italian clarion: Monza - SanRemo 330km

Stivali !

Monza - the depart

Our rides 'percorso' was a little different to the professionals held annually in March. We started in Monza, thanks to the support offered by a local team there, 'cicli piazza'. We also stopped off at the half-way point in Acqui Terme for the night.
The ride started off at 8am in Monza and we headed south through Milano, past the Duomo and San Siro. It was then pretty monotonous as we made our way through the flat lands of the rice fields. However the comradeship of our new friends kept things interesting, as well as the two support vehicles who motivated us with cheers from the roadside, from within the cars and at the cafe bars.

PUNCTURE ! - don't panic

riding through the streets of Milano

Salvatore was our Captain for the ride, leading the way on his nice titanium Bianchi. He's a strong old bugger and often had to correct the conflicting information coming from other riders Garmin800's.

a commuter joins the train

San Siro

Cafe? - si grazie - prego

hmm, too much coffee perhaps

As we approached Acqui Terme and the area that was the home of Fausto Coppi, the landscape changed and became a little lumpier, although, I must remind myself, the total dis-level for Saturday was on 21m !!!

After a hard ride you need to rest your weary body, and the Hotel laid on was just the ticket, luxurious and good service, large rooms and a good hot shower with TV to catch up on the Giro.

the hotel was quite classey

arrival at Acqui Terme

the water comes up at 50 degrees, ouch

beer me

We arrived in plenty of time for refreshing ourselves and getting out for a stroll and then relaxing with a drink for aperitivo.

oh well, perhaps a mojito then

evening meal on Saturday was fantastic with a view overlooking the rooftops of the town

A 5 course meal refueled the body, ready for the next day. The ride out of Acqui Terme was a very steady climb over the Alpi Liguri, where the weather started to close in. The descent to Savona, normally rapid, was dampened a bit due to the wet road surface.

team talk prior to depart

prepping for the Sunday depart and final leg

another puncture

Once on the Ligurian coast line the riding became much more interesting, even though we missed out the 3 climbs (le Manie / Cipresa / Poggio) due to the poor weather. They'll be there again for another day. As a group we flew through the towns of Noli, Finale, Albenga, Alassio, Laigueglia, Andora, Diano Marina and Imperia before reaching SanRemo, tired and wet, but with a great feeling of satisfaction.