Tuesday, August 28, 2007

going to italy


tour of ireland is over the last night in dublin was really fun although I called it a night early as I had to get up at 5 in the morning to get to the airport.
flew to italy, got on a bus then a train.







rob coppolillo picked me up in the town of Belluno and drove me to where I am now
this is alleghe I am pretty sure a stage of this years giro went through here.




the ride we went on today was EPIC! despite the fact that I actually did the same ride 4 years ago when I worked for Connie and Davis Phinney. still just as steep, still just as stunning



Everyone seems to care in Italy, the garbage men tuck in there shirts, they iron there clothes. every house no matter how big or small is clean and neat and this time of year they all have flowers coming out of every nook.

the drivers always make room for cyclists and everyone is happy to see us. we even get the "di' Pantani" references as we all slog up the super steep passes. today we did the Fedaia and the passo Pordoi. out mechanic whom I've known for years thought it would be funny to only put a 25 on my bike instead of a 27

yes it is that steep, uh bobby your dropped I have been secret training. I have made up this whole trip as a cover for secret training so I can drop you in cross. this road said 15% , but there was also another stretch of road that said 15% that was not nearly as steep...




there are little villages on every buildable piece of land, I have no idea how much climbing you have to do, or how tough you have to be to actually get to some of these places as they seem to be perched on the side of 45 degree slopes...










the pictures don't do this place justice the views are incredible



this is for the car people, the same car james dean died in. there was also a 50's mercedes gullwing cruising around too.



ok I have to run and get ready for today's ride.

ciao

Jonathan

1 comment:

Bob #1 said...

yes I am "that" guy.

surfing blogs from my desk-cockpit. yes, I said that.