Destined To Be A Classic: Bianchi D2

In addition to its fleet of new Bianchi road machines, Barloworld riders now have proper time trial rigs from the heralded Italian company as well. According to Bianchi product development manager Lars Svalin, the all-new D2 was conceived with a balance of rigidity, weight and aerodynamics in mind.

As such, the head tube, down tube and chain stays are dramatically oversized while the T-shaped top tube and spindly seat stays are pared down for weight savings. The chain stays also bear unique pass-through ports that supposedly further improve rigidity by adding surface area.

Up front, the bladed fork is equipped with a long trailing crown to help ease airflow transition to the down tube and the deep-profile seat tube includes a close-fitting cutout for the rear wheel. Bianchi specifies the D2 with a 76 degree seat tube angle but an adjustable head for the integrated design will allow for substantial fore-aft movement to accommodate both time trial and triathlon applications.

Claimed frame weight is 1350g; the matching fork is said to be 450g.

Photo: copyright Bianchi; text from www.cyclingnews.com

Now in English! La Gazzetta dello Sport

"OUR WEBSITE SPEAKS ENGLISH". With that the La Gazzetta dello Sport website, http://www.gazzetta.it/, announced the start of bilingual publication today. You can now click on an English flag at the upper right. Cycling news and stories appear under the "More Sports" button.

Today, the cycling story was very dated; from 27 February so it will be interesting to see how quickly they make the translations from Italian daily reports into English moving forward.

http://www.gazzetta.it/ is the online version of the famous, daily, pink national sports newspaper.

G.F. International Citta' Di Bardolino, Part II

Ring ring ring ring. The alarm clock in my cell phone goes off at 0555. Rise and shine. A cereal breakfast, get dressed, check my check-off list to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. As I leave home I realize it doesn't look so nice. Paolo is right on time, 0645, at our meeting place. I load my bike in his car and we are off to Bardolino.

As we drive and get closer to the lake we join a long line of cars with bikes. Arriving in Bardolino we headed towards one the lesser known parking areas in order to avoid another chaotic scene like yesterday's. A light rain starts. The weather doesn't look promising.

We ride to the ferry departure point and arrive early enough for one last espresso. It's 0750 now and the number of riders is growing rapidly. No one wants to miss the 0815 ferry!

Then the organizers have to deal with a major disaster. The ferry that was taking us across the lake has a broken motor! Two smaller, but faster, ferries have been pressed into service but will not arrive until 0900, 45 minutes late. I'm glad I was wearing a heavy jacket and overpants. The line of riders is very long (585 are doing the medio fondo) so there is no going to a coffee bar and hanging out. The people that came ready to ride are getting cold. It has stopped raining and one of the event staff says it's sunny on the other side of the lake. I look across the lake....not likely. I have time to take some photos of friends ) LAMACART CYCLING Team, Rosie and Luca of the TRAGUARDO VOLANTE Team, Pasquale riding as an independent).

At 0900 the first ferry arrives and being nearer to the front Paolo and I get on that one. Bikes are piled on top of one another (tip: don't bring your wallhanger to a granfondo event). Finally, we get underway.

I see a guy trying to find a safe spot for his bike and I take his photo. He calls out, "Do you write the blog?". Hey, it turns out to be Alessandro who had left a comment in my blog saying that he hoped to meet me. Small world!

A friend gives me good advice: go upstairs and find a warm spot, it will get cold once we are on the lake at full speed. During the trip I ate a Powerbar and a Special K bar.

I went upstairs, found a spot, and thought about how I would do the race. My strategy is simple: stay in a group, I'd rather suffer going fast than suffer going alone; don't be at the tail end of any group; be really careful in the tunnels; don't stop at any rest areas (I use two water bottles); eat an energy bar once an hour; keep something in reserve for the climb at the end; arrive safe and in one piece. Paolo and I just before disembarking.

The ferry arriving at Toscolano Maderno.

It's dreary with light rain. The winter riding jacket I have isn't for rain so I put that and my overpants into the backpack that the ferry will take back for pickup later. I did stuff an extra windbreaker so I put that on. We all disembark, I put my camera away in the backpack, and ride to the start line. And wait, for the first gran fondo rider to arrive, and then we wait for another 15 minutes before we can get underway. More time to think about how to ride on wet roads, tunnels, with 600 medio fondo riders who will also now be mixed with gran fondo riders.

Finally we start. The pace is a lot more manageable that the Granfondo Italia. I'm in a big group that is riding at a good pace for me, and other groups have formed in front and behind. Riders are passing me, I'm passing others, and it's busy. I like the stress of a race. The kms are flying. Everyone is holding their line. The dark tunnels have extra lights being run by generators for additional illumination. Still, it looks like fireflies in the tunnels with the blinking red and white lights. I haven't ridden in a week, due to my cold, and my legs feel fresh. Things are going well. Arriving in Riva di Garda my group splits on a small climb. I couldn't hold the pace so I fell into the second half of the group which is now 8 of us; 20 are now ahead. They are always in sight but we can't catch back on.

As we round the northern tip of the lake and head south along the east side the wind is against us. It slows us down. Soon, some Pinarello Team riders drag a group up to us and then we all begin working together and start to pick up riders being dropped from the group that was in front. Soon it's a group of about 50. All of a sudden the pace slows down a lot. With no one visible in front of us, or behind us, the group is content with it's pace and no one seems very interested in going to the front to pull into the wind. All the way down to Garda it was a nice, steady pace although I wish we would have gone faster. However, I was glad to have not to be killing myself before the nasty, short, climb that awaits us all.

In Garda it was a sharp left and immediately into the nasty climb to Maciaga. My legs were getting tired and are not interested in any out of the saddle climbing. One part of the climb was 17%. Some riders are walking, some are on the sides with cramps. I just took it easy and did the best I could to make it up which I did. Then it was a descent onto an interior road where for about 5 km everyone rode like a prologue TT....fast. It was here that my friend Pasquale caught up to me.

I was happy to see him. Then he attacked me (what fun!) and we ended up attacking each other all the way to the finish line! It was good because it inspired me and despite getting signs of starting to cramp it kept me going. One final, easy, climb and then a fast descent into Bardolino and a sprint into the finish line. Finished!

I'm told that the course was actually longer than 90km, closer to 100km. My finish time was 3 hr. 25 minutes which I'm happy with. Where else can you can you have so much fun?

This was the first my first race using the Chesini INNOVATION and I was very pleased with the fact that it naturally follws where you want to go; one less thing to worry about in a race.

My friend Marisa, which I've written about previously, won the women's medio fondo in 2:39 (the photo is from her previous team). Wow. That explains why she has competed in the women's Giro d' Italia doesn't it?

I turned in my timing chip at the finish and picked up my ZERO WIND membrane vest ("The Windproof Innovation, an innovative non-microporous elastic membrane of the closed-structure type which offersa complete shield against atmospheric agents and carries outside body moisture through a system of electrical loads at the molecular level") that will be a useful reminder of the event.

We didn't stick around for the traditional post race pasta party but hear it was good. The organizers did a great job on event day. Complimenti! On a sunny day this would be a fabulous event. Congratulations to all the winners.

How Verona's L'Arena newspaper reported the event:

Il tempo instabile e il freddo penetrante non sono riusciti a fermare ciclisti ed appassionati, che ieri mattina hanno invaso le vie di Bardolino, per la prima edizione della granfondo «Garda Lake Tour». A ritardare la partenza di un quarto d’ora e creare qualche momento di disagio fra gli organizzatori, ci ha pensato invece la motonave Tonale, che, a causa di un guasto ai motori, non si è presentata al molo per caricare quei 585 atleti con relative biciclette e traghettarli a Toscolano Maderno da dove era previsto lo start per il percorso di 94 chilometri. Dopo il panico iniziale, la soluzione è stata però puntualmente trovata e il servizio è stato effettuato con due battelli più piccoli. «A parte questo inconveniente», ha spiegato Sergio Bombieri, uno degli organizzatori, «il resto della gara si è poi svolto anche meglio di ogni previsione. Qualche caduta c’è stata, come sempre accade in manifestazioni che fanno registrare numeri così elevati, e si tratta di cadute imputabili più a disattenzione dei ciclisti che a problemi di viabilità». I 1200 partecipanti al percorso di 156 chilometri, sono stati accompagnati a velocità controllata fino a Desenzano. Per tutta la costa bresciana il gruppo è rimasto compatto e fra i ciclisti di testa ogni tanto qualcuno tentava l’allungo, forse più per provare le gambe che per intentare una vera e propria fuga. Le scaramucce sono iniziate dopo il passaggio da Riva. Con le raffiche di vento contrario a creare qualche difficoltà, un gruppetto di sette uomini si è staccato a Torri ed ha anticipato gli altri fino a Garda. Ma a fare la differenza è stata la salita che da Garda porta a Costermano. Proprio su quell’ascesa il vincitore, Adriano Lorenzi ha sferrato l’attacco che gli ha permesso di presentarsi da solo sul lungolago. Una vittoria per sé e per tutto il suo team, la Avesani Bike, che in entrambi i percorsi, ha piazzato alcuni suoi uomini sui podi dei due percorsi. Nella gara dei 156 Km.:

1) Adriano Lorenzi (Avesani bike) con un tempo di 3:52:28

2) Morrison Michael (Team Scapin)

3) Stefano Curtatello (Vc Garda)

1) Martina Arsiè (Dteam Essegi2) 4:15:04

2) Cristina Boldrini (Asd Placet Bi)

3) Martina Dogana (Asd B-sport)

94 Km:

1) Paolo Barosi (Avesani bike) 2:32:21

2) Paolo Strillato (Avesani bike)

3) Marco Zanoni (Asd Saint Luis Zen)

1) Marisa Coato (Green team) 2:39:00

2) Maria Cazzola (team Gauss RDZ)

G.F. International Citta' Di Bardolino, Part I

March 8th, Bardolino

The revived G.F. International Citta' Di Bardolino, also known as the ZERO WIND Lake Garda Tour, is scheduled for tomorrow. I'm entered in the 90 km Medio Fondo (the Gran Fondo is 155 km, for me it's way to early in the season to be racing 155 km). The organizers have cleverly planned the routes so that the Gran Fondo riders, starting at 0900, who are riding entirely around the lake clockwise from Bardolino, will be joined by the Medio Fondo riders who will be taking a ferry across the lake from Bardolino to Toscolano Maderno.

Registration was limited to 1,300 riders and the limit was reached on 27 February. The moral of the story: register early!

Packet pickup was this afternoon in Bardolino, or you could pick it up very early in the morning prior to race start. My friend Paolo and I thought it best to drive today and pickup our packets. Turned out to have been a good idea. On the way we chatted about his having the flu all week and my cold that just won't go away. Nevertheless, we are optimistic for tomorrow.

Packet pickup was from 1530 to 1900 at il Palazzotto dello Sport in via XX Settembre in Bardolino. When we arrived there at 1535 the scene looked like this, and the crowd was getting larger by the minute:

You must live in Italy to understand that this spells trouble. The concept of queueing does not exist. When they finally opened the doors there was dash to the tables and chaos ensued. It was really crazy. The crowd was pushing forward and those nearest to the front were getting shoved against the tables. This gentleman was using a checklist to verify the registration.

In these situations you have to be agressive or you will not make any forrward progress. Paolo, upper left, is getting squeezed from all sides. Hopefully, the last of organizational problems.

We finally obtain our race packets and escape with our lives. What's in the packets?

-timing chip with velco straps (to be wrapped around your ankle)

-Powerbar

-Enervit energy packet

-race numbers for the bike, the rear of jersey/jacket, and one for a backpack so you can change on the ferry into your race ready gear

-two small safety lights; a red one for your seatpost, a white for your handlebars

-the main gift, a ZERO WIND windbreaker, would be available tomorrow after the race and upon turning in the timing chip

The packet also contained these final "IMPORTANTE" instructions:

-grando fondo start time is 0900

-the ferry carrying the medio fondo particpants departs at 0815; the medio fondo will start 15 minutes after the first gran fondo rider passes in Toscolano Maderno

-the safety lights must be on before the start(s), otherwise you are disqualified (a good ruling since it's very dark in the tunnels on the northwest side of the lake); sunglasses should be removed prior to entering tunnels; tunnels should be confonted with caution

-roads are open to traffic

-don't discard water bottles or other items onto the roadways

We left as the sun started to go down casting nice light.

Returning home the first stop was at my computer checking http://www.meteo.it/ for tomorrow's forecast. The forecast was for rain ending during the night, clouds and no rain tomorrow from 0600 to 1800, temperatures ranging from 5 to 10C. We just might get lucky.

Ms. E. prepared a pre-race dinner of plenty of pappardelle (large fettuccine, 2-3 cm wide) and a porkchop. Next, get all my clothes ready and laid out, get my bike ready, and set the alarm clock to 0555. To bed at 2030.

CT Review, February, 2008

This issue, of 260 pages, featured stories on preparing for the granfondo season, a calendar listing of 165 gran fondos, a detailed review of the new course of the Granfondo Campagnolo (more difficult than ever at 216 km with 5,200 meters of climbing),

a comparison of the "pacchi gara" (entry gifts) given by the major gran fondos, how to maintain your bottom bracket, reviews of the LOOK 586 and the ParkPre RS99

a USA coast to coast ride being orgainized for July/August, http://www.coast-to-coastusa.com/

and a section on touring in the Piemonte region.

and many other items of interest. CT Magazine does offer foreign subsciptions at the following 1 and 2 year EURO rates for surface and airmail:

Europe:

86.00/172.00 (1 & 2 years, surface); 104.00/208.00 (1 & 2 years, air)

America, Africa, Asia:

surface same as Europe; 147.00/294.00 (1 & 2 years, air)

Oceania:

surface same as Europe; 173.00/346.00 (1 & 2 years, air)

At the time of subscription for an additional 6 Euro you can purchase a CT jersey and bib shorts kit.

For additional information email: abbonamenti@compagniaeditoriale.it

REMEMBER: this magazine is published entirely in Italian.

1st Raduno of 2008

Sunday, 3 March, was the first raduno of 2008. Sponsored by the "Les Amis" cycling club there was a sea of riders as the cool morning was going to turn to a record breaking 27C (81F) later in the afternoon.

To re-visit an explanation of a raduno (rally): each club in the Province of Verona sponsors a "raduno", always held on Sunday mornings. This is unlike any event in the USA. Approximately 500-600 cyclists come to each one and goes off as a group led by a pace car, police cars and motorcycles to close off the roads as the peleton passes. The route is normally about 30 miles in length with the first half being ridden at a leisurely pace and the 2nd half at about 15=18mph (depending on the hosting club which always rides at the front). Afterwards there is food and wine, and prizes are handed out. The prizes are awarded based on the number of participants from each club, plus there are points awarded based on the distance a club has to travel to the event. What's nice is that every club receives a prize. Prizes include trophies, formaggio, salumi, wine, etc. For me it's a low key, fun, activity but at the club level it tends to be more serious as at the end of the season there is a totaling of all the points accumulated by each club and there is an awards dinner and the 1st place, 2nd, etc., are announced as Verona Province champions.


Roberto, 2nd from left, is our club Treasurer and he is typically at every raduno collecting the entry fee of 3 Euro (it was 2.50 last year) from each of our club members. He's also responsible for signing off on the document that verifies the names of our club's participants.


The lead car for this event was this old Fiat, note the roof mounted speakers. One of the things I enjoy about this event is passing through small towns and hearing the announcer in the car calling out "Corridore in arrivo!!!"

There was at least one other rider that also believes this is a low key event.


The prize table.

Daniela accepts the 6th place prize for Gruppo 1 which had 30 riders present.

Mr. Pavan, in the yellow & black jersey, accepts the prize for oldest rider. He's a legend in Verona. Now 86, he rode 20,000 Km last year.

Next Sunday I will be at the other end of the spectrum, racing in my first granfondo of the season. Nothing low key about it. Stay tuned.

Ezio Grandis on Richard Sachs

For a change, I decided to take a ride out on my S&S coupled Richard Sachs travel bike which is my "go to" events ride when I have to use the train. In Italy you can only bring a bike on board on certain trains so with my Sachs in a small case I can take any train plus the fast and comfortable EuroStar trains.

I stopped by the Ca' Vendri (http://www.villacavendri.it/) to take some photographs and then headed off for a visit to the Grandis shop (a complex more than a bike shop). While I was speaking with Lorenza, granddaughter of founder Silvano Grandis, Ezio, son of the founder, sought me out to talk to my about the Richard Sachs.

I've met Ezio several times and I know that although he now sells probably 98% carbon bikes he is very passionate about steel, and building in steel. So, he grabs me and says, in Italian, " This bike....there is no sense in even it discussing it with 99% of the people...they wouldn't understand...it's from another world." He spent 20 minutes with me discussing the superb workmanship, the lugwork, how the the fork was constructed, the amount of hours of labor that it takes to make, and on and on. He hadn't heard of Richard Sachs and was shocked to learn that the wait list for a Richard Sachs is 6 years (http://www.richardsachs.com/). Ezio Grandis knows what he is talking about as you can see based on his own work:

His eyes got bigger when I told him about the North American Handmade Bike Show (www.handmadebicycleshow.com/2008/), he had no idea that there was that level of interest in such things anymore. Then he rolls my Richard Sachs into another part of Grandis it to show his brother, Mario Grandis, who is painting a frame. Everything comes to a stop and more oooohs and ahhhs.

As I've said in earlier blogs, Italians riders have moved to carbon frames at light speed. At the moment there isn't much interest in steel. You might be asking yourself, "What about Dario Pegoretti?". Dario hails from Verona and he's told me that 80%+ of his frame output goes to the USA and very little to Italy. In fact, although Dario now builds in nearby Trento, I've only seen three Pegoretti's in 3 years.