Scott D

Well done Russell.. (and Jim, Ian C, Kerry and well done that Koorier guy watsizname that used to be a JWCC too )

Does another club member want to go along? I have a *free* ticket ! I was hoping to sell it for charity for the Braveheart Fund, but no one has replied. You'll need to chat to other club members regards accomodation. PM me, ticket on a first-come basis Scott

I'm working right beside Geneva airport for a few months. If any club member is passing through with bike for touring and needs a lift somewhere, or advice on bus times, pm or email for assistance and I'll try to help. Scott

Aren't lots of modern bike names rubbish? Colnago C50, Trek Madone 5.9, Giant 3200. What are your favourite bike names? Mine are Airborne Valkyrie, and Raleigh Chopper (so called, cos when you slip forward onto the gear lever you damage your chopper)

Excellent. Great performance Aileen !

Have a poppadom on me guys Can't make it this time, but will hopefully see you before Xmas. A la prochaine (til the next !) Scott

A little late, but well done Paul. Top banana ! Scott

Well, my name was mentioned I would tend to agree with you Kenny. Although the osteopath I visit occasionally would disagree In his words, my spine has grown in a particular way that means I'm very slightly tighter on the left side compared to the right (I'll beat you to the punchline Dougie... thats the side where I keep my wallet!). Theres no point trying to correct it he says, its just the way I've always been. He also suggests, if I'm feeling really stupid, I should visit one of the many ripoff chiropractor outfits in town... they happily fleece people of 25notes for 5 minutes "adjustment". Treatment which I would need forever (chi-ching) as the alignment of my vertebrae is simply a response to other biomechanical issues I have, and not the cause of the tightness. But back to the cleat issue. I find fixed cleats very uncomfortable because of the bad postural habits I have. For me its a no-no.. although for you Paul, maybe it could work. The one time I tried black cleats I found it particularly strange riding out the saddle. It seems natural to twist my hips a tiny bit (or else my technique is just crap). But see me salsa folks

For several years I've been wanting to study french intensively and live in france, and finally I'll be off this friday. I'll be in annecy for at least 6 months, nearest aiports Geneva (easyjet) and Lyon. Anyone passing, feel free to drop me a line. Cheers, Scott

Stevie.. its the secret training thing again. I don't know what your talking about Thats the first time I've been back to Hotel Belverdere in Rimini since the refurbishment. I wasnt going to mention the visit as I know how depressing the scottish winter has been and I didn't want to bore everybody with the details. I cant find my lead to connect digital camera to computer at the moment, but when I can I'll post a few pics. I have some pics with Fed Morini (the ex-gerolsteiner pro who broke his back in a crash a few years ago). "Fred" is a great guy, fully recovered to a level of fitness just below pro, and took the long-fast group out most days. I went out with the wee 59kg coach Owen into the hills on a few days, and we were lucky to cover 100km on a 4 hour ride; on the flats pedalling into a headwind we were often sitting at 15mph. Then Fred arrived, and I joined him and 5 Swiss racers, and we were strung out on the flat, as Fred pedalled into a headwind at 24mph ! I had a great laugh with him, and I told him it was my grandmas bike I was riding. All the Swiss guys thought the bike was a joke also (Bike Friday pocket rocket pro) but although its a folding bike with tiny 20" wheels it runs on a Dura-ace capreo setup 53x9 (or 110 inches or around a 52x12 in real bike terms). On the day of Marina's picnic we did the San Leo route (shortcutting the grillo pass) in 3 hours arriving at her house totally wasted after team time trial along the motorway for 30km (Marina is the boss and you cant be late for her or there will be trouble). Rolling resistance becomes a factor with the folding bike above 25mph, with the slightly wider tyres, so I was happy just to hang on at the back. Reminded me that I should have been training more over winter, but how to stay motivated in crap weather unless I'm as crazy as you stevie ! The night before I left I sat in the bar with Fred watching the Celtic-Milano game, talking about all kinds of stuff. This is his Gran Fondo. http://www.granfondoaltavalledeltevere.it/home.html Fred got me up to date on the latest nutritional advice as he does a lot of work with some Austrian sports institute. For example, he rubbished the recovery drinks on the market (3:1 carbs:protein) saying the body needs simply sugars after training, with proteins being injested 4 hours later. At the same time protein and carbs just forces blood to the stomach and complicates digestion. So after training just have pasta or energy drink, a lie down, and eat protein later he says. Enjoy your trip Stevie! Cheers, Scott

Thanks Jim. Here's some pics taken by someone else (on the south of the island). Cagliari is where you go for ferries to various places (including Sicily). "Pics here of our tour from Cagliari, via Fonni and the mountains then round the SE coast." http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/ ... ster%2005/?

There are also island hopping opportunities, from the north by ferry to Corsica, and from the south there are ferries to Sicily. A few pics related to the report above Bosa http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/3975 ... f5cc7d.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/3975 ... 3e01bb.jpg Neptune's Grotto http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/3975 ... 8b7e45.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/3975 ... c756b7.jpg

When I heard that Sardinia was being added to Ryan Air's low cost route map, I had a look on the web to find out if the cycling was any good. Sardinia is the largest island on the med, on the same latitude as the south of Spain (meaning the weather is mild and ideal for cycling). Weather for Jan-March is around 14-19'C, with little rainfall (4-7mm). Its an Italian island off the west coast of Italy, just south of Corsica. I found lots of information about cycling in Corsica, but nothing about Sardinia. I found this surprising -- Sardinia is used in 2 of the stages in the 2007 Giro d'Italia, suggesting the roads must be in good condition. I packed the bike for a few days and set off to investigate. Basso in front of Giro 2007 route map. Sardinia route shown for stages 1 and 2 http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/ ... A_GIRO0683 Map of Sardinia http://www.italymag.co.uk/travel-to-ita ... rdinia.pdf Alghero is the main town in Sardinia, about 15 minutes drive from the airport. It has a Catalonian feel, very similar to Girona, with castle walls around the town, picturesque walkways around the marina leading onto narrow cobblestone streets, and old-fashioned Victorian style street lamps around the old-town continuing the traditional character. The west coast route (heading south) is challenging with undulating terrain all the way to Bosa, joining the Giro prologue route once you leave Alghero. The coast is very pretty, with short climbs along the cliffs followed by sweeping descents, and the run to Bosa and back is 100km (or about 4hours). Bosa itself has many cafes and supermarkets, a Hard Rock Cafe, a marina, and a pretty old quarter (inland). The hills increase as you head inland (rising to about 600m above sea level), and if you want a challenging circular route there is an inland option also from Alghero. Head along the coastal route as before, and just before J13 on the SP-109? you will see a road on the left marked Villanova Monteleone, heading into the mountains. This road does not seem to be marked on any map. Its only 2 miles long, but climbs 500m. This is like going up the Crow Road only twice as steep, or climbing half of Alpe D'Huez in a fifth of the distance. The road is in beautiful condition, with alpine corners, and as you approach the last section near the top at a right angle, the final climb cuts across your field of view from left to right. It looks particularly steep, and you imagine it must be deceptive. However when you see your speed dropping to 5mph you'll realise it really is that steep! After the corner about another 100m of climbing follows, along the superstrada to Villanova. The temperature feels markedly cooler at this altitude (you lose about 1'C every 100m ascent), and with windchill you might need another layer of clothing. The superstrada is the Sardinian equivalent of a motorway, but there are no restrictions on cyclists, and this route looks like just a normal road. Just along a few km you'll find a roadside tap, with a plague declaring it to be the "fountain of inspiration". A good place to refill water bottles. When you enter Villanova you'll notice its just a sleepy old village with a bar and a small piazza (generally closed between 12-2pm). After heading through you can follow signs south for Monte Cresta, which takes you on an inland route all the way to Bosa. After all the climbing the run into Bosa is very fast along long descents, with the occasional rise. Even unaccompanied you can average around 24mph. Eventually you will see the sea again in the distance, and the red rooftops of the Bosa houses indicate you've arrived. After lunch you could head back along the coast route again, which would mean a route of 75miles (120km), and 2300 metres of climbing. This will take about 4hours 45mins (ride time) unaccompanied. A good easy route to cycle, 10miles, is North from Alghero then heading inland to the Cappaccio Caccia. This little outcropping has a wonderful tourist attraction called "Neptune's grotto". 654 steps have been carved into the cliff-face, at the bottom of which are underground caves with stalagmite and stalactite formations. These mineral deposits have eroded over hundreds of thousands of years to form all kinds of beautiful displays. Its very pretty with tours every hour with a multi-lingual guide (10euros). In the summer the venue has around 600 visitors an hour (although this is also a reflection on the fact there is little else to see in the North of the island). Bikes can be hired at a shop just north of the harbour in Alghero for about 8euros a day. These are either mountain bikes, traditional bikes, or hybrids, and would be ok for short distances like the visit to C. Caccia, or at a stretch the coastal route. If you were keen you could arrive with just pedals and saddle and hire a hybrid to do some training. Food in Alghero is cheap and excellent quality (unless you go to a trendy tourist trap). On several nights I had a large pizza (around 5e, or £3.50), and you can watch as the chef spins the pizza dough in the air around his fingers until the base is extra thin. After dinner you can track down the "best homemade icecream" from a gelato shop near the church for 2euro (with a sign outside proclaiming the ice-cream is "the best in town" in 6 languages!) Ryan Air fly there typically for £60 return (booked a few weeks in advance). Not currently running from Glasgow Prestwick, but you can fly there from Liverpool, East Midlands and London. For example, I looked on the web and you could fly there from Fri, 02 Mar 07, returning Mon, 05 Mar 07 for £20+ Tax (£40) from Liverpool. Add a charge for bike (20e each way). Accomodation is about £25 a night (based on 2 sharing) including buffet breakfast.

Hi Duncan As per pm. Apparently on the day you can decide what route to do (most people do the middle route when they realise how hot it is), which usually splits at a point on the course. I plan to arrive 2 days before, get acclimatised, and head off the day after. Let me know what your plans are and I'm happy for us to make a group booking for accomodation. How many people do you think would be interested? One point is that with the very late snow across Europe this year there are fears that this will be the warmest summer in over 10 years. Scott

Train times. Here is the Italian train booking website in English. http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html Interestingly you can buy a ticket for you bike on the trains for 3.50euros, that allows you to take it on any number of trains within 24hours. Alternatively, if you have a soft bag and partially dismantle the bike you can get it on for free. For the technical minded there is also a wap facility that gives you access to the timetable on the move from your mobile phone.

DATA MANIFESTAZIONE LOCALITA' 11/02/2007 GF LAIGUEGLIA LAIGUEGLIA (SV) 25/02/2007 GF VAL DI CECINA CECINA (LI) 11/03/2007 GF CITTA' DELLA SPEZIA LA SPEZIA 22/04/2007 GF STOCKALPER S.MARIA MAGGIORE (VB) 29/04/2007 GRAN FONDO DELLA VERSILIA VIAREGGIO (LU) 01/05/2007 10 COLLI BOLOGNESI BOLOGNA 20/05/2007 NOVE COLLI - MARCO PANTANI CESENATICO (FC) 03/06/2007 VITTORIO ADORNI - GF INT. PARMA 17/06/2007 GF CAMPAGNOLO FELTRE (BL) 24/06/2007 GF INT. MARCO PANTANI APRICA (SO) 01/07/2007 MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES CORVARA (BZ) 02/09/2007 GF COLNAGO PIACENZA

Entries are now open.. and this year all payment can be made online. Charges are : LA MARMOTTE 07/07 174km LA MI-MARMOTTE 76 km 38euros LA VAUJANY 01/07 173km 109km 32euros There are lots of other events also on the website: http://www.sportcommunication.com/GT/in ... p?langue=2 Also, 10euros to get your personal chip (transponder that times you at start and end) per race. No fee if you can get one from someone else whoš already been (just enter chip number on site when registering). The mini-marmotte is a new event, and might be attractive to club members wanting a shorter run. In a few weeks I'll be sorting out accomodation on Alpe D'Huez. If anyone else wants to come let me know and I can book multiple rooms. I've only entered the Marmotte so far as I don't know how much holiday I'll have. La Vaujany has a much smaller field, and there is not so much competition for accomodation, so late entry and accomodation booking will not be so difficult to arrange. Scott

Certainly Kenny. I'd love to get paid to ride my bike Over to you now Brian Colin, I think the loop over the mountain and back to Puerto Rico takes about 4 hours. I remember being at the bottom of the climb, and my GPS said something like 20 miles in a straight line to Maspalomas. I figured 1.5 hours to get back.. no chance. Elapsed distance by the time I got just to the top was more like 35 miles. I think the roads are designed to allow the quarry trucks to get to the top Scott

Big pics http://static.flickr.com/143/325283131_788bce3bcf.jpg http://static.flickr.com/137/325283134_5b82812023.jpg http://static.flickr.com/135/325283129_c1361f8e25.jpg http://static.flickr.com/142/325283126_7fd92710d5.jpg

Hi Colin. You've picked a nice base to cycle from. From Puerto Rico you can head west towards Amadores Beach (see Ciao Italiano on the beach for fantastic pasta and homemade ice-cream), then go up the hill heading along the coast road. This is pretty spectacular, with challenging climbs and sheer drops to the sea below. This road takes you all the way to San Nicolas (have a rain cape, as it seems to always rain in the north). A few miles along the coastal road, after a steep descent that takes you slightly inland, look out on the roundabout for a small access road on the right (marked access for local residents only). This takes you up the mountain, along endless s-bends, into the centre of the island. Over the top and you come out at Maspalomas, then its just a short detour back to Purto Rico. I've been able to find you a few pics of the coastal road. You can also go right around the island (126miles) although you'll probably think twice by the time you get to San Nicolas soaked and knackered. To go round you need to briefly go on the motorway after Gondor (legally) at the top of the island for a mile or so as no other road has been built for that section. If you do go round take lights The coastal road your looking for is GC-200 http://static.flickr.com/137/325283134_5b82812023_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/143/325283131_788bce3bcf_m.jpg You can see the ascent snaking into the distance on the way to San Nicolas.. relentless http://static.flickr.com/135/325283129_c1361f8e25_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/142/325283126_7fd92710d5_m.jpg Scott

Open for online bookings. The site also gives lots of help to find accomodation. http://www.granfondocampagnolo.it/ Ryanair apparently fly from Liverpool or Stansted to Treviso which is about 55k from Feltre (although there is nothing on the Ryanair site about Treviso). Easyjet fly from Bristol, E Midlands and Gatwick to Venice Marco Polo (which apparently is not as convenient). They've only got a limited amount of space for bikes on the flights so advance booking flight (and bike) is best.

Hang on.. maybe I'm just being stupid. The £50 charge would have been for both events... so I'm in. Wheres that dancing banana again ?

I've noticed they cashed my cheque as well Darryl Although I only sent a cheque for £25.. when I saw the entry sheet I thought £50 must have been a misprint.. so its possible they've got me entered for may and not the big 'un

Aye, I missed out on the Bealach as well. Must have been just a day or so late. You could still go up and cycle around the course though..

Count me in Darryl. Would you consider organising a group entry for the club? Apparently last year the event filled within 3 days of being open for registration. Scott