I'm in !!

Outgoing flight booked Monday 5th (Bristol to Turin via Brussels).

It's my own fault James, i've just been a wuss instead of Manning-TFU. Climbing doesn't normally bother me either & i'm sure i'll feel even worse when you all start posting up about how amazing it is!!

Get on Jase, do it ! The Italian Piza trade are really suffering since you returned home...

rufus748 wrote:I'm in !!

be good to catch up Chew.
I need to get some miles in before September, hardly ridden since the TT, lost my mojo a bit.
As Gairy's going it will be sunny, dusty trails and cafes every couple of miles

For those looking at the CTC bag option for flying its best double checking with your airline.

Easyjet on the way out and no issues
Jet2 for the return and they're stating that they must me boxed.

I've emailed them to confirm you can't use a CTC bag, but not holding my breath.......

James,

Is the stated 300 miles of tarmac and 240 miles of gravel roads pretty much accurate?

Also, how rough are the gravel roads?

(obviously it'll vary but in the whole?)

I ask as I've been putting some miles on my new gravel tyres and whilst they're great on the tarmac I'm not digging then offroad (and that's unloaded).

Considering reverting to my Crossmarks as they roll fine and take the sting out of the rubble and stones.

Hi Gairy, roughly it's a 300/150 miles split as a guide from the main dirt road sections, if you took the 2 more off-road options it'll be a bit more but only +10-12 miles maybe. Roughness .. hard to say but welsh forestry roads come to mind, varied and a bit random-rocky at times, you could ride it on a CX bike / tyre but with a load on I'd expect to be backing off in places on the descents. The Strada Cannoni after the Colle Sampeyre is the roughest/loosest section but only a few miles of that are harder-going on a more road-biased bike. A lighter MTB tyre that's fast on the road is ideal.

Cool, nice one.

I'm still undecided but will keep riding both and make a decision nearer the time.

I've been sent a set of route cues converted to less than 500 points per flle, from a rider with an older GPS. PM me / usual address if you'd like them in that format?

Anyone know anything about getting back up to Turin (with a loaded and unboxed bike) after the finish?

My research so far seems to indicate that the first leg of the train journey requires a bike to be in a bag/box.

There's also a bus service (Flixbus or something like that) but they're all sold out of bike places???

Failing a solution I'll just have to drive down to Nice via Turin (to leave my bike at the Hostel), get the train back up and then ride to the car at the finish.

Cheers, Gairy.

You know what the answer is Gairy ... you could be the very first person to complete a Turino-Nice double

I've been trying to fathom this problem myself as we're also doing the drive option.

From what I can tell, it all gets a bit easier once you've crossed the border. My general intention then is to get on a local train to Ventimiglia on a local train and work from there. I'm going to be doing some research over the next couple of days so I'll share my findings here.

Any advice on long-term parking options in Turin?

Any advice on long-term parking options in Turin?

Will ask our man in Turin for tips ..

Thanks James

If your man in Turin happens to have available parking space then I'm prepared to offer beer money or similar.

Gairy,

Looks like it may be possible to do it unboxed from Ventimiglia to Turin via Cuneo on regional trains. http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Servi ... -your-bike
Alternatively, you could get a bike box from a shop in Nice or Ventimiglia and carry it that way on the train. The ride up the coast through Monaco is pretty nice so I'm tempted to do that if the schedule allows.

cyclingtiger wrote:Gairy,

Looks like it may be possible to do it unboxed from Ventimiglia to Turin via Cuneo on regional trains. http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Servi ... -your-bike
Alternatively, you could get a bike box from a shop in Nice or Ventimiglia and carry it that way on the train. The ride up the coast through Monaco is pretty nice so I'm tempted to do that if the schedule allows.

That looks doable. An extra 40km in the saddle but saves 8 hours driving in total (plus fuel, parking etc...).

Good find!!!

I'm kind of in no hurry as I've given myself 7 days to finish the route but with that much climbing I'm aware that the days can slip by all too quickly with less distance than planned being ridden.

100km / 2000m alt gain per day for a week sounds easy enough even for the likes of me

In Tuscany the trains weren't any issue at all. Typical Italian of yeah whatever.........

I seem to remember as long as you were on one of the regional trains it was fine.
The high speed ones could have been an issue.

I assume with it being France they may just be a bit French.....


I also imagine with recent events in Nice there will be a lot more sticking to the rules, rather then being pragmatic.

I also imagine with recent events in Nice there will be a lot more sticking to the rules, rather then being pragmatic.

Also, according to radio 4, if anyone finishing is thinking of a celebration dip, don't pack your burquni as they've been outlawed in many French resorts. I'd suggest stripping of down to your bollox ... 'cos that's okay

If your man in Turin happens to have available parking space then I'm prepared to offer beer money or similar.

OK, will let you know. Is the airport parking an option if you're not flying from there? Not cheap but secure for a week or so.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:...I'd suggest stripping of down to your bollox ... 'cos that's okay ...

Packin' the stingray, Stu? :)

Greetz

S.

re parking in Turin, from Sergio -

In Bodoni Square there is a underground parking, I will ask for the multidays rates.
I will sent you more details when I come back on the 26/8.
if they do not ask for a secured parking (Turin is not a dangerous city for empty cars) I will indicate you some free parking area.

Scott, still up for a ride to Turin? I'm leaving Eurobike on Friday lunchtime / early afternoon. Meeting a chap from the US who's over for Eurobike at Locarno on Sat night/Sun am if that also works for you. Saturday does have a few hills as I want to go over some Swiss passes but there's a bail-out route included that cuts the 2 biggest climbs out.

@ James - I'm most likely going to have to go direct to start line. I'll know more by next week once I'm done with this pesky house move.

Greetz

S.

No probs!

Getting a step closer



No Jaffa cakes though

and it was a twin pack

sub standard i forgot to do the whole paypal for a patch, are there still some available?

Me too, any chance of still getting one?