Me.
Number 81

Anyone else from the group?

Me no 146

I'll be there.

Not fully decided what bike to take but been told by a fella I know who's just ridden the new route as an ITT that it's harder than previous years (technically) after Sienna and that he'd recommend an MTB over Gravel/CX bike.

I'm taking my cross bike with 38mm tyres. hopefully it will be the right choice

gairym wrote:I'll be there.

Not fully decided what bike to take but been told by a fella I know who's just ridden the new route as an ITT that it's harder than previous years (technically) after Sienna and that he'd recommend an MTB over Gravel/CX bike.

Mountain bike, mainly because the gravel bike isn't built and I doubt the shifters will be available in time.

Not fully decided what bike to take but been told by a fella I know who's just ridden the new route as an ITT that it's harder than previous years (technically) after Sienna and that he'd recommend an MTB over Gravel/CX bike.

What will the Italians do now?

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

Not fully decided what bike to take but been told by a fella I know who's just ridden the new route as an ITT that it's harder than previous years (technically) after Sienna and that he'd recommend an MTB over Gravel/CX bike.

What will the Italians do now?

If the fella recommending the use of an MTB wasn't sh1t hot at handling a bike then I'd ignore his advice and go on the Gravel beast but I know he can ride a bike and so I think I'm going to listen and take the new 29er.

I'm assuming the Italians still have their 29ers (and colour-matched outfits) in their garages but I'm also assuming that they'll ride what's fashionable irrespective of practicality and common sense.

To be honest I think that either choice will work fine. One option will roll faster but struggle on the small amount of tech and vice versa - we'll all be so full of fine wines and cheap pasta that we won't care anyway!!!

On the TT, how much of a problem is it that my Italian is non-existent? Will I find people who are able (and willing!) to speak English?

Asposium wrote:On the TT, how much of a problem is it that my Italian is non-existent? Will I find people who are able (and willing!) to speak English?

Just speak slowly and very loud supplemented with hand signals, seems to work for everyone else

Asposium wrote:On the TT, how much of a problem is it that my Italian is non-existent? Will I find people who are able (and willing!) to speak English?

Don't worry about it, you'll be fine.

I know about 8 basic words that I've picked up via riding in Italy over the last few years but the ability to plough ahead and laugh at yourself is infinitely more important than any actual Italian ability.

All you really need is 'ciao' and 'prego' which as far as I can tell account for about 95% of the language.

Asposium wrote:On the TT, how much of a problem is it that my Italian is non-existent? Will I find people who are able (and willing!) to speak English?

I'd make the effort to learn a few words.

Usual basics of Hello, Please, Thankyou, etc.

Someone I know (not mentioning names) nearly got thrown out of a refuge for using the phrase "do you speak English" as an opening to a request.

Making an effort, no matter how poor, will always be forgiven.

What are you guys planning on taking for Tuscany sleep wise? My current thinking is lightweight sleeping bag with a bivi bag and leave the tent at home?

robbie wrote:What are you guys planning on taking for Tuscany sleep wise? My current thinking is lightweight sleeping bag with a bivi bag and leave the tent at home?

sleeping bag will depend on weather forecast, probably a mountain equipment helium solo sleeping bag

don't have bivi bag, so will be taking a terra nova solar photon 2 (though not much heavier than many bivi and tarp combo's)

Was looking at lighter bags and came across the helium solo was also looking at the omm 1.6 not sure which to get

robbie wrote:Was looking at lighter bags and came across the helium solo was also looking at the omm 1.6 not sure which to get

Got the helium solo last year.
Bargain half price from Taunton leisure.

I'm taking a warmish quilt, a mat and bivi bag.

I plan on using a combination of nicely covered stealth sleeping spots (there are numerous disused or part-built houses dotted along the route) and cheap 'who am I kidding it was always going to happen' b&bs when I come across them.

Other than that I'm planning on taking very little.

Sleeping kit in bar bag, spare clothes in seat bag and then a few tools, batteries and snacks in the fuel cells and feed bags and water in cages on the frame - simples!

I'll be there , 240. Riding a gravel bike with 42c tyres.

Chew wrote:Someone I know (not mentioning names) nearly got thrown out of a refuge for using the phrase "do you speak English" as an opening to a request.
.

'Cough'.....

In my (I mean their) defence it did start with a "bonjour"
I understand he (the rider) was hanging out if his arse at the time and the hostel manager replied with "no I'm French and I only speak French" in perfect English !!
Fortunately the twinkle in the eye of one of the staff standing next to him allowed him to remain on both feet.

had the final-route email

does anyone have a ride plan?
my plan is four days of 132km

anyone else?

I have a rough, vague, unrealistic plan.

It is.....

A great big smelly day 1 of about 160-170km to get me to Florence by about midnight.

Then a gentle recovery from the moronic excesses of day 1 on day 2 (approx 100km of ill humoured suffering)

Realise that day 1 is going to take more than 1 day of recovery from and so another day of 100km on day 3 before.....

.....getting my sh1t together and finally finding some semblance of form on day 4 and putting in another Imperial century to finish things off in style.

I'm nothing if not predictably foolish.

gairym wrote:I have a rough, vague, unrealistic plan.

It is.....

A great big smelly day 1 of about 160-170km to get me to Florence by about midnight.

Then a gentle recovery from the moronic excesses of day 1 on day 2 (approx 100km of ill humoured suffering)

Realise that day 1 is going to take more than 1 day of recovery from and so another day of 100km on day 3 before.....

.....getting my sh1t together and finally finding some semblance of form on day 4 and putting in another Imperial century to finish things off in style.

I'm nothing if not predictably foolish.

doesn't seem too bad.

gairym wrote:I have a rough, vague, unrealistic plan.

It is.....

A great big smelly day 1 of about 160-170km to get me to Florence by about midnight.

I'm nothing if not predictably foolish.

So have they taken out those big lumps in between massa and Florence?

They've changed the route this year. I think the first big one is the same but then it's all different and so we'll have to wait and see what it's like.

In 2015 I got near Florence at around midnight so it's possible (in dry conditions) but no idea what'll actually happen on the day.

Just been going over the finalised version of the route and I think that my idea of how to split up the route might just work.....

Day 01:

Massa to Florence/Firenze
160km
4000m alt gain
08:00 - 00:00 (at my usual elapsed time avg of 10kmph)

Day 02:

Florence to Sienna
110km
2600m alt gain
09:00 - 20:00

Day 03:

Sienna to Radicofani (stunning mountain top fortified town/village)
90km
2000m alt gain
10:00 - 19:00

Day 04:

Radicofani to Capalbio
170km
2500m alt gain
07:00 - 00:00

Obviously the reality will likely have exactly zero overlap with this plan but it's something to think about and to loosely aim for.

Can't wait now!!!

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