gairym wrote: with instructions not to buy any more ever!!!

Bike components don't count though, amazing how after a few components/maintenance purchases, another random bike gets built

Okay, next question ....... are people actually going to over to race or bimble about sampling as much wine as possible in the process?

My plan was to try and finish in less than 72 hours which would involve me riding about 16 hours a day and not stopping much at all.

But.....the idea of a more social ride with you lot is a different but more fun idea.

I'll not be troubling the leaders so for me it'll be a fast(ish) tour I suppose.
I don't intend on Ernie leading me astray at every vineyard we pass.
I'll have a plane booked for the following Wednesday.

It's ok we can just top up a bottle as we pass . . . . Won't need to stop for long

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Okay, next question ....... are people actually going to over to race or bimble about sampling as much wine as possible in the process?

Did think I'd make it a mini holiday. It looks stunning and a shame to hurry it. At least Tuesday to Wednesday, maybe Friday.
Should I have time I thought I might cruise back up the coast towards Pisa jumping on a train when needed.

Same as Taylor. Fast ish tour (100+ km a day), but time out to enjoy the views and hospitalities.

Speaking to others at the weekend who have done this before, there's left luggage at Pisa airport so you can leave bags there. Travelling by train to/from the start/end is easy as the Italians aren't that fussed about brining bikes aboard. About 90 mins to Massa and 2.5 hours back up from Capalbio.

The meal provided on Wednesday night is well worth attending, but you're best giving the pre race accommodation a miss until you're partial to 100+ snoring Italians. We'll sort out some pre/post ride accommodation nearer the time.

That sounds great . . . . Well apart from the 100+ snoring Italians. . . . . I can deal with the Bearbones snoring chorus in a bothy but I might find the sports hall snor-off a bit too much!

I can deal with the Bearbones snoring chorus in a bothy but I might find the sports hall snor-off a bit too much!

Those who live in glass houses .........

Ha ha ha - even I would struggle to make myself heard in a sea of Italians snoring

Right all booked in.

Flight from Manchester to Pisa on the 1st and back on the 8th

£330 all in with the bike for those who are interested

Who's that with Chew?

£198 return from Bristol with bike.

Stanstead is loads cheaper . . . But miles away! (From me at least)

Easyjet

Seems quite a popular route considering the price difference to Bristol.

Easy for me as I can get the train straight there (fitting a bike box in the back of my car is interesting.....)

adjustablewench wrote:Stanstead is loads cheaper . . . But miles away! (From me at least)

Coool, Stansted is about 45 mins from me. Sounds like I best book in, spesh seeings as everyone seems to be sorting stuff too!

I plan on flying Stansted to Pisa, out on the Weds and back on Sunday. Probably travel down to Stansted with Mike, and will borrow a bike box from a mate.

Some shops and clubs hire out bike boxes, or any bike shop will have cardboard boxes. Make sure you use a spacer between the wheel dropouts as that's an easy squashing type damage that's hard to spot.

I think I'll stop for a bottle of wine at the finish, looking forward to mountains of food served by lovely Italian ladies also!

.

Am quite jealous. Steve was describing it at the bothy and it seemed a world away from the soggy nightmare of the weekend.

Is there going to be lots of Italian ladies, oh no!!! Best pack some bromide

Ah, that's what you call her, I think she'll be riding with you

Pah - he can do what he likes!

That counts as full permission.....encouragement even

Just food for thought but as we cant take meths or gas on the plane, it maybe interesting trying to find it there ( im thinking for brewing purposes )

Just food for thought but as we cant take meths or gas on the plane, it maybe interesting trying to find it there ( im thinking for brewing purposes )

It's Italy not the Gobi ... I'd have thought both would be easy enough to source.

haha we will see fella