Taylor wrote:I'd love to have another go this year but I'll be stuck working on a business park in sunny Basingstoke.

Just keep in mind just how much you hated that first bit (and by association me) in the torrential rain and deep sludge.

I distinctly remember somebody saying:

"If I wanted to be miserable, wet and cold with no view I could have gone riding in Wales"*

*and try not to think about what it was​ like once the sun came out

I distinctly remember somebody saying:

"If I wanted to be miserable, wet and cold with no view I could have gone riding in Wales"*

Yes, I did say this but it was a whole year ago.

Indeed. It's a similar thing to women apparently forgetting the pain of childbirth (well not forgetting but a mental lessening of the memory of the pain is what I've read/heard) in order to be able to go through it again.

Day 1
Massa to Prato
132km
up 4464m, down 4499m

Day 2
Prato to Siena
132km
up 2853m, down 2542m

Day 3
Siena to near Sorano
132km
up 2726m, down 2613m

Day 3
Near Sorano to Finish
133km
up 2366m, down 2822m

proposed split points are marked here:
https://share.garmin.com/davidbirkin
zoom out, then zoom in to Italy
if running behind on Day 1 will try to make up for it on Day 2
absolutely no idea what to expect

I take it some of you guys are planning to ride in the dark, is it necessary?
Got me wondering whether I should take lights.

For anyone who have been before....
Is it possible to leave the bike bag at the airport?
Know anywhere it will be possible to buy a gas cylinder?
What was the phone signal like along the route (I'm Vodafone)?

Ta

If you can get to Prato, you can easily make Florence.

Asposium wrote:I take it some of you guys are planning to ride in the dark, is it necessary?
Got me wondering whether I should take lights.

It's only necessary if you want to do more hours riding in a day than here are hours of daylight

I'll take mine as I ride slow and long.

For anyone who have been before....
Is it possible to leave the bike bag at the airport?
Know anywhere it will be possible to buy a gas cylinder?
What was the phone signal like along the route (I'm Vodafone)?

Sorry, no idea but I'll happily bring a gas canister down for you if you'd like (I'm driving)?

gairym wrote:Sorry, no idea but I'll happily bring a gas canister down for you if you'd like (I'm driving)?

That would be very kind.
And a box of matches if you don't mind.

If you ever come over the UK for a BearBones event and want some fuel just ask!

Neh worries, what size/type/flavour do you want?

gairym wrote:Neh worries, what size/type/flavour do you want?

Something similar in size to this....
https://rockrun.com/products/msr-isopro ... s-canister

Doesn't need to be MSR, just an example of size.

Just noticed on the Tuscany forum u need to provide a doctor's certificate to prove u are fit to ride is that true? Also anything else needed?

robbie wrote:Just noticed on the Tuscany forum u need to provide a doctor's certificate to prove u are fit to ride is that true? Also anything else needed?

Most GPs will complete one but will charge.

I've heard that said certificates can be downloaded blank from the interweb. An unscrupulous type could then complete one as required.

I'm sure that's not allowed, unrecommended and possibly illegal so don't do it.

medical cert, wonderful, another thing to do.

anyone else flying from Manchester on the 1st on EasyJet EZY1847?

or arriving pisa airport ~10pm?

still haven't sorted getting from the airport to the start.

I don't remember any of us having a medical certificate last year.
Wouldn't worry.

Train up to massa goes every hour or so from Pisa.

Asposium wrote:anyone else flying from Manchester on the 1st on EasyJet EZY1847?

or arriving pisa airport ~10pm?

According to my expert mathematical calculations if you're landing in Pisa at around 22:00 you'll be very lucky to get to the registration before it closes (also at 22:00).

Maybe one of us should register you and pick up your gubbins???

I'll happily do it but by 22:00 I plan to be safely tucked up in bed (I've got a room in town - not planning on drinking copious amounts of wine and beer like last year!).

Happy to give it to you along with the gas canister at the start in the morning.

Just let me know.

robbie wrote:Just noticed on the Tuscany forum u need to provide a doctor's certificate to prove u are fit to ride is that true? Also anything else needed?

Not needed as far as I am aware but I'll look into it.

gairym wrote:

Asposium wrote:anyone else flying from Manchester on the 1st on EasyJet EZY1847?

or arriving pisa airport ~10pm?

According to my expert mathematical calculations if you're landing in Pisa at around 22:00 you'll be very lucky to get to the registration before it closes (also at 22:00).

Maybe one of us should register you and pick up your gubbins???

I'll happily do it but by 22:00 I plan to be safely tucked up in bed (I've got a room in town - not planning on drinking copious amounts of wine and beer like last year!).

Happy to give it to you along with the gas canister at the start in the morning.

Just let me know.

robbie wrote:Just noticed on the Tuscany forum u need to provide a doctor's certificate to prove u are fit to ride is that true? Also anything else needed?

Not needed as far as I am aware but I'll look into it.

The flight times weren't ideal.
If you don't mind grabbing my stuff that would be grand.
Otherwise I will have to ask very nicely on Fri morning.

I hope that the last comment, you mean't Friday morning ?

cycletribes wrote:I hope that the last comment, you mean't Friday morning ?

I did
corrected typo
need more sleep

Asposium wrote:If you don't mind grabbing my stuff that would be grand.
Otherwise I will have to ask very nicely on Fri morning.

Happy to pick it up for you. Maybe drop me a PM with your full name and entry number and I'll grab it all for you and give to you in the morning.

gairym wrote:

Asposium wrote:If you don't mind grabbing my stuff that would be grand.
Otherwise I will have to ask very nicely on Fri morning.

Happy to pick it up for you. Maybe drop me a PM with your full name and entry number and I'll grab it all for you and give to you in the morning.

Will do.

Regarding the medical, my thought at the moment is "sod it"
Hardly going to be able to stop me from riding.
Does seem kind of ironic, the Italians doing health and safety.

Asposium wrote:Regarding the medical, my thought at the moment is "sod it"
Hardly going to be able to stop me from riding.
Does seem kind of ironic, the Italians doing health and safety.

I don't think any of us took one last year. Just my E111 and no one asked to see that either.

arse, arse, arse.

the left luggage at pisa airport closes at 7pm
http://www.pisa-airport.com/en/the-pass ... urism.html

thinking I will have to change my flight to go from luton, thereby arriving earlier.
arse, arse, arse

Rufus and I stayed here after arriving on a late flight,
http://www.blueshades.it
For a whole €1 extra they stored our bike bags for the week.
It's a 5 minute walk from the airport and a 5 minute ride to the station in the morning once you've built your bike.
Supermarket across the road too.

I think the train station also does left luggage maybe worth trying?

robbie wrote:I think the train station also does left luggage maybe worth trying?

Train station was a no go for left luggage last year too.