Prosecco Classico Gran Fondo 2012

hello katie,

good to see you yesterday, this will be a great weekend. flanders on my mind first though for march/april, places for our prosecco ride will be limited by van space for bike transport, accommodation and logistics, oh and you'll need a road bike tis very hilly.. we'll keep you posted

Al

Right - I am in for this, having had my arm twisted by Al and Bernie on the way to Cambridge today (well ok, not twisted, maybe they just mentioned it, and I begged to be allowed to come).

What do I need to do to be a part of this? I can talk a bit of Italian ...

Katy, locking off your back wheel was our way of seeing how hard core your cycling was, and I am pleased you passed the test with flying colours.

My "ability" as a mechanic, is another matter altogether.

@Al, a few of my friends from the tri club are really interested in this extravaganza. Would there be any spare "room at the inn?"

Bernie, things are pretty tight as we speak.. the van only holds six and i can't get too many passes for the wine estate visit,
so nice of them to send bottles to sample from this year's harvest obviously my po'italiano is working a treat,

i'll save you one.. hic

Typical bloody Italians,this is the same weekend as Eroica,..... gonna have to have a word wiv me Mafia mates, or do I get my split personality to do a ride each ????? Grrrrr

the prosecco ride is based on the harvest of the local grape, first press and bottling.

the L'eroica perhaps has the same sense of celebration in the chianti region..
both excellent wine areas, perhaps should be enjoyed in separate years methinks

the prosecco ride is based on the harvest of the local grape, first press and bottling.

the L'eroica perhaps has the same sense of celebration in the chianti region..
both excellent wine areas, perhaps should be enjoyed in separate years methinks

New Years bump on this excellent prospect.

Is there a tentative date we can put in the diary?

http://www.proseccoclassic.it/

entries open feb 1st... looking at weekend trip around 07th october..

roadside views.. before it gets, il disordinato.. hic

i have received positive replies from two places to stay close to the start town for this year's ride. these are family run wine estates referred to as 'agriturismo', with B&B facilities.. double rooms are 65euros per night. As a touring group i can't manage more than 10 riders, and deposits for places will be necessary.

PM me if you are interested while i finalise flights, accommodation, bike transit. I will receive a team allocation from the event oganisers, you will need this to register on line for the sportive and please note this is for experienced riders and bikes will need gears. we are also expected to uphold local traditions and customs.. yes that includes drinking fizzy wine and eating great food..

initial cost/budgets
flights from london to treviso with ryanair £127 return out friday 05 oct, return monday 08 oct..
van / bike transit costs £75 each
3 nights B&B accomodation per person (if you are happy to share room) £100

if the flights don't work out may consider 15 seat bus hire and share the driving..
it'll be 24hr trip each way £800 hire / insurance need two drivers.. space for 10 bikes
DVDs of your favourite films.. and a few break stops along the way.. ha

cordiali saluti
Al

accomodation sorted.. how about this for an invitation..

Gentilissimo Signor Alan,
al momento le nostre 4 camere sono riservate per Voi dal venerdì 05.10.2012
con partenza lunedì 08.10.2012.
Ci riscriviamo a febbraio per il numero persone.
Siamo molto contenti anche noi di averVi nostri ospiti e poterVi fare visitare
la nostra cantina (se Vi fa piacere e quando non siete in bicicletta! ) e farVi
degustare il nostro Valdobbiadene DOCG !

Per il momento cordiali saluti
az. agricola CAMPION
Cunegonda

http://www.campionspumanti.it/

guaranteed eight places, double rooms inc breakfast is 65 euros per night..

accomodation sorted.. how about this for an invitation..

Gentilissimo Signor Alan,
al momento le nostre 4 camere sono riservate per Voi dal venerdì 05.10.2012
con partenza lunedì 08.10.2012.
Ci riscriviamo a febbraio per il numero persone.
Siamo molto contenti anche noi di averVi nostri ospiti e poterVi fare visitare
la nostra cantina (se Vi fa piacere e quando non siete in bicicletta! ) e farVi
degustare il nostro Valdobbiadene DOCG !

Per il momento cordiali saluti
az. agricola CAMPION
Cunegonda

http://www.campionspumanti.it/

guaranteed eight places, double rooms inc breakfast is 65 euros per night..

Al, you are a diamond sorting this out.

Can I have one of the rooms, please? PM/e mail sent re. sending you the deposit.

bernie, i plan to be in the cellar for three days, feck the cycling.. with an invitation like that from Cunegonda..

if this region is anything like tuscany when it comes to celebrating harvest time, then we are in for one hell of a trip. when the prosecco is in abundance they are keen to give it away very cheap... this is why i love italy, give them an excuse to party and they are on it..

Al

bernie i hope you like pink.. custom team jerseys at £37 each (order 10 minimum) it needs a big red/white/blue target and i will ask CAMPION if they want their logo on it..

1 Attachment

• Squadrafinia 2012.pdf

bernie i hope you like pink.. custom team jerseys at £37 each (order 10 minimum) it needs a big red/white/blue target and i will ask CAMPION if they want their logo on it..

Ohh, excellent. Will match my eyes after all the gargle...

Slighty OT but, Almac, put me down for 2013! My 50th year and a lovely challenge for my ageing body.

I'm hoping to be able to use the word 'experienced' before the word 'cyclist' by then :)

wow - totally missed this. Disappointing

we can squeeze two more in for this year..

***squadrafinia di londra ***

1. almac68 (in the van)
   
2. bernie
   
3. KT Bee
   
4. estee (in the van)
   
5. KT Bee reserved 1
   
6. KT Bee reserved 2
   
7. Almac reserved 3 (in the van)
   

8. Almac reserved 4

9. spare (requires accommodation re-arrangement)

10. spare (requires accommodation re-arrangement)

i will bump this next wednesday when sign up for the sportive become available.

alas not returning in 2013, thinking springtime
ardennes for hills, pate, pig roast, strong bier..
and san sebastian more hills, great food, chasing bulls sept 2013

pronto bump.. places for this sportive will go quickly.. PMs out later

***squadrafinia di londra ***
1. almac68 (booked) aka mario andretti in the van with bikes
2. bernie (booked) wing commander flight bound
3. KT Bee (booked) squadron leader flight bound
4. esstee (booked) aka emerson fittipaldi in the van with bikes
5. Eleanor (booked) flight bound
6. Alistair (booked) flight bound

1. Almac reserve 3 (in the van)
   

2. Almac reserve 4 (flight bound)

3. spare (flight bound only / require accommodation re-jig)

4. spare (flight bound only / require accommodation re-jig)

right now that i've recovered (just) from three blistering days in belgium last weekend..
time to pick up this most excellent prospect for a weekend of riding, festival atmosphere
and plenty of gargle (again)..

***squadrafinia di londra ***
1. almac68 (booked) aka mario andretti in the van with bikes
2. bernie (booked) wing commander flight bound
3. KT Bee (booked) squadron leader flight bound
4. esstee (booked) aka emerson fittipaldi in the van with bikes
5. Eleanor (booked) flight bound
6. Alistair (booked) flight bound

1. Reserved for the 'special one', in the van with mix tapes, and good navigator skills
   (please note time off allocation required 4-9 ottobre)
   8. Bothwell (reserved) flight bound
   
   

H let me know if you are booked on flight and on the sportive, spot 8 is yours..

+++squadrafinia di londra SOLD OUT+++

1. almac68 (booked) aka mario andretti in the van with bikes
   
2. bernie (booked) wing commander flight bound
   
3. KT Bee (booked) squadron leader flight bound
   
4. esstee (booked) aka emerson fittipaldi in the van with bikes
   
5. Eleanor (booked) flight bound
   
6. Alistair (booked) flight bound
   
7. Hats aka navigator and tune selecta in the van
   
8. Bothwell (reserved) flight bound
   
   

see you all on the 6th june for italian supper with luigi..

if you want to tackle monte grappa on sat 6th oct with lunch near the summit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-NrYIVyBLY

122km sportive is on sunday start / finish valdobbiadene

1 Attachment

• regionale.pdf

I'm booked on the flight, but still unconfirmed for the sportive (waiting on the Italians deciding whether to allow me or not :/ )

H, i will have a look for you.. the entry system on-line is un po 'stupido

btw the giro goes close to where we are staying tomorrow.. watch live on euro sport
http://www.gazzetta.it/static_images/ciclismo/giroditalia/2012/zoom/planimetria_19.jpg
http://www.steephill.tv/players/profile/?race=giro-d-italia&stage=19&year=2012&src=http://www.gazzetta.it/static_images/ciclismo/giroditalia/2012/zoom/altimetria_19.jpg

They've made easyjet look efficient and professional in comparison! Easyjet! Ffs!

If they don't confirm me I can sneak in anyway, right?

They've made easyjet look efficient and professional in comparison! Easyjet! Ffs!

If they don't confirm me I can sneak in anyway, right?

stick with us, you'll be okay.. x

1 Attachment

• route_2012.pdf

I am so excited about this!!

(stupid website notwithstanding...)