Here follows some details of a proposed training
camp. 10th to 18th March 2012
The 11th March sees the end of Pari-Nice and the 17th March Milan-SanRemo.
The 11th March sees the end of Pari-Nice and the 17th March Milan-SanRemo.
This time of year you can get away with shorts & knee warmers, even up high at 1000m.
Best to pack leg warmers & tights as well just in case.
Below are details of 'location', 'accommodation' and 'itinerary'.
Location:
Based in Molini di Triora, Imperia 18010,
Italy.
Mark a mate of mine runs Molini Freeride from
here. He maintains the routes & provides the uplifts with his
vehicles. I know Mark from when we rode the Tuesday night track
league in Manchester.
Although his business is MTB based, I always go with the
road bike. There are numerous route options, although the mountainbiking is great too. Lets face it, the area is steeped in history when it comes to bike racing. At this time of year it is the best place to test the legs in the hills prior to the season back in northern Europe.
Molini is in Liguria at 450m altitude (1500 feet). It's 25km downhill all the way to the
coast (Arma di Taggia) following the Torrente Argentina.
All along the cote d'azur the trains are regular, bike
friendly & cheap compared to UK, so if for example folks want to take the train to Nice & ride home, you can catch the train at Arma di Taggia.
Accommodation:
Accommodation for upto 25
guests. We've stayed previously. it's self-catering or B&B fare. Set in an elevated position above Molini. Just
100m from the bars and restaurant. There is a garden to relax in and stunning views over the village and the surrounding mountains. Bedrooms are simple yet
comfortable. There's a combination of bunk beds with a maximum of 4 people per
room, plus several twin bedded rooms to offer flexibility for those who wish to
stay together.
There is no surcharge for single
guests. Cost
would be on or around 25 euros per person for B&B which includes cereals, fruit,
yoghurts, toast, brioche, coffee/tea/fruit juice
etc. Catering wise for evenings etc would be extra but not expensive.
Also there is the option to eat out at pizzerias or the Santo Spirito hotel in village with which there is a special deal. Options are yours so people can choose to eat in some nights, etc depending on itinerary. The restaurant Santo Spirito is in the main street, actually the only street, in Molini, with 4 bars adjacent and two grocers and a post office nearby. This gives guests the freedom to eat elsewhere if they so wish in local pizzerias etc.
Itineraries:Below I list some typical itineraries from www.italianclarion.com which were proposed on previous trips for this training camp:
Also there is the option to eat out at pizzerias or the Santo Spirito hotel in village with which there is a special deal. Options are yours so people can choose to eat in some nights, etc depending on itinerary. The restaurant Santo Spirito is in the main street, actually the only street, in Molini, with 4 bars adjacent and two grocers and a post office nearby. This gives guests the freedom to eat elsewhere if they so wish in local pizzerias etc.
Itineraries:Below I list some typical itineraries from www.italianclarion.com which were proposed on previous trips for this training camp:
Possible rides: This is a suggested itinerary and if
followed we would probably build in a couple of chill-out / beach / rest days /
easier rides. It's your holiday so we don't want to be prescriptive, this is just an idea of options, if you prefer, you can go off & ride on your own, chill by the sea, walk in the hills, just let us know.
Day
1
Collection from Nice airport and transfer to Molini. Check
in to accommodation and assemble bikes (work stand, track pumps and tools
provided) before a quick spin to ensure all is in order.
Day 2 : 197km, 2300m of possible climbing.
Ride to
start at 9.30am heading to Nice taking the coast road to the west. A rolling ride with
the possibility to include three famous climbs; col d'Eze, 500m (finish
route for the Paris - Nice); Poggio 160m (finish route for the Milan - San
Remo); col de la Madone, 925m (Lance Armstrong's favourite test). At some point
we'll see the last stage of Paris - Nice. After we'll ride back to base.
Day
3 : 225km, 700m of climbing.
Today's ride heads to Noli taking the coast road to the
east & back. A gentle rolling ride of great distance over the same scenic
roads the Milan - San Remo will take on Saturday. The beautiful views along this
fast coast road will ease away any of the pain from the previous days
ride.
Day 4 : 95km, 1600m of climbing.
Heading into
the hills up to colla di Longan 1127m, then Pigna and down to Ventimiglia via
Isolabona & Dolceacqua and back through San Remo. One major climb.
Day
5 : 200km, 2100m of climbing.
Heading west to Ventimiglia then upto colle di Tende at
1870m. This is the major climb of the day.
Day
6 : 80km, 300m of climbing.
Along the coast towards Imperia, but returning in time to see
the Milan - San Remo with the Italian tifosi on the Poggio.
Day 7 : 85km, 1650m of climbing
Heading into
the hills towards colla di Longan 1127m, then left & continue climbing
to Monte Ceppo 1541m and the down twisty roads via Passo Ghimbegna 900m to San
Remo, Arma & finally up the valley to Molini. One major climb.
Hope you can follow all that. This area is full of places you have to see, great food & drink, a love for life and the open road.
Possible rides: This is a suggested itinerary and if
followed we would probably build in a couple of chill-out / beach / rest days /
easier rides. It's your holiday so we don't want to be prescriptive, this is just an idea of options, if you prefer, you can go off & ride on your own, chill by the sea, walk in the hills, just let us know.
Day
1
Collection from Nice airport and transfer to Molini. Check
in to accommodation and assemble bikes (work stand, track pumps and tools
provided) before a quick spin to ensure all is in order.
Day 2 : 197km, 2300m of possible climbing.
Ride to
start at 9.30am heading to Nice taking the coast road to the west. A rolling ride with
the possibility to include three famous climbs; col d'Eze, 500m (finish
route for the Paris - Nice); Poggio 160m (finish route for the Milan - San
Remo); col de la Madone, 925m (Lance Armstrong's favourite test). At some point
we'll see the last stage of Paris - Nice. After we'll ride back to base.
Day
3 : 225km, 700m of climbing.
Today's ride heads to Noli taking the coast road to the
east & back. A gentle rolling ride of great distance over the same scenic
roads the Milan - San Remo will take on Saturday. The beautiful views along this
fast coast road will ease away any of the pain from the previous days
ride.
Day 4 : 95km, 1600m of climbing.
Heading into
the hills up to colla di Longan 1127m, then Pigna and down to Ventimiglia via
Isolabona & Dolceacqua and back through San Remo. One major climb.
Day
5 : 200km, 2100m of climbing.
Heading west to Ventimiglia then upto colle di Tende at
1870m. This is the major climb of the day.
Day
6 : 80km, 300m of climbing.
Along the coast towards Imperia, but returning in time to see
the Milan - San Remo with the Italian tifosi on the Poggio.
Day 7 : 85km, 1650m of climbing
Heading into
the hills towards colla di Longan 1127m, then left & continue climbing
to Monte Ceppo 1541m and the down twisty roads via Passo Ghimbegna 900m to San
Remo, Arma & finally up the valley to Molini. One major climb.
Hope you can follow all that. This area is full of places you have to see, great food & drink, a love for life and the open road.
Hope you can follow all that. This area is full of places you have to see, great food & drink, a love for life and the open road.
Get in touch if you or your club are interested. We need confirmation by the end of 2011 and you need to book your flights we'd suggest with good notice too. Many carriers from various UK airports fly to Nice.
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