Tuscany Trail 2017, who's going?

[Wotsits]

If i remember rightly left Luggage at the airport was also relatively expensive, when i checked at the airport my box was above their max dimensions, but when i asked at the desk they said that they would take it. Can't remember the exact amount, but remember it made me bork.

Ended up throwing all kinds in the box & me & Chew went halfs for the event luggage transfer, which ended up a pain as all i ended up doing was riding with the box to the hotel that Taylor mentions above..

I would say that it might be worth asking at the hotel, even if you're not staying there. It's an ideal location for the airport & probably open 24hrs...

[robbie]

https://bagbnb.com/luggage-storage/pisa ... 0wod75kHVA

Anyone used this?

[Asposium]

https://bagbnb.com/luggage-storage/pisa ... 0wod75kHVA

Anyone used this?

looks interesting

thanks

[gairym]

Still a sniff over a week until we're on our way and so everything could change but.....the weather is looking toasty and dry!

Nowt but sunshine and ~30°c temps on any of the forecasts I've looked at and so it looks like we'll miss the sludgy suffer-fest of last years first day or so.

On the downside we're all gonna melt and be burnt to a crisp within minutes

[robbie]

What are you guys doing for travel insurance for this event?

[gairym]

Evening all, is everybody packed (or at least chosen a bike) and ready?

I posted a few days ago about weather and heat and I've since heard that they reckon it's going to be full-on scorchio for our little Italian adventure.

So as a public service announcement, for those not used to riding in b@stard hot conditions, I thought I'd offer up a few pearls of wisdom gained over the last ten years of living/riding in hot continental summers....

Nothing revolutionary but my advice is don't underestimate the heat - here are my thoughts.....

- Carry more water. Not sure what you were planning. But bring more.

- Accept (if not yet with full understanding of why) that you'll ride slower, stop more and get tired sooner than your​ current UK form would suggest due to the simple reality of how energy sapping +30°c is over a few days.

- Suncream AND physical shade (cap, buff etc...) for everyone but especially those of us lucky enough to be rid of the burden of hair!

- More water!

I'm not trying to scare anyone as it's going to be a great event but underestimating the effects of serious heat and sun can knock you sideways if you're not careful.

I rode today in a sniff over 30°c on a 30km ride (only 600m alt gain) and I had to stop a good few times just to stop myself overheating.

I hope this helps a little and see you all in Massa on Thursday!!!

[robbie]

Regarding the heat does anybody know roughly what the temps will be like overnight in the hills? Just trying to suss out the best clothes for sleeping In?
Cheers

[gairym]

On the first night last year we slept at 400m alt. and it was nice and warm (and the day hadn't been overly warm).

Depends how high you're thinking of sleeping and how exposed the bivi spot is.

I'm taking a teenie Alpkit 'Cloudcover' quilt and a very thin Borah bivi bag (same as last year) as sure I'll be warm enough (though I sleep warm).

[gairym]

There was some chat on the facebook earlier with someone asking about medical certificates again.

Andrea started in no uncertain terms that one is required to be covered by the event insurance (obviously this won't affect your own insurance).

Sure this wasn't the case last year and I don't have one for this year but wanted to inform you guys of the situation - act as you see fit.

If you're worried just download one from t'interweb and change it in Photoshop.

[Asposium]

Anyone else flying from Manchester to Pisa on Thursday evening?

[Asposium]

https://bagbnb.com/luggage-storage/pisa ... 0wod75kHVA

Anyone used this?

bike bag booked with bagbnb
30 euro

thanks for the heads-up

[gairym]

So this morning I finally decided which bike to take.

I cleaned and prepped the Gravel bastard (Cotic Escapade) putting on some news tyres etc... and then promptly changed my mind and had to do the same again with the 29er (Cotic Solaris).

Everything is now packed and ready for the off in the morning (including gas canister bought).

See you all in Massa.....

[Asposium]

Rucksack???
If not then you travel light.
MasterCard

[gairym]

Rucksack???
If not then you travel light.
MasterCard

I have literally never been so offended ever in my life*!!!

Here's what we've got in the bags.....

Bar bag:

Quilt
Mat
Bivi
Waterproof

Seat bag:

Shorts
T-shirt
Base layer
Pants
Socks
Hat
Gloves

Feed bag 01:

Water

Feed bag 02:

Snacks

Top tube bag 01:

Tools
Spares

Top tube bag 02:

Batteries
Cables
Suncream
Phone
Arse cream
Toiletries

Lioness:

Food

*that being said after a long day on the bike I do tend to gravitate towards a comfy b&b

[Asposium]

TT done.
Won't be repeating that.
Chill for the rest of the day, train back to pisa tomorrow.
Learnt some useful lessons.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Won't be repeating that.

Not enjoy it?

[Asposium]

Won't be repeating that.

Not enjoy it?

It was somewhat tedious.

And no tea or cake at the end

[Bearbonesnorm]

And no tea or cake at the end

FFS ... do these Italians not know how the British bikepacker functions!

[Asposium]

And no tea or cake at the end

FFS ... do these Italians not know how the British bikepacker functions!

I know
Pasta, pasta, or pasta.

Want some chips.
Ideally with gravy.

[Scattamah]

Italians do a mean pizza though. Can't ever have too much pizza when bikepacking. Essential food group.

Greetz

S.

[Asposium]

The ice cream.
Oh my lord, that was good

[gairym]

Afternoon all,

Finished a few hours ago and I'm pooped!

Absolutely loved it (again)!

4.5 days of blood, sweat and tears (not to mention mechanicals, falls, insane heat, mighty fine food, mightier finer wine and even some surprising craft beer appearances).

It was somewhat tedious

Whaaaaat?

...may I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain..."

What didn't you like about it?

Weather too nice? Too much good food/wine? Strada Bianca too dusty? Vistas too perfect?

Not having a go as if you didn't rate it then fair enough but each year I've done it has been more of a laugh and more enjoyable than the year before.

[Asposium]

Afternoon all,

Finished a few hours ago and I'm pooped!

Absolutely loved it (again)!

4.5 days of blood, sweat and tears (not to mention mechanicals, falls, insane heat, mighty fine food, mightier finer wine and even some surprising craft beer appearances).

It was somewhat tedious

Whaaaaat?

...may I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain..."

What didn't you like about it?

Weather too nice? Too much good food/wine? Strada Bianca too dusty? Vistas too perfect?

Not having a go as if you didn't rate it then fair enough but each year I've done it has been more of a laugh and more enjoyable than the year before.

Riding up one of the (many) fire roads -with no view I might add- I was thinking "a lot of this reminds me of wales", then turned onto a little back road for more wales.
Made me realise, don't need to go to Italy when one has the quality of wales.
Far too much road.
And damn hot.
Amazing ice cream.
Sat at Pisa airport waiting for my flight; thanks for your advice and company; however, it's my first and last.

Want a mug of tea.

As I said, if you come over for WRT next year and want a lift from Manchester then give me a shout.

The gas cylinder is in the sleeping room

[robbie]

I enjoyed it. Was pretty much what I was expecting as had read up on it a bit. Brilliant weather nice relaxed atmosphere. Stopped and took pictures and ate at restaurants. Met some really nice people as well. Pretty pleased how it went with finish time and relaxed riding. apart from a few mechanicals

[gairym]

Robbie, did we meet?

I heard there were other Brits I didn't see.

How long did it take you?