 45 per person (2 hours course and eating what you have cooked).

• Private transfer to Bologna Airport departure at 3.30pm

• Return with British Airways BA545 departing Bologna at 18.50 and arriving at London Heathrow at 20.10.

In Italy we will be cycling on the other side of the road…

When riding please remember to take care of each others on and off the

bike. We leave together and we come back together on any ride with

exception of the Sunday race for which instructions will be given on site.

Price per person:

GBP 440 for cyclist on double occupancy

GBP 350 for non cyclist on double occupancy

GBP 480 for cyclist on single occupancy

The prices above include:

 Return flights with BA Economy class including 1 piece of luggage of 23kg

(additional luggage can be added at your own cost). The 1 piece of luggage

can be your bike bag.

 Private airport transfer for you and your bike.

 Private Transfers in town.

 Accomodation at Agriturismo La Sabbiona on a bed and breakfast basis.

 Le Cime di Romagna Event entry.

 Event jersey .

 Daily supported rides with guide and mechanical support if required.

 Complimentary sport nutrition.

 Celebration dinner on Sunday night including drinks.

At your own cost:

 All lunches and dinners with the exception of Cime di Romagna Pasta Party

which is included for cyclists and celebration dinner on Sunday which is

included for everyone

 Cooking course at Agriturismo La Sabbiona available at cost of £45 per

person (2 and1/2 hours course and eating what cooked)

 Cycling bibs of the Event kit available at £65

 Bicycle hire available please advise if required

 Bike box hire available at £30, please advise if required

 Travel insurance (we recommend Yellow Jersey Insurance. Discount code available)

 Incidental expenses

For more information please email us store@saddledrunk.com

Granfondo Yunnan 2018...Part 1..

Ni Hao !

Ciao & Welcome to China in the beautiful & colourful Yunnan area.

A view of Mangshi from the Temple.

For me is the second time attending the lovely Granfondo Yunnan thanks to the great relationship with Niclas Hellqvist & Kris Van de Velde from Nordic Ways.

We(Tom & I) arrived from London on Friday in the local town of Manghsi where Kris picked us up from the airport to go to the hotel followed with a lovely catch up chat to inform me of all the new changes are in place this year edition since 3 years ago when i have last attended.

The Start Line!!

The Saturday,which I was supposed to be home due to wife’s birthday, I was instead a prepping the bikes and get few bits & pieces(cit A.P) sorted before the 8.5KM Prologue (Individual Climb Time Trial) in the afternoon.

As expected knowing the great qualities of Kris to pick and choose for his events only the best routes, that in the afternoon we were going to have a go at something peculiar & stunning.

The start was by the side of a lake next to a dam,then we had to race around the perimeter of this lake with some “mangia e bevi” before hitting a nice 1.1 Km tree covered climb with 8% average incline finishing at the top by the entrance of a temple. Some of the serious boys here racing for the prizes made it in a stunning pace.

Saturday night local dinner in Mangshi Square

Stage 1, on Sunday was the so called “ Border Ride” ,105km race to the town of Ruili coasting along the border with Myanmar(Burma) and finishing at the border check point. Due to the location & altitude the climate is tropical, where trees,plants & flower grow freely all year round to enable us to experience an enrich sceneries with plenty of colours & smells.

Lunch Stop.

After the stage some of us went together for lunch to an amazing restaurant.The groups of us was a mix of 14 riders from 4 continents and 13 nationalities.Taking part at Nordic ways events are always great experience,because thanks to our passion of cycling individuals from different origins comes together for the sport.

Dinner time.

Stage 2,on Monday we start & finished from the border check point routing us through the city of Ruili before hitting only after 9km from the start a nice 16Km climb with an average of 5% with peaks up to 10%. The ascent was pretty via little villages & nature before reaching the peak and throwing us descending into a false plain with a misty & foggy atmosphere. Followed by that we had at km 56 a climb for 10KM with an average of 6% before riveting in a serious of roller coasting hills taking us back to the finish line…

Tom being chased.

Kris has been good to all of us participant giving us a rest day,so we could rest but also move from Ruili to Tengchong for the Queen’s stage(Stage 3) of the event with 185km with a total climb of 3000m.

Teng Chong at Sunset.

For now is Ciao & Arrivederci from Yunnan on Sunday the 11th of November part 2 will be published…

STAY TUNED TO BE CONTINUED……

SD