Gaerne: Limited Edition of 20 WC Cycling Shoes

The staff of Gaerne has presented Cadel Evans with a specially designed cycling shoe, featuring wallaby kangaroos and World Championship stripes, to commemorate his World Championship victory.


The Coste di Maser (Treviso) company will produce a limited edition of only 20 pairs.


Photo: the shoes Cadel Evans will be wearing as World Champion



Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.

Martin's 2009 L'Eroica Adventure, Part III

Martin Appel's report of his 2009 L'Eroica adventure concludes in Part III:


"On we go, up and down, but never flat, through the vineyards. I’m growing fond of my ride. Its sturdy, stiff, a breeze to handle, all together a delight! Then, somebody with a technical problem on the side of the road: A guy from somewhere up north threw the chain of his “Retrodirect”. Together, we try to solve the brainteaser puzzle: Why are there 3 knots in the chain, and why does it pass the chainstay on the outer side? The owner finally decides to spend a few minutes in contemplative meditation, so I admit defeat, wish him luck and go my way.



Then, a mishap on my side: The freewheel I serviced just a week ago decides to disintegrate; more precisely: the cup went loose. At least I noticed it before any significant number of balls can fall out. I can tighten it a bit with my Nr.4 Imbus, but not sufficiently – this means a pit stop for me every 2nd kilometer from now on.



My friend Andreas also fights the malice of the element: His replacement tire is very much not round at the valve area, and the tires aren’t exactly ideal to ride the gravel roads on to start with. Also, he has issues with the shifters and the toestrap pedals. So we decide to finish the route very slowly, to take it easy and we make a lot of foto stops. Even the Retrodirect rider catches up on us. I still have fun on the downhill sections though, I could grow really fond of my Rabeneick!



But who cares, if there is an event when time is no issue it's this one. We just let it roll and enjoy the ride, the atmosphere and the scenery.



At the finish line, there is again a lot of colourful things going on, the spectators are enthusiastic and every finisher is cheered on. I wonder if in 20 years time, today's pro jerseys will cause that much excitement?



Unfortunately, later we learn that one of the riders had a heart attack on route and couldn't be rescued. All festivities were cancelled. A sad ending to a great day.



In spite of that: The “L'Eroica” is truly a great event with an atmosphere second to none! It is highly recommended for anybody with a tiny bit of enthusiasm for the great days of cycle racing. This wasn’t the last time I was in Gaiole di Chianti on the first weekend of October for sure!"

Photos by Martin Appel: Mr. "Retrodirect" contemplates his situation, ride photos, the colorful finish area, Martin's Rabeneick



Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.

Martin's 2009 L'Eroica Adventure, Part II

Martin Appel's report of his 2009 L'Eroica adventure continues in Part II:



"Andreas hasn’t ridden his borrowed Patelli yet, and I haven’t sat on my “Rabe” for 2years. Position: unfamiliar. Brakes: they squeak as if they were the tortured antique pieces they are, but they seem to do their job. I don’t mind riding with toe straps as much as poor Andreas does. Shifting – well… I do have ten gears, but at a capacity of 50/47 front and 16/22 rear I’m beginning to have second thoughts about the ramps around this area. The trusty old Gran Sport shifts smoothly and precise, but somehow all gears feel the same way: hard.



We idly roll a couple of kilometers, have coffee in breathtaking scenery, wax philosophically about accommodation options for the coming years, and we test the “white roads”. I congratulate myself for my decision to put on the cross tires. My “Rabe” goes downhill like a tank! We see later that many of the more experienced riders did likewise. Andreas seems to have second thoughts about his narrow racing tires.



Tonight we hit the sack a bit earlier, after all tomorrow’s the Big Day. Our American friend Robin wants to ride to the start, which will give him an additional 25km per way on top of his already hefty 200km. Andreas and myself have opted for the 75km route, which is said to be the one with the most people and the best atmosphere. Apart from that, the two shorter distances only start after 8:30 – Robin plans his start at 4:00 in the morning – brrr!



As far as the local dog population allowed, we sleep well and arrive well awake, well fed and motivated in Gaiole on the Big Day. One of Andreas’ tires refuses service, but quickly a spare tire is stretched and glued in place – we are ready to go. Wool jerseys are seen all over the place, and some contemporary “ordinary” bikes with their riders in picturesque traditional costumes grace the village centre. The whole location has dressed up for the occasion, almost every shop displays a vintage bike or has a few wool jerseys decorated. Signore Chini, the village butcher, not only has a couple of jerseys hanging among his hams, but also displays his father's old delivery motorbike from 1953. He serves Chianti to the riders – “non per vendere, solo per amici”. It seems I’m one of his friends. Salute, there we go!



Slowly we get going. The warm air allows riding without arm or leg warmers even at 9 in the morning. The colourful field of riders supplies entertainment galore on the first few kilometers. Then, stylishly flanked by a portal, the entrance to the first gravel road! Quite steep, a narrow alley winds up towards a castle. A vintage Fiat Cinquecento labelled “Race assistance” passes us. Some riders already have to walk, but my “Rabe” does well except the occasional “autoshift” – the gear moves up a cog on itself. I don't mind much as this bike has to be ridden like a single speed anyway: Don’t think about gears, think about pedalling! The percentage is well in the two figures, nevertheless I reach the summit in the saddle. Some real heroes do the same on their prewar bikes.



Then the first descent on the lose road: It gets dusty, very dusty even. The brakes need a lot of pulling, but with the 32mm Challenge Grifo cross tire, I can descend like John Tomac. What did they invent Mountain bikes for? I pass uncounted participants, trembling downhill on their skinny 20mm-rubbers. Yippie! Also, the view gets very typical Tuscany-like: To the horizon hilltops with tree rows. I have plenty of time to admire this while waiting for my buddy, who is severely pneumatically challenged.



To be continued in Part III.



Photos by Martin Appel: riders at the start, the support car, my friend Andreas; images of riders on the "white roads"



Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.

Martin's 2009 L'Eroica Adventure, Part I

Martin Appel from Germany reports on his 2009 L'Eroica adventure this past weekend in Chianti.


"L'Eroica, the Mecca for every classic vintage racing addict, had missed me up to now, or I had missed it. An unbearable situation! Now in 2009, finally no other obligations were in the way, the holiday balance still offers a few hard earned free days, and my friend Andreas’ enthusiasm supplies the necessary momentum. Gaiole in Chianti is our goal! Quick we arrange for a hotel room and post our registrations.


On the Friday before the race we load my trusty Granfondo bike carrier, the Passo di Brennero is quickly left behind and Zucchero’s “cosi celeste” soaks out of the stereo’s speakers. L'Eroica, here we come! We don’t carry a Bianchi, but my ‘61 Campagnolo equipped Rabeneick, Andreas’ borrowed Patelli Super Corsa with panto’ed Super Record and a modern cross bike we brought to explore the “strade bianche”, the dreaded gravel roads that are very common in the Tuscany and make up a major part of the course.


We manage to find our hotel and it even looks like its picture on the online booking service if you disregard the nuclear power plant right behind it. Among the guests are several combatants from Germany, France, and even the US; Robin from Seattle rode his uncle’s Olmo from the Milan airport and intends to take on the 200km distance.


A tasty supper rounds up this day, mostly consisting of “porcinos”, a local speciality. We end the day having Chianti and grappa with Robin. The conversation slowly gets more fundamental, our English more fluent, the evening longer…


On (late) Saturday morning, we go to Gaiole. This pleasant little town is filled to the brim with antique bikes, parts dealers, officials, and first and foremost with enthusiasts wearing wool jerseys. Our late registration is dealt with easily, as are the minor technical issues (”where did my money transfer end up at?!”); it takes no time at all, then we are proud owners of our starting numbers. I “register” my bike. This service is 20.-€ extra, and while the purpose remains unclear, it is a nice opportunity to meet some enthusiasts from all countries represented and to admire many stunning bikes. Also, I meet a lot of friends from real life as well as the Internet.


Then I ambush the parts market. Need a Molteni Jersey? No problem. A vintage derailleur? We have everything from a 1st generation Super Record to a Huret Champion in rusty or decent condition, also there is a Campagnolo Parigi Roubaix for sale. A Castorama Musette? A NOS Zeus or Mavic gruppo? Rubber hoods for Campy levers? We have them. Knitted Gloves? Leather shoes? Pick your size, signori. And of course complete bikes from restoration object to show condition, there seems to be nothing that isn’t available! A collectors paradise!



With an effort, i manage to restrain myself and escape with my bag only moderately full (and my pockets only moderately emptied). Overwhelmed of my own show of will power, me and Andreas have some Pasta and Chianti in the afternoon sun, then saddle or bikes for a first reconnaissance ride."


To be continued in Part II.


Photos by Martin Appel: Martin's 1961 Rabeneick, having a glass of Chianti wine, a Hetchins, drillium rear derailleur on a De Rosa, images from parts market


Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.

San Patrignano

The San Patrignano story is an unusual one. San Patrignano is, first, a community that welcomes all young men and women who have serious drug abuse problems, regardless of ideology, social background, or religion, and completely free of charge, accepting no payment or funding from their families or the Italian government. Since 1978, San Patrignano has taken in over 18,000 people, offering them a home, health care, legal assistance, and the opportunity to study, learn a job, change their lives, and regain their status as full members of society.



Teaching a job to its guests is one of San Patrignano"s fundamental principles. Through the years the community has developed several high quality activities: from agriculture and food production to training championship jumping horses, to breeding show dogs, from high quality printing to information technologies, and craftsmanship such as frame building.



Initially bikes and parts were produced for outside companies. The turning point came in 1999, thanks to the support and of Dario and Gianni Pegoretti. Today, Dario Pegoretti continues as their technical advisor and San Patrignano has its own brand of racing and touring bikes, and it is possible to order a custom frame.



To learn more visit the San Patrignano website: http://www.sanpatrignano.org/?q=en


Photos: a San Patrignano at EICMA 2009 in Milan


Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.

Campagnolo 12-29 Cassette for 11 Speed Announced

Campagnolo has announced that it will be making a new cassette featuring a 29 for the first time in the 11 speed gruppo. The cassette will be a 12-29. The 10 speed gruppos already included a 29, in a 13-29.


Climbers will be happy.



Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.

Cycling Racing Books Database by Wilms on Wheels

Wilfried Wilms writes in from Belgium saying, "I would like to draw your attention to my website which is mainly a comprehensive (but not exhaustive) database of books on professional cycle racing (published in English, French, Italian and German). It is a non-commercial site. It provides two entries for browsing through the book titles: by language (and subsequently by author) or by theme (e.g. biographies; or juvenile literature). Finally, the site also contains a collection of book reviews copied from the Web or taken from good old paper-based magazines.


I became passionate about professional race cycling in 1961 when I saw Rik Van Looy win his second world champion title. I began collecting books of my favorite sport in 2003. With a view to establishing a shopping list I undertook research on the net of books that are available on the market. As the list expanded steadily, I started playing with the idea of posting a comprehensive database on the Web."


The result is Wilms on Wheels Cycle Racing Books, http://www.wilmsonwheels.be/. Worth a visit, a very impressive undertaking.


Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com. See here for a chance to win a T-shirt for submitting a ride story; contest ends October 31st.