Italian Clarion section news:

Stivali !

2013 has been a fantastic year. Section membership has more than doubled. We welcome Giovanni Bazzoni (roadie) to the Clarion since last writing. Gio is our first Italian member. Dick Ayres new (another new member) rode the Quebrantahuesos in June, 200km in the Pyrenees, including col du Somport 1700m at 50km and Portalet 1800m at 150km, a total of 3800m of climbing. Having paced himself early on he wishes he’d gone full gas as he felt great at the end of just less than 8 hours riding (finishing 4158 out of 9000 starters), well done Dick who is looking for another big challenge in 2014.

Since the summer we have had a tour at Lago d’Iseo, climbing passo san fermo with long sections of 1:5 at it’s base. We also met up with members of Fenland at l’Eroica in Tuscany (see story elsewhere).

Dick took part in the Garmin Triathlon Barcelona taking on the Olympic distance in 2 hours 26.

Dick Ayres, bottom left at the Garmin Triathlon Barcelona

Next year the Giro passes through Chieri where we are based, with the tt the day before from Barbaresco to Barolo, two of the best wines you’ll ever try. We’re a little excited about that. BuonNatale a tutti !

Speroni !

Stivali !

Italian Clarion section news:
So far, 2013 has been a colder than usual year in Piemonte and the rest of northern Italy. But that hasn’t
stopped riders getting out & about to race in events such as Gf Laigueglia, chilly but sunny and to see the Giro
(when it wasn’t raining or snowing). Section membership has doubled, though double figures are yet to be
reached. Welcome to Richard Ayres of Madrid (triathlete & roadie). Dick is riding the Quebrantahuesos on 22nd
June, 200km in the Pyrenees, good luck to him going over Somport 1700m at 50km and Portalet 1800m at
150km ouch ! Also welcome to Rob Morson of Chieri who plans to get out on his bike more as he retires this
June. Finally, congratulations to Lorraine & Julian who are proud new parents of new member Carlo Alan Mortel
born on 11th May. He’ll ride the track, road and mountain bike if his mother and father have any influence. He is
already practicing spinning his legs and saluting at every nappy change Forza Italian Clarion!
Following successful meetups with Stockport section and Cicli Piazza last year two more weekend breaks are
being organised that might interest other sections:
Le Langhe weekend, optional routes taking in between 200km to 300km for the weekend, 29th June and High
Alps tour on 6th September, taking in the Marmotte and Colle dell’Agnello. Alla prossima, arrivederci.

Photos:

Le Langhe, home of fine wines truffles, hazelnuts & chocolate

Wake up and smell the coffee, Italian style

Laiueglia1 Julian Mortel riding Gf Laigueglia in February

Carlo Alan Mortel, Italian Clarion’s most special member

Speroni !

live with less - enjoy more

Stivali !

At Christmas and the start of the new year, it’s nice to reflect and make plans for the future. Christmas is a time for giving to those who need, not those who don’t really need.
Is that being a scrooge? Well perhaps, but it highlights a point that Xmas is all too much about consumerism. We sometimes buy because we think we have to, but do they really need that present? Or is it just getting you off the hook?
Let’s consider the things that really matter. Not putting words into mouths, but there are only a handful of things we really need to survive, aren't there? And, money isn’t one of them. That’s just a thing we use to get them, or do we? Love, fun & friendship are free aren’t they? The other essentials to survive can be obtained through cooperation.
So, money. Could we live without it? No? Well, what about living with less. They say ‘live with less and enjoy more’. That’s our experience here and our motto for 2013. If you have to give something and are lost for suggestions my best Xmas gift was a recommendation to read ‘start something that matters’ by Blake Mycoskie. Get it from the library.Remember; live with less - enjoy more.

Speroni !

the new kit is here.......

Stivali !

This morning we went out on our first ride since getting back from our summer trip. First ride in the new kit too. It feels & looks great and turned quite a few heads on our short ride this morning.
Those of you who have ordered, it is now winging its way to you.
Here are some pics from today, send us some of yours when you get it.
Thanks to Champion System
More options available now too (triathlon, winter gear, accessories, casual wear etc..). Will be placing another order mid-September. See our 'club clothing' page at www.italianclarion.com

cronoscalata 'Castelnuovo Don Bosco to Albugnano'

Stivali !
When we first moved to Italy 5 years ago we lived in Moncalieri. I went out on a ride with a couple of guys who were pretty handy on the bike and made me earn my turn in their jetstream on one particular day. I suppose they were weighing me up and decided to take me up this hill I'd never ridden before. They said before we got there it was about 5km long and the record was 11 minutes. Well, I thought yeah, when you're fresh and haven't raced on the flat for 70km beforehand.
So we hit the climb and the speed didn't let up. The gauntlet had been thrown down and I was up for a challenge. After a few minutes racing together, Marco started to open up a gap. His pal Giampaolo then let on that it was Marco who held the record from a few years previous. Well, mentally that gave me the excuse to ease off. Or maybe I was just knackered.

A Clarion Team, 900 miles and the 1998 FBD Milk Rás

Stivali!

In June of 1997, Graham Pearce, the Stockport Clarion race guru came back from that years edition of the Rás telling us all of the great experience. He was leading one of the teams from their support vehicle. He made it sound ridiculously hard & insane, but also like the nearest an amateur could get to a true ‘tour’ experience. Over 30 teams, 9 days of racing, over 100 miles each day, 170 riders, team support vehicles, racing around Ireland, the home of Kelly, Roche, Earley & ofcourse Guinness. It sounded epic. It was…..This was going to be something we’d never forget.

New Team Kit Finalised

Stivali !
We are about to place our order for the new kit:

Final design approved, now taking orders. Please visit www.italianclarion.com if you want some kit.
For payment please email me: info@italianclarion.com
Many thanks
Speroni !

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.

Bra - Bra

Stivali !
First of all, I should clarify; Bra is a place, a beautiful place in Le Langhe, not far from us.
Today we took part in the Medio Fondo event 110km over very undulating terrain (1740m dsl) in this stunning wine region.
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1557685 is the route.

pretty in pink?

Stivali !
As it's the start of the Giro today, here's our pink offering. What about these:

designs for italian clarion team kit

Stivali !

We have finally come up with some proposals for our team kit.
Options are as per the Italian national champions jersey:

Our first gran fondo of 2012 will be the Gf Laigueglia

Stivali !
12th February 2012
That's the date for the Gf Laigueglia held in Liguria
It's a great event with many riders using as preparation for the coming season, be they pros, semi-pros or amateurs. Here is the route:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1359044
110km & 1800m of climbing
Bring your leg & arm warmers as weather can be changeable this time of year
Get in touch if you want to join us:
info@italianclarion.com
tel: +44 161 408 1965
mob: +39 348 086 1958
Speroni !

Want to see the Giro in 2012 (5th to 27th May)?

Stivali !

Want to see the Giro in 2012 (5th to 27th May)?

Once again in 2012 we are privileged to have the Giro pass by our doorstep. This time on Stage 13 & 14 on it's way from Savona up to the mountaintop finish at Cervinia.

Want to see end of Paris-Nice & Milan SanRemo in 2012...

Stivali !

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.

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'.