Torino nice who's doing it this yr

[Richard G]

Will post more when I get back, but I took Phil and Scott into Monaco and we were moved on from Casino Square, we can only assume for generally stinking up the joint. XD

[Scattamah]

Almost the highlight of the trip being moved on by the fashionable copper by the casino in Monaco. Apparently grotty bikepackers are not appreciated there.

But wow...what a ride. fair chuffed to have run the double.

Greetz

S.

[pistonbroke]

Well done Scott, nice that you're keeping the tramping credentials alive amongst all the hipsters. I rode with Ernesto who you shared a public toilet with on the way to Turin. He finished at lunchtime on Friday having ridden all the hard bits so chapeau to him. He lives fairly near here in Teruel and was brought up in the village we passed on the C2C where there was a reservoir with turquoise water. We have plans to go riding and he wants to organise a bikepacking trip in the mountains where he lives.

[jameso]

Catch up on work emails <> mentally still out there ... the effect of arriving in Nice yesterday afternoon then flying out same evening. Ah well. Great to see Scott, Rich and Phil in Nice for a beer or 2.

A bigger ride this year but interesting and pleased to see that riders spread out so fast that it just didn't feel so different to me. The day one split route and mix of paces meant I wasn't aware of many (any?) crowds in any areas. All in all I had a great week's riding. Really good to have Scott and Ernesto's company on the way up to Turin and to see a few boners at the end (...that old gag ). Got 2 high-up bivis in that really were very special nights out, lying there with a view that was like looking straight up into space.

I expect there were a few more 1st timer bikepackers as a % of the total but that's to be expected - MTB bikepacking has a 5 year plus headstart on those coming into it from a drop-bar background and this ride seems to have grabbed the gravel lot's attention (I'd include myself in that 'lot'). What I was impressed by was how many of them who may appear less experienced at first just got on and handled the rough stuff or adapted around it. No complaints that I heard of anyway. A couple of sections were a bit easier than 1st 2 years but it seems more riders did the VdS and the hike a bikes, that was the idea / hope so top marks to all that took the Peas or Gardetta HAB route.


One Q for those on here, interested in thoughts on this -
While there's no intent or wish to emphasise dirtbagging vs BnBs each night or distingish between rider approaches (I hve my take on it but I'd not push that onto anyone, maybe just raise it as learning that stuff from others has helped my riding), I wonder if listing a couple of qualifying rides, HT550 style, might be good for entry process? At the same time I really enjoyed riding with the old hands as much as some of the wide-eyed 'newbie' riders so inclusivity is good. Responsible, misplaced elitism of sorts, risks of being less inclusive, etc?

Oh, tramping vs hipsters, I know hat you mean PB, but in general ... how are we making that distinction these days? I rode with a guy in full Raphaa on a cool drop-bar bike who could ride and dirtbag with the best. He wasn't alone in that either. I hope this ride is one that shows how open and varied it all is, it's all just bike travel and nothing more and the moment we tribalise it all we've lost the plot I think?

[whitestone]

Not sure about "qualifying" rides but maybe a list of rides/challenges that you could point to and say "Expect multiple days like one of these" or something along those lines. You don't want to discourage people but equally you don't want someone totally out of their depth turning up whose idea of a long ride is two laps of the local trail centre or the club social ride.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

James,
I don’t think the Hipster comments are meant as any sort of slight on the people identified by this tag; it’s pretty obvious who has self-selected themselves as part of this tribe, rather than pigeon-holing by observers! So what? It’s just a fashion and not something to get divisive about.

I think this route is a great intro to expedition Bikepacking - beyond the long weekend. The options to avoid HAB and availability of Refugio’s and other simple accommodation makes it even more accessible for beginners, and I think we should respect that, rather than insisting on hard core bivis, or proof of experience. Of course it’s your call how you allocate the spaces, and when demand outstrips supply, you have to use some criteria.

Having manked about Nice being too frantic and touristy, I really wish I was still there now! Bravo again for organising another great trip.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I don’t think the Hipster comments are meant as any sort of slight on the people identified by this tag; it’s pretty obvious who has self-selected themselves as part of this tribe, rather than pigeon-holing by observers! So what? It’s just a fashion and not something to get divisive about.

Very true and I'm sure the hipsters point a well groomed finger nail at the dirt bags from time to time. I believe it's all good natured ... even the mug dangling is a parody

I wouldn't make any decisions or try and conclude anything until the fall-out has settled. You'll know what's what and if anything additional is required then.

[pistonbroke]

First and foremost a massive thanks to James for his efforts in putting this on, cat herding has been raised to a new level. I think having a crux early on where a decision was needed as to whether to push for the Casa de Assietta or take the more conservative option of staying lower down the Colle de Fenestre was key in spreading the field out. The only major congestion I heard about was when 30 or more turned up at the Gardetta on the third night, a Spanish friend watsapped me a photo of a long line of bikes parked outside. My sleeping arrangements varied every night, 1st night at Casa Assietta, 2nd bivvy in Sampeyre, 3rd cabin in campsite in Limone Piemonte (charged €10) and 4th b&b in La Brigue when I was soaked to the skin coming down the Via De Sale.
My hipster quip wasn't being sarky, people with tatoos and beards can suffer as well as the rest of us, in fact I spent a lot of time informing everyone I met of the existance of Bearbones so look out Stu, they're coming

[jameso]

No sark or slight read into the hipster stuff, just me being a bit defensive of a mixed crowd as let's be honest, the hipster thing has been a gently dismissive term at times. The BBers ditch style and the Shoreditchers seem to mix just fine though.

I wouldn't make any decisions or try and conclude anything until the fall-out has settled.

Yes, too soon, agreed - interested while it's fresh in mind but looking through some nice photos (I have 800+, hope there's a few half-decent ones in there this time) should take priority.

[Richard G]

To be honest, I think BB was pretty well represented this year (in terms of making a good impression) . I reckon I may even have sold a few on WRT, if not even BB200.

We joke about the Crikey, how much lot, but it's all generally in good sport.

[Cheeky Monkey]

I think this is vaguely appropriate:

[ZeroDarkBivi]

The only major congestion I heard about was when 30 or more turned up at the Gardetta on the third night, a Spanish friend watsapped me a photo of a long line of bikes parked outside.

I got there early on afternoon 3 and as they had plenty of beds, decided to stay the night. Quite a few riders passed through for refreshment, but I think there was only about 12 of us over-nighted. The food was great, if you appreciate meat, however, the veggies had a pretty poor offering - I almost felt sorry!

There must have been thousands of great snaps taken over the week - has anybody heard if there are any web repositories for these TNR images, or intention to publish articles online?

[ianpv]

I had a fantastic time - thanks for organising James. I gave myself 8 days which was too generous really - I ended up with some short days at the end and two pretty much full days in Nice. The route was great, the options great to allow people to choose depending on difficulty wanted/time available/suitability of bike.

There were lots of people who had way too much stuff and running road gears and skinny-ish tyres, but everyone seemed to be having a good time. I didn't hear much/any moaning out there. The gardetta thing was caused by the weather I think. A lot of people actually made the pretty sensible decision to stay put rather than getting hailed on/frozen out there (not me, I made a dash for Limone and got very wet). That was the day after you were there Craig - night 4 not 3...

[ianpv]

loads of pics here:

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/torinonicerally/

[BigRingGrinder]

I really enjoyed my first TNR and will definitely be back for more in the future. I was blown away by a lot of the scenery and really enjoyed the route. Well except for the main road run in to Limone Piedmont... next time I'll aim not to be on that section at 5.30pm on a Friday

It was great to meet James, Scott, Richard, Steve (sbcoombs) and Rob (not on the forum but apparently will be joining so he can take the pee out of me!). Thanks also for letting me share a wheel, snacks and beers. I enjoyed our little excursion to Monaco, definitely worth it but not sure I'd want to visit again in a hurry... not sure we'd be allowed in anyway!!

Hope I didn't slow anyone down when I was riding with them.

James - I meant to say last night that the lady in the refuge between Finestre and the start of the Assietta had a bit of a meltdown at the number of cyclists that were turning up. Nothing major but I got the impression she would have been okay if there was a bit of warning. Guess with it being fairly early on in the ride the potential of mass cyclists turning up in a small space of time is quite high...

But a massive thanks for organising everything.

[Richard G]

Bah... my train tickets are apparently somewhere in Italy or France. :(

Had to buy new ones, at a cost that makes beer in Nice seem relatively reasonable.

[Scattamah]

Back with the living...thanks a bunch James for yet another great outing and for the quality bivvy spot on night 1 of the prologue. You and Ernesto slayed me on the run into Turin. Further shout outs to Rich...cheers for being slow enough I could just about keep up and to Phil for keeping me company during the never ending fiasco that my rear tyre created (the Park patch and Gorilla tape have held firm!). 'Boners on patrol in Monaco will live on in my memory for quite some time, as will the La Turbie Push. 1500' in 2 miles to get out of that place.

To all the other 'Boners I ran into...great to see you again/meet you for the first time.

Greetz

S.

[BigRingGrinder]

Looks like I'm having an unscheduled bivvy at Nice airport tonight...

[Richard G]

!

What happened?

[BigRingGrinder]

Flight was delayed by 30 mins and then just before take off it got cancelled due to a defective tyre. Rescheduled for 11am tomorrow.

Oh and my bike box got trashed so I've got to source another one now. These boxes from the airport really are useless.

[Scattamah]

Yup....those boxes are not what they used to be. Mine turned up in Manchester upside down and with holes in it. Very surprised nothing was missing, but Lois made it back unscathed.

Greetz

S.

[BigRingGrinder]

I had to buy another as there was no way the bike was getting back in one piece. Cobbled the two boxes together so fingers crossed.

I'm still here by the way...

[Scattamah]

You lucky devil. It's grey and overcast in Shrops. Enjoy the nice weather! Oh - and PM me your PP details and I'll sort you out for the box.

Greetz

S.

[BigRingGrinder]

To be honest mate I just want to get home. The rescheduled flight is now delayed

Might be quicker if I get on the bike!

Will pm later

[Richard G]

looks like I was pretty rapid down some of the descents (top ten in a few cases). Not overly surprised.